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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,732
Campfire Kahuna
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OP
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,732 |
Most of my squirrel hunting is done in hardwood hammocks, in or around creeks and swamps here in North Florida. Early in the season, with the leaves still on the hardwoods, I usually go out with a 20 ga. Mossberg pump, #6 high brass, and a modified choke. Later, when the leaves on the Hickory, Oak, and Cottonwood trees have fallen, I switch to a .22LR. For many years, I used an old Remington 721t bolt rifle. Its very accurate. For the past couple of years, I have switched to a Ruger Mannlicher stocked 10/22. With a 4X scope, its almost as accurate, and it gives me a quick second shot if I miss a running tree rat on a high limb.
Sam......
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 837
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 837 |
I don't hunt squirrels to get squirrel meat. I know they're tasty critters and have eaten a lot of them, but now that I am old and crazy I can't enjoy eating them because I'm preoccupied with looking for squirrel hairs. That said, I wouldn't consider taking a shotgun on a squirrel hunt. For me, a 22 is part of the game. If it's a competition and I have to produce, I take a Marlin 60 with a scope. If it's just funzies, I take an old Winchester 90 or Marlin 97 or Stevens Favorite or Remington 4. That just feels righteous to me.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,694
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,694 |
Early in the year I use my Marlin M39A with Williams Fool Proof aperture sight and Williams Gold Bead front sight. Later I may use either my 10/22 DSP, 77/22 stainless, or T/C Classic as here.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,874
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,874 |
This year I'll be using a Ruger 77/22 that I had Clark Custom Guns rebarrel for me. The scope is a 6x36 Leupold with the Wide Duplex that I had the parallax changed to 50 yards by the Leu Custom Shop. It shoots .22LR SK high velocity hollow points into very small groups. The trigger breaks at a crisp two pounds. If I miss a squirrel, it won't be the gun's fault. RS
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,694
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,694 |
That sounds like a sweet rig Ripsnort. I use the Eley HVHP and it is amazingly accurate and consistent.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 88
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 88 |
Once and a while I will use my NEF Pardner .410 single shot with a full choke and 3 inch 4`s or 6`s, more of a challenge than you might think!! Also, some times take my T/C New Englander 12 gauge muzzleloader with 100 gr Goex FFG and the same of copper plated #5`s or 6`s. But my go to gun is my Marlin 881 .22 LR with a Simmons .22 Mag 4x32 scope and CCI Mini Mags. Jack.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130 |
Winchester Model 60A Target wearing the original Redfield peep and globe front and fed .22 CB shorts, or a Mossberg 151M wearing an El Paso Weaver K4 60-B and feed CCI SGBs.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,353
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,353 |
rem 541T, or win 94/22 with WW 40 power points is pretty much all I'll use.
I won't hunt squirrels with a shotgun. Personal choice.
Whatever you are willing to put up with, is exactly what you will have.
When your ship comes in. ... make sure you are willing to unload it.
PAYPAL, sucks and I will never use them again. I recommend you do the same.
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,583
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,583 |
I won't hunt squirrels with a shotgun. Personal choice. Ditto. Marlin 880SQ is my gun of choice.
220 Swift still king.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 607
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 607 |
When i was young, my dad started me with a 20 ga. single shot. Wasn't much of a challenge. I like Squrrel hunting with 22's. Have 2- 10/22's, a Iver Johnson lever, and my grandpas old Winchester Model 63. they all do a good job.
ALCOHOL TOBACCO & FIREARMS Should be a covenience store, not a government agency.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 153
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 153 |
I don't hunt squirrels to get squirrel meat. I know they're tasty critters and have eaten a lot of them, but now that I am old and crazy I can't enjoy eating them because I'm preoccupied with looking for squirrel hairs. Same here. Every year I intend to hunt squirrel, but I don't know anyone who'll take the meat. My dad and I used to hunt with a Browning .22 lever and a .410 single shot that has a choke so tight, you have to aim it like a rifle.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,694
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,694 |
If you dip those squirrels in water before skinning, it'll cut down about 99% of the hair problem. I always clean mine at a creek or lake.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,259
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,259 |
Marlin 99 with Weaver Rimfire scope and Remington .22 LR
Browning A-Bolt .22 with 4-12x40 AO target scope and Eley Tenex
Enfield No. 8 training rifle in .22 LR
High Standard .22 LR auto pistol
----- young hunters will carry -------------- Marlin single shot .22 Remington bolt action .22 Browning BL-22 levergun
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,759 Likes: 8
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,759 Likes: 8 |
I won't hunt squirrels with a shotgun. Personal choice. I used to tell our pastor that hunting squirrel with a shotgun is like using a spotlight to hunt deer! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Very effective, but not entirely sporting. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Mine is a Marlin M25 in .22 magnum. Plenty accurate for headshots on tree rats, and enough pep for the odd turkey, as seasons usually coincide. 7mm
"Preserving the Constitution, fighting off the nibblers and chippers, even nibblers and chippers with good intentions, was once regarded by conservatives as the first duty of the citizen. It still is." � Wesley Pruden
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 991
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 991 |
I can't understand anyone hunting squirrels that don't like to eat em. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Squirrels is the best eatin you'll ever wrap a lip around. Young ones pan fried with gravy from the drippins, mashed taters and hot biscuits. If you ain't likin that, you ain't American. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> My choice is a .32 flintlock and a good squirrel dog to tree em an keep em busy till I get a bead on em. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
"We live in the present, we dream of the future, but we learn eternal truths from the past"
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,694
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,694 |
That is one very cool picture. That beagle do the work for you? I love the little beagle hounds!
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14,170 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14,170 Likes: 1 |
I have always used my Kodiak 22 mag auto. I have had it since I was 15.
Well we're Green and we're Gold, and we play better when it's cold. All us Cheese heads have our favorite superstar. We love Brett Favre.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 837
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 837 |
Whelenman you're a better man than me. When I was about 15, I sat on a deer stand where I saw very few deer and lots of squirrels. One morning I brought my Daddy's 22 pistol and a box of shorts to gather some squirrel meat. I got the first one with two or three shots and when I got the second one, the box of shorts was empty, and there were three cartridges left in the pistol. Gave up forthwith on using a pistol for squirrels.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,259
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,259 |
Squirrels and rabbits are good eating.
If you peel the skin down from the middle, you will get very little hair on the meat, and that rinses right off.
You can parboil them for a few minutes in a skillet of salted water, then wet them in milk, salt and pepper, dredge in flour and fry in a skillet with a little oil, like pork chops, turning on both sides and back. You can make gravy, too.
You can also roast over the fire or in the oven, basting with some butter or bacon drippings.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 205
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 205 |
... wearing an El Paso Weaver K4 60-B ... You and those El Paso Weavers!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Liam
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