The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

Struttin’ Time:

That special day is coming soon


The third Saturday in August has always held a special place in my life and in my heart. With the exception of one year, it has always been the day squirrel season opens in our Commonwealth.

As a kid growing up in the coal camp of McRoberts, a time to hunt was always a welcome part of our lives. I remember cleaning our guns, putting items like shells, water, potted meat, crackers and Charmin into our old powder bags. In those days we didn’t know about camo, Thermacells, shell holders, rangefinders, or waterproof boots.

We walked into the mountains with everything we needed tucked into the old miner’s powder sack. We would hope to replace the things we carried in with a sack full of fresh squirrels to bring out. The daily limit, to my knowledge, has always been six squirrels. I remember we use to fudge on that number. We thought it was six squirrels in the morning, and six in the evening hunt. We must not have hurt the squirrel numbers much, because you are still allowed six!

Opening day was always brought action in the hills around my house. As you heard the shots ringing across the hills you would hope that you would soon join the lucky hunters who had found a hickory tree that was already ripe with squirrels using it for a breakfast feast, or a black gum tree with its berries red.

Though I am on the backside of the journey we call life, my mind is still in the youth of my journey.

I was in Whitesburg a few days ago and saw my friend, new Letcher Circuit Court Clerk Larry D Adams. An avid Struttin’ Time reader, he even told me what the last column was about. I didn’t get much time to speak with him, but I know he still has the love of the hunt burning in him.

Where have those fun days of opening day of squirrel season gone? Most hunters have traded it for hunting the big game we now have. What a shame.



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