It's fall, and the eternal debate over squirrels rages anew:
Are they nature's court jester, providing hours of harmless laughs?
Are they nature's terrorists, hassling suburbanites and threatening America's infrastructure?
Are they dinner?
History will decide. Once again, Squirrel Awareness Month runs concurrently with the opening of squirrel hunting season in deep East Texas, a coincidence that brings to light the paradox of the squirrel experience in America.
While squirrel hunting is a year-round, lower profile sport in South Texas and other regions, it's got a gold rush feel in the eastern part of the state. Out there, it's wildly popular. Feverish hunters wait all year for their chance to light up the woods with gunfire.
More than 50,000 registered hunters stalk their tree-loving, acorn-hoarding prey each year, said Steve Lightfoot, a Texas Parks & Wildlife spokesman.
As you read this, there are East Texans planning post-hunt meals of fried squirrel or squirrel stew with dumplings, sometimes served at special squirrel hunting camps.
The scientific rationale for most state-sponsored hunting programs is habitat preservation, wildlife experts say, but squirrels don't threaten habitat because they can live anywhere and the population is stable. In the case of squirrels, hunting is tradition.
“It is a cultural thing in the Piney Woods,” Lightfoot said.
More here
Are they nature's court jester, providing hours of harmless laughs?
Are they nature's terrorists, hassling suburbanites and threatening America's infrastructure?
Are they dinner?
History will decide. Once again, Squirrel Awareness Month runs concurrently with the opening of squirrel hunting season in deep East Texas, a coincidence that brings to light the paradox of the squirrel experience in America.
While squirrel hunting is a year-round, lower profile sport in South Texas and other regions, it's got a gold rush feel in the eastern part of the state. Out there, it's wildly popular. Feverish hunters wait all year for their chance to light up the woods with gunfire.
More than 50,000 registered hunters stalk their tree-loving, acorn-hoarding prey each year, said Steve Lightfoot, a Texas Parks & Wildlife spokesman.
As you read this, there are East Texans planning post-hunt meals of fried squirrel or squirrel stew with dumplings, sometimes served at special squirrel hunting camps.
The scientific rationale for most state-sponsored hunting programs is habitat preservation, wildlife experts say, but squirrels don't threaten habitat because they can live anywhere and the population is stable. In the case of squirrels, hunting is tradition.
“It is a cultural thing in the Piney Woods,” Lightfoot said.
More here
it lives in the tree in our yard. everyday s/he brings me a cupcake and i pet him/her on the head and braid his/her tail fur so s/he looks cool for the ladies. or men.
