Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Small Game Any shame in squirrel hunting with a shotgun???

I mostly hunt squirrels with a .22 , even with the 20 grain super colibri round. My 12 year old took one yesterday at about 25 yards with that round. For safety on my farm near town I am going to have him use a 410 pump. We used to use shotguns all the time when I was a kid. I am just wondering if many still use a shotgun? Also how far do you think the little 20 grain super colibri will travel at 500 fps (poor ballistic coef). I am guessing about 300 to 400 yards??

dogdoc

I see no shame in it and use a shotgun most times I hunt squirrels. Most of my squirrel hunting is in the early season and I prefer the shotgun then. Later in the year, with fewer leaves is when I usually start using a .22.

BTW, a .410 with 3" #4s or #5s works great on squirrels!

i used to use a remington 1100 20 gauge all the time to squirrel hunt when i was younger ive killed a ton of them with it so i see no shame in it i mostly use a .22 now just because i prefer to head shoot them so i dont have to pick the buckshot out of them

I use a 16 gauge this time of year because the leaves are still so thick and the grays are wild as heck.

Shotguns makes cleaning messy and eating sometimes pellet-y, but whatever works.

Leaves on trees can be an advantage. Use them as cover.




Went deer hunting this morning, but got bored....

Ella

In a populated area such as you describe, I would be ashamed to shoot up in trees with a rifle. I wouldn't be ashamed to shoot squirrel with a shotgun in the boondocks either, but the situation you describe was absolutely made for a .410. Go for it!

I envy you that boy btw. Good times.

Shotgun is not only safer but you will probably find that you have far less chance of wounding and losing squirrels. I use number 4 shot in any gauge. Those larger bbs are way easier to pick out and they usually fall out when you skin em.

We are taking the kids out for the annual squirrel camp weekend starting tomorrow. Normally I just sit back with the MKII pistol and let the kids hit or miss with their single shot .410's. This year we have a must eat what you kill last meal on Saturday night. I'll be carrying the wifes Mossberg 500E in .410 this year and backing up their shots and taking the longer pokes. I'm a healthy eater . When the leaves are down and there isn't so much pressure, I prefer a rimfire here in the mountains.

there's no shame in hunting squirrels with a shotgun. i started out borrowing my Grandpa's 20 guage Stevens bolt action, single shot.

using high-power number 4's it'd knock the harriest buck squirrel in the woods out of a near 100 yellow poplar when he was curled up at the top soaking in the last of the day's sunshine.

but, .22 are more fun, but have long since stopped shooting up into trees with them, because of housing density now. for me, it has become a safety issue.

having a .22 round drop down on a roof and then roll into a gutter can be disconcerting to a homeowner outside raking leaves on a beautiful fall day.

Nope, no shame at all. Matter a fact, later on, and if I'm hunting with someone, it's safer. Especially if they are on the ground.


maddog

.22's are great when it's safe to use 'em and that is a good point you guys brought up.

For me a .36 BP rifle is a heck of a lot of fun during squirrel season after the leaves start dropping. A .32 might be better but I don't have one and the little .36 works fine and luckily is at it's most accurate with light powder charges.

A pound of black goes a long way in this little rascal.

You guys with safety issues might consider a .22 or even .177 pellet rifle for squirreling. .177's to the head and body are deadly and the pellets are going to fall too lightly to be a danger.

You hunt squirrels with buckshot? How big do they grow where you hunt?

I hunted with a shotgun until my wife (whose dad always hunted with at 22) bit onto a piece of shot and hurt her tooth. She told me not to bring home anymore squirrels shot with a shotgun.
I replied that there wouldnt be anymore squirrels.
She told me to shoot them with a 22, like her dad did.
I explained the old 22 I had was not accurate enough.
She said to go buy a 22 that was accurate and I did, bout 30 years ago.

Gotta love that woman!

I like a .22 better after the leaves are gone, but I'll use a shotgun when necessary (early season, or when mandated by regs).

I grew up with one of the Marlin 60s firmly clenched in my squirrel-killin' fists, and probably shot more with it than I have with a shotgun.

I have my 12YO son use his .410 barrel on his Rossi. I feel much better knowing he is using shot and not a .22 that can go for a long ways. I use my Ruger .32 single six, but I only shoot at squirrels on the ground as I dont care if I get anything. He is shooting both at the ground and into the trees so I feel it is much safer.

Went last weekend for our annual "Squirrel Camp". We drag the kids around National Forest and piss off bowhunters for a weekend every year. Its a good time and we teach them woodsman skills, hunting skills, how to prep what they kill and cook it. We managed to scratch out 11 limb chickens this go round and scout some old deer hunting areas. My little shooting partner was off his game and shot about $10 worth of .410 shells to bring back one tiny squirrel. He shot under everything this weekend. We cleaned them up, pressure cooked them in chicken stock, pulled the meat and cooked it in water, Golden mushroom soup, and milk. No leftovers after that meal. One I had to shoot running on a follow up to my quick draw partners leaf scattering . Wifes Mossberg 500E in .410 full choke. Still have to aim like it is a rifle for the closer shots.

That Harrisonburg country is some beautiful country..glad there is still lots of game..

It has been many a moon since I have used a shotgun on squirrel, but this thread inspired me.



Even went retro with an old box of Super X

no shame at all. i really enjoy hunting with my vintage shotguns for squirrel. i just don't shoot many with them because it peppers them too bad. one of these days when i can afford it, i want to buy a win 42 and use it for squirrels. but they are out of my budget range these days.

I love to hunt squirrels, period. While I most often use a .22 rifle, I have killed many squirrels with various shotguns. Once a season, I take the old Winchester single shot 16 gauge that was my Grandfather's out for a hunt. Be safe with whatever gun that you are hunting with. Enjoy the hunt.