Rock squirrels and irrigation pipes

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Larry Ashcraft

Larry Ashcraft

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I shoot rock squirrels around my barn whenever I see them, they dig holes under the barn. I use my .17 HMR at about 70 yards.

Yesterday I missed one and he ran in a 6" plastic irrigation pipe. Took the .17 down and missed him twice more inside the pipe (ever try using a scope inside a pipe?), ran out of ammo. My wife was keeping the dogs away from the end of the pipe so I told her I'd go get a .22 pistol to get him with. I've done this before. You shoot them and then have to stand the 30' pipe nearly vertical to dump them out.

I ran into the house and started going upstairs and realized my Browning Citori was still in the living room for dove season. That should work. I loaded up 2 dove loads and took it back to the pipe. I angled the pipe towards the ground with a haystack behind it, got the dogs away and drew a bead on the squirrel who was about in the middle of the pipe...

Foom!!!

Blew him right out the other side of the pipe, well what was left of him anyway. :D :D :barf:

Don't think I'll use the .22 for THAT job anymore. :D
 
And what was that rule??? Something about knowing your target, backstop, and beyond. Is that it?

I hope the squirrels don't spend too much time hanging around your wife's vehicle! :cool:
 
Use enough gun

You gave him a mind blasting experience. :)
 
Rock squirrels are Spermophilus variegatus. These are larger squirrels about the same size or slightly larger than your typical tree squirrels such as the fox squirrel or eastern gray squirrel. Rock squirrels are primarily ground dwelling squirrels. Chipmunks are inclusive of ground and tree dwelling varieties. What sets them apart from rock squirrels is that they are quite small. However, there are some other small squirrels that are not chipmunks.

As a fun aside, my introduction to rock squirrels was by a buddy who called them Farmer John squirrels. As the pelage from cold to warm weather changes, the grey color is slowly replaced by a redder brown color. The color change is from head to tale. If seen in mid change, the squirrel looks to have on blue/gray pants and a red shirt.
 
HARD TIMES

If you have a bunch of 22s, no money and your kids are hungry they aren't all that bad to eat. Just takes a lot of them to make a decent stew. But that won't work out real well if you are using the shotgun.

God bless and y'all be carefull out there.:cool:
 
Some people have too much fun.
Lessen it's me doin it.:D

One big mutha blowgun.

I take it that the plastic pipe survives well due to the shallow angle ?

Sam
 
I take it that the plastic pipe survives well due to the shallow angle ?
Click to expand...
Yeah. In fact the .17 or .22 will put a hole in it easier than the shotgun.

Larry's irrigation pipe patching instructions:

1. Cut a piece out of scrap pipe large enough to cover hole(s).
2. Wet sand both pipe and patch with 220 wet-or-dry.
3. Apply purple PVC primer liberally.
4. Apply PVC glue and join pieces, using baling wire or hose clamps to hold it if necessary.

Ask me how I know. :D
 
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