Got my first squirrel

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Doc7

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Was my third time out, second time at this area in NJ...Today I decided to try sitting and waiting instead of stalking around. I had a coyote sit and scratch at his jaw not 25 yards from where I was sitting, was a great experience. After an hour, I moved to another spot. Waited another hour, then decided to hike to the river before calling it a day.

First thing I see when I hit the last stands of trees before it looks like it goes to marsh or something, is a bushy tail on a tree. I stupidly decided I should stand in a different spot for the shot and took a few more steps; never saw it again after it disappeared behind a tree. Deciding that was the closest I'd gotten to a squirrel yet, it seemed like a good spot to sit and wait. It wasn't long before I could hear them cutting in the trees overhead, but took about 5 minutes before I got my eyes on one. First shot must have missed because she started scrambling down the trunk but the second shot of #6 dropped her the last 30 feet to the ground like a rock. I forgot to pump again in my excitement and passed up an opportunity at another squirrel that started running on the same branch immediately afterward.

Two other times on my way back to the car, a squirrel appeared well within shooting range, but neither time was I prepared for the shot and they scurried away before I was ready. Next time - keep my electronic muffs on at all times, if I'm planning on taking another animal. Otherwise the hesitation of, "Should I put my hearing pro on or just shoot?" gives them time to get away...
 
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Nice, last weekend my son and I went out squirrel hunting. Four hours and we only saw two squirrels, took a long shot at one.

This morning I was out Derry hunting, each of my stops, I was surrounded by squirrels, two even came up to me before they realized I was there. I was carrying my 308 and a 357, neither of which are very good squirrel rounds. My son is packing right now, he is going back with me in a few minutes to do a little squirrel hunting (provided there are no deer).
 
Nice! I've been carrying my .22LR rail gun when hunting deer, but haven't had any get close. Had three turkey hens come with in ten yards of me though,:banghead: stupid spring only turkey season :fire: Haven't they ever heard of Thanksgiving.
 
got my first couple of squirrels last season and man are they delicious to eat! There are some great video on youtube on skinning squirrels you should check out.

v-fib
 
When hunting i don't think i have ever wore muffs and i honestly don't remember hearing the shot. I would think that it would be much better without an electronic aid as game comes from any and all direction and with my elec muffs anyway i have a hard time unless i am looking at the person talking.
 
Pickin' out a squirrel sittin' flat against a branch or the wisp of fur from the end of it's tail is a skill that most of us have learned over the years. No different than pickin' out a deer standin' in the brush or a snowshoe hare against a blanket of fresh snow. Time in the woods teaches you where to look and how to differentiate between a branch and a squirrel. For those squirrels that keep the tree between you and them, throwin' a stick or tying a rag to the brush and shakin' it with a length of string you brought along, many times bring them around to your side for a clean and easy shot. Part of the learnin' process that makes huntin' fun and motivates us to go again.
 
Congrats on the squirrel!

Try rubbing two quarters together they seem to get curious, I've tried a dying rabbit but they don't seem interested.

Yesterday after they logged the land the squirrels were everywhere. We would walk then wait a minute and keep moving towards the sound of them.
 
ericuda said:
When hunting i don't think i have ever wore muffs and i honestly don't remember hearing the shot. I would think that it would be much better without an electronic aid as game comes from any and all direction and with my elec muffs anyway i have a hard time unless i am looking at the person talking.
Click to expand...

The muffs really helped me know that a squirrel was cutting up above me, then I saw some nuts hit the ground and was able to locate exactly where he was. Also I heard a lot of other cool stuff in the woods that I couldn't hear without them (like the coyote that snuck up behind me...must have known the season doesn't start till next week)
 
Is it not legal to kill coyotes in your neck of the woods! If I see a coyote and a nice buck at the same time I am shooting the coyote. These critters kill more deer and such here in Pa then hunters do.
 
Congrats. I can't remember my first, too long ago. :D First rabbit I remember, big swamp rabbit, took 4 shots, three from my .22 caliber Benjamin pellet rifle and one from my Benjamin pump up .22 caliber pellet pistol, head shots, to be satisfied he was dead. LOL Looking back on it, probably would have done better on a soft target like the ribs. I was 7 or 8 years old. I remember shooting squirrel with the air rifle, just don't remember the first.

I enjoy squirrel hunting, lots of squirrels in the woods around my house. I generally prefer to hunt them with a scoped handgun, but I have taken 'em with a shotgun. They still eat fine, just prefer the challenge of stalking 'em with a pistol. :D
 
The rule on our land is...if you see a yote and a monster buck....shoot the yote first. They cause us much trouble and have gotten worse recently. I think we are going to put some effort out on yote hunting this year.
 
First of Congratulations on the Squirrel. And a handsome squirrel it is.

Now for the Yotes. I believe Possums were put on this earth to be the bain of my existence.

But, I have to admit that even a flee bitten possum would get a free pass from me if there were a coyote in my sight of view.

Back to squirrels, You want a real challenge, try hunting them with a sling shot, I got 9 gray squirrels last year using double 0 buckshot pellets in my slingshot. It's not as hard as you think and squirrels seam to learn what a shot gun looks like after they been shot at. I can usually get with in 15 to 20yd of them, that's hunting at it's best.

Have to admit it's not for everyone but it's sure is a riot.
 
squirrels seam to learn what a shot gun looks like
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I carry my scoped Mark 2 in a shoulder holster, good for 50 yards with a proper rest and don't look like a shotgun or rifle. :D

It took me long enough to get effective with a bow and I ain't THAT good at it, yet! Sling shots? Whew.....:D I have killed several rabbits with a hand thrown rock, though.
 
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