Grays also seem to prefer hillier terrain.įox squirrels are larger than grays, and are more likely to be found near farm fields, where they prefer to eat waste grain left behind by farmers. Generally, they hang close to nut trees in the fall and migrate with the maturing fruit trees. If you don't get to them quick, they usually timber-out and find a den inside a hollow tree.
Most gray squirrels never touch the ground, leaping from tree to tree for food or when pursued. Most squirrel hunters agree that gray squirrels are tenderer to eat, but they can be more difficult to hunt than fox squirrels. Grays are mostly creatures of the big woods. The result has been less pressure on squirrels and very healthy populations in places where they have ample habitat and food.įox squirrels and gray squirrels are the two most hunted species across the Midwest.įox squirrels are most abundant where woodlots and agricultural fields dominate the habitat. It is likely squirrel hunting has waned in popularity over the years because of all the other options hunters have in today's woods.Įarly duck, goose, dove and even deer seasons in some places have scattered hunter's interests. Points are given to a dog for simply treeing a squirrel. No weapons are carried in the competition and no squirrels are harvested. The event is sanctioned by the National Kennel Club and annually draws as many as 100 dogs from all over the United States and Canada. It is held annually near rural Oden, Ind. The National Cur and Feist Breeders Association organizes the largest squirrel hunting event in the world every year. Though not nearly as many homes keep a dog specifically designated for squirrel hunting these days, hunting with curs and feists is by no means a dying tradition. Where a good upland bird dog will rely mostly on his sense of smell, a squirrel dog learns to listen and watch for animals in the woods.Ī good cur or feist likes to hunt very close to the hunter, and will thoroughly work a small area before moving off. They separate themselves from other hunting dogs by making better use of all their senses. A typical mountain cur weighs around 40 pounds, where a feist is generally much smaller.Ī good cur or feist needs little training outside of watching other squirrel dogs work. Size is the main difference between a cur and a feist.
Over the centuries, hunters have selectively bred these dogs into what they call curs and feists.
At the time, squirrels were the most widely distributed and abundant game animal, and the meat they provided was an important part of many meals.Ī squirrel dog is any dog that will hunt and that also has a natural instinct to chase squirrels this would include terriers and dachshunds. That's right, there are dogs trained and bred specifically for squirrel hunting.įifty-years ago, it was not at all uncommon for a home to have a squirrel or tree dog. That's because in most places squirrel-hunting season is one of the first to open and is a great opportunity to break in new dogs, hunters and gear. Though times have changed, and squirrel hunting isn't considered a valid excuse to miss school anymore, lots of hunters still anticipate August with dreams of old bushytail. In fact, there was a time when opening day of squirrel season was a legitimate reason to keep the kids home from school to head to the woods with squirrel dog in tow. Squirrel hunting tradition still very much aliveīefore the modern revival of deer and turkey hunting, squirrel hunting was the dominant hunting sport in every state east of the Mississippi.
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