For a while, Squirrel Hunter was coming every day. He got here around the time Hick was leaving, or at least by 8:00, and stayed until noon. I barely knew he was here, aside from the occasional shot. He parked out of the way along the driveway. I only saw him once, when I went to the kitchen, and he was out back with another dude about his size. They were wearing camouflage overalls and caps, each carrying a rifle, and Squirrel Hunter himself was dangling a HUGE squirrel by the tail, swinging it as he walked. That was out by the feeder in the back yard. They had just come up out of the woods. Hick said later that Squirrel Hunter had brought his brother with him that day.
There are plenty of squirrels to go around! Squirrel Hunter was getting about 10 per day. Hick said he offered to fry one up and bring it to him at his SUS2.5, to see how good it was. When I told Hick I hadn't heard that many shots, Hick said that one day he got three squirrels with one shot! I guess that's what happens when you shoot them off a feeder full of corn. Not that I'm complaining.
I suppose maybe Squirrel Hunter has a freezer full of meat right now. Or maybe he's taking some time off, because I think it might be deer bow-hunting season. Our neighbor has his deer-colored dog tied up, as he does during the hunting season. So maybe.
We had a peaceful couple of weeks after the squirrel harvest. Even my little dog Jack was surprised, when he'd go to his self-feeder, and DOG FOOD was in it! He'd perk up, all happy, like it was Christmas morning. Jack was used to it being empty, after eating his breakfast, because the squirrels ate from it all day long.
Now the squirrels are back. Probably cousins of the departed. They chase along the porch rail again. Yesterday I surprised them on the side porch. One was sitting on a metal chair, another was sitting on top of the self-feeder. I guess my over-stuffed half-sausage-dog Jack can't be bothered to lie on that side of the porch to discourage them. He can't reach them once they jump up on the rail, but he DOES make a big show of chasing them into the edge of the woods when I come down the driveway.
As I type this, it's 12:45, and a giant squirrel is sitting on the corner of the porch rail. He's holding a kernel of dry dog food in his hands, munching like he's taking a snack break, building up energy to climb the window screens.
Come back, Squirrel Hunter! There's a lot of fat and sassy game that needs to be put in its place: YOUR FREEZER!
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