Woodland scene – two hunters to left, three dogs barking up at three squirrels in tree.
Nineteenth-century gentlemen often hunted squirrels for sport and food. It was also referred to as “barking off squirrels.” Hunters had to be careful to kill the rodents so that the bullets from the rifle would not destroy the meat. In order to accomplish this, the rifleman would shoot directly underneath the squirrel and the explosion would kill the animal. Many hunters used their dogs to assist in the pursuit.
