.22 squirrel hunting near Austin or Georgetown?

[Maxx409]

I recently posted a thread about which gun to use for squirrel hunting and got LOTS of great advice (as is usually the case here ) I settled on a Marlin 795 .22 semi-auto with a 10 round clip. I really like the fit and finish and the stainless barrel just speaks to me as well.

Here's the problem: Though the public wildlife management areas nearby (Georgetown, Texas) allow shotgun hunting. It seems I'm S.O.L. as far as .22. I know, I know... there was a lot of debate that I should get a .20 ga. shotgun to begin with and maybe they were right. I just felt as a beginner, I could get some cleaner kills with the .22 and felt it was more of a "hunt" than with a shotgun. Forgive my ignorance if I'm mistaken.

Does anyone here happen to know where I would be able to hunt with my .22 or will I have to buy a shotgun if I want to try my hand at squirreling? I'd be willing to drive up to 100 miles if necessary but it seems I should be able to find something closer as it's just squirrel. Any tips?

I'm new to hunting and have no idea where to go.

thanks in advance. And Happy New Year!

 

[Rodentman]

I am not anti-hunting, but I personally much prefer to feed the squirrels than to kill them. I personally don't consider them wild game.

But that's just my opinion because I am the Rodentman.

 

[fluffy]

if you dont consider them wild game,what do you consider them?

 

[35 Whelen]

Maxx, that's a difficult, yet simple question. Fox squirrels are EVERYWHERE in Texas. If you can find a grove of trees,(other than mesquite) especially near a creek or river there will be squirrels in it. They're so abundant in Texas that many counties, such as the one in which I live, have no season and no bag limit. Check the Parks and Wildlife Hunting Annual for seasons and limits. In your area, there are plenty of live oaks, which produce acorns on which the squirrels feed. They're very abundant in areas of pecan trees too.
The difficult part of the question is where to hunt them. Texas is mostly privately owned land, but there is some public land. Your best bet is to contact the Parks & Wildlife Dept. and ask them about a public land permit. I doubt you'll have much competition when hunting squirrels.
Your Marlin .22 will do just fine. I do not recommend a shotgun, especially a 20 ga. because 1) they're way too noisy and 2) they're massively overkill for squirrels and 3) they don't have the effective range of an accurate, scoped .22. If for some legal reason (on public land)you have to hunt with a shotgun, I'd trot down to Mom and Pop's pawn shop and pick up one of those old, cheap .410 single shot breakover's and a box of #6's. I promise it'll kill them as well as a larger shotgun.
If you've never hunted them, they're a little tricky especially if they've been hunted and shot at. When you enter the squirrel woods, you'll likely not see anything at first. My Dad taught me to sit quietly for 15-20 minutes at which time their curiousity will get the best of them and they'll begin to come out. When you spook squirrels, they'll normally retreat to the opposite side of a tree trunk from you and as you walk around the tree, they'll move around the trunk keeping it between you and them. Many times too, they'll flatten themselves out on the top sides of limbs in an attempt to hide. My Dad also taught me to watch high in trees for squirrels doing this because normally their tails will hang from the limbs on which they're flattened and give them away.
They're really, really good eating, but a pain to slin as their skin is really tough and difficult to tear. Also, hair tends to stick to the meat, so it has to be picked off. The younger ones can be fried, but the mature ones, especially the old boars, are best boiled and used in stews, soups, and dumplings. The meat has a very mild flavor.
Good luck!
35W

 

[Maxx409]

Thanks for the tips Whelan. It's true squirrels are EVERYWHERE here and in my county there is no bag limit and open season as well. I've checked on the public land and there's some nearby, but they require shotgun only.

Thinking I may have to pick up a .410. Pawn shops a good idea. I'll have to check them out. I've read that when you hunt squirrel with a shotgun you should first blast a 40" x 40" sheet of paper and get familiar with the blast pattern. Then try to hit the squirrel with the outside edge of the pattern. Supposed to be easier on the meat. Does this sound right to you?

 

[35 Whelen]

I've read that when you hunt squirrel with a shotgun you should first blast a 40" x 40" sheet of paper and get familiar with the blast pattern. Then try to hit the squirrel with the outside edge of the pattern. Supposed to be easier on the meat. Does this sound right to you?

I've never bothered to pattern my .410's for squirrel hunting, but have shot enough at quail, trap and sporting clays to have learned a little about their patterns. The old break-over single shots all had full chokes which actually is one of the banes of the .410. The tight choke only serves to ruin the pattern, especially with larger shot such as 4's & 5's. But this isn't such a bad thing for you as the full chokes normally give spotty patterns which might keep some of the shot off the animal and at closer ranges, shouldn't be too much of a detriment. It might not be a bad idea to pattern your shotgun, but I'd never even consider trying to hit one with the fringe of my pattern.
I think if you'll stick to 2 1/2", 1/2 oz. loads with #4, 5, & 6 shot, you'll stand less chance of wrecking the meat. Realize that 1/2 oz. of #4's only contains about 70 pellets. Sounds like a lot of shot, but it isn't at all. I'd bet that past 25 yds. your patterns are going to be quite sparse, especially with 4' and 5's.
If I were concerned about ruining meat, I'd try to aim for the head as much as possible. Besides, I'd much rather have a few extra pellet holes in a dead squirrel than to wound one trying to kill him with the fringe of my pattern.
Good luck and let us know how it works out.
35W

 

[Maxx409]

I'd much rather have a few extra pellet holes in a dead squirrel than to wound one trying to kill him with the fringe of my pattern.

Totally on board with you on this one. Thanks for the reply. Here's the rules for me to be able to hunt on public land (Granger WMA):

1. Shotgun only with #4 or smaller (nontoxic) shot.
2. Open season, no limit for squirrels and rabbits.
3. 3 round chamber only.

So I went to Academy sports again and talked with the guy behind the counter. He said I would need AT LEAST a .20 ga. using 3" shells and tried to sell me on a 12 gauge. And even then, he said since the Remington 12 gauge was modified choke, I would have to have a full choke installed.

Seems like a bit of overkill for a squirrel, but hey... If I knew what I was doing, I wouldn't be asking him. Still this didn't ring true, especially after yours and others fine advice.

I was also told that I would have to have a 26" barrel especially since steel shot lacks the velocity of lead. (I've read this elsewhere but the longer barrel was new to me).

I was leaning towards a .20 gauge to make sure it has the stopping power so I don't just wound them, and also the recoil and noise are supposed to be much less than the 12 ga. I also was planning on using the #6 shot you mentioned above. But what are your thoughts on the barrel length?

 

[35 Whelen]

1. Shotgun only with #4 or smaller (nontoxic) shot.

Still not a problem for a .410. If you live in or near Austin, go to McBrides gun Shop. They should have Bismuth brand non-toxic shotshells.

So I went to Academy sports again and talked with the guy behind the counter. He said I would need AT LEAST a .20 ga. using 3" shells and tried to sell me on a 12 gauge. And even then, he said since the Remington 12 gauge was modified choke, I would have to have a full choke installed.

These pea-brains get an Academy name tag and suddenly they're gun and hunting experts. You DON'T need a 12 ga. to kill squirrels. If I (and countless 1000's of other hunters) can kill a 5 lb. pheasant on the wing with a 20 ga. and 1 oz. of #5 shot, then you kill a stationary 1.5 lb. squirrel with a .410 or a 20 ga.
The difference in velocity in a 26" barrel and a 28" barrel will be neglible. Get whichever one fits you best. A 20 ga. loaded with 7/8 or 1 oz. of #6 will be more than enough to kill any squirrel in existence.
One more suggestion. When shopping for hunting firearms and advice, stick to the older, more established gun shops. They're much more likely to have knowledgeable personel.
35W

 

[Maxx409]

These pea-brains get an Academy name tag and suddenly they're gun and hunting experts.

Yeah, it didn't sound right to me either. That's why I politely excused myself and posted where I've gotten sage advice I can trust. Thanks again. I was set on a .20 ga. by H and R but it only has a "20 inch barrel. Do you think this is too short?

One more suggestion. When shopping for hunting firearms and advice, stick to the older, more established gun shops. They're much more likely to have knowledgeable personel.

+1 again. I've bought several guns from Texguns in south austin off Manchaca, plus I've been into "The Gunstore" off of 183, north of Austin, but I didn't see any smaller shotguns in either place. Thanks for the McBrides tip. I'll have to check them out. I have indeed heard of Bismuth brand and kind of like that they have the same or superior velocity as lead.

Can't thank you enough for your patience. I think I've been missing out on a HUGE part of our American heritage, and though I'm 40 and ignant. I can't wait to make up for lost time. I just don't want to make any mistakes that could lead to an animal suffering needlessly if I can at all help it.

 

[Fire1]

Have a look at TPWD public hunting area 607 in Robertson County. It is south east of Waco. There are plenty of squirrels there as well as pigs, and now that deer seson is over it won't be crowded. You can use a rifle there.

 

[Maxx409]

Have a look at TPWD public hunting area 607 in Robertson County. It is south east of Waco. There are plenty of squirrels there as well as pigs, and now that deer seson is over it won't be crowded. You can use a rifle there.

thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou... ummm... thanks! That was EXACTLY the information I was hoping for. I called the TPWD today and the coolest old timer answered all my questions. I'm ready to go hunting! And I wouldn't have even known if it weren't for your post. I can't wait! Thanks again.

It's about 117 miles from where I'm at, but I'm sure the miles will pass very quickly. Listen closely my friend for either the sounds of squirrels frying or... (hopefully not) laughing!

I'll keep you posted on the progress.

 

[Fire1]

No problem! I hope you enjoy your time out there. I hunted it for a few seasons before I (finally) got on a lease, so if you have any other questions give me a shout.

 

[Sagetown]

The .22 lr is my preference. It's easier to take squirrels with a shotgun, but I sure hate it when I take a bite of meat and chomp down on a BB.

 

[TheJudMan]

So, Maxx, have you made it out to Granger yet? I just found this thread searching for "squirrel hunting near austin", as I'm a newbie looking to try out my new Ruger 10/22 on a few. So you can't use a .22 out at Granger? If so, I might me headed a bit further out. Thanks for your post and this thread.

 

[Maxx409]

No sweat Judman. Actually I was at Granger today, looking around. The trees are pretty bare. Went to several entry sites including Pecan Grove. Not a squirrel to be seen. Might have heard one though. didn't see enough action to warrant purchasing a shotgun though. Definitely no rifles allowed.

I also went to Robertson county and it just looked like a mowed field of dead grass. Found another entry point and it was a 30 foot wide semi-treed path that ended about 100 feet in. Not very impressed for the 270 mile round trip. Also squirreless. Still looking. And will let you know if I find anything if you'll return the favor. Best of luck!

 

[35 Whelen]

Maxx, don't let the fact that you didn't see squirrels fool you. There may not be squirrels, but if there are, you WON'T just walk into the woods and start seeing wild squirrels. You have to sit and wait for them to come back out.
35W

 

[Sagetown]

Maxx, don't let the fact that you didn't see squirrels fool you. There may not be squirrels, but if there are, you WON'T just walk into the woods and start seeing wild squirrels. You have to sit and wait for them to come back out.
35W

That's for sure. Went out the other morning before daylight. Pecan trees were bare, nothing stirring all morning. Returned late about 3: p.m., sat down for a few minutes, and a Armadillo almost ran over me. Shot it, then several squirrels came out of no-where, my .22 Rem sub-sonic shooting wouldn't even deter them. Even retrieving them, others were running up and down the trees nearby. Was an exciting afternoon.

 

[Chazz]

If your hunting them in trees stick with a small shotgun or less. Shooting squirrels in a tree with a .22 is not a good thing if you miss.... .22 can travel pretty far...