By Beka Garris
A grey squirrel chattered at me from its seat high in the hickory tree. Its fluffy tail flicked back and forth, the only movement on the otherwise still branch.
He knew that I was there just as much as I knew where he was, which is part of the song and dance that is squirrel hunting. Finding a way to outsmart a tiny creature a that is often referred to as a "tree rat" is an underrated and enjoyable way to spend time in the woods.
Years ago squirrel hunting was fairly common; people hunted for food and hunting squirrels was a fairly easy way to put some meat in the stew pot and get through the winter. While squirrel is not quite as popular to hunt in current day, many of us still enjoy the pursuit and revel in carrying a handful of bushy-tails back to the truck.
Generally speaking, the term "squirrel" conjures up images in our heads of a standard grey colored squirrel that is most commonly seen in both forests and neighborhoods. However there are a variety of squirrels to hunt in North America, and depending where you live, the species may vary.
Hunting the Grey Squirrel
The most common squirrel is a Grey Squirrel. They can be found anywhere that there are mast trees or trees that produce some kind of nut. Acorn, hickory, Walnut, pecans; even seeds make up a large part of the squirrels diet. However grey squirrels don't discriminate when it comes to food and can be quite a pest to neighborhoods as they often take advantage of bird feeders and trash, and often like to nest in sheds and attics during winter.
For most of us, particularly the northeast to Midwest, grey squirrel is what we will mainly be targeting while hunting. A few Greys will provide a good meal for a family of four and is a favorite tablefare in our household.
If you’re looking to shoot a few, go and find yourself a grove of black walnut or hickory and set up at the base of a tree. Keep your eyes to the branches and you'll be sure to go home with a few of squirrels if you're patient enough. Patience will go a long way when it comes to squirrel hunting.
Read More: Squirrel and Dumpling Recipe
Targeting a Fox Squirrel
While I usually hunt greys, my favorite squirrel to hunt is a Fox squirrel – and they can be a little trickier to find and hunt.
Bigger than a grey squirrel, Fox squirrels have a beautiful orange hue to their fur and tail and even have a variety of color phases. If you're looking to target this species, you'll want to hunt more open woods and urban areas. While there are areas where greys and fox squirrels coexist, you will find that there are areas where one species is far more abundant than the other.
In my experience fox squirrels tend to be a bit more elusive than grey squirrels, but if you can find a few big hickory trees that are widely scattered at the edge of a big field....your chances of going home with enough fox squirrels for a meal is pretty good.
Hunting Red Squirrels
The third common species of Squirrels that are often hunted in North America is the Red squirrel. They are the smallest, barely bigger than a chipmunk and have a completely different habitat than their bigger relatives. Sticking to mostly mountainous regions, these little red squirrels are densely populated in areas with pines and evergreens. Growing up in Northern New Jersey, these were a favorite to catch in a box trap and something I remember fondly. They can be a real nuisance while out trying to deer hunt and will often sit in a tree and chatter at you if they notice you near their home.
These little guys are extremely fun to hunt, and finding an area of pine trees on a ridge will often give you at least a few glimpses of a red squirrel. However you have to be a good shot with these, and you'll need a handful to make a meal! These squirrels also are said to have a slightly different flavor due to their diet.
Many people are under the impression that black squirrels are also a species of squirrel, however they are not. Virtually any species of squirrels can be black as it's a genetic mutation that causes the fur to be black. Similarly, white squirrels are also the result of a genetic mutation
No matter the species of squirrel you are bringing back for dinner, there are an abundance of easy recipes out there that will be sure to please even picky eaters. One of our favorites is squirrel tacos, and it requires very little effort while still delivering flavor. These are even approved by my toddler!
Pulled Squirrel Tacos
Ingredients
- 2-3 whole squirrels, skinned and cleaned
- 2 cups broth
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup carne asada marinade
- Small flour tortillas
- Shredded cheese
- Olive oil or butter
- Toppings: guacamole, sour cream, Pico de Gallo, queso
Directions
1. Season your squirrels well with salt and pepper. Add to your instant pot ( or pressure cooker) along with the broth and pressure cook 15 minutes.
2. Remove the squirrel from the instant pot and pull all the meat off the bones. Be careful as they will be extremely hot!
3. Add the shredded meat back to the crockpot and add your marinade. Mix well and cook on low (slow cook) for 3-4 hours.
4. Once done, lay out your tortillas. Add a few tablespoons of meat and shredded cheese to each tortilla and fold in half. Repeat until you’ve used the desired amount of tortillas.
5. Preheat a large skillet and add a small amount of olive oil or butter. Add your tortillas in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side of until they are golden and crispy. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings!