If you've spent much time in the squirrel woods, you've lost a squirrel or two.

Sometimes they hang up in the tree. Sometimes they get into a hole. Sometimes they drop and you never see them again.

What's your most interesting squirrel recovery?

I shot a red squirrel the other morning and when it dropped from the tree I heard the distinct "plop" of something falling into water.

I didn't even know there was a creek there.

I saw him floating away.

Not to be deterred I followed him down Creek until he got caught up in some sticks/trash. Was able to get a long branch and pull him out. Almost lost him.

I've been hunting with a pellet gun for well over 10 years now,,, I have had to shoot the squirrel more than once to get them to die unfortunately... wounded squirrel goes up the tree, throw my back pack on the other side, squirrel comes on my side , I shoot em again, and get em. Several times a squirrel goes inside the tree in a den,,, I take a big log and beat the trunk very hard, and sometimes the squirrel comes out and I get em. I have had to chase some down unfortunately with the air rifle.

Hey Jake , I see you hunt with a shotgun, how many squirrels have you had to shoot @ more than once ???

If you have a good hit on them, they usually drop out of the tree pretty quick.

But leaf cover, height of tree, distance, etc makes a big difference.

The benefit of a shotgun to me is:

#1 I like shotguns and have/had a bunch of them. I've probably owned 50-75 shotguns. Back when you could get single shots cheap I bought every single shot I could find under $100. Which was a bunch of them lol. One as low as $3. It needed the hammer replaced as it has broken off. $12 from Numrich had it back in service.

#2 I like "small game" hunting. Rabbits, squirrel, grouse, pheasant etc. And often my days will consist of sitting early for squirrel then walking brush rows and field edges for other game. I can carry a shotgun and cover all that.

#3 (And this one may be controversial or make me look bad....) I don't have to wait for a perfect clear shot, as I would with a rifle or air rifle. If the squirrel is partially blocked by leaves, I can probably still get it. As long as I can can verify it's a squirrel and it's a safe shot- I don't need a completely clear head shot.

When a follow up shot is needed... Again it's far easier with a shotgun than trying with a rifle.

Benefits of a rifle are it teaches you patience, waiting on shot angles, accuracy and teaches you to shoot better. I also used to hunt with a .22 allot. To me, sneaking through a block of woods with a .22 is great practice for deer season.

-Jake
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Wow 50-75 shotguns lol. Pretty versatile weapon, can even hunt deer with em.

Well today I wounded a fox squirrel and had to chase em down. He jumped off 2 different trees. I thought I lost him . I seen a big rotten stump with a hole at the bottom, I grabbed a long stick and shoved it in there, out he comes, and the chase continues, I eventually got him .

Most have been sold at this point. I have maybe 8 now. Couple slug guns. Couple single shots. A bolt action 16ga and a couple pumps.



-Jake

have shot several with a 17 hm2 that were not going anywhere but not dead,, shot in the fringe areas of the brain, would actually set up and seem to watch me skin they're brethren.

I used to use a .22 but now only hunt them with a 20 ga. We have lots of grays here.