Me and my roommate from USMA. We’ve hunted together in NY, TX, MO, and now GA. Hopefully he can get me a hunt in his home state of NM.
It's that time of year. Let's see those kills.
- Thread starter hogpatrol
- Start date
First post this season. I haven't been out much this year. And I know this thread is all about posting the big game kills...but.....I hunt squirrels.
I've been out a few times this year....all with the shotgun. I've had a few good days hunting with my grandson...age 19. He's struggling in life...doesn't know what he wants to do, doesn't know where he wants to go. But he and I got some squirrels together back in October. And I CAN'T believe I didn't take pictures!!
But today, I took the 22, first time this season.....sighted it in at about 25-30 yards. And thank gawd I did, because it was shooting 2.5" low and to the right. After a few shots, I got three shots on target...all within a dime. Good enough for hunting.
So off I went to a public hunting place...the reserve is actually quite large, but this place within is only about 400 x200 yards. Leaves are on the ground, but it's been wet. Perfect conditions for me, as I can walk relatively silent (if I pay attention), but squirrels will make noise walking and jumping around in the woods. Within 20 yards of entering the woods, I see a fox squirrel about 60-80 yards away...then I see a second. There's TWO! I wait, then after 10 minutes, I call with my fake 'nut caller'....nothing. So I slowly move another 40 yards forward. I wait and wait. Then I see one....then I see another...they start to chase each other. This is usually a sign that I can move forward without being detected. I do move forward, but I lose sight. I wait and wait. Then I finally see a fox squirrel in sight. But I think it's too far away...perhaps 50+ yards. But it moves my way, and I figure I'll slowly unsling the rifle and get ready....to be able to see it through the scope, just to track it. But there's no way I'm going to be able to shoot at this distance.
So I end up looking through the scope...at what must be 45-50 yards. I'm leaning against a tree (as I always do with a 22), and I'm amazed at how steady I am. And I start thinking "Hey, I could shoot at this distance because I'm not wavering." The squirrel stops to check for nut, I...am not wavering, so I figured I'll take the shot. 22lr standard velocity CCI...direct hit...head shot...dead right there. And yup, I'm left handed. Thank Gawd for left handed Savage rifles.
And if you're thinking that's a big friggin' squirrel compared to the rifle, you'd be right. The fox squirrels in this area of Ohio are HUGE.
2021-11-23_12-37-11 by John Doe, on Flickr
I've been out a few times this year....all with the shotgun. I've had a few good days hunting with my grandson...age 19. He's struggling in life...doesn't know what he wants to do, doesn't know where he wants to go. But he and I got some squirrels together back in October. And I CAN'T believe I didn't take pictures!!
But today, I took the 22, first time this season.....sighted it in at about 25-30 yards. And thank gawd I did, because it was shooting 2.5" low and to the right. After a few shots, I got three shots on target...all within a dime. Good enough for hunting.
So off I went to a public hunting place...the reserve is actually quite large, but this place within is only about 400 x200 yards. Leaves are on the ground, but it's been wet. Perfect conditions for me, as I can walk relatively silent (if I pay attention), but squirrels will make noise walking and jumping around in the woods. Within 20 yards of entering the woods, I see a fox squirrel about 60-80 yards away...then I see a second. There's TWO! I wait, then after 10 minutes, I call with my fake 'nut caller'....nothing. So I slowly move another 40 yards forward. I wait and wait. Then I see one....then I see another...they start to chase each other. This is usually a sign that I can move forward without being detected. I do move forward, but I lose sight. I wait and wait. Then I finally see a fox squirrel in sight. But I think it's too far away...perhaps 50+ yards. But it moves my way, and I figure I'll slowly unsling the rifle and get ready....to be able to see it through the scope, just to track it. But there's no way I'm going to be able to shoot at this distance.
So I end up looking through the scope...at what must be 45-50 yards. I'm leaning against a tree (as I always do with a 22), and I'm amazed at how steady I am. And I start thinking "Hey, I could shoot at this distance because I'm not wavering." The squirrel stops to check for nut, I...am not wavering, so I figured I'll take the shot. 22lr standard velocity CCI...direct hit...head shot...dead right there. And yup, I'm left handed. Thank Gawd for left handed Savage rifles.
And if you're thinking that's a big friggin' squirrel compared to the rifle, you'd be right. The fox squirrels in this area of Ohio are HUGE.
2021-11-23_12-37-11 by John Doe, on Flickr
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snert
Silver $$ Contributor
Do it every time you can and take photos. I remember those days with my buddies. I had legs and eyesight and reactions that were Marvel-like. Now they are gone, moved, died or we have lost track in life. But I still look at the photos and thank God someday I will be young again.
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
I love photos of small game hunting. I don't understand the fun of hunting a whole season to shoot once. Give me a pile of pheasant, bunnies, squirrel, chucks, even pigeons! Love your description, post moreFirst post this season. I haven't been out much this year. And I know this thread is all about posting the big game kills...but.....I hunt squirrels.
I've been out a few times this year....all with the shotgun. I've had a few good days hunting with my grandson...age 19. He's struggling in life...doesn't know what he wants to do, doesn't know where he wants to go. But he and I got some squirrels together back in October. And I CAN'T believe I didn't take pictures!!
But today, I took the 22, first time this season.....sighted it in at about 25-30 yards. And thank gawd I did, because it was shooting 2.5" low and to the right. After a few shots, I got three shots on target...all within a dime. Good enough for hunting.
So off I went to a public hunting place...the reserve is actually quite large, but this place within is only about 400 x200 yards. Leaves are on the ground, but it's been wet. Perfect conditions for me, as I can walk relatively silent (if I pay attention), but squirrels will make noise walking and jumping around in the woods. Within 20 yards of entering the woods, I see a fox squirrel about 60-80 yards away...then I see a second. There's TWO! I wait, then after 10 minutes, I call with my fake 'nut caller'....nothing. So I slowly move another 40 yards forward. I wait and wait. Then I see one....then I see another...they start to chase each other. This is usually a sign that I can move forward without being detected. I do move forward, but I lose sight. I wait and wait. Then I finally see a fox squirrel in sight. But I think it's too far away...perhaps 50+ yards. But it moves my way, and I figure I'll slowly unsling the rifle and get ready....to be able to see it through the scope, just to track it. But there's no way I'm going to be able to shoot at this distance.
So I end up looking through the scope...at what must be 45-50 yards. I'm leaning against a tree (as I always do with a 22), and I'm amazed at how steady I am. And I start thinking "Hey, I could shoot at this distance because I'm not wavering." The squirrel stops to check for nut, I...am not wavering, so I figured I'll take the shot. 22lr standard velocity CCI...direct hit...head shot...dead right there. And yup, I'm left handed. Thank Gawd for left handed Savage rifles.
And if you're thinking that's a big friggin' squirrel compared to the rifle, you'd be right. The fox squirrels in this area of Ohio are HUGE.
There’s elk in Nevada?
Dam right!!
I would have posted pics of my only squirrel hunt this year, however I went 0/3 with my first time out with a 17hmr.First post this season. I haven't been out much this year. And I know this thread is all about posting the big game kills...but.....I hunt squirrels.
I've been out a few times this year....all with the shotgun. I've had a few good days hunting with my grandson...age 19. He's struggling in life...doesn't know what he wants to do, doesn't know where he wants to go. But he and I got some squirrels together back in October. And I CAN'T believe I didn't take pictures!!
But today, I took the 22, first time this season.....sighted it in at about 25-30 yards. And thank gawd I did, because it was shooting 2.5" low and to the right. After a few shots, I got three shots on target...all within a dime. Good enough for hunting.
So off I went to a public hunting place...the reserve is actually quite large, but this place within is only about 400 x200 yards. Leaves are on the ground, but it's been wet. Perfect conditions for me, as I can walk relatively silent (if I pay attention), but squirrels will make noise walking and jumping around in the woods. Within 20 yards of entering the woods, I see a fox squirrel about 60-80 yards away...then I see a second. There's TWO! I wait, then after 10 minutes, I call with my fake 'nut caller'....nothing. So I slowly move another 40 yards forward. I wait and wait. Then I see one....then I see another...they start to chase each other. This is usually a sign that I can move forward without being detected. I do move forward, but I lose sight. I wait and wait. Then I finally see a fox squirrel in sight. But I think it's too far away...perhaps 50+ yards. But it moves my way, and I figure I'll slowly unsling the rifle and get ready....to be able to see it through the scope, just to track it. But there's no way I'm going to be able to shoot at this distance.
So I end up looking through the scope...at what must be 45-50 yards. I'm leaning against a tree (as I always do with a 22), and I'm amazed at how steady I am. And I start thinking "Hey, I could shoot at this distance because I'm not wavering." The squirrel stops to check for nut, I...am not wavering, so I figured I'll take the shot. 22lr standard velocity CCI...direct hit...head shot...dead right there. And yup, I'm left handed. Thank Gawd for left handed Savage rifles.
And if you're thinking that's a big friggin' squirrel compared to the rifle, you'd be right. The fox squirrels in this area of Ohio are HUGE.
Odd looking Michigan wildlife!!!!I’ll start with this one
Spent most of the 1st half of August in Botswana, trip that was pretty much 54 years in the making. I have more if anyone wants to see them
Kevin
Post em, congrats sounds like an incredible trip.
I can only speak for myself , pics and stories please !!!!
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
Some of the biggest bulls and some of the hardest tags to draw. Very big mule deer too, same thing, hard tag to draw.
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
Poomba!Well then there were the Warthog’s
Keep em coming Doc, I've been dreaming of Africa for decades!
Today is a good day, been going after this one to take out since opening day, 6 Nov. Its pattern was so unpredictable, sometimes it passes through the clearing at 2 AM, or randomly during the day. Yesterday the trail cam picked him up at 10. All day today it was MIA until about an hour till sundown. He stood behind some cedar, motionless with just the horns in my view. He just looked around
Finally he decided to take a couple of steps that exposed the shoulder in a small opening through the cedar. Could not see the hoofs just the head, horns, and shoulder. He is standing in a trail protected by cedar.
From the hide, the 280AI on a bipod barked, the 175 Berger Elite Hunter coming out at 2950 found its mark, high shoulder shot at 240.
Game over, almost one month in the making.
Since opening day I passed up shots on a couple of 10s and a few 8s to put this one on the ground first.
Finally he decided to take a couple of steps that exposed the shoulder in a small opening through the cedar. Could not see the hoofs just the head, horns, and shoulder. He is standing in a trail protected by cedar.
From the hide, the 280AI on a bipod barked, the 175 Berger Elite Hunter coming out at 2950 found its mark, high shoulder shot at 240.
Game over, almost one month in the making.
Since opening day I passed up shots on a couple of 10s and a few 8s to put this one on the ground first.
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