The Squirrel Hunting Thread 2016

[ab_bentley]

Yeah, we have a lot of reds around here. (surprisingly very few grey) I can't stand them. They're too small, too quick and they never sit still. Hard to get them with a 22. If I'm going to eat squirrels, I want to use a 22. I don't eat reds. So I often don't take the shot anymore. (and I usually don't stalk them) But they're aggressive and hard on grey and fox, so if I do have a clear shot, I'll take it. Whenever I'm out with my 22 and hear a red, I always wish I had a shotgun...just for a moment.

But two years ago, I did have a good day with the reds: (and no, that's not a backwards pic, I'm left handed)

I'm missing a red for my collection, I have a black, fox, grey, and this year i should have an albino (there is a healthy population south of me). One of my die hard squirrel friends and I are going to south next year for a trip for Missouri reds and then out west for the various species there. All in all, I would much prefer squirrels to elephants any day.

Adam

 

[timeout]

I'm missing a red for my collection, I have a black, fox, grey, and this year i should have an albino (there is a healthy population south of me). One of my die hard squirrel friends and I are going to south next year for a trip for Missouri reds and then out west for the various species there. All in all, I would much prefer squirrels to elephants any day.

Adam

I had a coal black near one of my deer stands a couple years ago. I don't remember seeing one of those here before. I haven't squirrel hunted in many a year but I much prefer them over elephants myself!

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

My meager offering for today:

I went out to public land again today. (I'm saving my private land for when my grandson can come with me.)

I wanted to go to a spot that was good to me last year. But I have to go through a few fields to get there. This is a wildlife area, but there are parts of it they allow local farmers to use. Sometimes it's not used for a season...for reasons of natural development I assume, other times it's corn, other times soybeans.

So the field I have to walk through to get to my spot is one of these farmer leased fields. There's a path that directly goes to the field. And yesterday when I walked it, I see this year, the field is corn. I can't walk through that without damaging the crop. So I'll wait until after harvest to work the woods behind it. So I walk a few hundred yards past the corn field to other woods. I've had mild success in this area before.

I go in, wait 10 minutes and start calling. It's a pretty thick area. One negative is all the sticker bushes. It makes it kind of hard to walk through some certain areas. Soon after I start calling, a fox squirrel starts chattering loudly to my left. It's only about 50-60 yards away, but due to the thickness of the forest, there's no way I'll see it. So I have two choices: 1) keep calling and try to lure him in...2) advance and try to physically get closer. I chose "2". The ground doesn't have dried leaves, so I think I can advance pretty quietly. I slowly make my way about 25 yards, rest up against a tree and wait. ...and wait...and wait. No more calling, no noise or movement whatsoever. I must have been busted and the squirrel took off. It was even during this time I heard another fox chattering in the opposite direction. (considerably further away.)

So I move further into the woods, and in a tribute to my moving quietly, I come upon a red squirrel that didn't hear me coming. (probably due to it's stupidity rather than my stalking skills!) I came around a tree and it screamed in surprise at me. It's maybe only 25 yards away. It froze in place, but I can't take the shot because there are branches/leafs in front of me. I have to squat down...but not fully where my butt is resting on my heels. But rather squat down 1/2 way. I have the tree to help stabilize me, but I'm wavering too much and I miss the shot. (my first miss of the season...rats!) And the red jumps at the sound of the rifle, and it moves about 5 feet up the tree and freezes again. This time, I can stand up and I have a clear shot.

Bullet went in at the back left jaw...exited just inside the right ear. It was inverted when I shot it, and it clung to the tree for about 4 seconds before falling. During which time blood dripped from it's nose. When I fired...and it didn't move, I thought I missed. But seeing blood dripping from it's nose (about 3 drops a seconds), I knew not only did I hit it, but it was dead.

So one red...not exactly a stellar day.

 

[ab_bentley]

Was far too windy here for shooting today. Tomorrow morning look promising though.

@Ohio Varmint Shooter
Really enjoy those stories. Have you given thought to a suppressor? I'm using one for the first time this year and it's amazing the difference on the reaction of the other squirrels.

As to your call, I use a piece of nylon all thread and a bic lighter. That call alone helps calm the squirrels down after a shot.

Adam

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

I'm not putting a $1000 can on a $175 rifle. I'd love to have one, but they're just too expensive. But I use standard velocity CCI, and it's pretty quiet. I use earplugs when I use my 17hmr. But that will be after the leaves fall. It's not like bird hunting, I can (almost) always spare an extra 5 seconds to put them in.

 

[ab_bentley]

I'm not putting a $1000 can on a $175 rifle. I'd love to have one, but they're just too expensive. But I use standard velocity CCI, and it's pretty quiet. I use earplugs when I use my 17hmr. But that will be after the leaves fall. It's not like bird hunting, I can (almost) always spare an extra 5 seconds to put them in.

My rimfire can cost me $219,that's including the $200 stamp. I agree, it's pointless for a cheap rifle, but it's a whole new world of hunting.

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

I didn't know they could be had for that low cost. But what about the cost (and permanent alteration) of chopping off and modifying the barrel? Are there any legal fees associated with it? I've heard about having to set up a trust and the trust purchases it. I don't know if that Ohio, Federal, or other type of jurisdiction. If I did it, I would probably want another 22 just for it. I don't want to alter the one I have. It's very traditional, and left handed. (something I've wanted all my life, but only recently got)

 

[ab_bentley]

I didn't know they could be had for that low cost. But what about the cost (and permanent alteration) of chopping off and modifying the barrel? Are there any legal fees associated with it? I've heard about having to set up a trust and the trust purchases it. I don't know if that Ohio, Federal, or other type of jurisdiction. If I did it, I would probably want another 22 just for it. I don't want to alter the one I have. It's very traditional, and left handed. (something I've wanted all my life, but only recently got)

You can go two routes, form 1(you build it) or form 4 (you buy it). Both have a one time $200 fee associated with them. A trust can be used or you can file as an individual. There is the modification of the firearm, but it's minimal. If you look around typically you'll probably find a version of the firearm threaded already.

Adam

 

[Nvreloader]

Rick
You want to send a bunch of live BLACK ones this way!
I have yet to see one.

I do miss hunting them, just after a snow fall,
they would be sitting in the tops of trees, sunning them selves.

Just slowly drive the back logging roads checking the tree tops,
filled many a limit of 10, in N Calif/Lassen area.

Brings back lots of good Old times, head shooting them with the 22 LR,
or barking them with the 06.

Tia,
Don

I've been seeing a lot of squirrels lately. Bunch of black ones too! Season opens on the 15th.

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

Yesterday was just a sad day for me.

I went back out to the Delaware (Ohio) wildlife area, to a place I shot a fox squirrel about 10 days ago. Nothing happened....not even chatter of reds. (They'll chatter if they see me moving.)

After a long while of calling, I finally here a red. I can't find it. (again, thick woods) But soon I hear a squirrel cutting. It's close, but I can't find it. After a while of looking, I find the little red (and I do mean little) sitting on a branch, only about 25 yards away from me. I shoulder the rifle, aim for a head shot, and fire. I MISSED! From 25 yards??? I supposed I didn't have the best stance, but I didn't think I was wavering. It scurried off. Granted this was a small squirrel, even for a red, and I was going for a head shot. (if you want more excuses, let me know, I've got 'em.)

I had been out in the woods long enough and was discouraged about my miss, and decided to go home. I'm walking back towards the car, only about 50 yards from my miss, when I see something move about 30 feet in front of me. It's a fox squirrel!! And it's walking on the ground without a care in the world, it doesn't even know I'm there. I wasn't exactly being the most quite on the way back, and I'm surprised it's right in front of me. It's in very thick brush. And I unsling my rifle, but within a few seconds, I loose sight of it. I walk over towards it, this time actually making a little bit of noise, hoping it will scurry through the brush...and I'll hear it. But no, I loose a fox squirrel that was only 30 feet away.

I wait and wait and wait. Nothing.... After about 7-10 minutes, I get out my caller and make chirping noises. Nothing for several minutes. I figure what the heck, let's just go home. I give one last look, and there's a fox squirrel on a tree only about 25 FEET from me, and it's about 25-30 feet up in the air. So close! I'm afraid it will run away when I unshoulder my rifle, but it stayed put.

I put the cross hairs on it's head and fire. And I MISSED. In the excitement, I forgot at such close range, the POI is 1.5" lower (distance from center of bullet to center of scope) so I must have just shot underneath it's head. How embarrassing. At 25 feet, I was worried about it running away that I forgot to aim 1.5" high. It ran up the tree.

I waited and waited...never saw it again. Went home and licked my wounds (so to speak)

 

[timeout]

It's a darn poor squirrel hunter that doesn't have enough excuses to last all day

 

[ab_bentley]

Yesterday was just a sad day for me.

I went back out to the Delaware (Ohio) wildlife area, to a place I shot a fox squirrel about 10 days ago. Nothing happened....not even chatter of reds. (They'll chatter if they see me moving.)

After a long while of calling, I finally here a red. I can't find it. (again, thick woods) But soon I hear a squirrel cutting. It's close, but I can't find it. After a while of looking, I find the little red (and I do mean little) sitting on a branch, only about 25 yards away from me. I shoulder the rifle, aim for a head shot, and fire. I MISSED! From 25 yards??? I supposed I didn't have the best stance, but I didn't think I was wavering. It scurried off. Granted this was a small squirrel, even for a red, and I was going for a head shot. (if you want more excuses, let me know, I've got 'em.)

I had been out in the woods long enough and was discouraged about my miss, and decided to go home. I'm walking back towards the car, only about 50 yards from my miss, when I see something move about 30 feet in front of me. It's a fox squirrel!! And it's walking on the ground without a care in the world, it doesn't even know I'm there. I wasn't exactly being the most quite on the way back, and I'm surprised it's right in front of me. It's in very thick brush. And I unsling my rifle, but within a few seconds, I loose sight of it. I walk over towards it, this time actually making a little bit of noise, hoping it will scurry through the brush...and I'll hear it. But no, I loose a fox squirrel that was only 30 feet away.

I wait and wait and wait. Nothing.... After about 7-10 minutes, I get out my caller and make chirping noises. Nothing for several minutes. I figure what the heck, let's just go home. I give one last look, and there's a fox squirrel on a tree only about 25 FEET from me, and it's about 25-30 feet up in the air. So close! I'm afraid it will run away when I unshoulder my rifle, but it stayed put.

I put the cross hairs on it's head and fire. And I MISSED. In the excitement, I forgot at such close range, the POI is 1.5" lower (distance from center of bullet to center of scope) so I must have just shot underneath it's head. How embarrassing. At 25 feet, I was worried about it running away that I forgot to aim 1.5" high. It ran up the tree.

I waited and waited...never saw it again. Went home and licked my wounds (so to speak)

Don't feel bad, missed one that close yesterday as well.

Adam

 

[ratbuster]

I'm not putting a $1000 can on a $175 rifle. I'd love to have one, but they're just too expensive. But I use standard velocity CCI, and it's pretty quiet. I use earplugs when I use my 17hmr. But that will be after the leaves fall. It's not like bird hunting, I can (almost) always spare an extra 5 seconds to put them in.

A potato makes an extremely effective silencer for a .22 as long as you are not using open sights. I tried one the other day and was amazed at how quiet it was. I used Wolf match ammo and it was quieter than most air rifles. I drilled a 3/8" hole all the way through with a long bit and then a short 5/8" hole in line with the first hole for the barrel to slip into. The bullet does not touch the potato and it's super quiet. I have a friend that simply drills a short hole for the barrel and shoots through the potato with good results.

 

[people]

I'm not putting a $1000 can on a $175 rifle. I'd love to have one, but they're just too expensive. But I use standard velocity CCI, and it's pretty quiet. I use earplugs when I use my 17hmr. But that will be after the leaves fall. It's not like bird hunting, I can (almost) always spare an extra 5 seconds to put them in.

Now if we "firearms owners" could stick together we could get mufflers unregulated in less than a week. Currently they are a pain in the butt with government registration but are very cool.

 

[rebel]

Agreed. I became a "stamp collector" about 10 years ago. Once you are waiting on a couple or so to clear, it's not so bad. The first wait is the worst. There is a backlog now because of the election and uncertainty. Getting a NFA trust is pretty straightforward, your dealer does the form 4 and then you wait. A form 1 is a little more difficult in you are filling the form yourself. When I did mine the wait was around 30 days om a form 1, it's much longer now. Still if you ask me today if $600 total was worth it for that kind of stealth - I'll say hell yes every single time.

 

[ab_bentley]

Agreed. I became a "stamp collector" about 10 years ago. Once you are waiting on a couple or so to clear, it's not so bad. The first wait is the worst. There is a backlog now because of the election and uncertainty. Getting a NFA trust is pretty straightforward, your dealer does the form 4 and then you wait. A form 1 is a little more difficult in you are filling the form yourself. When I did mine the wait was around 30 days om a form 1, it's much longer now. Still if you ask me today if $600 total was worth it for that kind of stealth - I'll say hell yes every single time.

We finally got our weather break. Been 59° all day and leaves coming of everywhere. Won't be long now boys.

Adam

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

After a few embarrassing misses that last couple of times out....it was time to check to see if the gun needs sighting in.

At 25-30 yards, the gun was shooting 1.25" low...about .33" left. THAT explains it!!! That's a big change for only that distance. I must have banged/knocked the scope into something.

 

[ab_bentley]

After a few embarrassing misses that last couple of times out....it was time to check to see if the gun needs sighting in.

At 25-30 yards, the gun was shooting 1.25" low...about .33" left. THAT explains it!!! That's a big change for only that distance. I must have banged/knocked the scope into something.

My newest squirrel getter is coming this Friday. It kinda fell into my lap, one of those" I'd be stupid not to" deals. A NIB 17M2 CZ 452 AMERICAN!

 

[Jonathan Zimmerman]

It's that time again, the next five months in Ohio is squirrel season. I would encourage anyone hunting squirrel this year to post your quarry and the firearm used.

This year I'll be hunting with a 22Lr Remington 40x and a 10/22 both suppressed. Only head shots on my part and I'm going for a total around 250. Last year in my back yard I managed 107 in 30 days.

There may be some among us that view squirrel hunting as the be all/ end all, as I do, and would like to share.
View attachment 989124

Where at in Ohio are you located?

 

[ab_bentley]

Where at in Ohio are you located?

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