Last squirrel of the season

[dhaverstick]

Missouri's squirrel season closed yesterday at dark so I grabbed Ole Betsy in the afternoon and took one last walk behind the house. There were plenty of targets, but getting smokepole close was still a challenge due to the lack of cover. Fortunately, we got some rain a couple of days ago so sneaking around in the leaves wasn't as noisy as it usually is. I spotted this little feller meandering towards me so I just waited until he gave me a shot. He died as he lived, with an acorn in his mouth.

I bought this knife two weeks ago from a vendor at the United Bowhunters of Missouri Festival specifically for skinning squirrels. I am a sucker for amboyna burl wood and this knife must have known that because it practically jumped into my pocket as I passed by the table it was resting on. It made short work of this squirrel so I think we're gonna get along just fine.

It was a nice day so I enjoyed my Beer of Victory outside before I cleaned Ole Betsy and put her away for a while. We had a good run this season and put a lot of bushytails in the freezer. The 2026 season opens May 23rd and you can bet we'll be after them again when it does.

Darren

 

[rharbaugh]

Missouri's squirrel season closed yesterday at dark so I grabbed Ole Betsy in the afternoon and took one last walk behind the house. There were plenty of targets, but getting smokepole close was still a challenge due to the lack of cover. Fortunately, we got some rain a couple of days ago so sneaking around in the leaves wasn't as noisy as it usually is. I spotted this little feller meandering towards me so I just waited until he gave me a shot. He died as he lived, with an acorn in his mouth.

I bought this knife two weeks ago from a vendor at the United Bowhunters of Missouri Festival specifically for skinning squirrels. I am a sucker for amboyna burl wood and this knife must have known that because it practically jumped into my pocket as I passed by the table it was resting on. It made short work of this squirrel so I think we're gonna get along just fine.

It was a nice day so I enjoyed my Beer of Victory outside before I cleaned Ole Betsy and put her away for a while. We had a good run this season and put a lot of bushytails in the freezer. The 2026 season opens May 23rd and you can bet we'll be after them again when it does.

Darren

Jealous of your long squirrel season!

What's your go to cleaning method for squirrels? No matter what I do, I always seem to get hair on the meat, and it's one of the tougher hairs in my opinion to remove.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Nice story and great pictures!

 

[Chris in TN]

Nice!

 

[Bulletman]

Jealous of your long squirrel season!

What's your go to cleaning method for squirrels? No matter what I do, I always seem to get hair on the meat, and it's one of the tougher hairs in my opinion to remove.

I'm not Darren but here is a hint,,,,,,,,, to get any hair off the meat after skinning it use baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda and then rub it onto the flesh and it will break the bond between the hair and the moist flesh and you can then brush the hair off much easier.

 

[rharbaugh]

I'm not Darren but here is a hint,,,,,,,,, to get any hair off the meat after skinning it use baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda and then rub it onto the flesh and it will break the bond between the hair and the moist flesh and you can then brush the hair off much easier.

solid tip. i'll give it a try!