• All about Missouri’s fox squirrels and eastern gray squirrels.
In Missouri, hunters may pursue two species of tree squirrels — fox squirrels, called “red squirrels” by many, and eastern gray squirrels. Fox squirrels are the larger of the two species. They tend to be found near the edges of timber stands, in isolated woodlots and open woods without much understory, along timbered ridges and uplands, and even in hedgerows. Grays are more likely to occur in extensive tracts of forest and bottomlands, but it’s not unusual to find both species using the same area.
HUNTING AND MANAGEMENT
Few game species are as widespread and underused across Missouri as squirrels. Squirrel hunting was very popular several decades ago with more than 218,000 hunters harvesting just over 3.1 million squirrels in 1972. Today, however, the Missouri Department of Conservation says it is common to have the woods to yourself. In 2014, a few more than 65,000 hunters harvested just under 850,000 squirrels.
Squirrel hunting is a great way to introduce youth to hunting. No specialized gear is needed, opportunities are frequent, and stealth and silence are not as critical as for deer or turkey hunting. Hunting squirrels is also a great sport for seasoned hunters too. It hones observation skills and marksmanship, and it offers a chance to scout for other game such as deer or turkey. And, of course, a successful hunt results in some wonderful table fare.
Gray squirrels are early risers and become active at sunrise, while fox squirrels tend to come out later in the morning and are active during mid-day. The activity of both species slows considerably in the mid-day hours on hot, humid summer days.
Hunters new to squirrel hunting should remember to move slowly through the woods, scanning the treetops for movement and listening for the sounds of bushytails jumping from limb to limb or cutting and dropping nut hulls. Upon finding a lot of fresh cuttings on the ground, find a comfortable spot nearby and sit down awhile — you’ll usually have a shot or two shortly.
Lands are rarely managed specifically for squirrels, but some common management practices can be of benefit. Forest stand improvement (FSI) involves the removal of inferior or surplus trees to thin a stand and allow the remaining trees to experience better health and growth. An added bonus of FSI is that mast (acorns, nuts or other fruiting bodies) production often increases, providing abundant food resources. Squirrels often nest in cavities and hollow trees, so MDC says some should be retained on property.
MDC’S FEATURED HUNTING SPOTS
MDC suggests these areas in the state that offer squirrel hunting opportunity:
• Angeline CA (Shannon County).
• Atlanta CA (Macon County).
• Baltimore Bend CA (Lafayette County).
• Blind Pony Lake CA (Saline County).
• Brickyard Hill CA (Atchison County).
• Castor River CA (Bollinger County).
• Clear Creek CA (Barton, Vernon counties).
• Honey Creek CA (Andrew County).
• Huzzah CA (Crawford County).
• Indian Hills CA (Scotland County).
• Lead Mine CA (Dallas County).
• Pea Ridge CA (Washington County).
• Settle’s Ford CA (Bates, Cass counties).
• University Forest CA (Butler, Wayne counties).
• Multiple methods to hunt frogs now that 2018 season is open.
Bullfrogs and green frogs look similar but are easy to tell apart from other frogs in Missouri, due to their relatively large size at maturity, according to the Missouri Department of Conversation.
They prefer aquatic edge habitats that offer still, shallow water with aquatic and/or terrestrial vegetation. This provides both cover and food, such as insects and nearly any other small animal that will fit in their mouths. Ponds, lake and river banks, wetlands, and other vegetated waterways are all great places to find frogs. During or after a rain, frogs can be found anywhere as they attempt to locate new habitats.
HUNTING AND MANAGEMENT
Frogs can be hunted in Missouri using many different methods. With a fishing permit, frogs may be taken by gig, trotline, throw line, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing, or pole and line. With a hunting permit, frogs may be taken by crossbow, pellet gun, or .22 or smaller caliber rim-fire rifle or pistol, and with either permit may be taken by hand, hand net, bow or atlatl. Frogs may also be pursued during the day, or at night with an artificial light. During a full moon, frogs are typically more skittish because they feel more exposed, and are thus more difficult to approach. During a new moon, it is usually easier to get closer to them. Because frogs are amphibious and must keep their skin moist, they spend more time in the water and weeds during the day and are generally less visible around the banks than at night. Whether they’re hiding or not, their location is often given away by their assertive croaks.
“Frogging” is a great way to introduce kids to hunting. Lethal weapons are not required, and froggers can catch and release if they want. Catching frogs by hand or hand net is exciting, since kids can get closer to frogs than to other small game species. Besides, most youngsters enjoy chasing a jumping, splashing, evasive frog around weeds and water.
Public and private landowners typically do not manage for frogs. Instead, frog populations are often the result of management for another species such as waterfowl or fish. Frogs are also common in aquatic edge habitats not subject to management or maintenance of any kind. Waters with few to no predators will yield the best frog populations, which is why newer ponds or very old ponds are generally plentiful with frogs.
MDC’S FEATURED HUNTING SPOTS
Bullfrogs and green frogs can be found along nearly all waterways on MDC conservation areas but especially on wetland areas and along rivers and lakes.
Froggers may want to try the suggested areas listed below. MDC says contact the area before frogging, as some areas may experience seasonal waterfowl refuge closures. Here are MDC’s suggested spots:
• Baltimore Bend CA (Lafayette County).
• Bilby Ranch CA (Nodaway County).
• Bull Shoals Lake (Ozark, Taney counties).
• Coon Island CA (Butler County).
• Fountain Grove CA (Linn, Livingston counties).
• Four Rivers CA (Bates, Vernon counties).
• Indian Hills CA (Scotland County).
• Lamine CA (Cooper, Morgan counties).
• Long Branch Lake Management Lands (Macon County).
• Lost Valley Fish Hatchery (Benton County).
• Marais Temps Clair CA (St. Charles County).
• Nodaway Valley CA (Nodaway County).
• Robert E. Talbot CA (Lawrence County).
• Ted Shanks CA (Pike County).
• Ten Mile Pond CA (Mississippi County).
STORIES PROVIDED BY THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION