Redblood, Hillbilly, and Plateau Hunter

[JohnnyDollar]

I have a question, when y'all first get into the woods and you have a pretty good idea of the tree/trees the squirrels are cutting do you shoot them one by one as you see them or do you wait until there are 2 or 3 in the tree before you start shooting (with a rifle of course)?

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

I shoot as a get shots, as does Redblood. .22's doesn't bother them as much as some think. I killed 8 in a matter of 10 minutes the other day. I never moved my feet. Me and redblood are blessed with alot of good squirrel spots and over the years we pretty much have figured out exactly which areas to target and which areas are less productive. We do not over harvest any spot and each year they are just as loaded as the year before. Some spots may have just as much mass, but not many squirrels. It is all about population density in each block of woods. Luckily squirrels can have 3 litters a year. As over looked and simple as squirrel hunting is, it is also a skill developed by years of hunting to be consistantly successful, just like deer, or any other type of hunting.

 

[JohnnyDollar]

I went yesterday and killed 2 missed 2 and saw 2 others that I didn't even fire on. I figured out after I missed the first 2 that I was rushing my shots but after I calmed down I got better. I am hunting with a 22 and man that is almost ad addictive as hunting deer. I am going again in the morning hopefully with better results.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

I went yesterday and killed 2 missed 2 and saw 2 others that I didn't even fire on. I figured out after I missed the first 2 that I was rushing my shots but after I calmed down I got better. I am hunting with a 22 and man that is almost ad addictive as hunting deer. I am going again in the morning hopefully with better results.

Keep at it. It is very addictive. Try new areas and you will find some "hot spots" where you can slay them. Patience is a must when hunting with a .22, especially early season.

 

[Rowdy]

 

[Plateau Hunter]

Exactly-I shoot them as I get shots. I will stay in one place if there are multiple squirrels in a tree and continue to shoot as I get shots just marking the squirrels down where they fall. When the action stops I will then move and gather them all. If there is a good many squirrels around by the time you gather up 2-3 you will often hear or see one to begin your next stalk. I try to make head shots as much as possible and that often takes more time and patience to get a shot lined up. Also I use a head high walking stick to use as a rest/brace for shots as there is often not a tree at the appropriate place for a rest. Plus it is handy for parting weeds, briars, spider webs and is good snake protection. PH

 

[JohnnyDollar]

Now I like the stick idea, that is something I never thought of. If I would have had one I think I might have had better success, I tried to freehand my first 2 shots and a squirrel's head is a small target. Thanks for the responses guys, y'all are my squirrel killing heros

 

[pulplip fiction]

i've been seeing plenty of squirrels but it takes me forever to get a shot at them. the trees are a million years old and they are in the top. do you guys have any tricks to get them to come down a little lower - other than shooting them - without causing them to lay down on a limb.

 

[JohnnyDollar]

Have you tried a squirrel call? That sometimes will make them show themselves.

 

[pulplip fiction]

i have, sometimes it works, most times it doesn't. but that could be operator error.

 

[Anonymous]

i've been seeing plenty of squirrels but it takes me forever to get a shot at them. the trees are a million years old and they are in the top. do you guys have any tricks to get them to come down a little lower - other than shooting them - without causing them to lay down on a limb.

Thats wher the patients thing comes in, ya just have to wait them out, take your time and pick yer shot.

 

[Anonymous]

My thing is to take along on of those little foldin stools to set on while I'm waitin, it dont weigh nothin and sets ok, it beats standin and try'n to be quiet.

Seen a 5 gal. buket with a swivle seat on the lid the other day, figured it would be noisy since its plastic but mite be a good thang.