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Chasing bushytails can be an

excellent way to introduce urban DENNIS BEHM/FLICKR CC-BYNCND2

and inner-city people to hunting .

Let’s face it: offer a buffet of potential hunters. The ability to

set aside social perceptions and stigmas is criti-
Squirrel hunting has never been as popular as cal. Folks from the city may look, dress, and talk
deer hunting. But chasing bushytails can be an differently, but their mutual interest in hunting
excellent way to introduce urban and inner- is what we should hone in on.
city people to hunting. A common tactic I use is to seek opportu-
Despite what some might believe, urban nities to stand before groups, kids and adults
and inner-city people do have an interest in alike, and ask two simple questions: “Who has
hunting. While city dwellers may be more ever been hunting?” and “Who would like the
accustomed to seeing a squirrel sitting on a opportunity to go hunting?” These questions
park bench, they will be surprised to learn that usually spark discussion and interest, and pro-
squirrels make delicious table fare. duce a pool of people ready to go hunting.
Furthermore, squirrel hunting offers a lower Perhaps the biggest obstacle when intro-
price of entry and increased likelihood of a new ducing city people to squirrel hunting is get-
hunter returning to the woods on their own. ting them to see squirrels as a source of food
Since you are likely someone already and to overlook the fact they are rodents. One
involved in hunting or interested in intro- can usually close the deal by talking about
ducing others to the sport, let’s look at why “survival.” The urbanites interested in going
squirrel hunts are ideal for introducing city hunting are traditionally the more adventur-
dwellers to hunting. ous types and those with an innate interest in
First, we need to find our audience. This can being self-sufficient. 2020 served as a wake-up
be easy if you know where to look. Schools, call for many. Plenty of Americans were raised
social organizations, churches, and social media on squirrels. In an actual survival situation, we

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