Ayrton's first squirrel hunt

As a boy my first introduction to hunting was the pursuit of squirrels. I was nine years old and had just been gifted my first gun, a 20 gauge single shot shotgun.

My grandfather had told me stories, for years, about some of the memorable hunts he had been a part of, hunts that made me long for the days I could join him. August 15, 1989 would be that date. Squirrel season has started on August 15 for as long as I can remember.

Even though it was legally unnecessary, for my safety he had me wear an orange vest for visibility. So there I was, orange hat with "Buckfever" written across the front, orange vest (the kind with a game pouch in the back), blue jeans, and snow boots ready for our adventure. Ten shiny new shotgun shells adorned the shell holders on the front of the vest. After breakfast was served, and Mamaw Joyce bid us good luck, we headed for the tree-line to the east in pursuit of my first squirrel.

I don't remember exactly how many squirrels we shot that morning or which tree I shot my first squirrel from, but what I do remember is the sense of pride and accomplishment all those years ago. What I do remember though, if I think about it hard enough, is the taste Mamaw's fried squirrel and gravy from that evening.

Throughout the next few years me and my Grandpa had many memorable squirrel hunts and I've not missed a year since. There are animals I would rather hunt than squirrel, but no other hunt signals the beginning of fall and hunting seasons than the bushy tailed rodents.

This year was a big moment for me and my youngest son Ayrton. Ayrton turned nine in May and received his first gun from his Papaw. His first hunt wasn't for squirrel but rather the spring turkey season. Ayrton wasn't able to get a turkey this spring so the first shot fired from his gun during a hunt would have to wait until squirrel season.

As the summer days trickled by and the nights became cooler he and I started making plans for his first squirrel hunt. Living on my Grandpa's old homestead I was fortunate to be able to replicate my first hunt for Ayrton.

The day came and we loaded up our guns and headed over that same hill that my Grandpa and I did 26 years earlier. It wasn't long before we were underneath the tree of an actively feeding squirrel. Try as we might we couldn't find an opening in the tree canopy, for him to get a shot, and in an attempt to locate the squirrel he saw us and scampered off.

While watching that squirrel run off I looked to the west and saw another squirrel moving down a limb and I moved Ayrton in it's direction. Stealthily walking along the trail, Ayrton made his way to the tree and promptly harvested his first squirrel. Actually it was his first harvest from any hunt. He picked up the squirrel and exclaimed "This is awesome!"

We finished the day with three squirrels total, one for him and two for me. Later that week I was cooking fried squirrel for him when he got off of the school bus. He ran into the house, smelling the aroma in the air, anticipating the rewards of his hunt. Sitting down to dinner that night he commented on how delicious it was and I was delighted in knowing he was gaining an understanding of a connection to the land and where his food came from.

Jon is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at (812) 847-4487, ext. 21. He can also be reached via email at jonpswaby@gmail.com.