One of the guys in our group leases some land in southern IA, put in some food plots... it paid off for him this week, got a double back-scratcher!
It's that time of year. Let's see those kills.
- Thread starter hogpatrol
- Start date
I'm in the one per person per county zone (Jones/Jackson). The southern counties have a 3 per county limit...I'll be tickled to get one!
Another 'been a while' since I posted. I hunt squirrels in the early fall with a shotgun, but once the leaves start falling, I switch to a rifle...either a 22 or a 17hmr. For several years, the 22 has been the exclusive choice, and the 17hmr has sat in the gun cabinet. Time to change that. I have taken only the 17hmr since the leaves have fallen. It's a Savage with the heavy varmint barrel, and it's real top heavy and more difficult to have slung over the shoulder. But it's WICKED accurate, and if I miss, I can't blame the gun, can't blame a flyer. One other slight negative is that I choose to use earplugs with the 17hmr. And it can be a bit difficult if I have thicker gloves on. For the 22, I use standard velocity, and the volume is acceptable.
This first one, I had been waiting and waiting, calling and calling...and nothing. Then I heard something, turned around slowly and there's this fox squirrel about 20 yards away. I have to fully turn, put in ear plugs, unsling the gun...I figured it's going to run off, but it doesn't. I didn't even have to brace against a tree. Easy shot.
IMG_20231204_125200 by John Doe, on Flickr
A few days later in the exact same spot. I got all three of these within an hour. First one was similar situation as above. I only spotted it after it was really close. Another offhand shot with not bracing against a tree. Instead of running over to get it, I waited and within 5 minutes, the second showed itself in the same area. It climbed up to the top of a broken branch, about 10 feet off the ground, stuck it's head/nose up in the air..probably to search for the first squirrel. Still only about 25 yards away. I was able to brace against a tree, so it was an easy shot.
Third one was spotted about 50+ yards away. I called a few times and eventually it came to about 40 yards away. On the ground, not really interested in my calls. Good brace against the tree, while it paused, and I got my third. By myself..no dog. Good day!
And it doesn't seem to show it in the pictures, but these fox squirrels are huge.
IMG_20231213_141610 by John Doe, on Flickr
This first one, I had been waiting and waiting, calling and calling...and nothing. Then I heard something, turned around slowly and there's this fox squirrel about 20 yards away. I have to fully turn, put in ear plugs, unsling the gun...I figured it's going to run off, but it doesn't. I didn't even have to brace against a tree. Easy shot.
IMG_20231204_125200 by John Doe, on FlickrA few days later in the exact same spot. I got all three of these within an hour. First one was similar situation as above. I only spotted it after it was really close. Another offhand shot with not bracing against a tree. Instead of running over to get it, I waited and within 5 minutes, the second showed itself in the same area. It climbed up to the top of a broken branch, about 10 feet off the ground, stuck it's head/nose up in the air..probably to search for the first squirrel. Still only about 25 yards away. I was able to brace against a tree, so it was an easy shot.
Third one was spotted about 50+ yards away. I called a few times and eventually it came to about 40 yards away. On the ground, not really interested in my calls. Good brace against the tree, while it paused, and I got my third. By myself..no dog. Good day!
And it doesn't seem to show it in the pictures, but these fox squirrels are huge.
IMG_20231213_141610 by John Doe, on FlickrMy cousin's kids were at it again:
TRS
TRS
The same guy that got the double back-scratcher during IA shotgun, got this beast in NM the other day:
Bucket list critter for me!
TRS
Bucket list critter for me!
TRS
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
As far as I am concerned these are trophys. There is so much to be said for squirrel hunting. And fox squirrel are cagey. Well done!Another 'been a while' since I posted. I hunt squirrels in the early fall with a shotgun, but once the leaves start falling, I switch to a rifle...either a 22 or a 17hmr. For several years, the 22 has been the exclusive choice, and the 17hmr has sat in the gun cabinet. Time to change that. I have taken only the 17hmr since the leaves have fallen. It's a Savage with the heavy varmint barrel, and it's real top heavy and more difficult to have slung over the shoulder. But it's WICKED accurate, and if I miss, I can't blame the gun, can't blame a flyer. One other slight negative is that I choose to use earplugs with the 17hmr. And it can be a bit difficult if I have thicker gloves on. For the 22, I use standard velocity, and the volume is acceptable.
This first one, I had been waiting and waiting, calling and calling...and nothing. Then I heard something, turned around slowly and there's this fox squirrel about 20 yards away. I have to fully turn, put in ear plugs, unsling the gun...I figured it's going to run off, but it doesn't. I didn't even have to brace against a tree. Easy shot.
A few days later in the exact same spot. I got all three of these within an hour. First one was similar situation as above. I only spotted it after it was really close. Another offhand shot with not bracing against a tree. Instead of running over to get it, I waited and within 5 minutes, the second showed itself in the same area. It climbed up to the top of a broken branch, about 10 feet off the ground, stuck it's head/nose up in the air..probably to search for the first squirrel. Still only about 25 yards away. I was able to brace against a tree, so it was an easy shot.
Third one was spotted about 50+ yards away. I called a few times and eventually it came to about 40 yards away. On the ground, not really interested in my calls. Good brace against the tree, while it paused, and I got my third. By myself..no dog. Good day!
And it doesn't seem to show it in the pictures, but these fox squirrels are huge.
Not exactly the post you'd expect. There's a patch of woods owned by a friend of mine. It's out in farm country, and the patch is only 200x300 yards, but it's been good for squirrel hunting. One problem, is there's a house on one corner, so because of that, I use a 22. No shotgun or 17hmr because of the noise. I don't know who lives in the house and no sense creating a potential problem. And I always have to make sure I'm not aiming in the direction of the house.
But this was my first time in this patch this year. Leaves are all off, but they're wet, so no crunching when I step. I see two squirrels chasing each other...about 80+ yards away. I start making my way over there when I hear a barking 180 degrees in the opposite direction. At least it's confirmation there's 3 squirrels this year! The two playing squirrels seem to vanish. I see another over 100 yards away. I pick a spot and wait, and wait, and call and call. I finally hear leaves rustling behind me, and I can tell something's rather close. (but let's face it, I know it's a squirrel) I can tell it's well within gun range. I slowly turn around and I see a fox squirrel on the ground. I unsling my gun, and I think it sees me. It jumps up onto a tree, then runs up the tree. I brace against a tree, and for a moment, I get the squirrel in the crosshairs....but it moves up the tree. Then finally it runs into a nest. I wait 20 minutes and it never comes out.
So all you get today is a picture of the nest. (and this is a bit zoomed in)
IMG_20231222_130105 by John Doe, on Flickr
But this was my first time in this patch this year. Leaves are all off, but they're wet, so no crunching when I step. I see two squirrels chasing each other...about 80+ yards away. I start making my way over there when I hear a barking 180 degrees in the opposite direction. At least it's confirmation there's 3 squirrels this year! The two playing squirrels seem to vanish. I see another over 100 yards away. I pick a spot and wait, and wait, and call and call. I finally hear leaves rustling behind me, and I can tell something's rather close. (but let's face it, I know it's a squirrel) I can tell it's well within gun range. I slowly turn around and I see a fox squirrel on the ground. I unsling my gun, and I think it sees me. It jumps up onto a tree, then runs up the tree. I brace against a tree, and for a moment, I get the squirrel in the crosshairs....but it moves up the tree. Then finally it runs into a nest. I wait 20 minutes and it never comes out.
So all you get today is a picture of the nest. (and this is a bit zoomed in)
IMG_20231222_130105 by John Doe, on FlickrCoyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
Last night predator control for a landowner at his deer shack. 20p with Berger 40 boattail perfect terminal performance.
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NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
Can't show the deer that I hit coming home from town about a month ago but, it only cost me around $300.00. 2 new headlights, grill, bumper and lower trim. Easier than dealing with the Insurance Company and having my rig tied up in the shop for who knows how long. 
I have the same rifle.Another 'been a while' since I posted. I hunt squirrels in the early fall with a shotgun, but once the leaves start falling, I switch to a rifle...either a 22 or a 17hmr. For several years, the 22 has been the exclusive choice, and the 17hmr has sat in the gun cabinet. Time to change that. I have taken only the 17hmr since the leaves have fallen. It's a Savage with the heavy varmint barrel, and it's real top heavy and more difficult to have slung over the shoulder. But it's WICKED accurate, and if I miss, I can't blame the gun, can't blame a flyer. One other slight negative is that I choose to use earplugs with the 17hmr. And it can be a bit difficult if I have thicker gloves on. For the 22, I use standard velocity, and the volume is acceptable.
This first one, I had been waiting and waiting, calling and calling...and nothing. Then I heard something, turned around slowly and there's this fox squirrel about 20 yards away. I have to fully turn, put in ear plugs, unsling the gun...I figured it's going to run off, but it doesn't. I didn't even have to brace against a tree. Easy shot.
A few days later in the exact same spot. I got all three of these within an hour. First one was similar situation as above. I only spotted it after it was really close. Another offhand shot with not bracing against a tree. Instead of running over to get it, I waited and within 5 minutes, the second showed itself in the same area. It climbed up to the top of a broken branch, about 10 feet off the ground, stuck it's head/nose up in the air..probably to search for the first squirrel. Still only about 25 yards away. I was able to brace against a tree, so it was an easy shot.
Third one was spotted about 50+ yards away. I called a few times and eventually it came to about 40 yards away. On the ground, not really interested in my calls. Good brace against the tree, while it paused, and I got my third. By myself..no dog. Good day!
And it doesn't seem to show it in the pictures, but these fox squirrels are huge.
What did u end up with for ammo that your rifle prefers?
My Dad in the pic and myself behind the lense. Felt awesome to share this day together, dad with one fox squirrel and the rabbit and myself with 2 fox squirrels. We were only rabbit hunting and had zero luck until we stubbled into a squirrel paradise. The lone rabbit came later behind my parents house. We put out three but dad fired the only shot at a cottontail. Long gone is our last beagle, however the good times and memories with family continue to be made.
Cousin's kid & his buddies made it to N. Platte Nebraska to clean up a limit on mallards. They were hunting rough out of a heated pit blind!
Back in my day, we used layout blinds & froze!
Back in my day, we used layout blinds & froze!
It's our muzzleloader/ 2nd archery. I don't have a muzzleloader, so sharp pointy stick thingy helped fill the freezer again this morning
^ Excalibur?
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