As you're reading this column, I'm probably prepping for a trip to the soggy woods of Alabama to hopefully wreak havoc on the state's squirrel population. If things turn out the way I hope, I won't have to listen to Michael Waddell (yes, that Michael Waddell, the "Bone Collector") smack talk me whenever we meet.

That's because Waddell's Team Bone Collector somehow managed to wrest the SquirrellMaster Classic trophy from Team Buckmaster last year. And after a year of sulking about not winning the inaugural classic (we did), he's never missed the chance to rub it in.

Seriously, it's all good-natured (right), but we are looking forward to another foray into the woods and weeds of Alabama to participate in what is really a made-for-TV event has teamed TV hunters like Jackie Bushman (Buckmasters), Waddell (Bone Collector), Doug Koenig (Doug Koenig Championship Season), Brian Quaca (Pigman), Kevin Meacham, Keith Burgess, Cody Kelley, Chris Ashley (Hunt presented Hard Core), Ralph & Vicky Cianciarullo (The Choice), and Jacob and Chase Landry from Swamp People.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2256490.jpeg> Easy to grin when you win. In year one of "the Classic" Jacob Landry and I had lots to smile about. Last year (below) It was Michael Waddell and his "Bone Collectors" who took home coveted Squirrelmaster bragging rights-and one the trophies http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2256492.jpeg>

But it's also a team event that allows all of us on the various teams the opportunity to introduce 4-H kids to hunting in a fun format. The event's purpose really is to use the celebrities of the sport as a bridge to the next generation.

It isn't exactly what I'd call a match for the ages, but it's certainly a competition that has all ages represented. From the elder statesmen (I resent the classification, but I am one of the oldest participants) to the 4-H kids, we hit the woods with two purposes: don't do anything embarrassing - there are TV cameras all around and try to bag as many squirrels as possible in the amount of hunting time we're allowed.

There real celebrities of the event don't really get the attention they deserve. We hunt with some of the world's best squirrel dogs. Some of the best have included four former world champions -and they're amazing to watch. Racing from tree to tree, these little hunters don't bark until they're on a scent. And once they "lock" onto a tree, we feeble nosed, weak-eyed humans surround it and start scanning for squirrels. That's because we've learned from bitter experience that the dogs will find them when we can't.

When we do, it starts to sound like the campfire scene in Blazing Saddles as we cut loose with our air rifles.

Air rifles? You bet. The event's sponsored by GAMO Outdoors, and we hunt using their latest-and-greatest air rifles. In fact, it was this even three years ago that first opened my eyes to the fact that air rifles really are just that- rifles.

We've used GAMO's latest models each year, and progressed from .17 to .22 calibers. This year, I'm hoping we're using the new tanked air guns. In addition to great memories from Squirrelmasters past, I've also come home with sore shoulders from pumping rifles.

The rifles are definitely more accurate than the shooters- and we have been known to take shots that push the limits of the pneumatics. But we've also seen good shooters - like Swamp People's Jacob Landry- bring down bush-tails with a single-well placed shot at distances several of us would never have attempted.

So….while you're having your morning coffee, think squirrels. We have the nuts thoroughly covered.

We'll let you know who brings home the trophy in Friday's wire.

—Jim Shepherd