FRANKFORT, Ky. – More than a dozen wildlife and law enforcement officers are actively searching for a black bear that attacked a hiker Sunday afternoon in the Red River Gorge Geological Area north of Campton, Ky.

A Springfield resident reported that he was attacked by a bear as he hiked with his dog along the trail to Gray’s Arch near the Wolfe-Menifee county line around 2:30 p.m.

Sunday’s incident is the only known bear attack on a person in Kentucky in modern times.

“This is not typical black bear behavior,” said Wildlife Division Director Karen Waldrop of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “We are aggressively trying to locate and trap this bear so that it can be euthanized for the public’s protection.”

Steven Dobey, black bear biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, said foothold snares are being deployed in the backcountry to capture the bear. A culvert trap has also been set up in the Koomer Ridge Campground. Waldrop said wildlife officials are patrolling roads in the area in an attempt to locate the bear.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s policy is to destroy any bear that shows aggressive behavior toward humans, or enters a house in search of food, Waldrop said.

The attack on Scott stopped after a group of four hikers arrived at the scene and rescued him.

The U.S. Forest Service has closed the Red River Gorge northeast of Natural Bridge State Resort Park to recreational use. The closure includes the Clifty Wilderness Area. Road access in the area is limited pending capture of the bear.

Frankfort, Ky. – Kentucky’s wildlife management areas (WMAs) are a blessing to all Kentuckians. Although managed primarily for wildlife habitat and hunting and fishing access, any citizen of the state may use these thousands of acres to hike, watch birds, picnic, photograph wildlife and pursue other outdoor-related recreation, as well as hunt and fish.

Kentuckians may use these lands whether or not they help pay the bill by purchasing a hunting or fishing license. These wildlife areas are a gift to the rest of the state provided by hunters and anglers.
Shooting ranges are another service provided on some of Kentucky’s wildlife management areas. Most Kentuckians don’t have easy access to a private gun club where they can sight in their deer rifle or practice their wingshooting.

Wildlife management areas across the state have public shooting ranges for target shooting with a rifle, pistol or shotgun. On Curtis Gates Lloyd WMA in Grant County and Miller Welch-Central Kentucky WMA in Madison County, shotgunners may use the self-serve trap ranges to hone their skills.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife approved clubs operate skeet and trap ranges at Curtis Gates Lloyd WMA, Miller Welch-Central Kentucky WMA and West Kentucky WMA in McCracken County. Participants in the club event may use these facilities.

The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission recently passed new regulations to improve safety at public shooting ranges on wildlife management areas by banning certain types of weapons and ammunition.
Users may not discharge cannons, artillery or any replica of those weapons on public shooting ranges on wildlife management areas. Mortars, grenades, incendiaries, explosive devices or explosive bullets are prohibited as well.

Modern firearm bullets 500 grains or larger may not be used at these public shooting ranges. Shotgun slugs larger than 10-gauge or muzzleloader balls or bullets larger than .78 caliber are also prohibited from use. Also, people may not fire rifles that are not shoulder-mounted or pistols that are not hand held.
"The impact of those rounds creates significant damage to the safety backstops at those ranges," said Brian Clark, assistant director of public affairs for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
Feel free to use these public shooting ranges this summer as you prepare for the coming hunting seasons. Enjoy these public areas and appreciate them as gifts. They belong to you; treat them as you would your own.

Here is a list of shooting ranges on wildlife management areas:

1. Curtis Gates Lloyd WMA, Grant County: shooting range with tubes for single projectile firearms, self-serve public trap range, archery range, club-operated skeet, trap and rifle/pistol ranges.
2. Miller Welch-Central Kentucky WMA, Madison County: shooting range with tubes for single projectile firearms, self-serve public trap range, club-operated skeet and trap ranges.
3. Taylorsville Lake WMA, Spencer County: shooting range with tubes for single projectile firearms.
4. John A. Kleber WMA, Owen County: shooting range with tubes for single projectile firearms.
5. Peabody WMA, Muhlenberg County: shooting range with tubes for single projectile firearms.
6. Higginson-Henry WMA, Union County: shooting range with tubes for single projectile firearms.
7. Jones-Keeney WMA, Caldwell County: rifle-pistol range and archery range.
8. West Kentucky WMA, McCracken County: Club-operated skeet range and archery range.

Author Lee McClellan is an award-winning associate editor for Kentucky Afield magazine, the official publication of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. He is a life-long hunter and angler, with a passion for smallmouth bass fishing.

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The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.

Contact:
Lee McClellan (800) 858-1549 ext 4443

Starting July 1, deer hunters who want to help landowners or farmers remove antlerless deer from private property during the regular deer hunting seasons can sign up online at www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild. 

Using an online form, each hunter will be able to select up to two counties that he or she would be willing to hunt.  Landowners or farmers who think they need additional antlerless deer removed from their property can then contact their district wildlife biologist for the list of prospective hunters for their area. The landowner would then be responsible for reviewing the information on each application and contacting the hunter(s) of his or her choosing.

There are no special hunting benefits associated with this program, which is designed to connect landowners and potential hunters. The program does not increase a hunter’s bag limit, county antlerless deer quotas, or give the hunter any special considerations or license fee reductions. Hunters selected by landowners to hunt on their property must abide by all Indiana hunting regulations, bag limits, bonus antlerless quotas, and purchase the appropriate valid license(s) needed to take one or more antlerless deer off the property.  

The registration form must be completed online from July 1 at 12:01 a.m. to midnight on Aug. 31. There will be no exceptions or extensions to the deadline. Mailed or faxed copies will not be accepted. Hunters who do not have Internet are encouraged to visit a local library offering Internet access. Multiple applications submitted by the same hunter are prohibited and will be purged from the database.

Results from the first year of the Hunters Helping Farmers Program showed increased hunter access occurred, but not from those hunters who registered through the Hunters Helping Farmers list. Based on a random sample of landowners who received information about the program, 44 percent indicated that they made an effort this past hunting season to increase antlerless deer hunting efforts and add additional hunters; however, none of those surveyed used the Hunters Helping Farmers list. Instead the vast majority said they increased hunter access by recruiting local hunters with whom they were already familiar. 

Even though none of the randomly selected and interviewed landowners used the Hunters Helping Farmers list, 10 landowners specifically requested a copy of the list for their county and six were interviewed.  The two landowners who used the list said they were pleased with the results. Of the four landowners who didn’t use the list, all said they might use the list in the future.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife would like to thank all the deer hunters that registered for the Hunters Helping Farmers program and their willingness to help resident landowners by taking antlerless deer. Although most of the hunters who registered for the program did not get called, hunter access to private lands was increased. One of the best ways hunters can help make this program a success is by telling landowners and farmers about the program.

More information:  Division of Fish and Wildlife, Private Lands Program Manager (812) 334-1137

Poor Boys Outdoors is proud to announce that Derby City Game Calls has officially signed on as Title Sponsor of the upcoming Poor Boys Outdoors television show.   

Derby City Game Calls is a relatively new, Louisville based call company that specializes in producing high quality turkey calls from the finest woods – calls that truly sound as good as they look.   The call company has quickly set itself apart from other calls, not only with design, but also providing a unique sound that only Derby City Game Calls can provide.  That quality and uniqueness was not overlooked at the 2010 NTWF Convention when the Derby City folks took home three medals for their efforts.

The Poor Boys Outdoors’ staff felt that with Derby City’s top of the line calls and the fact that they were Kentucky-based,  that they would be a perfect partner for the upcoming show.  We are looking forward to a long-lasting relationship as we both move forward in our efforts to brand ourselves as the best in our respective industries. 

For more information on Derby City Game Calls, be sure to check out their website at www.derbycitycalls.com. 

The Atterbury shooting range is under new management as of 5/13/2010.  Please visithttp://atterburyshootingcomplex.com/ for information on hours and pricing.

Atterbury State Fish & Wildlife Area is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 6,206 acres of upland game habitat, marsh, running creeks and shallow impoundments.

NOTICE
The Fish and Wildlife Area is unaffected by the recent mobilizations of Camp Atterbury. The normal activities north of Hospital Road, such as fishing and the shooting ranges, will continue to be open.

• History and Funding
• Rules and Regulations
• Fishing
• Hunting
• Wildlife Watching
• Neighboring Land
• Additional Opportunities

History and Funding

Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area was purchased by the state from Camp Atterbury, an army training installation established in 1942. In 1969, wildlife management efforts began on over 6000 acres. The remaining military area, a training facility for the National Guard and Army Reserve units, coordinates with Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area to authorize limited hunting on military property when not in conflict with training operations.

Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation and maintenance of Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area are derived from the sale of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. Funds are also received from the federal Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson programs to aid fish and wildlife restoration. These funds are derived from taxes levied on sport hunting and fishing equipment. Indiana hunters and fishermen are proud to provide this property for the enjoyment of all people.

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Rules and Regulations

Authority

In addition to state fish and wildlife laws, this property is governed by posted regulations affecting the public use of lands and facilities owned, leased or licensed by the Department of Natural Resources. Pursuant to the Authority of Chapter 60, Acts of 1919, Chapter 120 and Chapter 353, Acts of 1945, Chapter 221, Acts of 1957, Chapter 406 and Chapter 441, Acts of 1965; and the Indiana Code of 1971, 14-3-3.

Posted Areas

Safety zones, refuges, waterfowl resting and other restricted areas are marked with appropriate signs. PLEASE READ AND OBEY ALL SIGNS.

Violations

Violation of any law, rule or regulation governing this property may be cause for forfeiting your hunting, fishing, or visiting privileges on this area.

Responsibility

The Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, will not be held responsible for any accidents or deaths occurring from the use of these facilities.

Permits

• In addition to a hunting and/or fishing license the following permits are required.
• Permission to hunt during the day on Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area must be obtained before entering the field. Daily hunt permit cards must be in possession of the hunter and recorded through established self service procedures outlined at the checking station. Self-service drop boxes are located on the property for your convenience.
• Camp Atterbury Army National Guard Training Site, in cooperation with the Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area, provides limited hunting access to the military training areas. Mandatory hunting badges for the military area must be obtained from the Atterbury Fish and Wildlife headquarters. Limited access is available Monday through Friday, when training permits. Additionally, all hunters must register at Camp Atterbury Main Gate Security and obey all installation regulations.
• Night and predator hunting is only permitted by daily permit cards from the property manager.
• A permit from the fish and wildlife headquarters is required to enter the waterfowl resting area.
• No check-in or written permission is required for fishing. There is a minimum size limit of 14-inches for largemouth bass in effect on all state-owned, operated or leased waters except for free flowing streams. Partial closures exist on five fishing areas during waterfowl hunting season.
• A launching permit is NOT required on Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area.

Traffic

• Traffic on public roads through the area is governed by state and county laws. Traffic over service roads and trails, except by authorized vehicles, is restricted to walking.

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Fishing

• Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area provides 270 acres of available water10 impoundments, including 75 acre Pisgah Lake.
• Channel catfish, bluegill, redear and largemouth bass are the major species present.
• Stone Arch Lake, Beaver Bottom and Pisgah Lake have concrete boat ramps, and Teal Marsh and Mallard Marsh have gravel boat ramps.
• All lakes are limited to a maximum 12-volt electric motor.
• No check-in is required. However, five impoundments are closed during waterfowl season.
• There is a 14-inch minimum size limit on largemouth bass. All other size and bag limits apply. See Fishing Regulations for details.
• A fishing pier accessible to persons with disabilities is present at Beaver Bottom.

Hunting

• Deer, rabbit, squirrel, grouse, dove, woodcock, ducks and geese are common at Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area.
• Check-in is required. All hunting seasons and bag limits apply. See Hunting Regulations for details.
• Special hunts include a three-day Military Deer Hunt, Put-Take Pheasant Hunt and Pre-season Turkey Hunt.
• Dog training areas are available.

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Wildlife Watching

• 6,206 acres of upland game habitat, marsh and shallow impoundments attract over 200 species.
• Atterbury is an excellent songbird viewing area all year round.

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Neighboring Land

• Driftwood State Fishing Area is a 260 acre neighboring property ideal for bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie and tiger muskellunge. Plover pits has two concrete boat ramps, and Meadowlark and Sandpiper pits have gravel access ramps. A picnic area is also available.
• Camp Atterbury Military Training Center coordinates with Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area to authorize limited hunting on the military installation.
• Johnson County Park and Recreation Area offers camping, swimming, fishing, equestrian events and other recreational activities.

Additional Opportunities

• Wetland trapping is available through a drawing held the first Saturday in October.
• Dog training areas are provided in sections 13-B, 13-C and 13-D. (See map)
• Additional hunting opportunities include: A three-day Military Refuge Deer Hunt,Pre-season Turkey Hunt and Put-Take Pheasant Hunt. Information is provided in the Hunting and Trapping Guide.
• Hunting areas accessible to persons with disabilities are available. Ask for details at the headquarters.
• Blackberries, raspberries, morels and walnuts may be gathered from Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area.

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NO Camping and NO Swimming Allowed.

Please Read and Obey All Signs.

Jun 14, 2010

Early migratory bird season dates.
The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission recommends all hunting, fishing and boating regulations for approval by the General Assembly and approves all expenditures by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. All recommendations must be approved by legislators before they become law.
The 2010 – 2011 Early Migratory Bird Seasons:

Mourning Dove:
Sept. 1 – Oct. 24, 2010; Nov. 25 – Dec. 3, 2010;
Jan. 1, 2011 – Jan. 7, 2011

Canada Goose:
Sept. 4 – 12, 2010

Wood Duck and Teal:
Sept. 15 – 19, 2010

American Woodcock:
Oct. 16 – Nov. 29, 2010

Virginia and Sora Rail, Common Moorhen and Purple Gallinule:
Sept. 1 – Nov. 9, 2010

Common Snipe:
Sept. 15 – Oct. 31, 2010; Nov. 25, 2010 – Jan. 23, 2011

Season lengths and bag limits remain the same as last year.
In other early migratory bird business, the commission proposed opening Swan Lake on Boatwright Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to wood duck and teal hunting. Swan Lake is the only section of Boatwright WMA not open to wood duck or teal hunting. Hunters must use U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved non-toxic shot at Swan Lake.
The commission also proposed extending the spring squirrel season dates. Under the proposal, the spring squirrel season would open on the third Saturday in May and close the third Friday in June. Previously, the season opened on the first Saturday in June.
The commission also recommended removing the restriction on shot size for hunters using shotguns to hunt furbearers such as coyotes. Previously, furbearer hunters could not use buckshot to take these species.
On shooting ranges on wildlife management areas, the commission barred certain weapons and ammunition from use. Users of shooting ranges on wildlife management area cannot use cannons, artillery or replicas of these weapons, mortars, grenades, incendiary bullets, explosive devices or explosive bullets. They cannot fire shotgun slugs larger than 10-gauge or modern firearm bullets with more than 500 grains of powder. They also may not use muzzleloader balls larger than .78 caliber, rifles that are not shoulder-mounted or pistols that are not hand-held. The commission proposed these changes to reduce damages to the shooting range caused by these weapons and for safety reasons.
The next Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting will be held at 8 a.m., Friday, August 13, at #1 Sportsman’s Lane off U.S. 60 in Frankfort. Persons interested in addressing the commission must notify the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife commissioner’s office in writing at least 30 days in advance to be considered for placement on the meeting agenda. People who are hearing impaired and plan to attend the meeting should contact Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at least 10 days in advance and the agency will provide a translator. To request to address the commission, write to KDFWR, Commissioner Jon Gassett, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601.

Their plans for the remainder of the summer are to continue to publicize the course, begin a membership drive, complete construction of the archery building, and to schedule several major shoots during the remainder of the summer.

The next 3D shoot is 6/26/10 which is a membership drive shoot. They will be introducing the “Frequent Club Card” that will offer a 20% discount on regular course fees as well 20% on local club shoots. The price for these “Club Cards” are $30.

Vineyards is located at:

3243 Frankfort Pike
Georgetown, KY 40324

(502) 863-2165

The hours of operation are:

Practice & 3D Range:                             Course Fees

Daily from 8:00 am                                    Adults: $15

Fridays: 12:00 noon- 5pm                      Youth (10-18 yrs) $12

Weekends;: 8:00am-5:00pm                   Children under 10: free

*Can shoot all day*

Respondents also expressed strong support for a variety of license packages, including a “sportsman’s bundle” that would include one archery, one firearms, one muzzleloader and one bonus antlerless license for $72. To purchase each of those licenses separately under the current setup would cost $96.

The survey, conducted by the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, is part of a process to review and revise Indiana’s deer management strategy. After meeting with a stakeholder committee, the DFW asked deer hunters and landowners to complete the online questionnaire pertaining to deer season structure and equipment use.

A total of 9,516 responses were received.

“Because online surveys pose several problems in obtaining scientifically valid results, this questionnaire will be best served as a general indicator for gauging public support or opposition for various deer regulation alternatives,” said Mark Reiter, director of the Division of Fish & Wildlife. “The DFW will be using this information, along with input from a deer stakeholder committee and public input given as part of the administrative rule process, to promulgate a deer rule package.”

The questionnaire was available online from April 19-25. Questions were formatted based on suggestions and recommendations from the deer stakeholder committee to meet the objective of focused deer herd reduction in a strategically targeted manner that would more adequately balance ecological, recreational and economic needs of the citizens of Indiana.

Before being placed online, the questionnaire was reviewed by a social scientist from Purdue University’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources to ensure the integrity of each question.

The questionnaire was designed using an online provider (www.surveymonkey.com).

Slightly more than 93 percent of the survey respondents said they were Indiana deer hunters while 4.6 said they were not and just over 2 percent left the question blank.

Approximately 5,300 respondents identified themselves as resident license buyers; 2,600 as lifetime license buyers; 700 as landowners exempt from license purchase; 300 non-resident license buyers; 50 youth license buyers, and 10 military-exempt license holders.

Additional survey results showed that:

–Eight of 10 respondents said they use shotguns to hunt deer; 74 percent use archery equipment, 71 percent muzzleloader, 20 percent handguns, 19 percent rifles, and 10 percent crossbows. Of those respondents, 27.5 percent said they use only firearms, and nearly 5 percent said they use only archery equipment.

–Total responses favored the current opening date for firearms season. Moving the opening date one week later ranked second, with strong opposition to moving it two weeks later.

–Total responses strongly favored no change to the structure of firearms and muzzleloader seasons, and strongly opposed any choice with fewer days to hunt.

–Total responses supported all options for a strategically targeted antlerless-only firearms season, with most supporting a two-day October season.

–Total responses supported expanding the use of crossbows in the early archery season for hunters age 65 and older. Use in urban deer zones ranked second, followed by expansion into firearms season, and expansion into all of the early archery season.

–Respondents expressed strong support for several proposed license packages. The greatest support (75 percent) was for a reduced-cost bonus antlerless license available for early purchase, followed by a “sportsman’s bundle” mentioned previously (71 percent approval). Other options were two bonus antlerless licenses for $34 (66 percent approval) and three bonus antlerless licenses for $49 (58 percent approval). Fifteen percent of respondents did not support any of the license packages.

–Asked how many additional antlerless deer they would be willing to harvest if money were not an issue, nine percent said zero, 17 percent one, 32 percent two, 15 percent three, 9 percent four, and 17 percent more than four.

–Respondents identified the cost of additional licenses as the most likely reason they do not harvest an additional deer. Other factors influencing antlerless harvest include processing costs, and no need for an additional deer. Items not perceived to be a hindrance are lack of hunting time, deer herd ability to support additional take, and meat storage capacity.

For more information: Chad Stewart, Division of Fish and Wildlife, (812) 334-1137.

Comments/questions may be sent to INDeerSurvey@dnr.in.gov.

About Fish and Wildlife Management in Indiana
Fish and wildlife management and public access are funded by fishing and hunting license revenue and also through the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These programs collect excise taxes on sporting arms and ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment, and motor boat fuels. The money is distributed among state fish and wildlife agencies based on land size and the number of licensed anglers and hunters in each state. Find out more information about fish and wildlife management in Indiana at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/.

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Squirrel hunting is a Kentucky tradition that dates back to the pioneer era.

But hunting squirrels in the spring is relatively new. The season started as an experiment on four state wildlife management areas in 1994, and went statewide in 1999.

“Squirrels are our most stable and abundant small game species,” said Ben Robinson, wildlife biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

While squirrel hunting is typically a fall pursuit – a time when nuts ripen on hickory, oak and walnut trees – wildlife biologists studying the squirrel’s life cycle determined that it makes biological sense to hunt them in the spring, too.

“In June there are a lot of squirrels in the woods,” said Robinson. “Young squirrels are away from their parents, out on their own.”

The 2010 spring squirrel season is June 5-18, with a daily bag limit of six squirrels.

Squirrels have two breeding seasons: December through January, and again in June through July. “Squirrels nest in tree cavities, and make leaf nests, too,” said Robinson. “Young leave the nest after 45 days. Litters are typically three to four squirrels.”

Kentucky’s spring season is timed to coincide with the spike in squirrel numbers after the year’s first nesting period – a time when hunting won’t severely impact populations.

Since trees are leaf-covered in early June, squirrels have lots of places to hide. Therefore, .410 and 20-gauge shotguns are a good weapon choice for hunters, but rimfire rifles (.22 caliber), air guns (.177, .20 and .22 caliber), and small caliber muzzleloading rifles (.32 and .40 caliber), are also effective.
Hunting squirrels with dogs puts a new spin on a hunting sport that most people associate with a solitary hunter, quietly sneaking through the woods.

“Hunting with dogs is very different, it’s a social atmosphere,” said Karen Waldrop, the department’s director of wildlife, who has been squirrel hunting with dogs since age 20. “Spring is an ideal time to introduce a youngster to squirrel hunting. There’s a lot happening in the woods besides the squirrels; flowers are blooming and birds are singing.”

Waldrop said the Feist and Mountain Cur are two breeds of dogs used for squirrel hunting. They are high energy, hard working little dogs that use all their senses to find squirrels.

“They follow the trail of the squirrel to a tree and the good dogs stay on the tree, with their feet up, baying,” said Waldrop. “With my dog there’s a different bark, if she’s seen a squirrel, or just smelled one.”

Good squirrel hunting is available in all 120 Kentucky counties. The state has an estimated 72,000 squirrel hunters, according to the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation. “We have a core group of avid squirrel hunters,” said Robinson. “From the entries in wildlife cooperator surveys, we see that a lot of our squirrel hunters average more than 12 trips afield.”

The gray squirrel is the dominant species in the eastern third of Kentucky, with a higher percentage of (red) fox squirrels the further west you go. Squirrels live about three years. Gray squirrels are most often found in large tracts of forest lands. Fox squirrels prefer small woodlots and wooded fencerows of agricultural areas. In the wild, they fall prey to foxes, coyotes, hawks and owls.

Ultimately, the size of the fall nut crop limits the size of squirrel populations because of food availability. Nuts mature in mid-September and October, but weather extremes, such as late frosts in spring and summer droughts, can limit the amount and quality of mast.

Squirrels have a high reproductive potential. Squirrel numbers are able to quickly rebound after a poor mast year. “Over time there’s been no drastic change in squirrel populations, only season fluctuations,” said Robinson.

In early summer squirrels seek out the cooler temperatures found in stream drainages, and deep hollows. Float trips combining hunting and stream fishing are an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors in early June. Remember to always ask the landowner for permission to hunt and fish on private lands.

As in the fall, both gray and fox squirrels are most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

The habitat preferences of squirrels, and food availability, vary from season to season. In the spring and summer, squirrels eat mostly soft mast — the seeds of maple, ash, elm, wild cherry, hackberry and box elder trees. They consume some green vegetation (grasses), and occasionally mushrooms and blackberries. Insects, including grasshoppers, katydids and locusts, are also a part of their diet. Fox squirrels will occasionally gnaw on ears of standing corn in late summer.
Old-timers often called spring squirrel hunting “the mulberry season,” because bushytails show a preference for the red berries that darken as they begin to mature in early summer.

Spring squirrel season may be a new experience for some hunters.

It’s like a hunting scene depicted in a Currier & Ives print – sportsmen in their shirtsleeves shooting at upland game amid forest greenery and blue skies. But hunters who try spring squirrel hunting, will enjoy it.

“June is a great time to be in the woods,” said Robinson. “The weather is mild and squirrels are active.”