The Ultimate Squirrelin' Tool.....

[Dave McCracken]

Enough on "Serious" shotguns, custom fit and depleted Uranium pellets rubbed with garlic.

What's the best shotgun, in your humble opinion, to have under a hickory tree for bushytailed tree rats? And why?

I'll add my two cents later.

And, let's not let mundane stuff like money interfere with our fantasies here.

How about a 24 gauge Piotti double in Krylon camo?.....

Or, maybe a 410 Saiga converted to belt feed?....

[HighVelocity]

A Marlin lever action 410 should do the trick. Light, fast and holds 4-5 shells.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/leverActionShotgun/410.htm

[9mmMike]

Remington 1100 Special Field in 28 Ga with a sling. That would be way cool.
Mike

[Rupestris]

Any shotgun can take squirrel.

-The best SG is the one whose action opening makes your dogs ears perk up, and his tail wag.
-The one that your son/daughter is using while they're with you in the woods.
-Grandpas ol' side-by-side.

I don't own one yet but I think I'd have to go with a Stevens 311 20ga SxS.

[Kestrel]

Any shotgun will work just as well as any others, but I do have fond memories of squirrel hunting as a boy, with a single shot 12 gauge.

[Larry Ashcraft]

Never hunted squirrels but I guess this would do...

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=23407

28 ga Wingmaster. :D

[Chawbaccer]

My dad's old Rem 11. I have lots of memories of hunting with him as a little boy. He had the shotgun and I would set under a tree with him holding my Daisy BB gun

[sm]

.410 single shot.

Two quarters with a hole drilled in them, length of rawhide lace running them. This looped around my weak hand little finger. My other fingers hold my second loading.

I rub the quarters together...a wee bit more...a tad more...BANG!

#6s for when the leaves are thicker, shots are longer...
#7.5s for less/ no leaves.

I have this thing about hunting with single shots still.

Another great gun is the NEF Youth 20 ga, like I got for mom.

Takes squirrels really well, rabbits too...and It groups slugs REAL well in case Mr. Buck just appears from nowhere. ;)

> Larry you have not been Checked out and Cleared on That 28 ga for live game - yet.
I happen to be "Authorized" to give such Training and Certs. :D

[Larry Ashcraft]

Larry you have not been Checked out and Cleared on That 28 ga for live game - yet.
Oops.

I shot "at" a dove with it.

Does that count?

[charby]

I think the best squirrely scatter gun is a single shot .410, its a lot of folks first shotgun they went hunting with.

I have taken a lot squirrels with my Stevens 311 12 guage. I bought it at a gun sale when i was 19 to upgrade from a stevens 20 guage pump. Since then I have went Italian and so forth.


Charby

[sm]

I shot "at" a dove with it.

Sounds like you attended ...Sorry Dave...I CANNOT pass up this set up line...

Smoke's Skool of Dove Huntin' :neener:


I now return us to our Regularly Scheduled Thread about Bushy Tails and Shootin' Irons

[Vern Humphrey]

What's the best shotgun, in your humble opinion, to have under a hickory tree for bushytailed tree rats? And why?


The best shotgun is the Ithaca Model 37 12 gauge with modified choke and number 6s.

The best gun is the Kimber Model 82 with a 4X scope.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :p

[Rock_Steady]

Well, let me just say.........

I'm usually in the .22 rimfire camp when it comes to squirrelin', but today I took out the new 870 express. Man, when you're used to shootin' a H&R single shot, that 870 is smooth, light kickin', and just a joy to have with you. I was more scouting for deer today than anything else. Made the mistake of taking one bushy too early in the season - too many warbles in that one for me to want to throw him in the cookpot. Felt bad. But man, I love that new 870.

[Smoke]

SM,

With all the respect I can muster for an old coot....

Please, bite me. :neener:

Smoke's Theory of Dove Hunting: Put enough shot in the air and sooner or later a dove is bound to fly through the column.

Piddly little 28ga don't have enough volume.

As for squirrels. Shooting tree rats is a pest elemination issue, not a eating proposition. I'd suggest a Winchester Model 42 if we are talking scatter guns.
My preferred implement of destruction is actually a .17 Hornady with an adequate scope. (If you do desire to eat the rodents, the 17 will pre-chunk them into stew sized pieces. :evil: )

Smoke

[wanderinwalker]

Never been squirrel hunting, never really thought about it much. I suspect my 20ga 870 with some #6s or 7.5s would be adequate though. However, if given the choice, I think my dad's scoped 10/22 would be ideal.

Sit and wait at the base of a tree, tree rat stirs, POP!! Sit and wait, there's another, POP!! Sounds like a good way to pass a morning. :D

[Brian Williams]

I would love to have a break open internal hammer in 32 S&W long. 22" barrel, Patridge post front sight, peep receiver rear, english style shotgun stock, tang safety, schnabel foreend.

A Model 42 would be sweet also.

But for now I take my Marlin 39a Mountie or my first gun a Sears 22 bolt.

[Moon]

I've shot a mess of squirrels in my time. I have used rifles, shotguns, and pistols, depending on availability and how I want to hunt. My opinion is that anything that can shoot a 12 ga shell is the most effective weapon. You can certainly get away with less (and may enjoy doing so, to increase the sporting difficulty), but there are no down sides to using a 12 in my eyes. It will kill efficiently and has better range than the lesser gauges (read: more lead in the air = denser patterns). I have used both 4 and 6 shot. The proponents of 4 shot say that the meat has less shot in it, while those that like 6 say that it ups your chance for a hit. I've found only slight differences between the two in the field, and do not have a preference.

As a side note, I have noticed that a squirrel can be one of the toughest game to kill for its size. I have no idea why, but I have found that squirrels can take a ton of punishment before giving up the ghost. They are like miniature hogs in that respect, which is something that I find to be very counterintuitive.

[Vern Humphrey]

The 12 gauge rules. It's effective, versatile, and you can get the ammo anywhere -- and it costs less than .410s.

[sm]

:D

NO doubt the 12 bore is the most versatile.

20 ga is a bit more easier to tote, especially in a two barrel gun, and just as effective. The options for slugs since deer like to show up unexpected is a nice feature afforded to the 12 and 20 gauges.

28 ga - Better than it is supposed to be. VERY effective, easy to tote.

I have this attitude about hunting, and fishing. I appreciate being out, the whole experience, alone, or the company of others. Kids and dogs...add something special. I have been known to not bait my hook , some of my best fishing were the days I did not bait my hook, just eased out the cane pole, set it in a forked stick and enjoy the experience.

I do the same with hunting - the taking of game is a bonus. Not that there are not hunts/ fishing trips were groceries are the main concern.

labgrade shared "bowhunting with a firearm" with me once on the phone, though not a bow hunter myself, I understood exactly what he meant. Getting close, not being detected, using woodscraft skills...

Yes I have whispered 'bang' and the game continued doing what they were , I continued to watch...or move on to only repeat again.

I dunno, the single shots I still like. .410s, well I know all about "ineffectiveness", still...

I do the same with a single shot .22 rifle, Rem 514. Just the fact it is not a repeater, and I have to do my part - the first time.

I like taking small game with a handgun. Squirrel offers a challenge in woodscraft, and shooting. I do not own any scopes - period. I use irons only. I admit with my eyes ...takes a bit more to do this, still what I prefer. Wabbits offer a bigger challenge...

Done my share of 'barking' too. Model 94 in 30-30 or Model 70 in '06, for safety I like to catch 'em at a downed tree, stump...
Real tricky is 'barking' squirrels with a 1911, Model 10, 19 or 29.

Still I think the most fun is rubbing them quarters togethter getting that sucker to "come around" - I have accomplished what I set out to do...now do I want meat, the taking of a shot with handgun, single shot 22, Marlin 60, various shotguns...or maybe I just want the experience and memory?

There is that kid on his first trip, the dog going bonkers...

Sentimental?

Not me. ;)

[Vern Humphrey]

I do the same with hunting - the taking of game is a bonus. Not that there are not hunts/ fishing trips were groceries are the main concern.


Now there's a philosophy I can identify with.

Sometimes the sheer pleasure of being out is the thing. Sometimes the gun is there for aesthetics, not really effectiveness. A fine old small-guage double may well give more satisfaction than the latest shelf-shucker -- even if you never cut a feather or a hair.

[sm]

I figured you would appreciate and be able to relate. I suspect more than one morning you took your morning walk, just taking it all in, no intentions of packing anything out.

I suspect we are not alone in this attitude either...betcha Dave knows of what we speak...others too.

In a former life, schedule made deer hunting difficult. Been known to drive down while folks out hunting deer. I was playing with the fireplace, or the wood stove. Porch sitting, plinking at squirrels around camp, sipping coffee. I'd have to leave early to get back, usually another hunter came in early, maybe a wife of one...fellas had squirrel for supper.

I'd be easing down in a canoe, stop paddling to drift by deer taking a drink, we noticed each other, didn't disturb each other. Now on down , ease to the bank where all the barking was going on, quell some of the barking...drift on down some more...

I like this porch sitting, cup of coffee, gun handy, watching the critters. Sometimes take what I needed, other times let the critters watch me take a nap.

Vern, one of these days I'll make it up your way, as we visited about. It is the getting out, the people, the critters. Not the guns or taking of critters, just being part of the whole experience.

[slopemeno]

Ahem...Lefever Nitro Special in 20 Ga.

[Gordon]

When I was young, I set/strolled in eastern hardwood forests and used the ultimate tool; a 20ga Win. Model 12 with 28" modified choke and an oz of #6.
I think my wife's Model 37 20ga would prolly work just as well. I did try the .410 and the .22lr but the 20 ga. just tears them off the tree so well,with not anymore "meat" loss!

[Nematocyst]

Leave it to a mentor like Dave McC to start such a fine thread. <:nods respectful approval:>

I resonate with the philosophy of cyber-friend Vern H: "Sometimes the sheer pleasure of being out is the thing."

I heard that. That's what drove me from the hunts of my teenage years to the backpacking expeditions of my 20's, 30's & 40's in southern Colorado above 10000'. (Now, I'm planning more of those expeditions in the Pac NW, but carrying a .357 & 30-06, just in case I need meat, or am confronted by drug lords in what was once 'wilderness'.)

And I am humbled by the words of SM, who has over 10,000 THR posts; wonderful, poetic thoughts. <snippet> "I like this porch sitting, cup of coffee, gun handy, watching the critters. Sometimes take what I needed, other times let the critters watch me take a nap."

Ah, now that's poetry.

As for me...I've taken squirrel with pellet gun, scoped .22, 20 ga & 16 ga.

I've eaten fried squirrel, stewed squirrel, & squirrel stew with garlic, onion, potatoes & corn.

IMO, there is NO better meat than squirrel. Not beef, not pork, certainly not chicken {everything does NOT taste like chicken}, not venison. Squirrel is king.

As for what shottie I'd take squirrel with now (er, soon): my 870P, perhaps with a 24" mod choke barrel replacing the HD/SD 18" barrel.

With my knowledge of the biology & behavior of said rodent, along with a nut tree forest, I'll bet I could bag a couple. Add garlic, onion, potato, corn, some greens, salt & lots of black pepper, and I'll be eating sq. stew for dindin.

Add organic, hoppy microbrew, and i'll be in heaven.

Looking forward to Dr. McC's opinion.

Nem

[1911 guy]

I kinda like a 20 ga. before the leaves come down, then I go to a .22. So, my ultimate "tree rat" shotgun would be an over/under 20 guage. Paycheck prevents this :( .
As recipes have been mentioned, allow me to share mine. Line the bottom of a crock pot with slices of a sweet onion. Take the meat off the bone, put it on top of the onion. Add potatos, carrots, whatever veggies you like in stew. Toss in a little crushed garlic, everything tastes better with garlic. Put the lid on and slow cook for six or eight hours. Thicken the broth if you want, then salt and pepper to taste.

[Nematocyst]

Line the bottom of a crock pot with slices of a sweet onion. Take the meat off the bone, put it on top of the onion. Add potatos, carrots, whatever veggies you like in stew. Toss in a little crushed garlic, everything tastes better with garlic. Put the lid on and slow cook for six or eight hours. Thicken the broth if you want, then salt and pepper to taste. Mouth ... watering ... uncontrollably ...

[Dave McCracken]

HHmm, some good info in this thread....

Something about the sport makes a single shot the first choice for me. Easy to carry, the minimalist's shotgun. Grew up( Have I?) with a 16 gauge H&R choked tightly, it would be a good choice here and now.

Why a shotgun instead of a 22? Because 22s can carry way too far in populated areas, a mile or more. 6 shot is harmless in a few hundred yards.

6s are my choice, I've used everything from 4s to 8s, 6 shot is the best compromise, IMO. Light loads rule, though, even the miniscule 410 has enough moxie for this if we know what we're doing.

I like a bit of choke.As said before,squirrels can soak up lead.

The exterior of a good squirrelin' tool doesn't have to be camoed, but a low sheen beats shiny.Remington's Express finish is nigh perfect for this.

The nice thing about squirrel foraging is that it's low stress. It matters not if we limit out. The Safari Club cares not if we harvest a wily old grey with a 10" tail, and success exists only in our hearts.

Imagine a morn where we watch a fine sunrise in a forest full of turning leaves. We're stationed between a yellow adorned hickory and a white oak changing to russet. We note a shadow flitting along a large branch, identify it as an eating size grey, raise our weapon and as it pauses, move a lb of organic compounds one notch along the food chain. Later, after it's joined by others, we clean and cook them, enjoying the land based peer of a skillet full of bream.

Here's my second favorite way to cook them.

Quarter your squirrels. Figure one to two for each diner.

In a deep, non stock skillet brown the pieces after dredging in flour.Use two slices of bacon instead of oil. When browned, remove from the skillet and saute chopped onions and a julienned carrot in the pan. When the onions become translucent, return the meat to the skillet and cover with beef stock or water with a buillon cube. Add some garlic and a sprig of fresh rosemary.

Simmer until the meat can be removed from the bones. Do so, return the meat to the skillet. Add a jigger of Marsala wine and sour cream, enough to make a Stroganoff type gravy. Serve with green beans and biscuits.

[only1asterisk]

That does it. I'm going squirrel hunting! Dave, you make me homesick!

Pefect= 28ga 870 Express + Modified Choke + 11/16oz #7's.

David

[JohnBT]

Winchester Model 37 .410 would be my pick of what's available to me. We always used #6 for everything.

I tried a Savage 24 in .22WMR/.410 for a couple of years as a kid, but it was too heavy to haul up and down the hills.

We ate a lot of fried squirrel and my grandmother canned a bunch from time to time. I remember one afternoon my uncle came back with a half-full burlap bag that he shot out of one big tree at the top of the hollow. He used a Browning Auto .22 with open sights. Ha, I remember him sitting on the smokehouse steps that evening with one that was so tough he quit skinning on it and threw it to the dogs - they didn't want it either.

John

[Wags]

I use a Ithaca Mod 37 20ga w/Full choke and 28" barrel. It shoots tight groups out to 35 yards with 7 1/2 loads.

[Clemson]

Around here the preferred preparation method is to "par-boil" the squirrel to pre-cook the meat before frying. Generally, the hams are all that are cooked, the rest being not worth the effort.

An interesting side note: Greenwood, South Carolina, has passed a city ordnance making it legal to shoot squirrels inside the city limits only if you use a .410 shotgun. There are more squirrels than people in Greenwood, apparently, so something had to be done. The ordnance was a compromise of sorts between those who were being overrun by the critters and those who got jumpy when the neighbors cut loose with the Browning A5's. :D

Clemson

[Rupestris]

An interesting side note: Greenwood, South Carolina, has passed a city ordnance making it legal to shoot squirrels inside the city limits only if you use a .410 shotgun.

I wish the city I live in would pass such a law regarding doves. Even with a BB gun I could limit out just about every day. We have more than our fair share of fox squirrel too.

[Vern Humphrey]

Ahem...Lefever Nitro Special in 20 Ga.

People who own Lefevers shouldn't brag about it -- it causes pain to ordinary mortals. :p

[charby]

pressure cooker does squirrels wonders.

In college on of the guys in my fraternity and myself used to hunt all the time together many times before class duck hunting and after class after squirrels, rabbits and ditch parrots (ringneck pheasants). Some of the non hunting folks in my fraternity would buy boxes of hamburger helper and take a sharpie and cross out hamburger then write squirrel.

Of course the box would be on the counter and when a few sisters of a sorority showed up and saw a box of "squirrel helper" on the counter they didn't want to stay for dinner.

Charby

[Vern Humphrey]

Of course the box would be on the counter and when a few sisters of a sorority showed up and saw a box of "squirrel helper" on the counter they didn't want to stay for dinner.


When I worked for Hughes Training, I spent a century working at the GM Warren Technical Center one year. I recall overearing one of the GM guys say, "See that guy over there? Don't look at him! He shoots squirrels and EATS them!" :what:

[Rupestris]

When I worked for Hughes Training, I spent a century working at the GM Warren Technical Center one year. I recall overearing one of the GM guys say, "See that guy over there? Don't look at him! He shoots squirrels and EATS them!"

:D :D
Thats funny.
I live in the area and know the type. I also understand the "century" remark all too well.

I love my GM vehicles but If I had to choose a group of auto workers to hunt/fish/camp with, it'd be the Ford employees in the Downriver area. The GM guys from north and east of the city are too snooty :p .
I'll happily hang with the "Downriver Rats", "Talor-tuckians", and anyone else that has the decal of Calvin (From calvin and Hobbes) in a treestand w/bow, and a deer in his sights on the rear window of their F-150. :evil:

[sm]

The first hard freeze of the year was over, had lasted almost a week.

One of them school meetings where teachers were supposed to learn stuff, meant no school. The guy I was beginning to learn apprentice stuff - said to take a day off. He was going leave early anyway that day about noon and spend time with his kids. Take them to movie...

I had started my day early, had made my trek to the Mom & Pop Grocery store with a mother lode of soda bottles. I had bought “my” .22 ammo, already, and was nibblin’ on a bacon sandwich, washing it down with a half pint carton of milk sitting on a stool back near the meat counter.

I had helped bring some stuff up from the downstairs storage area of the store, had even helped load the truck for some early deliveries to some customers.

I had already played with the dog in the Studebaker truck parked out front- and helped carry out the groceries for the gentlemen who drove the truck. I took the small box and held the door while he exited with the bigger box

I had the day to myself; mom and the younger sibs went to visit my Aunt. That Uncle had to work, so being the eldest, and needing a break from everyone, I was left to entertain myself.

“Don’t get into trouble, behave yourself, and if you need something – you know to holler at the neighbors.” Moms worry too much, what can a kid get into that is considered “trouble”? Besides, I am not a kid, I am 12 years old…

I was thinking about the Hobos that come down when the weather changes, my thoughts were interrupted with the sound of cans clanging, banging, and rolling on the hardwood floor.

Clarence was picking up the mess, putting the cans into a better box; the ones the soup had come in had given way.

“These cans are too dented to sell, darn” Clarence said.
“Can I buy them really cheap” I asked.

I had this ability to just show up from out of nowhere.

Soda bottles brought 3 cents each, can of Vegetable Beef Soup was .14 cents, MY ammo was now 17 cents.

I was sure happy when soda bottles went up from bringing 2 cents to 3 cents apiece ...not too happy MY ammo had gone up 2 cents a box tho'...

Terence, the other brother, tended the produce “Got a few ‘taters about to go bad got some bad spots…”

“Really…can I have these cheap…please?”

“You were over near Clarence were you not; at least your voice was a second ago…”


I knew what I was going to do today; I had spent another nickel and four pennies. Boy twenty three soda bottles – lot of work, still I had MY ammo, two cans of Vegetable Soup ,‘taters…the carrots and one onion were tossed in for free.

My milk and sandwich… well they had cooked too much bacon, the bread was already opened, kids are supposed to drink milk – and I had worked up an apetitite helping out and all…

---


The Hobos had come down, and in my Burlap Sack I had goodies.

“Hey kid, you doing okay? “
“Yeah, just I was not here if mom ever gets to wondering again”
“Your momma got mad all right last I recall…say a bunch of squirrels are just a carrying on back out that a-way. I am not as good with that slingshot you made me as you are…”

He still had the slingshot I had made from a fork of a tree limb, red inner tube…

“I got my slingshot with me, got something better tho’…”

I eased back to the thick woods with my High Standard Sentinel. I got really close and braced myself sitting and bracing myself using knees…

While the Hobos were boiling the squirrel meat, letting the ‘taters, onions, carrots simmer in the Vegetable Soup, I was putting the “slugs” (knocked out discs from breaker boxes) on the train track. They did not work as well as pennies; still a penny was third of a soda bottle…

“Here kid, to make things right and all”.

He was smoking a cigarette he had rolled, I always liked the little drawstring pouches, they were neat for all sorts of stuff. He handed me one-Neato!

This one had something in it. I bounced it in my hand…I opened it, .22 long ammo. My Revolver could shoot these; my revolver could shoot shorts, longs and the long rifles.

“Thanks!”
“Kid, no thank you, just what one does…”.

--

“Honey, did you have a good day? Did you do something fun? Did you behave yourself? Did you eat something?

“Yeah mom, I had a good day, I was just me being me…”

“Oh…Okay then…”





Copyright 2005 by Phil Carson

[Dr.Rob]

Great story.

I've been thinking one of those combo guns... like Savage or Remingtons 'new' Spartan line... like a 22 mag over a .410 would be the bee's knees for tree rats.

I know for a fact that a well placed .22 short from a Marlin 39A will expire a bushy tailed home invader post haste, the trick is to aim at it's twitchy lil nose.

[orangeninja]

Well...since we're not going to limit imgination here....(and I've got an active one)

I'm thinking I'm going to use a Mossberg 590 with the heatshield and red dot. I'll wear a full ghili suit (not to fool the squirl...just cause I think they look cool) and of course load up with 7 1/2 field shot. As my backup gun incase the squirl revolution starts, I'll have a super high cap Glock 17 with tactical lights and lasers. I'll also be sure to have some flashbang distraction devices and a couple of claymores to make good my get away..... :D



Nah...I'll probably just use my old Winchester model 12 20 ga. My great grandfather handed it down and so on.

[Brian Dale]

Steve, you've got the touch.

We used to shoot squirrels in high school while we were bird hunting; one of the guys "knew how to cook them" -- the rest of us were just too dumb. I used the 12-gauge Model 11 that my Granddad gave me; I used it for everything.

This year -- much later -- I work with a guy who's asked me if he can hunt squirrels here. We describe Jeff just as you wrote, Vern:"See that guy over there? Don't look at him! He shoots squirrels and EATS them!" :evil:

He's a good guy. He'll be using his 10/22 with the heavy barrel and the laminated stock, the bells, the whistles and, for all I know, a clock-radio mounted in the butt. Maybe he'll want to wear the ghillie suit that he bought for playing paintball, too.

I'll let him.

For me, out with him, it'll be old khakis and probably my THR sweatshirt. And Steve, thanks: I think I'll use the Model 510, or maybe the sweet-handling kid-sized Rem Model 33 from the 1930s.

Dave, what's a "non stock" skillet? I think I might just have to try my hand at some scratch biscuits to go with a recipe like yours. Thanks for the thread.

Edited to add: Whoa! Alduro just beat me to the punch on the {necessary, required} wisecrack about a ghillie suit!

Edited AGAIN to add: Dave, I bet that it's a non-stick skillet--I don't take cheap shots at typos; I just didn't understand it. :o

[Vern Humphrey]

I've been thinking one of those combo guns... like Savage or Remingtons 'new' Spartan line... like a 22 mag over a .410 would be the bee's knees for tree rats.


My cousin used to have a Savage Model 24, a .22 over a .410. If you like open sights, it's okay. Mounting a scope kinda spoils the concept, though.

[Vern Humphrey]

I'll wear a full ghili suit (not to fool the squirl...just cause I think they look cool)

Be careful the squirrels don't think you're a tree and steal your nuts. :what:

[sm]

Thanks for the kind words.
Times were tough growing up- I just made my own memories, and trash-canned the bad ones best could...

I do not know which is worse-

"MoOOOm!" "When am I going to get to shoot MY Gun?"

Or

"Okay, okay Mister , you tested MY gun , now is it MY turn - Yet?"

The former was A Rossi .410 with a .22lr bbl. Neat little gun for a kid living in the country. Mom just told her son "Honey, I just used you for an excuse to buy this thing, you didn't really thing it was actually "your gun" now did you?" :D

Kid will get wide-eyed, pout that lip and turn to another [me] "Make her stop" :D

Neat little gun, yes the mom was kidding, the mom and son had this neat way of getting along.

The later:

I actually prefer the NEF. Fella had sent his in to get the optional barrel. He did the .410 with a .22, this is the one I shot. He had sent in a 20 ga, and I forget which centerfire bbl he had for it.

He and his wife also used the Son for an "excuse" . Depending on what the kid did - determined which parent claimed him. Most often if good - was mom's kid. If Bad, dad's kid.

I think they call that 'marriage'.

I was with the son shooting the NEF, while dad was having some other converstaions in regard to other gunsmithing.

Something about the kid was to watch me and keep me out of trouble...

The NEF is really well made and just feels more "real".

I did get to play with a NEF single shot in 30-30 , before it was scoped. This was going to be a teenage daughters deer gun down on the farm...So daddy could get his back from her...

I forget how much NEF gets for the bbl and turn- around time. It was not bad at all. Neat little set up for sure.

Both the Rossi and NEF single shots, and very easy to remove one bbl and change to the other. neat concept, not a lot of money.

Fun guns for adults ...I mean kids to have that live in the country. Plinking, small game, squirrels , or them popcorn loads to rid sheds and barns of pests...

"Mom <breathing hard from running in> Mom... dad let me shoot MY gun in the shed and I got a rat...all by myself...come out and see...."

:p

[Dave McCracken]

Great stories sm, but I've come to expect little less. You have a gift.

Only*, I deny wrongdoing. And a 28 gauge 870 is close to perfect for this, IMO.

I prefer to wait until after the first frost to go squirrelin'. Not only does it reduce the worms, it gives the YOY a chance to grow up to eating size.

There's a few special reloads in my hunting vest, 1100 FPS, an oz of 6s. This load is quiet, tight patterning and effective. They work well in Son's NEF and Number 6 with the original Full choke barrel.

I'll carry them onto a ridge near here that has lots of nut trees and is an easy walk for an old man who works sitting down these days.I'll watch the sunrise, pity those folks I can hear out on I-95, and look for movement high up. As the morn passes, I'll lighten my load by reducing the lead in my vest by a few oz and increase the load by adding a few lbs of organic compounds in bushytailed packages. The limit's 6 here, but I'll probably stop at two or three. I'm more after memories than meat. Then, I'll go home, clean and cook the squirrels, and have them for lunch.

Someplace along the line I'll remember to thank the Diety, for so many things....

[Nematocyst]

This is a fun and informative thread. Some good stories & perspectives. SM, exceptional writing. Thanks for sharing. I actually read them last night with milk and cookies just before bed.

I hope to see more of that sort of writing on THR; would like to contribute some of my own. Thanks for the inspiration. This forum is already an excellent source of information - have I mentioned I now refer to it as THR University to my friends (hey, acronym is THRU...that's trick) - but it would be even better with more stories.

Only one thing: you guys have got to ease up on the squirrel recipes. You're slaying me here...:D

Nem

[sm]

Recipes...

I know folks that do this. It is really good!

One is taking inventory of the freezer, gotta make room for Fresh Game. Other reasons like not enough venison...

Anyway using Squirrel, rabbit, venison and even adding Ground beef if need to make a "batch". All gets ground up and used in Chili , to make "taco meat", burritos, or just add to soup.

I know - sounds really wierd. Still the game is not wasted and put to good use.

I had Lasagna done up this way. You know the Really Big pan you get a hernia when you lift it. Squirrel, rabbit, venison, elk and ground beef. Seems this Cajun has secret family seasonings...
Waving that BIG knife around - I only asked once.

I kid you not, this Cajun did a number on Lasgana using up freezer game meat .

Pralines for dessert of course.

Maybe someone more learned can share how this is done.

[Larry Ashcraft]

Sandy's green chili recipe, famous around these parts anyway, uses pork meat. Substitute dove breasts, and it is even better. I'm sure squirrel would do the same thing.

I've hunted cottontails, heck I grew up hunting them. Never hunted squirrels.

We have 35 acres of river bottom property. Red squirrels (fox?) are everywhere.

Had one young man ask to hunt them a few years ago. Now, I don't hardly ever allow non-family/non-close friends to hunt the place (that's why we bought it), but this guy only wanted to hunt squirrels. "I won't touch anything else, mister, I promise. And I will only show up once a year, I got other places" So I allow him to come down and hunt.

He uses a single shot .410 and usually brings his boy with him. He may spend the better part of a day on a nice day in February and come back and show me three or four squirrels.

"Heck, Mr. Ashcraft, I'm not here to kill squirrels, I'm here to enjoy the nice day. The squirrels are just an excuse."

He showed me three field dressed squirrels one day and I was surprised at how big they were. Maybe almost the size of a cottontail.

Hmmm, maybe I've found another use for that 28 ga...

[sm]

Hmmm, maybe I've found another use for that 28 ga...

For the record...

I told you that while in Tulsa, amongst other things.

Granted you may have been running to keep up, huffing and puffing or too busy watching me shoulder every 28 ga in the joint. [Not to mention everything else I was into...]

I also informed Sandy she too would enjoy shotguns, even that 28 ga.

"No I won't, Shotguns are Larry's Thing, I am into handgunning and rifles, shotguns are Larry's thing..."

I predict, right 'chere on THR, for ALL to see, documented,and all that jazz...

Larry and Sandy will mosey down the property each with a 28 ga [A two 28 ga family you will note] and go squirrel hunting.

Just moseying down, taking it all in, and I will further predict Sandy will take the first shot at a squirrel.

I got a crisp $1 bill - any takers?

My job is to pass forward, corrupt, and basically reek havoc - how am I doing so far?

:D

[1911 guy]

Several years ago, when the Mrs. was still a Ms., I got her a 20 ga pump for sweetest day. Redneck, or what!? Then we proceeded to do the hunter safety class and get her into the woods for some squirrel hunting. Saw nothing all morning. Well, not nothing, lots of animals, but no bushytails. Now she's bored, I'm disappointed that my super-secret spot has let me down and we're headed back to the car. Nature calls, I step out into the bushes for a moment and come running back at the sound of "boom". Kim is smiling, shotgun is still smokin', squirrel is held up by the tail. Now she goes without me once in a while! Life is good.

[GunnySkox]

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/images/m1028_pic1.jpg

Teach those bushy-tailed little *explicit nomenclature*s to eat my suet!

~GnSx

[Skofnung]

I've used the following shotguns to hunt limb-rats:

H&R .410 Single Shot
Stevens 20 Gauge Single Shot
Savage 24 .410/.22 LR (With 2X Scope)
Remington 1100 20 Gauge
Baikal SXS 12 Gauge
Ithaca 37 12 Gauge


They all worked well, but the best one of the bunch is the Savage 24.

My cousin used to have a Savage Model 24, a .22 over a .410. If you like open sights, it's okay. Mounting a scope kinda spoils the concept, though.
I agree to a point, but with a fixed low power scope, it shines. .410 for up close, .22 to reach out a little farther.

All that said, I have a sad story to tell...

I have my great grandfather's .410 LeFever shotgun. Problem is, the bores are pitted and a gunsmith friend advised my father not to shoot it... ever.
Every single time I pick it up, I think to myself, man this is THE PERFECT squirrel gun. And I can't use it. :(

Anyone know where to get .410 LeFever barrels? :uhoh:

[Okiecruffler]

Marlin 10g bolt with about 3 foot of tight choked tube and fed a minimum for a 3.5" load of 4's. Them squiggles around these parts can be nasty.

All kidding aside, any time I went out targeting squirrel I took my old Glenfield single shot 22. But dad's 410 bolt sure did a job of busting them out of the nest.

[halvey]

Ok, I'm late, but...

.410 SxS

The problem is it's probably choked F/F. Really a M/F is a better idea, or I like them even more opened.

If you have money one of those old 4 lbs .410 SxS would be nice. But to sell the car to buy one?!?

I tried a Savage 24 in .22WMR/.410 for a couple of years as a kid, but it was too heavy to haul up and down the hills. Everytime I see a .22/.410 combo I think it'd be a great bunny/squirrel gun, but yeah, like most Savages they run heavy.

[Vern Humphrey]

Everytime I see a .22/.410 combo I think it'd be a great bunny/squirrel gun, but yeah, like most Savages they run heavy.


My cousin had one of those when I was a kid. The problem I see is that you are restricted to iron sights, which as you get older is quite a handicap.

[Okiecruffler]

I've got a 311 .410 that I really need to get around to replacing the pins and springs in. It's choked F/F as near as I can tell, but I'll still bet it'd be a great squiggle getter. My goofy cat finally caught a squiggle yesterday after weeks of trying. Let it go right quick tho'. Turns out it don't take her long to look at a squiggle.

[halvey]

Okie
I use my .410 mostly for head shots on rabbits. With the F/F it's not much for flushes. I've thought about going to C/F, one for flushes, the other for still shots, but I don't know. *shrug* Maybe I/M or C/I *ahhh*

I almost put it up for sale as I got a nicer .410 double, but I just can't.

It works great on squirrels, but I've quit hunting them unless I can find people to take them. I'm not real fond of the meat, but it does work well in an old Czechsolvakian soup grandma makes.

The best recipe I found was to dress, soak in saltwater in the refridgerator for 2 days, then slow cook, and I mean SLOW cook in chicken broth for 6 or more hours. Add vegetables at the end. The broth takes the toughness and gamey taste right out. But you have to cook slow and low.

[Okiecruffler]

I used to purt near live on squirrel. My favorite way to cook them was to salt, pepper and brown sugar them, wrap them in foil and throw them on the grill for awhile.
I've got a little single shot .410 that I cut down when we were living in Texas for the wife to use against the horde of buzz worms we had. At 10 feet it throws about a 6 inch pattern. It would work well on flushes, but they'd have to flush really really close.
All this talk about 410 SXS's has me motivated. Gonna have to dig out my Brownell's and get those parts. Seems like this 311 may be choked F/M, one tube is just ever so slightly tighter than the other. Wish I could find that danged choke gauge.:banghead:

[halvey]

All the info I have on the 311 .410's say F/F. Both my .410's measure and pattern F/F. Maybe you have a variation? I just got a 20 ga 311 26" and those are supposed to be I/M. Its more like C/M so could be you have a different one.

I took my dad's Marlin 59 from him and that has the tightest choke I've ever seen on a .410. You really have to "aim" the gun. Maybe that's why I'm a better rifle shot?? He's always hunted small game employing head shots, and it's a great gun for varmints, but man, that pattern is dense at 25.

[Okiecruffler]

I'm not sure, right now my scientific measurement tool is a sharpie marker I'm sticking in the bore. One side goes farther than the other, but not by much, probably just tooling variation. I used to have a nice little choke gauge but I was using it for a book mark and haven't seen it in a year or so. Sure came in handy.
That Mossy bolt .410 of dad's is one of the tightest choked things I've ever seen, can dang near shoot groups with it out to 25 yrds. I remember him being just murder on duck and teal with it loaded with 4's. Everyone in the blind just blasting the sky with those 12's while he calmly picked one out and dropped them one by one. He was always the first to have to put his gun up and wait for the rest of us to point out. Wish I had inherted his wingshooting skill instead of his hairline.:cuss:

[Vern Humphrey]

I'm not sure, right now my scientific measurement tool is a sharpie marker I'm sticking in the bore. One side goes farther than the other, but not by much, probably just tooling variation. I used to have a nice little choke gauge but I was using it for a book mark and haven't seen it in a year or so. Sure came in handy.


The best choke gauge is a big sheet of cardboard -- or better still, a piece of thick sheet steel, painted after each patterning.

[Nematocyst]

I'm tellin' ya, you guys are killing me here with squirrel recipes. :rolleyes:

This thread, and one other on squirrel, is one of the biggest motivations I've had in a while to start huntin' again. (I'm too embarrassed to admit how long it's been. :o )

I know this is a shotgun thread, but I gotta ask a rifle question. But at least it involves comparison with shotgun.

I'm soon going to own an 870 in 12 ga. (How long have I been telling you that?) But I've also decided to add a .22LR to my tool kit.

(Vern and others have been helping me out with that decision over in another thread (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=82792) in Rifle Country. Right now, I'm leaning, no listing, strongly in the direction of a CZ 452 American with a scope like a Swift 3X-9X.)

So, here's my question: imagine that you're sitting in my base camp (far into the mountains; no houses nearby) by those two guns. With your binocs, you spy squiggles in nearby trees.

I'm taking a nap, so you grab one of the guns above and head over to get us super.

Which one do you grab and why?

If the shotgun, which shot do you take? (Assume anything you want there is available.)

The shot will probably wake me up, so I'll get the chicken broth up to a simmer. :D

Nem

[Vern Humphrey]

Personally, I prefer a .22 for squirrels -- it's just a bit more satisfying. But the 870 is a valid choice.

[Nematocyst]

<removed> oops. double post. sorry.
(my I-net connection is funky and slow today).

[Okiecruffler]

I agree on the cardboard for a good old fashion choke checker, but man do they frown on that in the pawn shops.
I still say the 22LR is the perfect squirrel fetcher, but that's 'cause I hate picking shot outta squirrel meat. Ain't enough there to begin with. That's probably why I always prefered 4 shot for squirrel, less shot to pick. Almost always carried a 22 pistol of some type while hunting just in case I saw a squirrel. We ate it 3 times a day in deer camp. If you couldn't find squirrel you'd best be able to survive on potatoes and onions. That was never a problem.

[Vern Humphrey]

I agree on the cardboard for a good old fashion choke checker, but man do they frown on that in the pawn shops.

You noticed that, too, did you?

I swear, people are so up-tight these days about things like that -- you'd think everyone went around with a corncob up their butts.:eek:

I still say the 22LR is the perfect squirrel fetcher, but that's 'cause I hate picking shot outta squirrel meat. Ain't enough there to begin with. That's probably why I always prefered 4 shot for squirrel, less shot to pick. Almost always carried a 22 pistol of some type while hunting just in case I saw a squirrel. We ate it 3 times a day in deer camp. If you couldn't find squirrel you'd best be able to survive on potatoes and onions. That was never a problem.

I agree -- the .22 LR and squirrel hunting just go together like ham and eggs.

[Dave McCracken]

Nema, here's my take on that query.

22s and squirrels are a great combo.Unfortunately, a 22 LR carries over a mile. 6 shot carries less than 400 yards. In areas where populations preclude using 22s, shotguns are the best choice.

Also, few squirrel seasons happen by themselves. When I squirrelhunt, there's usually dove, rabbit,pheasant, etc in season, and I profit by using a versatile 12 gauge and carry a few special shells along with my usual oz of 6 shot shells.

A squirrel foray is more like a small game hunt than a dedicated mission.

[Vern Humphrey]

Arkansas as a state is only slightly more populated than Arizona (48 per sq mile, versus 44). And the Ozarks aren't in the densest population centers.:neener:

[Oldnamvet]

First hunting I ever did was squirrels. I got a .410 single shot Stevens with full choke for my birthday along with a box of 2.5" #6's. I think the price tag was still on it when my dad and I went hunting the next morning. I shot 3 squirrels that day. I hunted a lot after that for everything from pheasants and squirrels to ducks and barn pidgeons with that little shotgun. I still remember the first time most vividly. It has been 50 years but I still have that gun. Now the only times I take it out is to rabbit hunt. Squirrels around here are so small.

[mr.trooper]

:D

NO doubt the 12 bore is the most versatile.

20 ga is a bit more easier to tote, especially in a two barrel gun, and just as effective. The options for slugs since deer like to show up unexpected is a nice feature afforded to the 12 and 20 gauges.

28 ga - Better than it is supposed to be. VERY effective, easy to tote.

I have this attitude about hunting, and fishing. I appreciate being out, the whole experience, alone, or the company of others. Kids and dogs...add something special. I have been known to not bait my hook , some of my best fishing were the days I did not bait my hook, just eased out the cane pole, set it in a forked stick and enjoy the experience.

I do the same with hunting - the taking of game is a bonus. Not that there are not hunts/ fishing trips were groceries are the main concern.

labgrade shared "bowhunting with a firearm" with me once on the phone, though not a bow hunter myself, I understood exactly what he meant. Getting close, not being detected, using woodscraft skills...

Yes I have whispered 'bang' and the game continued doing what they were , I continued to watch...or move on to only repeat again.

I dunno, the single shots I still like. .410s, well I know all about "ineffectiveness", still...

I do the same with a single shot .22 rifle, Rem 514. Just the fact it is not a repeater, and I have to do my part - the first time.

I like taking small game with a handgun. Squirrel offers a challenge in woodscraft, and shooting. I do not own any scopes - period. I use irons only. I admit with my eyes ...takes a bit more to do this, still what I prefer. Wabbits offer a bigger challenge...

Done my share of 'barking' too. Model 94 in 30-30 or Model 70 in '06, for safety I like to catch 'em at a downed tree, stump...
Real tricky is 'barking' squirrels with a 1911, Model 10, 19 or 29.

Still I think the most fun is rubbing them quarters togethter getting that sucker to "come around" - I have accomplished what I set out to do...now do I want meat, the taking of a shot with handgun, single shot 22, Marlin 60, various shotguns...or maybe I just want the experience and memory?

There is that kid on his first trip, the dog going bonkers...

Sentimental?

Not me. ;)



no, the most versatile is the .410.

Want to shoot squirels? try a .410 slug.

Wabbits? a little .410 slug will get it done.

Deer pop up outa' nowhere? Try a .410 Slug!

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy :D

[PrimalScream]

My favorite Squirrel shotgun is my 28 ga O/U with a hand load of Number 6's. It seems like the perfect match to me.

[Marshall]

Been hunting those red bushy-tails for many, many years. :)

Well, my Benjamin Sheridan Blue Streak shooting the 5mm pellets is my favorite. It will ruin a squirrels day and make no noise when doing so.

http://www.internetguncatalog.com/pics/25212.jpg

http://www.straightshooters.com/crosman/cpbscylindrical.jpg



But this is a shotgun forum so I'll have to go with my 20ga, 26" IC, Remington Mohawk 48 semi-auto using 6's or 7 1/2's. They were made between '70 and '74 and came with a gold bead, gold trigger and nice wood, pretty gun. It's light, swings like an extension of your arm and reliable as the day is long. Shot many a squirrel with it over the years.

[Okiecruffler]

I have to speak up for that Benji too. Mine was a 22cal, and man it would smack a squirrel hard. Used it down around the football field in the pecan trees. Funny how people would have thrown a fit if I was down there with a 22 or a SG, but no one payed any attention to that air rifle.

[belton-deer-hunter]

i have used everything from pellet guns to .22 to 20's and 12's i have to say the best time i ever had was a 12 gauge nef with winchester 7 1/2 dove shot great on squriells it knocks them out and out of the tree and the pellets didnt peice the meat jsut the skin worked out really great you peel the skin and the pellets feel out

[Okiecruffler]

Used to hunt with a fella from NYC (I know, but we felt sorry for him and were doing our Okie best to make him feel at home) who used a 6mm for deer. Well, he'd use that same 6mm for squirrel if he saw them. Never was a good enough shot to hit them in the head, just in the body somewhere. Would come into camp with just the most awful looking carcasses you ever seen. He only got one deer that I know of, and that was with his S10 pick up. Nice fella tho'.

[Brian Dale]

Yeah, Okie, last week there was a four-day antlerless deer season here. Spent the mornings up in the fields, looking at the sunrise and the beautiful fall colors on the hillsides and watching six-, eight- and ten-point bucks saunter towards me and past me. Saw a few big, fat bushytails that came to say hello and ask what I thought I was doing out there. :scrutiny:

I didn't figure that a 170-gr. Core-Lokt soft point would leave much meat on a squirr'lie. :evil:

I let 'em go; enjoyed watching them, though.

[goon]

H&R Single barrel Pardner 12 gauge. I found back when I was hunting squirrels with a pump that regardless of whether or not it needed shot two or three times, that is how many times it got shot. Not so bad with an HD gun but it was a waste for hunting. My simple single barrel 12 gauge handles great and is pretty light so you don't get tired from carrying it. Take a handful of #4 and you have all you need.
I have also used an H&R single barrel .410 but it is too expensive to shoot much. I use the 12 gauge more so I am more comfortable taking it in the woods.
My CZ-452 was deadly on them when I had it scoped and it still would be but it is harder to get them with a .22 than it is with a 12 gauge. If you are hungry for the little beasts the shoulder mounted claymore mine will do better IMO.

[retiredsgt]

I would have to say it is my old Single shot. It has a 40" barrel and exposed hammer. It is marked:"Long Tom" and originally belonged to my uncle. I got it back about 1960, from my aunt, when I was a Fanatic squirrel hunter, and considerably younger than I currently am. I used to have to roll my own shells for it, using a decent amount of salt on top of the no. 6 pellets. This was so the meat didn't spoil till I got to the animal.(That old gun still shoots quite a long way.) The best I could find about the shotgun was that it was sold by Sears and Roebuck about the turn of the LAST century.