Hello,
There was a fox squirrel out chewin' on the apple tree's buds.
Even though they're about two months out of season, we have deprecation laws, just have to report the taking to a C.O. within 24 hours (done).
Anyway, I ran and grabbed my .22 rifle, and found the thing heading toward the garden, about 50 yards away. So I braced against a tree and shot it through the head.
I went in, put my .22 up, and went back out to take pictures for the C.O.
Here they are, thumbed, so you can get the kiddos out of the room. Just click on the pics:
The bullet entered above the left eye.As it expanded, the bullet blew out the forehead.Exit through the right eye.However, when I got to this critter, it was still alive, trying to sit up. When I went to stand on it (remember, no .22 any longer), it tried to fight me. I was able to kick it over and stand on its ribs to stop its breathing.
I do not understand how the squirrel could have survived like this. Both the frontal lobes would be pretty much, mush.
And the fact that I took my time getting the rifle put up and finding my camera - well, it was alive for about 15 minutes before I got out there.
I've never had this happen before. I'm starting to think my squirrels are bionic!
As well, it occurs to me that this could be a model for the combat shooter: If a 2lb squirrel took a comparatively large hollowpoint round through the head, and was still able to fight, what does that say about a human's ability to fight after taking a relatively small round to the head? I guess even CNS hits fail to stop now and again.
Has anyone else experienced this type of thing? I think I may go back to heart shots...
Thanks,
Josh <><