WhileI too prefer to snipe squirrel with a .22LR many of the state parks around me only allow shotgun, which I learned to enjoy last season as well. You have to be a little more sneaky to get close enough to use that shotgun. 30 yards and under. I suggest taking a few practice paces to get used to how far 30 yards actually is. Take each stride as one yard....of course I'm 6 foot so ...depends on how tall you are.

As far as a 12 gauge....it'll work great...I used my Winchester 120 all last year. Contrary to what some say on here, I never tore up the meat. That will only happen if you are very, very close. This year I bought a 20 gauge just for squirrel hunting....it's probably better suited for this purpose and lighter in the field. The one I bought has a 26 in barrel (again to lighten the load, and easier to swing if they run) but a 20 gauge isn't necessary.

6 shot, 1 ounce is what shot I've been using, and it seems to be working great.

One other thing I would mention is the choke on your shotgun. Remember the tighter the pattern out of the gun, the longer shot you can take. I would prefer a modified or full choke. Especially when the leaves fall....harder to get in for that close shot.

As for cleaning....here's a quick run down...then I'll try to find the video that I think used to be on this site and get you a link..

1st - Start at the tail, and start your cut under the tail, towards the head. The goal is to cut through the bone, but keep the tail attached to the outter skin. Kinda difficult at first, but you'll get the hang of it.

2nd- make one slit down from the cut you just made down towards the back leg...repeat on opposite side.

3rd - put tail under foot and pull front two legs until skin pulls over head and off front feet

4th - use fingers two pull off back two legs skin.

5th - I just cut off the legs where they connect to the body as there isn't much meat on the body.

6th- I think there some type of sack to be removed in the arm pit area...if you cut that off...can't remember.

7th - that's about it....but try not to get hair all over the meat....it doesn't come off easy.

Good luck and have fun!!!!!!!!!!!