[Phil in Alabama]

You have to judge each shot as it comes, trying to do your best. Sometimes we make mistakes.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Grey squirrel got the best of me the other day it. He lives in the barn and I have been trying to
feed him a lead sandwich for about a year.

Dogs let me know he was in the barn so I grab my smooth bore 22 loaded with shot and walked up the stairs to the second floor. Barn is from the late 1800's and has vertical planks with maybe 1/2" air gaps between the planks.

I see the enemy on the roof corner, he sees me and bolts through a gap to the outside of the barn. The dogs give chase and Mr grey is tearing *** around the outside of the barn, as he gets around to the west side of the barn (going to shoot between the boards) I try to get a bead on him but the sun is directly in my eyes and its is like a blinking strobe as he is running past the the sun shining through gaps in the boards. It was funny.

I get outside and the dogs are pointing to two giant 60+ feet hemlock trees.

 

[Lerrab]

Obi, a good post. I agree that people change (or evolve) I will admit that as a very young boy I wanted to shoot, I wanted to kill as that was what was expected, I thought. It was always nice to bring back something to eat and it was a good feeling to be able to help out. My Grandad taught me to slip around in the woods after a limit was killed if we had the time. He often used this time to look for where we were going next time to point things out to me and to teach me how to spot game on my own. We would sit around some and he often liked to sit just enjoying the sounds, not hunting just sitting. It took me a while to make any sense out of wasting time like that, I finally came to realize that no time was being wasted, it was all quality time. I have been doing it for decades now, I often doze off!

I remember one time when I was very young when we stopped to eat lunch and a squirrel ran up on us. I was grabbing for my gun when he stopped me. He said we were enjoying lunch we could enjoy squirrel hunting right after lunch. When alone after that for a few years I generally always violated the lunch rule and shot or tried to shoot the squirrel. After a few years I understood the downtime for lunch. A lunch in the woods is just as enjoyable as time spent hunting. I haven't violated that downtime at lunch for many, many years for myself but I did allow a yute to do so last year and I wish I hadn't, I missed a teaching moment right there. I still think about it.

I know what you meant when you say hunters evolve. I think that People evolve, and SOME evolve into HUNTERS. (I think this was your point) sadly, some never do. I don't think that any eight-year-old kid like I was is a hunter when they step into the woods (hopefully that comes later) I know I wasn't. It took a while, and I had hunters for teachers which I have been thankful for. To me and I believe to you and so many others on this site (the best of the best are on here) being a hunter means so much. It speaks of character. Character speaks of so much!

Some remain killers, being in the woods is an inconvenience they have to endure. Sadly, the general public sees us all as hunters .

 

[Slappys 22]

Yesterday I used my new to me CZ452 Mach2 in Maple to bust some Northern Ohio squirrel.

 

[Slappys 22]

This evening was a chance to use my Browning Gold Medallion on a hunt for the first time.

 

[Silas]

I could have taken advantage of having the day off and slept in but no, my dumb as is up at 3am lacing up snake boots. Headed to the gas station at 4am for fuel and a cup of coffee. 116 miles later I'm in the middle of a swamp. By sheer luck I managed to get permit number 007 today. I took that as a good sign.

With the morning temps in the low 50s I left the Thermacel in the car, thinking “There won't be any mosquitoes”. Things were fine until I plopped down to wait for first light. They came in waves, like squadrons of B-17s. I wanted to go back to the car for my skeeter gear but I didn't want to blow the element of surprise I had by sneaking in before dawn. They were really bad though and I was stirring all around fighting them off. Then the rodents started showing up and I couldn't leave. Two fell fairly quick to the CZ-452 so the decision was made to collect them up, drop them at the car, get the Thermacel and some DEET and get back after them thar rodents.

The rain chance forecast was only 30% but it looked like it might get moist so I swapped out my formal headgear for a boonie hat. With the Thermacel doing its thing it was game on. Lots of the older trees have squirrel carpet on them. The squirrels can just hunker down and disappear into this crap.

It had been wanting to rain proper all morning. Light misty sprinkles had been rolling through since shortly after dawn. It made for good squirrel hunting. This one produced quite the dramatic blood trail.

With five total in the bag, I was really wanting that last one to make a six-pack. Number 6 was taunting me and I was fairly fixated on him. It was starting to actually rain and since I'm not all that fond of wandering around getting all my stuff wet I decided to let him win & be satisfied with five. As my gaze came down out of the treetops, there standing 50 feet in front of me was a big brown hog. It was real anxious and fidgety. At the shot, it squealed, fell down, but then got up and started to bolt on three legs. I tried to rack in another round but it jammed (that was the second one of the day that failed to feed correctly). I spun around as it ran past me and Holy Crap!! That one had been point pig for an entire sounder that had snuck up behind me. They all started squealing and running. At some point during all this it dawned on me that I'm wearing a 9mm pistol. By the time I got it out they were all moving into heavy cover at about 40mph. With the rain getting harder I picked up my bag of rodents and headed for the car.

A six-pack would have been nice but five is a lot better than zero (maybe four and a half, the fryer was pretty small).

The rain steadied on with no sign of abatement so lunch was scrubbed for the day. In a monumental senior moment I neglected to bring a proper mug with me so the presentation of the lone beverage is somewhat lacking. It tasted good though. Sort of like dropping a hunk of pumpkin pie into a glass of stout.

 

[Old Hickory]

Very nice, Silas!

 

[Slappys 22]

Got out last Friday for a Northern Ohio hunt. Need to get out and get after'em again soon. Browning Gold Medallion helped me get it done with class.

 

[Squirrelbark]

Beautiful photos from Silas and Slappy! My perfect day would be to hunt with one of Slappy's gorgeous rifles and then eat Lunch with Silas. I'm not sure what I could contribute other than good humor and thanks to God. I can tell you Silas has a challenge hunting where he does in the deep South. Stuff happens there that's mythical. No wonder he wears a red top hat! It is appropriate when you hunt in Wonderland.

 

[Silas]

It's that time again, December Squirrel Camp. So far this season the squirrel population has been fairly robust, so there were grand expectations for this trip. The first day was all about getting to and setting up camp. We went with high dollar Belgian Ale to set the tone.

Put the Ontario Knives SP-8 Survival Machete to good use splitting down some firewood. It's quite the hunk of metal. No doubt it would have been a favorite of Nordic Berserkers from days gone by.

Sampled a Delirium Xmas beer as well as pressing into service a new pair of fire gloves. The old ones had burned through stitching on the fingers so it was time to upgrade.

Managed to sneak in some Old Fezziwig from the stash.

In the Good Luck department a Blue Mary was brought along.

That first night we made pizzas in the Dutch oven. Got side tracked and failed to get some photos but they turned out pretty good. The first full day greeted us with high winds and rain. It would have been pointless to stumble around getting the rifle wet. Later that afternoon it got even crappier out with the rain really picking up. We retreated to the tent vestibule to cook supper. Cut up some chicken thighs and browned them in a skillet along with an onion. Towards the end a bag of frozen vegetables was added. The chicken/veg mix was split into two halves with each one getting a different sauce from Sharwood's. One was a creamy butter chicken sauce and the other was a mild curry they called Bhuna.

Served that over some yellow rice.

After that was all down the hatch it was time for Night Night. It continued chucking down rain until about Midnight when the heavens opened up and the torrential downpour started. By the time dawn rolled around it had backed off a bit but it was still coming down in buckets and the wind cranked up even more with some mighty strong gusts. There was nothing to do but hunker down and wait it out.

 

[Silas]

The rain finally broke about noon time. Rather than venturing out in quest of rodents it was decided to stuff a goat full of bacon wrapped quail and roast it on the rotisserie over the fire.

One half of the goat got a, “Taste of Greece” spice rub and the other half got, “Taste of Jamaica”.

It spun over the fire for the balance of the day whilst being basted with garlic & herb butter.

After what seemed an eternity (which was in actuality 7 ½ hours) it was finally done.

We carved it up and served it on flatbread we had cooked over the fire along with Tzatziki and Texas Goat sauce. Once the bursting point was reached the remaining goat meat was bagged up and allowed to cool before being put in the cooler. The Fat Lady finally had her solo and it was time to hit the hay. A ratchet strap was cinched up around the cooler to keep critters at bay. Got woke up in the middle of the night by one of the guys yelling, “Something got the goat”. I didn't see how that was possible. Raccoons are pretty crafty but I didn't think they had added ratchet straps to their repertoire. Turned out that we were so trashed we failed to actually put the bags of meat in the cooler. They were left lying on the table. We spent one more night and it got down almost to freezing which ain't all that fabulous when you're old and sleeping in a tent.


The final squirrel tally was a big fat zero. Didn't even see a squirrel in 5 days, not even in the campground which is normally packed with them. Despite that and the raccoons making off with the leftover goat it was still a pretty fun time.

 

[Squirrelbark]

Would have loved to have been there, even with no squirrels. Fantastic!

 

[TheBaron]

I’m past my halfway mark on earth, but only very recently discovered the joy of hunting squirrel. It’s a lot tougher than I thought - seems they’re everywhere when you’re not looking for them, but I was surprised how stealthy and patient you need to be. Not to mention how far you need to be able to shoot minute of walnut. And I had no idea they were such fine table fare.

I went out for a couple hours today and only heard one, caught a glimpse of one. So much for going out and shooting a few for another meal. I find myself looking forward to my next outing, more than I care to admit… or explain… to my waterfowl/deer/turkey hunting buddies. lol 👍🏻

 

[Squirrelbark]

I’m past my halfway mark on earth, but only very recently discovered the joy of hunting squirrel. It’s a lot tougher than I thought - seems they’re everywhere when you’re not looking for them, but I was surprised how stealthy and patient you need to be. Not to mention how far you need to be able to shoot minute of walnut. And I had no idea they were such fine table fare.

I went out for a couple hours today and only heard one, caught a glimpse of one. So much for going out and shooting a few for another meal. I find myself looking forward to my next outing, more than I care to admit… or explain… to my waterfowl/deer/turkey hunting buddies. lol 👍🏻

Only squirrel hunters understand.
I actually have a T shirt with a picture of a hunter with the caption "If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand."

 

[clisbyclark]

I’m past my halfway mark on earth, but only very recently discovered the joy of hunting squirrel. It’s a lot tougher than I thought - seems they’re everywhere when you’re not looking for them, but I was surprised how stealthy and patient you need to be. Not to mention how far you need to be able to shoot minute of walnut. And I had no idea they were such fine table fare.

I went out for a couple hours today and only heard one, caught a glimpse of one. So much for going out and shooting a few for another meal. I find myself looking forward to my next outing, more than I care to admit… or explain… to my waterfowl/deer/turkey hunting buddies. lol 👍🏻

I'm 57. Grew up squirrel, rabbit and dove hunting. Never even bothered to hunt deer even once and still can't see why so many people are so infatuated with deer hunting. It seems like a whole lot of work for just one or two shots a year. Then, after you shoot one, there's a whole lot more work involved in dragging out and processing. I guess people like to brag on the antlers they can't eat. Personally, I take more pride in a fifty yard headshot squirrel than any buck deer. The only problem is my wife will eat deer meat but won't touch squirrel (yet-any advice on this front is gladly appreciated!).

About the time I got married in 92, my lifestyle changed and I got out of small game hunting altogether until reading posts here rekindled the desire a few years ago. There's many lifetimes of wisdom to be had here if one only searches for it.

I love squirrel hunting because it can be whatever you want it to be. You can spend tons of money on the best land and equipment or just wear your work clothes, use a single shot rifle, and hunt on public land. Speaking of public land, I'm blessed to be in GA where we have untold thousands of acres of public land to pursue all kinds of game. Unfortunately for squirrel hunters, we also have an incredibly long deer season, which means I try to avoid wmas when rifle deer season is in. The silver lining to that is many wmas have shorter seasons for deer, you just may have to drive a bit further to hunt.

 

[clisbyclark]

Obi, a good post. I agree that people change (or evolve) I will admit that as a very young boy I wanted to shoot, I wanted to kill as that was what was expected, I thought. It was always nice to bring back something to eat and it was a good feeling to be able to help out. My Grandad taught me to slip around in the woods after a limit was killed if we had the time. He often used this time to look for where we were going next time to point things out to me and to teach me how to spot game on my own. We would sit around some and he often liked to sit just enjoying the sounds, not hunting just sitting. It took me a while to make any sense out of wasting time like that, I finally came to realize that no time was being wasted, it was all quality time. I have been doing it for decades now, I often doze off!

I remember one time when I was very young when we stopped to eat lunch and a squirrel ran up on us. I was grabbing for my gun when he stopped me. He said we were enjoying lunch we could enjoy squirrel hunting right after lunch. When alone after that for a few years I generally always violated the lunch rule and shot or tried to shoot the squirrel. After a few years I understood the downtime for lunch. A lunch in the woods is just as enjoyable as time spent hunting. I haven't violated that downtime at lunch for many, many years for myself but I did allow a yute to do so last year and I wish I hadn't, I missed a teaching moment right there. I still think about it.

I know what you meant when you say hunters evolve. I think that People evolve, and SOME evolve into HUNTERS. (I think this was your point) sadly, some never do. I don't think that any eight-year-old kid like I was is a hunter when they step into the woods (hopefully that comes later) I know I wasn't. It took a while, and I had hunters for teachers which I have been thankful for. To me and I believe to you and so many others on this site (the best of the best are on here) being a hunter means so much. It speaks of character. Character speaks of so much!

Some remain killers, being in the woods is an inconvenience they have to endure. Sadly, the general public sees us all as hunters .

Great post. I'm afraid the next generation of hunters will primarily be killers due to the fact that the overwhelming majority of kids begin their hunting only deer/turkey/ducks, etc. "Glamour Game".

 

[Phil in Alabama]

I've got to get back out into the woods some. Spent most of December sick stuck in the house not able to go out and hunt any.

 

[Silas]

 

[TheBaron]

I got out for a try again today, before our season ends on Dec. 31. It’s been foggy and dreary, but very mild and still no snow which is very abnormal for here. The sun tried to peek out today and I was hoping that might get the squirrels active, but not really. I managed only one, and was too slow messing with a new scope issues to get a shot at two others before they vacated. I guess it might have been a decent day if I had more time and had left the other scope on the gun to finish the season (which was working excellent but it was borrowed from our 10/22). I still can’t believe how skittish these squirrels are, even when I know they’ve never been hunted before (I’m on private land and am the only guy around here doing any squirrel hunting).

Q for the experienced fellas… when there are squirrel nests around does that mean there are squirrels living there, or can some nests be old and abandoned? And are nests a regular home for one squirrel, or are they used seasonally by one or more?

 

[tfrank]

Leaf nests MAY be semi-permanent, or it could be a summer home so to speak. You will have to ask the squirrels about that!!! Now this occurred in the winter of 1969. My cousin and I had been out hunting for most of the afternoon, and it was a cold and windy day, and we hadn't seen a single squirrel the whole afternoon. He had his Savage 24, 22 mag over a 20 gauge, I had my semi-auto 22. We were ready to head home when we spotted this leaf nest in several small trees that were really close together, the biggest tree was maybe 6 to 8 inches at the base. Maybe 25 to 30 feet up, but then the trees weren't that tall either. Now this was just an average leaf nest, at least it was to my 19 year old mind. My cousin said to put 2 bullets into the trunk of the big tree and if there are squirrels in there maybe that will scare them out. Well, bang, bang and nothing happened, so we had a short discussion. I thought that the report of the rifle would tend to keep any squirrel from coming out, that is there are even any squirrels in that nest!!! We came up with the idea of finding a big stick and beating the trunk of the tree with it!!! My cousin had the shotgun, so he was going to be doing the shooting and lucky me I was going to beat up a tree with a big stick. We were still operating on the idea that there might be, could possibly be, we were hoping that there was... a squirrel in that nest. My cousin backs up a little bit and says he is ready, start hitting that that tree!!! About the fourth whack a squirrel come barreling out of the leaf nest, the squirrel sees me and freezes. My cousin lines up the sights, and... bang, and we have a squirrel!!! We were both amazed that there had been a squirrel in that nest and that our plan had actually worked!!! My cousin said wait, let me reload, then go back over there and beat on that tree some more. Yup, there was another squirrel in that leaf nest!!! In fact, there were 6 squirrels in that leaf nest!!! My cousin got a Virginia limit of six that afternoon and I got a good workout beating the dickens out of a tree with a large branch!!! Mr. Lenard was quite happy to get those squirrels. In fact, it was this incident that prompted me to buy an 870 Remington shotgun. Now has something like this ever happened to me again... no it has not. I am now 73 so I would have to say that this occurrence was a once in a lifetime event.
Kind of fun to remember that long ago hunt with my cousin so thanks for triggering that memory for me!!! It's brought back some other good memories of fun times with my cousin, so thanks again!!!
Whether leaf nests are winter homes depends on a lot of other things. The age of the woods, are there trees large enough to be den trees, no??? Then leaf nests may be the only option. Maybe a bumper crop of young squirrels and there aren't enough den trees, so a leaf nest is what it has to be. I'm sure others will chime in with their thoughts!!!
God Bless, Frank.