By TNHUNTING.COM
TnHunting.Com Staff

Tennessee's fall hunting seasons are officially kicked off this weekend with the opening of the statewide squirrel season, which opens at sunrise on Saturday morning.

The season continues through February 28, 2007. The daily bag limit is 10, which can be any mix of gray, red or fox squirrels, and the possession limit is 20.

Squirrel season is Tennessee's longest hunting season, and also one of its most under-utilized. Where hunters once competed for hunting spots along the Volunteer State's oak ridges and hardwood bottoms, hunting pressure is scarcely seen today.

There are basically three ways to hunt squirrels: Still-hunting, stand-hunting and hunting with dogs. Recognized, along with Kentucky, as being a squirrel hunter's haven in North America, Tennessee's squirrel population has remained strong over the years, and all indications are that this year's population is in good shape after a fantastic mast year in 2005 and a mild winter.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is attempting to regarner interest in squirrel season, which was once the fall passtime of every boy old enough to carry a .410 or a .22.

"All that is needed to hunt squirrels is a $28 combination hunting license," the TWRA says in a press release. "This is a small price to pay for months of enjoyment and relaxation."

Squirrels can be found in Tennessee pretty much anywhere there are patches of woods available, including almost all of Tennessee's wildlife management areas.

"Squirrel hunting is one of the best ways to introduce a young hunter to the outdoors and squirrels are known for their excellent table fare," the TWRA states. "Most recipe books have a variety of recipes for squirrel, with fried squirrel and squirrel and dumplings being two traditional southern favorites."

On the heels of squirrel season, Tennessee's early goose and wood duck seasons open on Friday, September 1. The first big game season is the fall deer/turkey archery hunt, which opens on September 23.

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