Well first of all, alot of people like "rats" as you call them, second of all, I guess you have never tried them or you would know. I like to hunt them, and I don't like shooting little cute things unless I plan to eat or skin them, (this generally depends on my mood, prarie dogs are fair game, and sometimes I do "feed the yotes".)
Somepeople like to shoot them to brush up on their "off-season" skills, and some just like Plinking while enjoying time with their kids. Alot of the year (about 11 months) there is other big game around, but you can't shoot it. Your family is from the south and you never thought of eating squirrel? Where we lived it was a staple food
