Never happened before while squirrel hunting

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

I was squirrel hunting yesterday. (Savage Mk II..22lr)

I purchased a squirrel caller, and have been trying to educate myself on how to use it. But honestly, I don't know if I'm calling them, or alerting them to my position/presence.

But I was out there quackin' away with the caller. New woods for me, so I don't know if there's much in the way of a squirrel population. There were also 4 trucks close by...two of which I know were bow deer hunters. I wanted to stay away from them, so I figured I'll just give this section a 1/2 hour, then move on.

I'm behind a rather large tree, again wondering if I'm alerting the squirrels or calling them. Then I hear a slight noise from behind me. I turn to my left to peak around the tree, and there, about 8 yards away, 10 feet off the ground is a big fox squirrel, and he's looking right at me! He gives a snort or two my way. I guess my calling skills are developing! I slowly move back behind the tree, unsling my gun from my shoulder, bring it up to my shoulder and slowly move away from the tree. I don't think I've ever shot...anything...this close. I fire....I MISS! I realize at this distance the gun shoots 1.5" low because of the scope distance from the barrel. !! The squirrel doesn't run away, so I load another bullet...this time aiming 1.5" high. Got 'em.

 

[BradY]

A good thing to learn when calling critters is to know where your bullet shoots if you look right down the side of the barrel not through the scope. The amount of foxes I have shot down here (Aus) that have come right up to the vehicle at night when you call them is unbelievable. Saves any second guessing.

Well done on the calling though! Would be fun to chase them around with a 22 I reckon.

 

[fr3db3ar]

While bow hunting and squirrel calling I've had them run right down the tree at me chattering the whole way giving me a piece of their mind.

I was on the phone for a while talking to a buddy, when I got off I gave the call a little bark bark chatter. Immediately a big old female fox squirrel popped out on a limb to look right at me from 10 yards. She had to have heard me on the phone the whole time but still stepped out to take a look.

When I use the call I don't expect them to come to me (it happens) I'm just hoping for them to make some movement to give away their position.

 

[Torg]

OVS,
Any chance, of ya givin us, jus a lil hint on, what call ya were using?....huh
Sounds like, one of those offset reflex sights, like Jerry Miculek uses on his "3gun AR", would be handy for the up close, shots

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

OVS,
Any chance, of ya givin us, jus a lil hint on, what call ya were using?....huh

Do you mean what manufacturer made the calling device? Or what sounds I was making?

I'll answer both. the brand name of the caller is Hunter Specialties (HS) Calls.

I believe this is it at amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Hunters-Specialties-08200-Squirrel-Call/dp/B0000AVXRY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352404539&sr=8-1&keywords=squirrel+call

As for what sounds: Last week, I was fortunate to be in the woods when a fox squirrel sat up next to a tree trunk, and just started barking, barking and barking. But it had a very specific pattern:

Two loud clear barks....followed by 4-5 very quick, very muffled lower key grunts. (like it would take about 6 of them to fill up 1 second.) Sounds like a muffled toy machine gun.

So that's what I've been repeating in the wood. I don't know if it's mate calling, play calling, establishing territory calling, warning other squirrels..etc...don't know.

But I do know it was 1 shot through the lungs & heart.

 

[fr3db3ar]

Similar to my call. I like to give 2 or 3 barks then shake the bellows for a "chatter" sound. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I don't know if I'm doing it right or not, just trying to get their attention.

 

[hogpatrol]

I use two quarters. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

 

[fr3db3ar]

I'm still working on that cutting sound with the coins.

 

[Torg]

OVS,
Thanks for the info & link. I'll see if I can find one locally, first.

 

[langenc]

I have used an old Olt w/ rubber bellows on it and it makes the barking sound.

I also have one of those Mr squirrel whistles. I dont know weather tosuck or blow on it??

I really enjoyed squirrel hunting in NW ohio and now live 250 mi N. Very few fox squieels-blacks & grays-about 1/2 the size of the fox. They bark occasionally but then will follow w/ this crying sound. First few times I heard it I was bafflled. Then I saw a couple in the yard and figured it out.

Anyone have luck w/ Mr Squirrel??

 

[onelastshot]

Six months ago I picked up an Anschutz 17 cal bolt action, possibly one of the best buys I've made. I put a vortex 3-9 viper on it and this fall it's been my go to gun for squirrel. I wait far late afternoon, find a good sized oak to sit under and wait. I've never used a call, I just wait for them to come out and feed.

Last Monday I was certain it was going to be an empty bag afternoon. Just at dusk, a good sized gray started the long sad pitched cry behind me. I finally spotted him fifty yards away about 30 feet up laying on a branch. When I shot and he rolled and hit the ground dead. Two others raced up trees within 50 feet of him, you could make out the black silhouette of each against the gray sky. Another two shots and I had three on the ground.

I don't think I ever had a rifle that shoots as consistently and accurate as this one. From 25-100 yards the point of impact is the same. I love my old Remington 22 but past 50 yards it gets dicey.

 

[snert]

I have hunted PA ( long time ago) for fox and grey squirrels. In NY I hunt greys. I have learned to use my mouth to mimic a grey and to a lesser ability fox squirrel. In my experience, a grey will notice something in the woods (cat, coon, fox, dog or me) and will begin to "chatter/bark". It is followed by a longer, drawn out squeeking that repeats. I find this puts all the other squirrels on alert. I mimic it from a tree stand (yep) to get the out-of-sight-grays to hit the trees nearby and show themselves. Another common sound is a purring chatter. This is often a squirrel that is perched and relaxed, sunning. It is very hard to locate this sound. I find that moving behind a tree, then out from behind it, circle the tree, it will give me a better idea of where that sound is coming from. To mimic, I suck air into gritted teeth with my tongue pressed to the right back teeth, and chatter with my tongue pressing the top of my mouth while repeatedly sucking in little amounts of air. Works for me and I never leave that call at home. I have had many squirrel "fall" for it (and a 38grain HP to the noggin). Friends have seen/head me do it, saying I am "nuts", but then out pops a squirrel and they shut up. You just can't have any pride or concern about what people think...only the squirrel matters, and if he ikes it...dead squirrel.