Does Brass Scare Game?

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JCooperfan1911

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I’m thinking of getting a Henry 20 gauge single shot shotgun for squirrel hunting and it has a brass frame:

2-E524111-4565-4-FD0-A934-3-D7657-CBD5-BC.jpg

It’s super pretty and classy, but will the shiny brass spook the squirrels/rabbits/animals I plan to hunt? Is it a bad idea to use this for hunting? Thanks!
 
JCooperfan1911 said:
I’m thinking of getting a Henry 20 gauge single shot shotgun for squirrel hunting and it has a brass frame:

View attachment 1116908

It’s super pretty and classy, but will the shiny brass spook the squirrels/rabbits/animals I plan to hunt? Is it a bad idea to use this for hunting? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I can’t see it happening. Of all the game I’ve run down in plain clothes it was squirrels and rabbits.
 
That looks nice :thumbup:.

Turkeys are super spooky and probably would flee when seeing the glint of brass, but I agree that rabbits and squirrels are more likely to run from your steps than the flash from a gun finish.

Stay safe.
 
I say it’s fine. If you were decked in camo they might not recognize you at first and be intrigued by a shiny object and come to investigate.

I had a squirrel come to investigate me while deer hunting. I don’t hunt that spot a lot and this squirrel probably hasn’t ever been spooked. He came to about 10’ of me and just looked me over. He had a hickory nut in his mouth. I was wearing orange and had my normal clothes on under the vest. He didnt seem to pay any attention to my firearm.
 
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Bazoo said:
If you hunted them you’ll know they are keen adversaries if they’ve ever been hunted.
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You said it. Folks do not give squirrels the respect they deserve. With both how stealthy they can be and how tough of an animal they actually are in respect to how thick their hide is. You can rip a cottontail in half with your bare hands. Try that on a squirrel!
 
Barbaroja said:
You said it. Folks do not give squirrels the respect they deserve. With both how stealthy they can be and how tough of an animal they actually are in respect to how thick their hide is. You can rip a cottontail in half with your bare hands. Try that on a squirrel!
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I agree. They are as smart as an old buck if you hunt them hard.
Time of day. Weather patterns etc play a huge part also.
I would rather have an old single shot with the blueing worn off. Than I would something shiny. But at the end of the day it's more on how still you can set. Or how observant you are if you move when you hunt them.
A good dog distracts them from the shiny parts.
 
JCooperfan1911 said:
Great idea. I’ve got a roll of ACU Camo wrap in my junk drawer. Easy on and off.
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Why didn't I think of that ? Back in the 1990's I recall the camo gun tape that was marketed to turkey hunters. It was supposed to be easily removable and not harm any finishes or wood. Don't know if it's still available but if it is, it would be perfect for making brass, bluing, or other shiny surfaces non-reflective. Late 1990's I was planning on getting some for my turkey shotgun but instead found a 12 ga. Mossberg 500 with screw in chokes and a factory applied camo finish. Guy I worked with was selling most of his guns and moving out of state. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Anyone know if that tape is still available?
 
22250Rem said:
Why didn't I think of that ? Back in the 1990's I recall the camo gun tape that was marketed to turkey hunters. It was supposed to be easily removable and not harm any finishes or wood. Don't know if it's still available but if it is, it would be perfect for making brass, bluing, or other shiny surfaces non-reflective. Late 1990's I was planning on getting some for my turkey shotgun but instead found a 12 ga. Mossberg 500 with screw in chokes and a factory applied camo finish. Guy I worked with was selling most of his guns and moving out of state. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Anyone know if that tape is still available?
Click to expand...
It was easily removable, with no harm to finishes. I used to use it duck hunting on LI and the Hudson River.

It’s available on Amazon, and several other places.
 
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