Profile of Eastern Gray Squirrel, From a Hunter's Viewpoint

General Info:

The gray squirrel, a.k.a. Ol' Bushytail, is one of the most sought-after game animals in North America. Hunting them can be incredibly easy, but for me it generally falls more towards maddeningly difficult. They're small targets, and because they're naturally 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 know a squirrel is in, and as soon as I turn my head, that little sucker knows it, and gets gone. But they are plentiful, which makes squirrel hunting an excellent way to introduce beginners to hunting.

Terminology:

Male: Buck
Female: Doe
Young: Kitten
Nest: Usually a collection of leave and twigs in which the squirrels sleep and raise their young.

Physical Description:

The gray squirrel's body is about eight to ten inches in length with a seven- to ten-inch tail, and they weigh in at about one pound, more or less. The fur on their backs, sides, head and tail is mostly brown and gray, some hairs having gray or white tips. Their underside is white.

Gray squirrels have four paws, all of which have sharp claws, and the front two feet are useful for holding objects while the squirrel gnaws with its sharp teeth. Gnawing is necessary for a squirrel, for their sharp incisors continue to grow throughout their lives. If these teeth weren't worn down with use, they would grow to huge size.

Habitat:

Gray squirrels are tree-dwelling animals, and love to feed on nuts and seeds. Therefore they prefer forest habitat, strongly preferring nut-bearing trees such as oak, hickory, and pecan, though they will also readily feed on the seeds found inside green pine cones, and thus will live happily among pines as well as hardwoods.

Gray squirrels often thrive in swampy areas, too, living in areas of cypress, bay, and magnolia trees as well.

Outstanding Traits:

The gray squirrel is one of the best and most agile climbers ever created. They can and will jump extraordinary distances from tree to tree, usually with success. (One of my earliest hunting memories is when Dad and I witnessed a squirrel failing badly, however.)

Squirrels have a great ability to balance on small objects, and may be seen running easily along the tops of narrow fences, or on overhead wires. They use their tail to help balance themselves, and many's the time I've observed a squirrel on a swaying wire moving his tail this way and that, to keep his balance.

Feeding Habits:

Like many other wild animals, gray squirrels feed mostly during the morning and evening hours, though weather and other considerations may cause them to feed most anytime during the day. They rarely if ever feed at night, instead retiring to their dens or nests to prepare for the coming day.

They prefer to eat their grub from an elevated position, the better to spot danger. They will then use their sharp teeth to cut open nuts or pine cones to get at the goodies within. I have seen them eat such seemingly unusual stuff as leaves, mushrooms, and magnolia seeds, and they will also eat such things as buds and flowers.

Lifespan:

A gray squirrel's life span can vary greatly, due to their status as a small prey animal. Opinions vary widely, some claiming that they may live up to twenty years in captivity! It's more likely that an age of three years would be typical average life expectancy in the wild.

Reproduction:

Breeding generally occurs twice a year, with the peaks of these periods falling roughly in January and May. During this time, males and females often engage in energetic chases through the treetops and on the ground. Gestation time is about 44 days, and a typical litter contains four to six pink, naked young squirrels, born with eyes and ears closed against a hostile world. Ten weeks later, they are weaned and will begin foraging on their own.

Communication:

Gray 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 its body, but most often when used for signalling the tail will wave about.

Scents are placed on tree limbs and other locations, and are 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!"

Synopsis:

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 rimfire 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 gray 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 gray squirrel is the king of the treetops, and has provided many wonderful father-son hunting memories for me and countless others over the years. And with proper predator controls, their numbers can easily be maintained for the enjoyment and education of many generations to come.

- Russ Chastain