Almost Squirrel Season

[Punisher]

Originally Posted by Azzy

Never tried...

Maybe I should. Guessing the course and a small game license is in order...


Here's a question though, how do you make sure of your backstop when you are shooting up at a branch on a tree? (sometimes I can be paranoid....)

try to make sure the tree trunk is behind them - usually you shoot squirrels in the woods and there are lots of trees to stop a .22 - also, you can wait 'til they run down the tree or hunt them with a shotgun because the pellets won't go very far..........

[FentFV]

Never hunted anything either, but my daughter and I have 22 rifles (she a Marlin 921 bolt, me a Henry lever action - better for a lefty). I told her I'd take her squirrel hunting, but I'm still trying to figure out how exactly to do it. We took the HTE, I bought a few books to do some research, and I'll be getting us licenses and gear in a week or so (expecting some extra cash this pay that the ex- doesn't have to know about). When the season opens, I was just figuring on heading to the closest SGL (203, I think) around dawn and winging it from there. She and I might also be able to get out a week earlier for the Junior season.

By the way, I can't find any information suggesting that there's any sort of "small game" license. So I'm assuming that small game is part of the "default" package....nothing special to buy in the way of licenses, right?

[1927A1]

FentFV,

Correct the one license covers small and large game.

You might want to do a little exploration to see if you can find a nice stand of oak or Beech trees. Also sometimes some activity can be found at the edges of the woods that are near corn fields. The squirrels in the woods are much more agile and secretive than those in the city.

Many, many years ago I read an article where the author used the term Grey Ghost's . They can be cagey little critters!

Good luck!

[FentFV]

1927A1, Thanks for the advice. I'll take my girl out to do some scouting first. I've done all the book larnin' I can do, so now it's time to see if any of it sunk in.

[the lone gunman]

Originally Posted by FentFV

1927A1, Thanks for the advice. I'll take my girl out to do some scouting first. I've done all the book larnin' I can do, so now it's time to see if any of it sunk in.

When you are out scouting ,stay out of the pines,, look for hardwood trees and acorns, Squirrels are just about everywhere acorns are.

[gnbrotz]

I've been following this thread with interest, as my 10 year old son has also expressed interest in hunting squirrels this year. He doesn't turn 11 for two more months, so he isn't able to take the HTE test yet. I completed the class yesterday, so he will be able to hunt with me under PA's Mentored Youth Hunting program.

I've been a shooter all my life, and shot a few groundhogs and a rabbit here or there, but have never actually been a 'licensed hunter' or dressed out any game. Since I believe that we shouldn't just be hunting to kill something, I need to learn (so I can in turn teach my son) how to dress them and then prepare them to be eaten. My wife has no interest in this (and that's fine with me), so I'm on my own.

Personal experience seems to be a better resource than some "How to" texts, so how about it....anyone have their own tried and true techniques and recipes?

[1927A1]

Squirrels in the wild seem smarter than the city ones, I've had quite a few slip away by circling the tree, and jumping to the next on the back side where you can't see them.

Anyone ever hunt squirrel over a dog? Back in the day, 1975/76 we used to have an old farm dog that would track what tree they were in.

Got my fair share of squirrels, rabbits and grouse with a single shot Ithica .22. I just picked up my license, first time back in the field since 1991.

One reason, SQUIRRELS!

Love a good pot-pie, or stew, even breaded and fried.

[the lone gunman]

Here is a video on how to clean a squirrel

http://members.localnet.com/~nickdd/

[FentFV]

Excellent video. Pretty much what I read on how to skin a squirrel, but it's far better to see it in practice. By the way, I saw Les Stroud (survivorman) make a pair of rabbit-skin mitts like that.

[daschnoz]

Last year, I took the 12ga with 1oz. of 7-1/2. Mossberg 500, 20", cylinder bore. Only shot one, but the range was too close, so I had squirrel all over the place.

This year, I think I'll try the .22LR Savage Mark II with the 3-9x40.