Squirrel hunting
- Thread starter leeroy71
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Nimrod2
Member
Yes, I use one early in the season- October.
The leaves are so thick that they require #6 for cat squirrels and sometimes #4's for the large fox squirrel.
I like to use a semi-auto because they often don't know what happened after 1 shot. I can often get 2 or 3 squirrels in rapid succession before they make themselves scarce.
It doesn't take the skill or patience required by a .22LR but it's still a lot of fun.
The leaves are so thick that they require #6 for cat squirrels and sometimes #4's for the large fox squirrel.
I like to use a semi-auto because they often don't know what happened after 1 shot. I can often get 2 or 3 squirrels in rapid succession before they make themselves scarce.
It doesn't take the skill or patience required by a .22LR but it's still a lot of fun.
MtnCreek
Member
I carry a .22/.410 over/under some.
T.R.
Member
I enjoy hunting the hardwood ridges with Grandad's antique Iver Johnson single shot in 16 gauge. I've had very good luck with this shotgun since I was a kid more than 40 years ago. Low base #6 always gets the job done.
But after the leaves are down, I switch to my Marlin bolt gun in 22 MAG. Head shots at distances up to 75 yards have been been executed many times. Scope is 12 year old Simmons 44MAG in 2X - 7X.
22LR is common with many squirrel hunters but I made the switch to 22 MAG back in the 1980's and never looked back. The newer 17's have many admirers, too. But I'm sticking with my super deadly 22 MAG. Each to his own I say.
My wife fixes a terrific squirrel pot pie with potatoes, onions, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, snow peas, garlic, and mushroom gravy!! Years ago, Grandma fixed chunky squirrel gravy and served it over biscuits.
Good squirrel hunting to you!
TR
But after the leaves are down, I switch to my Marlin bolt gun in 22 MAG. Head shots at distances up to 75 yards have been been executed many times. Scope is 12 year old Simmons 44MAG in 2X - 7X.
22LR is common with many squirrel hunters but I made the switch to 22 MAG back in the 1980's and never looked back. The newer 17's have many admirers, too. But I'm sticking with my super deadly 22 MAG. Each to his own I say.
My wife fixes a terrific squirrel pot pie with potatoes, onions, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, snow peas, garlic, and mushroom gravy!! Years ago, Grandma fixed chunky squirrel gravy and served it over biscuits.
Good squirrel hunting to you!
TR
rolandedwinjohnson
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410 with either #6 or #4 shot. Either will go right through Mister Skirble and not damage your teeth.
dagger dog
Member
Went back to shotgun last year, using a single barrel 16 ga Sears-Savage 94 C, # 6 shot.
swiftak
Member
I do, I use an old Stevens 16 Ga double side by side. Sweet old gun.
Inebriated
Member
10 Gauge with turkey loads, it's the only way.
No, a shotgun is just fine. I use my 12 gauge on occasion. It works good when there's a lot of brush or they're on the ground. I would much prefer a .410 or a 20, just because 12 is pretty much without a challenge, but it get's the job done. Nothing is more fun than doing it with a .22, though.
No, a shotgun is just fine. I use my 12 gauge on occasion. It works good when there's a lot of brush or they're on the ground. I would much prefer a .410 or a 20, just because 12 is pretty much without a challenge, but it get's the job done. Nothing is more fun than doing it with a .22, though.
Jeff F
Member
I miss squirrel hunting. All we have around here are the ground rats.
Deltaboy1984
Member
I use shotgun only in the Spring Season. I use 22 rifles the rest of the time. I use a 12 gauge 870 or my 20 gauge single shot. If I really wanting to go back to my childhood I have a Ithaca Super Single in 410 that I got for my 5th birthday.
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Justin Holder
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- Apr 24, 2010
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- 484
I bought my first squirrel shotgun this last winter. A Savage 30 .410. I used it a little before the weather got hot but this coming fall I'm going to give it a real workout.
I usually use a .22 mag. but wanted a little more challenge, some 3" #6s sounded about right. Anything bigger than a .410 would feel like cheating.
I usually use a .22 mag. but wanted a little more challenge, some 3" #6s sounded about right. Anything bigger than a .410 would feel like cheating.
Frozen North
Member
A shotgun is always the best idea when you are shooting things out of a tree...
GooseGestapo
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I've got some uber-accurate scoped .22's, but I still enjoy a walk/sit in the woods with an o/u .410 or my s/s 20ga. Moreso, if I'm hunting with my fiest.
With the shotgun, especially the .410 and #7.5's, they hit the ground with a little life still in them. The dog then gets to have a real donny-brook with a half-dead squirrel. Watching the dog work is 3/4 the fun....
With the shotgun, especially the .410 and #7.5's, they hit the ground with a little life still in them. The dog then gets to have a real donny-brook with a half-dead squirrel. Watching the dog work is 3/4 the fun....
Deltaboy1984
Member
Great looking 410 pump!I bought my first squirrel shotgun this last winter. A Savage 30 .410. I used it a little before the weather got hot but this coming fall I'm going to give it a real workout.
I usually use a .22 mag. but wanted a little more challenge, some 3" #6s sounded about right. Anything bigger than a .410 would feel like cheating.
SmokeJensen
Member
I switch between my .410 single shot and a 22lr. Depending on where in the woods I'll be hunting and density of the trees.
If I'm going in to a good spot late season to sit on a stump or log then I'll carry my 22. I enjoy sitting on small clearings watching tree lines.
If I'm going to be walking/scouting some land or new stands then I'll carry my .410 because of quick shots. I enjoy this gun a little more because it was my very first gun and it brings back so many memories.
I have also used a pellet gun and a compound bow. I normally use these for the challenge because my freezer is already full of squirrel. The pellet gun isn't much more difficult than the 22, it just doesn't have a scope. The bow is fairly difficult. I learned early on to shoot the squirrels off the trunk of the tree not into the trunk. I've pinned one to the trunk with my arrow. I was lucky that the animal was just in jumping reach. It also helps to carry about a dozen field tip arrows. Its a good chance you will lose a couple. I once shot at a squirrel 5 times before smoking him.
If I'm going in to a good spot late season to sit on a stump or log then I'll carry my 22. I enjoy sitting on small clearings watching tree lines.
If I'm going to be walking/scouting some land or new stands then I'll carry my .410 because of quick shots. I enjoy this gun a little more because it was my very first gun and it brings back so many memories.
I have also used a pellet gun and a compound bow. I normally use these for the challenge because my freezer is already full of squirrel. The pellet gun isn't much more difficult than the 22, it just doesn't have a scope. The bow is fairly difficult. I learned early on to shoot the squirrels off the trunk of the tree not into the trunk. I've pinned one to the trunk with my arrow. I was lucky that the animal was just in jumping reach. It also helps to carry about a dozen field tip arrows. Its a good chance you will lose a couple. I once shot at a squirrel 5 times before smoking him.
MCgunner
Member
I haven't since I was young. I prefer scoped .22 caliber handguns. Even a rifle is too easy.
Hell, I HAVE used an iron sighted .22 pistol. Well, it was a Ramline exactor (still have it), actually plastic sighted. Nothing quite teaches marksmanship and stealth skills like hunting squirrel with a good .22, rifle or pistol. Shotguns, hell, that's what I used before I could shoot. I love my shotguns......for birds.
wankerjake
Member
Generally not...but around directly Flagstaff there are "shotgun only" units that hold a lot of squirrels. I inherited my Grandpa's .410 shotgun after he passed in January and I'm itching to bust a squirrel with it. My roommate in college had one that we'd take out sometimes. It was handy sometimes, especially when you lose them in a tree or if they won't stop tree hopping.
dagger dog
Member
There ARE somethings that are pretty neat hunting squirrles with a shotgun, you can hit 'em running, yes I realize there are a few people that can do it with a rifle ,but fewer can do it with a pistol, and you can hit 'em when your half blind!
You can kill more than one with one shot, thats a feat that I have not heard of shooting Rocket J. with a rifle, shotgunners do it frequently.
Let me add,us back east shotgunners don't shoot squirrels off feeders or out of our backyards.
We go deeeeep into the hardwood forest in search of the meanest of the bushy tails, and having my trusty poop shooter by my side comforts me, and it helps me limit out too, especially on the days I have my craving for squirrel gravy and biscuts.
You can kill more than one with one shot, thats a feat that I have not heard of shooting Rocket J. with a rifle, shotgunners do it frequently.
Let me add,us back east shotgunners don't shoot squirrels off feeders or out of our backyards.
We go deeeeep into the hardwood forest in search of the meanest of the bushy tails, and having my trusty poop shooter by my side comforts me, and it helps me limit out too, especially on the days I have my craving for squirrel gravy and biscuts.
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MCgunner
Member
It is not about limiting out, grasshopper, it's about the challenge of the handgun. So Helen Keller hunted squirrels with a shotgun. How does that relate to me?
Go deep in those woods, take a seat by a tree, lean back, enjoy the sunrise and listen for the squirrels coming out to play. I'd rather take two in a morning with a handgun than a limit with a shotgun, but I guess to each his own.
I have taken squirrel with a shotgun when hunting other game like rabbits with a shotgun, targets of opportunity. But, if I'm going AFTER squirrel, do that when I visit the east Texas piney woods, I take a scoped handgun, either my Ruger Mk2 or my Contender 10" .22 rimfire.
So Helen Keller hunted squirrels with a shotgun. How does that relate to me?Go deep in those woods, take a seat by a tree, lean back, enjoy the sunrise and listen for the squirrels coming out to play. I'd rather take two in a morning with a handgun than a limit with a shotgun, but I guess to each his own.
I have taken squirrel with a shotgun when hunting other game like rabbits with a shotgun, targets of opportunity. But, if I'm going AFTER squirrel, do that when I visit the east Texas piney woods, I take a scoped handgun, either my Ruger Mk2 or my Contender 10" .22 rimfire.
clamman
Member
Savage 410/22 for me!
Nimrod2
Member
"It is not about limiting out, grasshopper, it's about the challenge of the handgun."
Sorry, but when my kids come to the dinner table it isn't so that they can hear me thumping my chest.
A heaping pile of squirrel killed with a shotgun will be waiting for them. A similar game but different means & ends.
Sorry, but when my kids come to the dinner table it isn't so that they can hear me thumping my chest.
A heaping pile of squirrel killed with a shotgun will be waiting for them. A similar game but different means & ends.
MCgunner
Member
So, you spend a shotgun shell on 3 bites of meat? They got steak down at the Walmart, ya know, quite cheap by comparison. I don't even know any REDNECKS that think hunting squirrel for meat is cost effective. I guess if you just prefer squirrel meat. I like it, mind you, but it's just a reward for a day in the woods, not what I go out there for specifically. It's not a chest thumping thing, just an ethos thing. I suppose you wouldn't understand my rewards of the hunt cause it ain't about dinner for me.
Oh, just noticed you're a cajun. That explains everything.
I don't even know any REDNECKS that think hunting squirrel for meat is cost effective. I guess if you just prefer squirrel meat. I like it, mind you, but it's just a reward for a day in the woods, not what I go out there for specifically. It's not a chest thumping thing, just an ethos thing. I suppose you wouldn't understand my rewards of the hunt cause it ain't about dinner for me.Oh, just noticed you're a cajun. That explains everything.
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