I know you have heard the way the Pioneers hunted squirrels and how they hunted with long Kentucky Rifles and “Barked” them off the side of a tree. This practice is really non productive if you are trying to feed a family. Although I have barked squirrels by shooting the tree by their head causing the impact to kill the squirrel by concussion rather than actually hitting it, doing so would be a waste of ammunition back in the day.
The Pioneers were corn farmers in general. They used it to eat, feed their live stock and make whiskey. They also used it to bait critters. Most edible game will readily come to a corn pile. A hunter would find a secluded spot and set out a bait station and watch the sign for a few days to see what was coming in. The real weapon of choice for small game was a shotgun, the real weapon that won the West. Why was simple, you could get two or three squirrels with one shot, that went for most other game hunted. The rifle was used for larger game like deer.
I re learned this out of necessity living in a rural area while wanting to shoot my 22 rifle without sending a bullet a mile. My red headed stepson made a big pile of scrap lumber in the back yard and started to burn it. I said don’t bother leave it I will make it into a good backstop, it turned out perfect. I intend to improve it for looks but it works just fine as is. It will safely stop any bullet.
Next I learned how the British Air Rifleman hunt squirrels. They use a bait station and it is very productive. They get pretty elaborate, but not necessary. Corn works and all I do is pour a 25 pound sack on the ground and that’s it. Every squirrel in the area will come to it. Not to mention they get fat as a roll of toilet paper.
This photo was taken May 5th one day before the Spring Squirrel Season in Louisiana. The Grey Squirrel is posing for the centerfold of Outdoors Unlimited Magazine. Sometime tomorrow morning he gets a Chocolate Winchester Surprise.
Yes I eat Squirrels, and no I don’t call them Tree Rats, hunting them is a great American Tradition and there are several ways to do it. As far as tradition, the bait station is how it was really done back in the day and works just fine in this day and time….Pass it on.