the squirrel experience in America.

[genlock]

It's fall, and the eternal debate over squirrels rages anew:

Are they nature's court jester, providing hours of harmless laughs?

Are they nature's terrorists, hassling suburbanites and threatening America's infrastructure?

Are they dinner?

History will decide. Once again, Squirrel Awareness Month runs concurrently with the opening of squirrel hunting season in deep East Texas, a coincidence that brings to light the paradox of the squirrel experience in America.

While squirrel hunting is a year-round, lower profile sport in South Texas and other regions, it's got a gold rush feel in the eastern part of the state. Out there, it's wildly popular. Feverish hunters wait all year for their chance to light up the woods with gunfire.

More than 50,000 registered hunters stalk their tree-loving, acorn-hoarding prey each year, said Steve Lightfoot, a Texas Parks & Wildlife spokesman.

As you read this, there are East Texans planning post-hunt meals of fried squirrel or squirrel stew with dumplings, sometimes served at special squirrel hunting camps.

The scientific rationale for most state-sponsored hunting programs is habitat preservation, wildlife experts say, but squirrels don't threaten habitat because they can live anywhere and the population is stable. In the case of squirrels, hunting is tradition.

“It is a cultural thing in the Piney Woods,” Lightfoot said.

[CoolBreeze]

but squirrels don't threaten habitat

They threaten OUR habitat. They chew through wires, parts of houses, knock out power transformers, dig up your yard, eat your flower bulbs, and cause old ladies to swerve on the highway.

They're nothing but tree rats. If it wasn't for that cute tail, they'd already have D-Con Tree Rat poison.

[cgarison]

In the well developed neighborhoods in southeastern PA, squirrels are a pest that need hunted. Just like the deer that have started to live inside the city limits of Philadelphia.

I bi+ched about city deer 10 years ago in Charleston, WV as they wondered the streets early in the morning. I never thought I would see them along the rail lines in a town as populated as the northeast part of Philly.

[Bob Campbell]

On the other hand, they're qualified to perform most any task related to the broadcast industry. Maybe we should let them replace the remaining humans on tv and radio.

[genlock]

A "cute tail" is required for success in broadcasting?

[Bob Campbell]

A "cute tail" is required for success in broadcasting?

Perhaps not required, but certainly preferred.

[Ace Purple]

A "cute tail" is required for success in broadcasting?

It's worked for NBC with the peacock.

[AmpedNow]

When I lived in Virginia, we had two large oak trees in the backyard, plus a large "helicopter" tree. We had squirrels all over the place year round.

I can tell you that they can sure mess up an attic...