By Cory Boothe
Coryboothe@hotmail.com
Saturday, September 6th will be youth day for squirrel in West Virginia. This is a great opportunity to introduce a youngster to small game hunting.
Youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult over 21 years of age who is there to help and offer assistance. The adult is not allowed to hunt. Youth hunters must be at least 8 but not over 18. The limit on squirrels is six.
Hunters should use smaller shotguns such as a 20 gauge or even a 410 shotgun due to the amount of leaves still on the trees. Squirrel hunting with 22's is not recommended for youth at this time due to the amount of foliage left on trees.
Squirrels are currently working on hickory nuts. This weekend, while visiting Calhoun, I noticed piles of hickory shells at the base of hickory trees where squirrels have been cutting. Hickory thickets would be a good place for a licensed hunter to take a youth out on Saturday.
It would be wise to have the youth wear a blaze orange hat or jacket. It is not possible to be too safe when thinking about kids.
Statewide squirrel season comes in September 13th.
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