Squirrel Fishing is a Harmless and Fun Sport

Rocky the Flying Squirrel Never Tried This

Dec 3, 2008 Nelson Acquilano

Squirrel fishing may sound bizarre, but it is catching on as a "sport." It is not a mean or harmful sport to the squirrel, though, but fun for both squirrel and family.

The squirrel is a part of the rodent family. It is the common name for the Sciuridae family A squirrel is a rodent but actually a cute rodent, not like one of those rodents one may hate or fear. So, how about playing with them?

For entertainment, squirrel fishing meets all criteria for fun. It is not a sport which is mean or harmful to the squirrel. In fact, it leaves them with a little adventure too, and perhaps a peanut or two along the way. It gently activates the squirrels into play with a teasing motion, it stimulates them to romp and frolic, and it challenges the “fisherman” to sharpen his or her “fishing skills” to delicately lure and “score” on the squirrel.

The Best Fishing Technique

But as fishing goes, there are no hooks, no barbs, and no means of harming the squirrel. In fact, there is no “catch and release" at all. When the squirrel is tired he just gives up and leaves. It is plain, clean fun for both fisherman and “prey.” It is the equivalent of playing “fetch” or “tug” with a dog.

Squirrel fishing is the sporting practice of "catching squirrels” using a peanut tied to a string or fishing line, or perhaps, optionally some kind of fishing pole. The fun is when the squirrel grabs the peanut and tugs at the line to try to pull the “bait” off. Sometimes a squirrel will not give up and the “fisherman” can attempt to gently lift him a few inches into the air.

There are many styles of “fishing.” Essentially, one ties a peanut (the bait) to a piece of kite string or light cord and tosses it out about fifteen feet in front of a squirrel. The “fisherman” then remains motionless for a few minutes. The squirrel hunts for the food, and then as it closes in on the peanut, the fisherman teases the squirrel by gently pulling it an inch or two, and then lets the line relax again. The squirrel becoming attracted, again approaches the peanut, and the “fisherman” teases the squirrel by gently drawing it back a few inches once again.

Family Fun - That's Entertainment !

This continues with variations of the theme. The “fisherman” can toss the line out further, can walk the line around in a circle, or can alternate pulling it in faster and slower. Eventually the squirrel will get the peanut. The squirrel often is so intend on the prize, it will not let go, and at that point the fisherman can gently lift the line off the ground a few inches and the squirrel is then “airborne.” At that point the game is over, and the fisherman lets the squirrel down, gives him the peanut, and begins the game anew.

In all probability squirrel fishing became popular by either Nikolas Gloy and Yasuhiro Endo at the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University, by Nicholas Middleton and Zmira Zilkha during their summer tenure at Middlebury College in Vermont, or by the Berkeley Squirrel Fisher's Club (BSF) which holds recognition as an official student group at the University of California at Berkeley. In fact, the Berkeley Squirrel Fisher’s Club had even been featured in the campus newspaper The Daily Californian.

There are numerous “Squirrel Fishing” sites on the internet to explore including videos. For instance, visit Squirrel Fishing: A New Approach to Rodent Performance Evaluation. Many have slight variations on the theme. One “fisherman” might suggest peanuts as the “bait” and another might suggest apple slices. But all the sites demonstrate the fun that one can have without any cruelty or harm to the little squirrels.

As a final note remember above all else not to try to touch, pet, capture or corner the squirrel. After all, it is a rodent.

References

Squirrel Fishing

The copyright of the article Squirrel Fishing is a Harmless and Fun Sport in Zoology is owned by Nelson Acquilano. Permission to republish Squirrel Fishing is a Harmless and Fun Sport in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Squirrel Fishing

Squirrel Fishing

Squirrel Fishing