The gray squirrel, a.k.a. Ole Bushy Tail, is one of the most sought-after of game animals in North America. Hunting them can be incredibly easy, but for me it generally falls more towards what difficult really is. They’re small targets, and because they’re natural prey animals, they are often quite wary and have the ability to tell when you’re looking and when you’re not. I’ve often stared myself silly looking at a tree I knew a squirrel was in, and as soon as I turned my head that little bugger knew it, and got gone. But they are plentiful, which makes squirrel hunting an excellent way to introduce beginners to hunting.

Squirrels communicate with visual signals, scents, and sounds. Visual signals are generally performed with the tail, which may stick straight out or be curled above the body, but most often, when used for signaling, the tail will wave about. Scents are placed on tree limbs and other locations, used to mark territory, among other things. Audible communication consists of squeaks, barks, purrs, and such. Their meanings naturally vary widely, from "Come here," to "Look out!"

The gray squirrel, sometimes also called the cat squirrel, is a very interesting creature and a worthy game animal for hunters. He may be pursued with many different hunting tools, from rim-fire rifles to shotguns, handguns, muzzleloaders, and even bows. He will often prove himself a worthy opponent for any hunter to outwit, keeping alive the challenge that is hunting.

The squirrel is the first game animal I ever hunted in the woods, and most likely that is the case with most hunters in the eastern United States. Squirrel hunting is a great way to learn patience, woodcraft, stealth, marksmanship, and gun-handling skills, while still affording a decent number of opportunities for action - which is important in keeping a novice hunter’s attention. Yes, I’d say the squirrel is the King of the Treetops, and he has provided many wonderful hunting memories for not only me but for countless others over the years. And with the proper predator controls, their numbers can easily be maintained for the enjoyment and education of many generations to come.