Squirrel hunting season opens Wednesday

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (AP) Georgia hunters can begin pursuing both gray and fox squirrels starting Wednesday.

A Department of Natural Resources release says the season lasts through Feb. 28, 2019.

The gray squirrel is the most common species. Predominantly gray, with white under parts, the gray squirrel is more slender-bodied than fox squirrels and weighs anywhere from 12 ounces (340.1 grams) to 1.5 pounds (.68 kilograms).

Fox squirrels have several color phases, varying from silver-gray with a predominantly black head, to solid black, to a light buff or brown color tinged with reddish-yellow. Generally larger than grays, fox squirrels range in weight from one pound (.45 kilograms) to nearly three pounds (1.36 kilograms).

The maximum daily bag limit is 12 per hunter.