Weapons of choice

[Hoytme2]

I like to use the 22 LR for squirrel. I have a Browning Buck Mark 5.5 Target with a red dot scope for chasin those little rascals around mostly but I also have a Browning A-Bolt 22LR rifle for when the shots are way up there. Lots of guys I know use shotguns but that is too much lead in the diet for me!

[Thunderflight]

The only time I ever squirrel hunted was when I was in high school. My Dad wouldn't let me use my .22 because if I missed he didn't want the stray bullet to hit and kill someone. I alwaysed used a 20 ga and killed many a squirrel at Union and Beaver lake in Johnstown.

TF

[Hoytme2]

I like the head shot my self. little more challenging to get positioned to take a head shot with out spookin the critter. too many holes with the blunder bust!!!!

[Thunderflight]

Nothing like chowing down on some fried squirrel then BANG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You bite into a piece of shot!!!!:)

Thunderflight

http://photoemission.tripod.com//sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/squirrel.jpg

[Thunderflight]

Dang websites...

Here's another...

TF

http://www.bestweb.net/~foosie/squirrel.jpg

[Hoytme2]

seen that many times. little rascals are hard to catch.

[Thunderflight]

I always thought it would be neat to have a pet squirrel. I've heard of people having them for pets.

TF

[Ohio Sportsman]

I grew up using a 16 ga double barrel and liked it, but I also like a .22 with a good scope. That way it is pretty safe if you only hunt on private land, I wouldn't suggest it on public land though unless it's a remote area where you can tell if there is any people around. But placing a perfect head shot on a squirrel or rabbit with a scope is mighty satisfying when on the hunt from a distance. :)

[Thunderflight]

When I was stationed in California we used to shoot the rabbits that infest our compound with a .177 cal pellet gun.

It was one of those air guns that looked like a 357. Anyway I mounted a cheap 22 scope on it and we used to use it to kill rabbits. The rabbits would hide underneath missile coffins and we'd snipe em in the eye with the gun. At one point I even mounted a flash light on it too..... Ah yes those where the days.

Thunderflight

[Thunderflight]

Since I'm confessing....

That same year I made a popcicle stick cross bow that could easily kill a rabbit or ground squirrel.

The limbs where actually pieces of 1/2 plywood tied together with rubber bands. The rubber bands actually caused the tension instead of the limbs. The triger mechinism was a clothes pin with about 20 rubber bands holding it down (this thing had at least a 10 to 15 pound draw). For bolts I used wooden dowls with clear tape for vanes and exacto knife blades for broad heads. It wasn't very accurate (until I made a scope out of a avion water bottle), but it was fun to play with. Since I never had any luck I went back to the drawling board.

My garage was nick named "area 51" because I built alot of "black projects" there. ;) That's where I developed and perfected the "Night Stalker 2000 A3".

This thing was a kill'n machine. It was basically a spear gun that could easily kill a deer. It was made of the same plywood, nails, wood glue and JB Weld. I even mounted a Zebco fishing reel on it. The A1 used rubber bands to fire the bear broad head tipped arrow, but on the A2 I bought a spear gun band and a metal piece to hold the arrow down. The A3 had sights and a foot sturp for cocking it..

This thing was bad and claimed quite a few rabbits in that old compound. Then it happened. The "Gunny" (Gunnery Sergeant/E-7) sat me down and counseled me on my toys....:rolleyes: (I was a Seargeant at the time.)

He told me that at first everyone thought my "toys" where neat, but then they actually became "leathal"........:D So the days of the night stalker where over and I was no longer allowed to bring it to work...:(

That was eight years ago and believe it or not I still have it in my mothers garage. The rubber spear gun band is rottened out, but otherwise she's ready to go....:)

Thunderflight

[george tinkham]

me an a buddy made a zip gun(22 rifle) as kids...it was a pc of galv. pipe bout 4 " long,a door "bolt"slide latch an a real heavy rubber band or spring.worked but not too acarrot

[george tinkham]

the galv. pipe was 4' long not 4" long

[heydeerman]

Never hunted tree rats exclusively with the bow but have killed a few while deer hunting. Planning on doing some squirrel hunting with the longbow this year.

[Caribou Dreamer2]

I'm going to have to go with the 22 LR.Back up is the old 12 ga,but would like to buy a 20 ga someday i think the 12 is a little over kill.I also like the 4/10 its also a good choice.

[Neapolis]

Marlin 39A lever action .22LR with a 4 power Weaver scope. My grandfather gave it to me 50 years ago. I added the scope myself, but it was a casualty of a hunt some time back. Now it is open sights only, I keep meaning to put a scope on it again, but haven't made it. I don't think Weaver even makes that scope any more.

[Thunderflight]

I remember my first squirrel I killed. Actually it was a chipmonk, but that's beside the point.

I was 15 and went hunting on Lester Price's side of Union Lake in Johnstown with my Dad.

Man those where the days.....

Thunderflight

[5Cent]

Always used a 12 ga, but it is definitaly to much lead for me. Now I got a Model 597 and w/ the 3x9 it's a nice little setup. Can't wait till Sep 1st rolls around.

Adam

[Hoytme2]

September first? I thought the "new" opening day for squirrel in Ohio was mid August. Guess we will have to check our regulations. Hard to get out that early in the season cause of those darn mosquitoes but I like to try.

[george tinkham]

used to know this manager at kentucky fried chicken...big squirrel hunter.he would take his squirrels in the rest. and deep frie em in those 11 erbs an sauce of the kernels...really finger lickin good

[chadwimc]

Ohio's website says September 1st for squirrels

[Byrd]

I use a Marlin 49 with a scope and only missed one.

[vvarmitr]

Hey Byrd: Hope you get a chance to shoot at another one. :D

[vvarmitr]

I like to use whatever has a trigger on squirrels, even a x-bow. I've only missed one w/the x-bow.
The gun I use the most is a 20ga. Maybe because that is all I had for years. By the time the leaves are off enough to use a rifle or a pistol, I'm off hunting something else.
I think that 17HMR otta be a great little squirrel cartridge.;)

[Byrd]

vvarmitr, lol that was a good one.and one day you will get one with you x bow lol:D

[Q2XL]

it all depends on how many folks is a comin over for supper. if a bunch and need a lot of them squirrels i like the ak 47. you can get a bunch of them little boogers with that.but if just for the family i like the ar 15 you can pick them off at loooooooooong range .:D

[Hoytme2]

Thats fantastic CD but isn't that a little over kill. Not much meat left if you are using those guns unless you have a head shot. Ground squirrel, never thought of that!!!

[Hoytme2]

Woops, not CD but Q2XL. Sorry for the mix up. Hope we can get together and do some critter hunting as well as deer hunting this season if you are available.

[Q2XL]

see what we can do . ill bring the 22 if i make it.

[vvarmitr]

Byrd: Touche` LOL :D

[Hoytme2]

What do you mean iIF you make it. Are you talking about camp? Hope there are no problems with you guys coming down for camp!

[CatDaddy]

I like to use a .410 in early season and a .22 when leaves come off.

[CatDaddy]

im looking for a .22 leveraction if anybody has one for sale.

[Turkeyfoot]

Marlin 22 mag is my choice.....much more challenging and more fun sneaking around in full camo! Solid ammo helps prevent loss of meat as compared to hollow points.....4-12 variable scope is the berries for dailing em in for that perfect shot;) .....TF

[ShoreBoundOne]

I like using my H&R .35 Whelen. It saves me the trouble of skinning the darn things :D

Mitch

[CatDaddy]

A few years ago my father bought a H&R 10ga to turkey hunt with. He put a "Kicks" choke in it and decided to take it squirrel hunting.:rolleyes: so he shot one at about 20yrds w/ it. needless to say he never shot another squirrel with that again. We patternd it later on and found out he was putting 70 BB's in a pop can size piece of paper at 40 yards.

[Hoytme2]

Thats a BIT too much gun there catdaddy. The object is to have enough meat left for a meal not an appetizer. One good thing though, not shot left in it. All a clean pass through

[Thunderflight]

Just how far is the range of a .22 if you miss?

TF

[vvarmitr]

On some of the boxes say up to a mile & half, but that is at about a 37 degree angle. Most, from what I've read, of our sporting rounds are under 3 miles.

[thebootlegger]

I just bought a Marlin 17hmr that I plan on using as the ultimate squirrel gun this fall. Topped it with a Bushnell 3-9x. It's "dead balls" on.

[vvarmitr]

Bootlegger; You lucky bum! :p :D
Hope you do well w/it. ;) Remember to leave some for seed. :rolleyes:

[Farmbear]

I like to use a 22 revolver. For the bushytials lots of fun. I too used a shotgun as a kid all I had was a H&R single shot 12ga. Had lots of fun & ate lots of squirrel. Can't what for the season to come in.:D

[CatDaddy]

gosh..it seems like everyone started out w/ a single shot. Me too.

[Beau Martin]

I ahve been useing an old 410 for the last few years, But my roommate got me a Savage MarII for xmas. So I think this will be the weapon of choese this year and 410 will be back up.

[MrFurious]

I started out with a NEF .410 single shot when I was 11 or 12, then got my Marlin Model 60 when I was 14 or so. Just last year I picked up a Remingon 597 fitted with a Tasco 4x scope, but its not nearly as accurate as my Marlin was (knew I shouldn't have sold it!).

[CatDaddy]

Honestly....I LOVE the marlin 60's, I wish I had never sold mine either :(

[Mark Sprague]

Has anyone out there used the .17 HMR for bushytails with satisfactory results?I bought a Savage bolt action chambered for this round,but so far only shot it sighting in the scope.I'll tell ya,on water filled containers this round is as explosive as others on this site have stated.I read the comments on using this cartridge on coyotes,and I gotta agree with them that are against it.I think it would tend to cause terrible wounds that would only kill later.I'd have a hard time getting any satisfaction from something like that.Anyway,my question is..Is this round too hot for squirrels?Will a head shot leave any thing beyond two hind legs and a bushy tail(maybe a little burgurized meat hangin from that)for the pot?I'm not real excited about a squirrel tail dinner,no matter how it's fixed.

[Mark Sprague]

I've read your posts and seen your pictures.You seem to be havin' a hell of a lotta fun down there on that base.I bet you've been "counceled" more'n once;)

[Thunderflight]

I've gotten a few dirty looks from my boss, but I'm untouchable..

I'm protected by the W.O.P.A......

TF

[george tinkham]

wopa...mafia???

[thebootlegger]

Mark,
I've whacked a few critters with my .17(crows, groundhogs), and think it will be ok for squirrels with a good head shot, or at least front half shot. Hell, the back legs are the best part, and your .17 will pretty much clean them for you.