Hunting
in the off-season
EUROPEAN STARLING
restrictions vary by state but some states, like Florida, don’t care what you use or how you use it, just be
sure to have a permit and you’re all set!
As another cure for the (hunter’s) “summertime
blues,” try hunting feral hogs. There are tons available all over the states and you can hunt them during
the day or night without restriction. However, during
the summer months, hogs come out later when it’s
cooler, so the fun is in night hunting. The chasing
of this species is ideal for your hunting dog, just be
sure to vest them up so they don’t get stabbed with
a tusk if they get too close to an angry boar. These
creatures are much stronger than they look, so don’t
underestimate them. You’ll need a good rifle or possibly a bow to pierce through the blade plates, as
hogs have been known to deflect .357 magnum bullets off of their foreheads without even flinching. In
Virginia, feral hogs are seen as an invasive and destructive species and there is no closed season or
bag limit on them at all. This is usually true for most
16 Summer 2015 Adventure Outdoors
states (check your state’s wildlife regulation website to be
sure) when it comes to these types of animals. Bag as many
squirrels as your heart desires and tag enough hogs to eat
bacon during every meal!
If you like plucking feathers from your kills, then pigeons,
crows, pheasants, and European starlings are the birds of
the summer hunt. European starlings are an invasive species and there is no limit on them and no closed season,
either. Pigeons and crows are among the unwanted, but
are excellent for keeping your bird dog’s flushing and retrieving skills at their sharpest. Cooking a kill for supper?
Try pheasant. These delicious birds are included in the
most exclusive recipes for wild game and can be prepared
in many different ways, such as roasting or grilling. Use a
shotgun for bird hunting, especially pheasants, to better
your aim. Also, be sure to pick up a brightly colored cap
(neon orange is popular) so that others can see you out in
the fields, otherwise you may be the one getting flushed!