Squirrel Hunting Coming Soon

[patience0830]

Would like to go this year. The only decent place I know of around me is deer creek FWA. That place tends to be hit and miss in terms of activity.

Squirrels are usually hit or miss propositions. Find the food (hint: the hickory nuts are being utilized here) and you'll find the squirrels.

 

[patience0830]

I always bring a small pot and veggies to make stew.

Boil that squirrel for about 1 1/2 hours to tenderize and that's a good start.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

I haven't hunted them in a good 25 years, but I'd like to give it a go again.

 

[patience0830]

I haven't hunted in years but when I did I used a Marlin 39A Mountie or a bolt action Mossberg 410, depending on what sort of woods I was hunting.

The last few years I hunted I gave them to an uncle who couldn't get out to the woods anymore.

Old Mossbergs are great guns.

 

[wingrider1800]

I always could not wait for the opening day in my younger days. I still love to hunt them and check the zero of my 22 Weatherby just in case I get a chance. The ticks took away a lot of the fun for me.

 

[fullmetaljesus]

Boil that squirrel for about 1 1/2 hours to tenderize and that's a good start.

Thanks!

 

[patience0830]

I haven't hunted them in a good 25 years, but I'd like to give it a go again.

You are a long way off in Fox squirrel country up in Remington. They like those wood lots near the corn fields

 

[DadSmith]

Favorite is the .22lr 1727F Anschutz with the 6-24X Bushnell Elite

How does a 6x work say 25 yard out? Is it to much power? Reason I ask is I raccoon/squirrel hunt and 25yards is about as high up as they can climb in most of the trees around here being 80 feet.
I've been using a 2-7x Vortex Rimfire on my 10/22 I rarely use it past 4x unless target shooting at 50yds.
However, I'm looking to get more power to see the targets better at 50yds to see how accurate I can shoot with the ammunition it likes. Yet still be able to use it for hunting purposes.

 

[Lost Californian]

 

[daddyusmaximus]

You are a long way off in Fox squirrel country up in Remington. They like those wood lots near the corn fields

Right. You know your tree rats... lol. BTW we do have a lot of corn fields up this way...

I was speaking of squirrels in general, but I used to live in Sullivan. (worked at WVCF) I have family down south, (Indy, Columbus, Evansville) so it's possible to go get some again. Just remember it being kinda fun walking the woods plinking at the little suckers, then taking them home, boiling them, throwing in a can of Vegall to make some soup.

 

[patience0830]

How does a 6x work say 25 yard out? Is it to much power? Reason I ask is I raccoon/squirrel hunt and 25yards is about as high up as they can climb in most of the trees around here being 80 feet.
I've been using a 2-7x Vortex Rimfire on my 10/22 I rarely use it past 4x unless target shooting at 50yds.
However, I'm looking to get more power to see the targets better at 50yds to see how accurate I can shoot with the ammunition it likes. Yet still be able to use it for hunting purposes.

My favorite magnification range for early season squirrels was 3-9 as a youth, when all I could afford was a 3/4" 4x on my single shot Stevens. Today I usually go with 4-12 with an AO or side focus. For what you described, 2-7 should be fine. If you really wanna look 'em in the eye, 6-18 with AO.

 

[tcecil88]

I hope to get out with my .22 AR I built up last year.

 

[Mongo59]

Boil that squirrel for about 1 1/2 hours to tenderize and that's a good start.

The crispies on a squirrel from frying is like glass. I fry them and then stack them up in a veggie steamer for a cycle. Still crunchy on the outside but pulls right of the bone tender...

 

[Mongo59]

I also use a shotgun in the early season with the leaves still on the trees and switch to a .22 when the leaves fall off.

I usually wait until I can see my breath to go hunting tho. If I am feeling sporting I won't wear my glasses while hunting, that way if they don't come down my side of the tree and bark at me I won't even know they were there. Early season are mostly grays and late season is mostly fox.

One year one of my shag bark hickory trees was just shaking with a whole tribe of squirrels cutting on it. It was still in full leaf so I got on the uphill part from the tree with the plan to shoot one when I see it and get another when they scatter. One jumped out and I blasted it with a 12ga and when my ears stopped ringing the darn tree rats never stopped cutting! It sounded like a rain forest. I got all 5 of my squirrels out of that one tree and they never did make a break for it, Lord knows how many were in there...

You guys make fun of Crawford County but the ignorance has been transferred to the wildlife as well. On my property it isn't hunting, it is harvesting. So you northerners knock yourselves out, this fat crippled German boy can't cover ground like he use to but he still eats well thanks to whatever blight that lowers IQ's in Crawford County...

 

[patience0830]

I also use a shotgun in the early season with the leaves still on the trees and switch to a .22 when the leaves fall off.

I usually wait until I can see my breath to go hunting tho. If I am feeling sporting I won't wear my glasses while hunting, that way if they don't come down my side of the tree and bark at me I won't even know they were there. Early season are mostly grays and late season is mostly fox.

One year one of my shag bark hickory trees was just shaking with a whole tribe of squirrels cutting on it. It was still in full leaf so I got on the uphill part from the tree with the plan to shoot one when I see it and get another when they scatter. One jumped out and I blasted it with a 12ga and when my ears stopped ringing the darn tree rats never stopped cutting! It sounded like a rain forest. I got all 5 of my squirrels out of that one tree and they never did make a break for it, Lord knows how many were in there...

You guys make fun of Crawford County but the ignorance has been transferred to the wildlife as well. On my property it isn't hunting, it is harvesting. So you northerners knock yourselves out, this fat crippled German boy can't cover ground like he use to but he still eats well thanks to whatever blight that lowers IQ's in Crawford County...

Hunger is the best sauce for squirrels too. They love a hickory tree when it's ripe.

Used to have a friend of my grandpa's who came and asked to hunt a couple times each August or early September. He'd hunt the same hickory tree every time. In the woods b4 1st light. Sat where he had a good view of likely travel routes. He'd have 5 squirrels when he left and later in the week when I got to hunt, I'd find 5 twenty gauge shells in a neat little pile.

RIP Tom.

 

[Crandall Crank]

Typically use a Western Auto Revolution 20 ga. I Have to reach the tops of the oak and hickory trees, plus through all of the leaf cover. They are busy cutting the acorns and hickory nuts tonight. Best times were with a Dr Pepper and my favorite dog hunting squirrels....I still miss him.

 

[Trimsaw]

Eley subsonic hollow points have been a long time favorite of mine. I am ready!

 

[patience0830]

Eley subsonic hollow points have been a long time favorite of mine. I am ready!

I have a tool that modifies any 40 gr lead round nose into a hollow point. SK std plus works well too after the modification.

 

[TAB30-06]

Savage B22G with a crossfire 2-7x32

 

[TheGrumpyGuy]

I have a tool that modifies any 40 gr lead round nose into a hollow point. SK std plus works well too after the modification.

Something I can purchase online/local, or home-made?