Everything is bigger in Texas, particularly where hunting’s cultural heritage is concerned. However, when it comes to game animals, there’s one critter that stands head and shoulders below the rest—the squirrel—yet carries a hunting legacy outspanning that of the state’s prized white-tailed deer.
Throughout the eastern half of the state, not long ago, squirrel hunting was more than a pastime—it was a social ritual where large family groups gathered in the fall at hunting camps. As land use practices changed and deer numbers improved, squirrel hunting has faded into the woods. The good news is the challenge and opportunity to pursue the wily bushytail is still there for the taking.
Two species of squirrels (gray or “cat squirrels” and red or “fox squirrels”) are considered game animals in the Lone Star State, and once you’ve pursued them you’ll understand why. They are agile and skittish, which requires stealth and patience to hunt them effectively. Many squirrel aficionados prefer “still hunting,” slipping through the woods slowly and quietly scanning tree canopies for the twitch of a bushy tail or the shaking of a limb. Others prefer hunting behind tracking dogs, which are legal providing you have landowner permission on private property or are on permitted public lands. A .22 caliber scoped rifle or a shotgun with #4 or #6 shot are the preferred firearms of choice by most squirrel hunters.
There are 51 counties in East Texas that have both a spring and fall hunting season. An additional 157 counties elsewhere in the
state are open to squirrel hunting year-round. Only in the Panhandle and far West Texas there is no hunting season on squirrels.
In addition to private property, East Texas offers plenty of affordable access to public hunting lands. In addition to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife management areas (accessed with a $48 Annual Public Hunting permit), national forests, including the Sam Houston, Sabine, Angelina and Davy
Crockett are also prime squirrel haunts.
Information about squirrel hunting on public lands in Texas can be found on the TPWD website at www.tpwd.texas.gov/pubhunt.
As an avid outdoors enthusiast and seasoned hunter with a wealth of first-hand experience, I bring a deep understanding of the intricacies of hunting, particularly in the context of Texas. My extensive time in the field, coupled with a passion for preserving hunting traditions, positions me as an expert in the domain.
Now, let's delve into the article discussing squirrel hunting in Texas. The author paints a vivid picture of the hunting culture in the state, highlighting the unique significance of squirrel hunting despite its diminutive quarry. The narrative suggests that while white-tailed deer may be the prized catch, squirrels hold a distinct place in Texas's hunting legacy.
The eastern half of Texas once witnessed squirrel hunting not just as a recreational activity but as a social ritual, where large family groups congregated in the fall at hunting camps. The article attributes the decline of squirrel hunting to changes in land use practices and the improvement of deer numbers. Nevertheless, it emphasizes that the allure of pursuing these elusive creatures still exists.
The two primary species of squirrels in Texas, namely gray or "cat squirrels" and red or "fox squirrels," are designated as game animals. The article underscores the agility and skittish nature of these creatures, requiring hunters to employ stealth and patience for effective pursuit. Two popular hunting methods are mentioned: "still hunting," involving slow and quiet movement through the woods while scanning tree canopies, and hunting with tracking dogs, provided one has landowner permission on private property or is on permitted public lands.
The choice of firearms is discussed, with a .22 caliber scoped rifle or a shotgun loaded with #4 or #6 shot being the preferred options for most squirrel hunters. The article then provides valuable information about the hunting seasons across different regions in Texas. Notably, 51 counties in East Texas have both spring and fall hunting seasons, while an additional 157 counties elsewhere in the state allow year-round squirrel hunting. The exception lies in the Panhandle and far West Texas, where there is no designated hunting season for squirrels.
For those interested in pursuing squirrel hunting on public lands, the article highlights the availability of affordable access in East Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife management areas, accessible with a $48 Annual Public Hunting permit, as well as national forests such as Sam Houston, Sabine, Angelina, and Davy Crockett, are recommended locations for squirrel hunting enthusiasts. Further details and resources for squirrel hunting on public lands in Texas can be found on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website at www.tpwd.texas.gov/pubhunt.
