I wriggle my toes against the cold and tuck my chin down inside my neck gaiter. I adjust the tether on my safety harness, making sure it is high enough on the tree to allow me to turn in any direction for a shot. My bow dangles on a hook, arrow loaded.

The sunrise is gorgeous, brilliant deep reds behind the black trees. I start the morning's performance quietly, with a couple doe bleats, and wait about ten minutes. Nada. Next, I reach out with a few buck grunts and wait another ten minutes. Nada. It's time to do my best to create the sounds of bucks fighting, and I use an old set of antlers for that.At last, sweet success! I hear a deer, coming fast through thick cover. Instantly - because if you look up "buck fever" in the dictionary, you'll find my picture there - inside my head it sounds like I've put an ear to a huge conch shell and I'm breathing like Usain Bolt. I start coaching myself, draw, bend at the waist, pick the spot, aim low, as I grab the bow and position for a shot.He - or she - emerges from the laurels. It's a squirrel. A squirrel. Again. I tell myself that at least it's a big one, and that if there were Boone & Crockett trophy standards for squirrel skulls, this one would qualify.And then, to add further insult, the squirrel picks me out and he's not happy about it. He climbs a tree adjacent to the one I'm in and when we're at the same height, he proceeds to berate me for existing. It occurs to me that squirrels are in season but I remind myself that I've been getting low on arrows because I can't seem to resist killing groundhogs on my way to a stand in the afternoon.I did later arrow a doe and buck during archery season. And now, with the firearm season on deer at an end, it's time for hunters to downsize from big game to small game, especially if you've been mentoring a youngster. What's in?Squirrels, rabbits and pheasant Dec. 12-24 and Dec. 26 to Feb. 28Ruffed Grouse Dec. 12-24 and Dec. 26 to Jan. 21Raccoons and foxes - now through Feb. 18Bobcat Jan. 14-Feb 8Remember that during all small game seasons, hunters must wear a minimum of 250 square inches on head, chest and back combined, visible 360 degrees. No orange is required when hunting furbearers (outside of big game firearm seasons). You can hunt coyotes with a regular hunting license; but you'll need the additional furtaker license to hunt raccoons and foxes, and both furtaker and a special permit to hunt bobcats. You can hunt coyotes and foxes on Sundays.So, don't put away your hunting gear yet. Hunting small game such as squirrels can sharpen your skills and keep you outside, enjoying the beauty of the winter woods.