Moss.,

I use either a 22 rifle or 20 ga. shotgun. Just this past week, I killed 34 squirrels, trying to get a total of 50 for a group of us that cook a wildlife meal every Tuesday night.

As for the 22, I sometimes use 22 LR and sometimes 22 mag. The mag definitelycauses more meat loss. In the 20 ga., I use mostly what I have handy, No. 8, 7 1/2, or No. 6 birdshot. They all work well. Actually any gauge shotgun can be used for squirrels. When shot with a shotgun they are easier to clean. Now I'm not talking shooting one at ten feet with the shotgun, that would destroy them, but from a normal distance the shotgun is excellent.

This time of year, where I live, the acorns are on the ground, that's where I find most of my squirrels. I don't shoot at the ones on the ground with a 22 because it's too dangerous. However I will do it if I'm using a shotgun and I know no one else on our land is in the area.

The one's I took this week was feeding in what we call a blackgum tree, which has small berries on them.

dog1