Sound advice

When you're out huntin' for your "vittles," there are some areas you want to avoid:

New Jersey has warned squirrel hunters near a toxic waste dump about consuming the critters because they could be contaminated with lead.

It is the first time the state has cautioned Ringwood residents many who are members of the Ramapough Mountain Indian tribe who hunt and fish in the area about their squirrel intake, said Tom Slater, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Senior Services.

A lead-contaminated squirrel was found in the area two months ago, prompting the agency, along with the state Department of Environmental Protection, to send out letters advising that adults eat squirrel no more than twice a week and even less for children and pregnant women.

Uh...how about you just cut the squirrel out of your diet entirely? Chicken isn't all that expensive anymore, and things like ground beef and pork chops are surprisingly affordable.

I know, you'll miss eating them little rat-like creatures at first, but once you ease into the culinary mainstream, you'll never look back.