RE: Guns for squirrels
 

I like to use my BL-22 with a Bushnell sportview red dot sight, and Win power points.

You can't eat what you miss!

RE: Guns for squirrels
 

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I've got a question. Ive been reading everyone posts on here about hunting squirrel. They say when you shoot a shotgun while hunting squirrel in the woods, it scares the other squirrels away. I've come to the conclusion that its maily false. I just got back from squirrel hunting with my 12 guage mossberg 835 u-mag. I got 3 of them, all within 30 minutes, in the same exact area. They didnt run away for an hour or so. As soon as I got in the woods, I heard one barking, faintly, it was windy, he was about 30 yards in front of me, I shot him dead, then no more than 5 mintues later, another one, shot him too, then third one. I even shot 4 times in a row on the second squirrel because he was running. Then I saw one up in the tree, after all them shots, and got him too, with 3 shots. Pretty damn thick in their still. Ive been going thru this all season so far. Sure there are some squirrels that hide for a while or haul ass outa there till things calm down, but its not like they skip the country or somthing. And another thing about not shooting the first squirrel you see, why not? Its no different than what I just mentioned. Just because you shoot doesnt mean your not going to see any more squirrels. If you dont shot on the first squirrels you see, that very well could be the last squirrel or shot you see or have the rest of the day. And yes it has happened to all of us. Including me. Take every shot possible, you see a squirrel, take him out. Dont wait for other squirrel in the area to come out. Their already out, your just not seeing them all at one time. Last month, I had 4 squirrels in the same tree, I shot one of them, killed it, then the other squirrel came down the tree and started barking at me along with another one shortly after. They can care less about how many times you shoot in the woods. They want food. Shooting is not going to keep them from eating. I see this year after year. I know im not the only one seeing this. Do you all agree?

Squirrel Master
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I agree totally with ya, I would never even think to wait & see if there's more right behind him...I'f i see him he's mine & i wait till the next one comes strolling along....etc!!!

RE: Guns for squirrels
 

Like master said in the beginning, there's not 1 certain gun that is best for hunting squirrels, it's mostly what you're in the mood for & your paticular style of enjoyment...
Personally i'd grab the ol marlin 60 (22LR) anytime before i'd use a shotgun for the simple fact i love to snipe them out of trees!!
Also My best bud that i hunt with always have a bet going on when we hunt together, & a nice clean headshot with a 22 is an extra buck not to mention a very nice challenge when the squirrel is at the top of a very tall tree or 100+ yards away!!!!
Definatly makes for great conversation afterwards...

Happy Hunting,
Mark

RE: Guns for squirrels
 

I prefer a .22, I hate picking shot out of meat and dang it hurts when you miss a pellet and chomp down.

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RE: Guns for squirrels
 

I can't help you on picking the best gun, as others have
said there is a lot of personal preference as well as
situational demands that make it impossible to determine what
would be the best for you. Having said that I do have a
recommendation as far as ammo goes, if you decide on hunting
with the .22lr. You (as well as any small game hunter) owe
it to yourself to try the Winchester 40gr PP (X22LRPP I
believe). In my humble opinion it offers the best all-round
package, in my Marlin it is more accurrate, lower in price
and just as flat shooting (at my hunting ranges) as the
runner up in my gun, the CCI Mini-Mag. It really takes the
wind out of the squirrels sails without undo meat damage.

Upon reading Rednekhuntr's advice I am glad to see there is
someone else that shares my feelings on the ammo.
Good luck in your pursuit.
Chissel

RE: Guns for squirrels
 

IMHO Ole' Bushytail was custom made for a 22LR. What on it's a matter of preference and how deep one's pockets are. Shoot what gives you the best accuracy as far as ammo and I like a 3x9 scope. Some believe that a 9 power is a little much for a 22LR ,but I tend to disagree when one's trying to hit a target the size of a quarter at 40-50 yards trying to hide in the branches of a tree.
They are some of the best tune-up game for whitetail hunting and time spent in the woods for them pays dividends later on.
I like to hunt them by getting in the woods before first light and find a good confortable place to sit. As dawn comes they'll come out and I'll wait for 5 or 6 to get into range. Most times I can shoot one, then they all start making a racket ,then another and they'll become silent. Then I'll look thru my binoculars to find another, there is always one peeking at you from a niche in a tree someplace. I'll take that one ,pick them up and dress them and move on 150 yards of so and sit and wait again. Even with Blaze orange requirement I wear a camo face net and gloves , I really believe this helps alot, something about the human face. I also use a walking stick to steady my shots and never skyline my target.

RE: Guns for squirrels
 

I knew there had to be SOMEONE in here that wasn't all for squirrel hutning with shotuns, Ohio hunter is the man, all the way with the Marlin 60 .22LR! When i first started hunting squirrel i used my 20 ga. but later found out that this was much to easy and the squirrles had no chance,its much funner sitting and waiting for them to come up or calling them and plinking them with open sights on a .22



***SHOOT FIRST ASK QUESTIONS LATER***
--Jason

Edited by - jason_j_21 on 10/17/2002 14:07:23

RE: Guns for squirrels
 

As a youngster, I always used a shotgun. However, being a &quot;shooter&quot;, I like to make it as challenging as possible. I have several 22 rifles, all with open sights. I enjoy shooting all of them. My favorites are my BL-22 and an old REM 510 single shot (1938). I may not always drag out my limit, but I sure enjoy the hunts.

RE: Guns for squirrels
 

It does not take a cannon to kill a squirrel. If you loke to eat squirrels as well as I do, you don't want them &quot;shot up&quot;. I use a 20 gauge with 2 3/4 high brass 6's until the leaves thin and then I go to a 22 with a 4x scope and use CCI 22 short hollow points. There is no need to use anything larger. I love the 20 gauge single barrel because it is short and light. When you do as much walking as I do you appreciate the light weight and short barrel. I killed 8 Thursday morning in 10 shots. Missed one that was running and had to shoot one twice. The other 7 were kolled in 0ne shot.