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   My wife and I were sitting on the couch in the living room when we noticed movement at the window to our left. We were both startled to see a squirrel on the back of a chair on the porch looking in the window. At some people’s houses, this might not be such an unusual occurrence, but we eat squirrels at our house. Most of our squirrels have enough sense to stay in the woods where they belong. 

   Billie, the poodle, was lounging on his couch when he noticed our attention being drawn to the window. Being the ever-alert watch dog that he is, he sprang lightly and rushed to the door. I could not open the door fast enough to suit him. When I was finally able to get the door open, Billie tore out, down the porch, and out across the yard in hot pursuit of the squirrel as it made a beeline to the closest oak tree. The squirrel scampered up the tree to safety, leaving Billie barking ferociously as he stared up at the squirrel who was in turn barking at the dog. The dog and the squirrel both seemed to enjoy the chase. I prefer not to have squirrels hanging around the house, so I encourage Billie’s vigilance. 

   When Billie is successful at catching a squirrel or I have a successful hunt in the timber, we enjoy a nice warm squirrel stew. 

   After removing the insides and outside of the squirrel, I cut it into five pieces, four legs and the back. I discard the head and tail as there is not enough meat on them to bother with. If it is an old squirrel, it helps to tenderize the meat by soaking overnight in buttermilk. A person can then de-bone the pieces or boil until tender. I prefer to boil before deboning just because it is easier. Place your meat in a Dutch over or other heavy pot. Add a bit of butter and brown the meat. Chop up assorted vegetables and add to your pot with chicken broth. I like to use carrots, potatoes, celery, onion, garlic, green beans, corn, or peas. The assortment of vegetables is optional to taste. Cook on low heat until the vegetables are tender. Mix a couple of tablespoons of flour into hot water and stir into your stew to thicken. Add salt and pepper to taste. This is a satisfying comfort food that can be served with biscuits or added to a pie crust for a delicious squirrel pot pie. 

   We have the added advantage of having a grandson that is an avid squirrel hunter. He and his little dog, Red, are willing to get us as many squirrels as we need any time during the late fall and winter months. There is certainly no shortage of squirrels as he and Red can get a squirrel treed within minutes of going out. Both he and Red enjoy the hunt, and the squirrels are put to good use. 

   For some reason, squirrel meat has fallen out of favor with the general public. This is unfortunate as it is high-quality low-fat protein from an organic renewable resource. Many people look at squirrels as entertaining little forest friends or a nuisance around a person’s property. I look at them as food.

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