By Glen Wunderlich

Gathering firewood is always on the agenda in September, because we all know what lies ahead. For those that burn wood for winter heat, it seems like a never-ending search for fuel. Free heat? What’s that! Wood is work! Period.

The emerald ash borer has provided some fine hardwood by killing our magnificent, towering trees, while Mother Nature eventually brings the timber down to the forest floor. But, getting it out can be challenging; the cooler mornings we’ve experienced lately are all the impetus I’ve needed to peck away at the monumental task. The poison ivy leaves are still on the vines and must be taken into consideration but at least the number of biting insects has diminished. It doesn’t take long to work up a sweat but it is quite comforting to add to the wood pile a bit each day, because soon the pendulum swings the other way.

And, then it hit me: Another picture-perfect September morning was in the offing and I didn’t want to “waste” it hauling wood. Squirrel hunting inexplicably made it to the top of the agenda. Because nightfall had already arrived, I would have to take a .22 rifle that was already sighted in for a morning adventure: a Mossberg model 152 manufactured in 1948.

Mossberg model 152

The diminutive rimfire weighs a scant 5 pounds and sports a beautiful walnut stock, which was standard issue back in the day. It’s a semi-auto, using the same action as other vintage Mossberg models and works well if kept clean. I gave it a makeover with a new stock finish, rebluing, and an inexpensive Bushnell .22 scope set to be parallax free at 50 yards.

I don’t have much use for the high-velocity rimfire ammo that now costs as much as premium target ammo a few short years ago. In fact, the stuff we used to get at the local Cheap Mart for less than $10 per brick is now $60 or more, if you can find it. None of that stuff has the quality control necessary to consistently shoot groups of one inch or less at 50 yards anyway, so for that kind of cash, I opt for the target ammo, which remains available.

With standard velocity ammo, meaning sub-sonic or below the speed of sound, the old guns can be quite impressive at the target range. And, in the woods there is an added advantage of a mild report.

With typical heavy dew afoot, I slung my folding chair over one shoulder and the Mossberg over the other and hiked to the tall timber in the cover of darkness. Wetness provided soft, quiet footing and a silent approach.

The stillness of the early morning air was interrupted with commotion above. The hungry tree rodents began their day like any other in search of beechnuts and acorns and with a bit of patience, two black squirrels had fallen victim to the little Mossberg. I then set up a few hundred yards away and added a hefty fox squirrel to the morning’s take and called it a day.

It was good to be back.