Right now (mid-July) is prime time to shoot Belding's and Townsend's ground squirrels in the western high desert (Eastern Oregon, Idaho, high NorCal). Most alfalfa fields are cut or being cut, so they are fully exposed. The juveniles are out of their holes trying to get fat for hibernation in August/September. Check with your farmer friends to see if they've finished baling (equipment off the fields) before you head out. And wherever there are ground squirrels, there are badgers as well, so bring a centerfire rifle as well.
Now is prime time for high desert ground squirrels (sage rats/whistle pigs/squeaks)
- Thread starter SageRatSafaris
- Start date
Would be nice. I think I might have to start making some weekend plans. I need to finish load development for my 110v-max and 90varminters first though. Are there any spots on public lands or is it mostly private? I've lived in Oregon most my life, even eastern (la grande) but just getting into shooting sports so never looked into it.
110 V-Max or 90 gr Varminters are overkill for ground squirrels, all you need is a good rimfire 22 LR or 17 HMR both work well. If you are into ranges longer than 100 yds then one the small caliber centerfires - 17 Hornady through 223 are great since the recoil is light enough for you to see your hits/misses.
I use a 22 rifle out to a 100 yards then switch to the 223 with 40 gr bullets for further shots.
drover
I've noticed there are a lot of rimfire shooting matches around, especially in La Grande where I'll probably be moving to shortly. That and ground squirrels is a plus for rimfire. I also really want a .224 be it a 223 or 22-250! However I only have 1 gun at the moment because I'm just getting into shooting and learning as I go. By the time I get out ground squirrel hunting though I'll probably have a rimfire or something though.
Sage rat hunting is typically done on irrigated alfalfa fields or grass pastures (private). Most folks shoot sage rats with rimfire, although 223 and 17HMR prices are pretty similar nowadays. 223 is so loud, your buddies might prefer you shoot 22 or 17.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
For sage rats around these parts, the 17HMR and the 204 or 20VT seem to be the hot setup. That covers you out to 500 and seeing virtually ALL your hits with minimal noise and cost. I haven't shot any of my 223's at rats now for about six years.
Do you ask farmers or pay them and guides? I'm in Oregon as well and have no idea how to go about it since it's all private property. I'm guessing just look online for people advertising hunts? I remember one time I was in Powder I think (cant remember) and I saw an infestation of ground squirrels that would make a shooters head explode but that was before I got into shooting.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
270WinDude: There's some great shooting to be had in Orygun, but like you said, it's all on private property. You can arrange a good squirrel shoot with my friend Tim Titus of "No Off Season". He can arrange a shoot bare bones or with all the amenities. Tell him I sent you. Or you can knock on doors. As long as you don't arrive in full camo and rip down their driveway, many landowners will let you shoot their rats for free.
This is a ranch we shoot for free, and it's the kind of rat shooting that CAN make your head explode!
Set up in the morning, never move the bench all day and shoot as long as you want. A rat shooters dream.
Monte F
Silver $$ Contributor
270WinDude: There's some great shooting to be had in Orygun, but like you said, it's all on private property. You can arrange a good squirrel shoot with my friend Tim Titus of "No Off Season". He can arrange a shoot bare bones or with all the amenities. Tell him I sent you. Or you can knock on doors. As long as you don't arrive in full camo and rip down their driveway, many landowners will let you shoot their rats for free.
This is a ranch we shoot for free, and it's the kind of rat shooting that CAN make your head explode!
And promise not to shoot their irrigation pivots, lines, etc... They will not let anyone on after that happens.
Set up in the morning, never move the bench all day and shoot as long as you want. A rat shooters dream.
varminthunter1
Gold $$ Contributor
Do you need a hunting license in Oregon if you are on private property?
Yes but I'm not sure for ground squirrel or prairie dogs
Check out
Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife.
They should have a 800# you can call on thier home page.
You'll get links to all different sorts of hunting seasons, reports and fishing.
Bear season starts August 1st
Spring salmon and summer steelhead are pretty much in all river systems at this time, providing it flows toward the salt water, to include any that dump into the Columbia.
Check out
Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife.
They should have a 800# you can call on thier home page.
You'll get links to all different sorts of hunting seasons, reports and fishing.
Bear season starts August 1st
Spring salmon and summer steelhead are pretty much in all river systems at this time, providing it flows toward the salt water, to include any that dump into the Columbia.
If you are hunting as an "agent" on behalf of the property owner, no license is required in Oregon. But the hunting occurs in Central and Eastern Oregon where common sense still prevails. I've never been approached by the law while rat hunting. Law enforcement wave and drive on by. They have better stuff to do.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
SS427 purty much hit the proverbial nail on the head. If you've got permission to shoot, no one really cares about paperwork.........
Good to know
270WinDude: There's some great shooting to be had in Orygun, but like you said, it's all on private property. You can arrange a good squirrel shoot with my friend Tim Titus of "No Off Season". He can arrange a shoot bare bones or with all the amenities. Tell him I sent you. Or you can knock on doors. As long as you don't arrive in full camo and rip down their driveway, many landowners will let you shoot their rats for free.
This is a ranch we shoot for free, and it's the kind of rat shooting that CAN make your head explode!
Set up in the morning, never move the bench all day and shoot as long as you want. A rat shooters dream.
Would be funny if pivot turned on! What kind of benches are those? They look nice and stable. We use similar style benches by DOA Tactical.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
The benches shown are BR Pivots, made by my crew from 1997 till 2007 when at that time I sold the patent and manufacturing rights to Battenfield Technologies (Midwayusa). They are offered in all-steel only now under the Caldwell label. DOA came later and 'borrowed' from my original design.
Prairie dogs and ground squirrels are not fond of the design at all. BRP Lite shown below during a hot squirrel shoot:
It now seems to be one of those items that is "often copied, seldom equaled". But hey, I'm a bit biased.
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