|
GuruBushHippie
MountainMan


Registered: 04/28/11
Posts: 3,434
Loc: USA
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Tips for hunting squirrels:
#17500746 - 01/05/13 07:37 AM (12 years, 13 days ago) |
|
|
As a lot of you here in the GO forum know, I love hunting and eating squirrel. It makes a great meal to eat at home or in camp, but knowing how to hunt them is an invaluable skill to know for a survival situation as well. Here's some tips that I have used for as long as I can remember. Most of these tricks are things that were passed down over the years to the men on my mom's side of the family. Grandpa claims it started with his father who, as a child, had to hunt squirrels as a means of survival during the depression era.
1) The best tip that I or anyone else can give is to be as stealthy as possible. It's just common sense. Camouflage is not a necessity, but muted colors like grey, brown, olive drab, and forest green will help you blend in to your surroundings. Remember that squirrels can see color, so the less you stick out the better your chances.
2) On that same note, when I hunt I find success by staying in one or two acres of the woods that I know really well. I then patrol different trees where I know squirrels are frequently seen. This may be where one of their many food caches is, or it may be where the den is located, called a drey. I have about 15 trees inhabited or used by squirrels on the two acres that I hunt. They are spaced about 1/10 of a mile or less from each other. I have several different ground blinds near each one. I will spend usually 30 minutes to an hour at each one and then move to the next. Remember to listen, keep quiet, move, little, and scan often.
3) During the spring, summer, and fall it is usually not a problem to see plenty of squirrels come your way, but hunting them during the winter requires you to lure them in. The trick my great-grandfather used was an easy to do call. What you do is lick the back of your hand and wet your lips. Now suck on the back of your hand like you're giving yourself a hickie. Make it loud. This squeak-like sound is very similar to a juvenile squirrel in distress. Another easy way to call them is to rub the edges of two poker chips together so that the scored lines in the plastic make noise.
4) Squirrels will often spot you, it's just the way it is. If you do spook one, they won't necessarily run away right off the bat. A lot of times they will just move to the other side of the tree trunk and hide. A way to remedy this is to hang a colorful hat (I use blaze orange or safety green) on the side of the trunk opposite from where you'll be shooting at. When a squirrel goes to hide from you they will see the bright color of the hat and will usually retreat back to your side and stay there. It's almost like they forget you're there once they see that hat.
5) To prevent them from hiding in the first place, you have to be patient and wait for 10 or 15 minutes in silence and not moving. Be like a sniper and wait for the perfect shot. When you see a squirrel, but it is further away or at a bad angle, don't jump the gun. If you let them do their thing for a few minutes they'll let their guard down.
6) It's true that squirrels quickly and easily become aware that they're being hunted and will evade you for that reason. My gramps and my uncle swear that if you carry a bow with you and keep your .22 or .177 somewhat concealed for a little while, the squirrels will think you're hunting larger game and will be all over the place after about 20 minutes.
That's it for now, anyone feel free to add a tip...
-------------------- Two roads diverged in a wood, and I cut straight through the forest, and that has made all the difference.
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
|
All great advice. Back as a kid in Michigan I trained my dog to go to the back side of a tree when I had a squirrel up there. That would often bring them back around to my side if I was quiet. Also if solo you can toss a rock or chunk of wood to the other side of the tree.
I'm doing research on wrist rockets and slingshots right now for some spring squirrel hunting. And it's your doing! I haven't hunted in many years since my High Desert abo days.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
|
GuruBushHippie
MountainMan


Registered: 04/28/11
Posts: 3,434
Loc: USA
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Icelander]
#17502152 - 01/05/13 02:18 PM (12 years, 13 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Icelander said: All great advice. Back as a kid in Michigan I trained my dog to go to the back side of a tree when I had a squirrel up there. That would often bring them back around to my side if I was quiet. Also if solo you can toss a rock or chunk of wood to the other side of the tree.
I'm doing research on wrist rockets and slingshots right now for some spring squirrel hunting. And it's your doing! I haven't hunted in many years since my High Desert abo days.
Hooray! I'm always happy to inspire someone to get out and play I love hunting tree rats with a slingshot. If you can land a good shot in the head they're pretty much dead immediately.
-------------------- Two roads diverged in a wood, and I cut straight through the forest, and that has made all the difference.
|
Shroomism
Space Travellin



Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 66,015
Loc: 9th Dimension
|
|
I also got a slingshot thanks to you. Maybe I'll use it on those racoons that hang around our house at 3am.. fuckers are annoying crawling on the roof and freaking out the cats shit
--------------------
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
|
Quote:
GuruBushHippie said:
Quote:
Icelander said: All great advice. Back as a kid in Michigan I trained my dog to go to the back side of a tree when I had a squirrel up there. That would often bring them back around to my side if I was quiet. Also if solo you can toss a rock or chunk of wood to the other side of the tree.
I'm doing research on wrist rockets and slingshots right now for some spring squirrel hunting. And it's your doing! I haven't hunted in many years since my High Desert abo days.
Hooray! I'm always happy to inspire someone to get out and play I love hunting tree rats with a slingshot. If you can land a good shot in the head they're pretty much dead immediately.
I haven't shot my old wrist rocket in years. I got it out and the band was rotten.
Here's what I'm going to try this time around although I found many beautiful slingshots out there for under $40. http://www.slingshotsusa.com/chief-aj-quick-point-combo-pack-stealth-black-with-beige-band.html
I'll be learning a new shooting style to go with it. The beginning of the video shows his grip and at the end of this short video it shows him taking pheasants on the wing. (btw the guys kind of a character)
As for me now I'll always try for a head shot unless it's a bird on the wing. I'm really not that desperate for game to try anything else now. That means I'll need a good amount of practice. I'm going to try for 10 mins. a day and then maybe by spring I'll be ready for something alive.
I also liked these guys. Great shooting instructional videos in this first link. http://www.simple-shot.com/collections/slingshots http://www.pocketpredator.com/two.html
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
Edited by Icelander (01/05/13 03:40 PM)
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Shroomism]
#17502378 - 01/05/13 03:00 PM (12 years, 13 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Shroomism said: I also got a slingshot thanks to you. Maybe I'll use it on those racoons that hang around our house at 3am.. fuckers are annoying crawling on the roof and freaking out the cats shit
If you don't want to kill them better shoot em soft or you'll wound them.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
|
Dough
Chillin


Registered: 05/25/12
Posts: 1,110
Loc: New England
Last seen: 7 years, 8 days
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Icelander]
#17513498 - 01/07/13 06:30 PM (12 years, 11 days ago) |
|
|
you hunt more than squirrels?
-------------------- Trippy Kit
trippy mane
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Dough]
#17513547 - 01/07/13 06:41 PM (12 years, 11 days ago) |
|
|
If you're asking me, yes. I've hunted a lot of game in my day , from raccoon to pigeon.
Now I'm hunting with only a slingshot so my targets will be mostly grouse and rabbit.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
|
Rifki
Stranger

Registered: 09/25/12
Posts: 213
Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Icelander]
#17513597 - 01/07/13 06:49 PM (12 years, 11 days ago) |
|
|
i thought only mountain men hicks ate squirrel's.
|
Dough
Chillin


Registered: 05/25/12
Posts: 1,110
Loc: New England
Last seen: 7 years, 8 days
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Rifki]
#17513615 - 01/07/13 06:53 PM (12 years, 11 days ago) |
|
|
you dont have to be one you just have to want to try new gamey tasting shit and have a weapon to play around with
-------------------- Trippy Kit
trippy mane
|
Rifki
Stranger

Registered: 09/25/12
Posts: 213
Last seen: 9 years, 7 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Dough] 1
#17513652 - 01/07/13 07:01 PM (12 years, 11 days ago) |
|
|
Bluejay burgers. yummm
|
Dough
Chillin


Registered: 05/25/12
Posts: 1,110
Loc: New England
Last seen: 7 years, 8 days
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Rifki]
#17513696 - 01/07/13 07:07 PM (12 years, 11 days ago) |
|
|
nah bluejays and cardinals are cool dont shoot em, exotic colored birds are cool, shoot the stupid fat fucking ones that plague farms or kill crows
-------------------- Trippy Kit
trippy mane
|
GuruBushHippie
MountainMan


Registered: 04/28/11
Posts: 3,434
Loc: USA
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Rifki]
#17513830 - 01/07/13 07:31 PM (12 years, 11 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Rifki said: i thought only mountain men hicks ate squirrel's.
Yep. Don't you be a comin' round my way, boy. Me an' my mutated kinfolk rape and eat cityboys like you every day
-------------------- Two roads diverged in a wood, and I cut straight through the forest, and that has made all the difference.
|
trueze
Fisherman



Registered: 11/17/11
Posts: 212
Loc: Central PA
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
|
Bush Hippie,
What's your secret to cooking? How can I keep my squirrel meet from getting that rubbery consistency?
|
GuruBushHippie
MountainMan


Registered: 04/28/11
Posts: 3,434
Loc: USA
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: trueze]
#17518759 - 01/08/13 06:16 PM (12 years, 10 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
trueze said: Bush Hippie,
What's your secret to cooking? How can I keep my squirrel meet from getting that rubbery consistency?
Slow and low, brother. I prefer to use a crock pot. I cook it in a broth (chicken or beef) at around 150 degrees for around 12 hours. It's always gonna be a bit chewy, but slow and low really helps to cook at a low heat for an extended period.
-------------------- Two roads diverged in a wood, and I cut straight through the forest, and that has made all the difference.
|
trueze
Fisherman



Registered: 11/17/11
Posts: 212
Loc: Central PA
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
|
Do you de-bone all of the meat prior to cooking in the crock pot?
|
GuruBushHippie
MountainMan


Registered: 04/28/11
Posts: 3,434
Loc: USA
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: trueze]
#17518784 - 01/08/13 06:21 PM (12 years, 10 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
trueze said: Do you de-bone all of the meat prior to cooking in the crock pot?
Not if i'm jut cooking for me. If i'm making stew for company then I will just because people are more open to trying it if there's no bones. I personally don't mind picking around the bones. I think cutting the meat all to pieces takes away from the natural flavors.
-------------------- Two roads diverged in a wood, and I cut straight through the forest, and that has made all the difference.
|
trueze
Fisherman



Registered: 11/17/11
Posts: 212
Loc: Central PA
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
|
You're right. Leaving the bone will allow for more flavor. I just was curious.
My friend informed me of "squirrel wings" this past year. I'll have to try at some point in the near future!
|
GuruBushHippie
MountainMan


Registered: 04/28/11
Posts: 3,434
Loc: USA
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: trueze]
#17518823 - 01/08/13 06:28 PM (12 years, 10 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
trueze said: You're right. Leaving the bone will allow for more flavor. I just was curious.
My friend informed me of "squirrel wings" this past year. I'll have to try at some point in the near future!
Wings eh? The squirrels I hunt (eastern grey squirrel) are so small their whole body isn't much larger than a chicken wing
-------------------- Two roads diverged in a wood, and I cut straight through the forest, and that has made all the difference.
|
trueze
Fisherman



Registered: 11/17/11
Posts: 212
Loc: Central PA
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
|
Simply throw wing sauce on your meat after you cook. hahaha It's that easy!
|
GuruBushHippie
MountainMan


Registered: 04/28/11
Posts: 3,434
Loc: USA
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: trueze]
#17518894 - 01/08/13 06:39 PM (12 years, 10 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
trueze said: Simply throw wing sauce on your meat after you cook. hahaha It's that easy!
Right on. I like to make my stew with gratuitous amounts of cajun seasoning.
-------------------- Two roads diverged in a wood, and I cut straight through the forest, and that has made all the difference.
|
trueze
Fisherman



Registered: 11/17/11
Posts: 212
Loc: Central PA
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
|
I got to be in the mood for stews and soups. I generally throw over rice or make some kind of sammich out of the meat.
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
|
Quote:
GuruBushHippie said:
Quote:
trueze said: Bush Hippie,
What's your secret to cooking? How can I keep my squirrel meet from getting that rubbery consistency?
Slow and low, brother. I prefer to use a crock pot. I cook it in a broth (chicken or beef) at around 150 degrees for around 12 hours. It's always gonna be a bit chewy, but slow and low really helps to cook at a low heat for an extended period.
I live by my crock pot. I often have it going 5 days a week and will cook things sometimes for 24 hours or more. I've always got a bone broth something going. Often the bones soften up so much that I can eat them. Especially things like chicken.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
|
trueze
Fisherman



Registered: 11/17/11
Posts: 212
Loc: Central PA
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Icelander]
#17520919 - 01/09/13 06:51 AM (12 years, 9 days ago) |
|
|
I wouldn't eat bones, but I'd want to get the marrow out.
|
GuruBushHippie
MountainMan


Registered: 04/28/11
Posts: 3,434
Loc: USA
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: trueze]
#17520931 - 01/09/13 06:55 AM (12 years, 9 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
trueze said: I wouldn't eat bones, but I'd want to get the marrow out.
It's really not too bad if they get soft enough. In a survival situation I would eat em brittle.
-------------------- Two roads diverged in a wood, and I cut straight through the forest, and that has made all the difference.
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: trueze]
#17521344 - 01/09/13 09:22 AM (12 years, 9 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
trueze said: I wouldn't eat bones, but I'd want to get the marrow out.
Bones are maybe the healthiest part of the animal. Tons of minerals and the marrow is amazing. Attached to the bones the cartilage, and tendons and fluids are loaded with glucosomine and chrondroitin and gelatin. I'd rather eat those parts than the meet myself.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
|
trueze
Fisherman



Registered: 11/17/11
Posts: 212
Loc: Central PA
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Icelander]
#17521526 - 01/09/13 10:04 AM (12 years, 9 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Icelander said:
Quote:
trueze said: I wouldn't eat bones, but I'd want to get the marrow out.
Bones are maybe the healthiest part of the animal. Tons of minerals and the marrow is amazing. Attached to the bones the cartilage, and tendons and fluids are loaded with glucosomine and chrondroitin and gelatin. I'd rather eat those parts than the meet myself.
To each their own, I guess.
If you want you can send me the meat then. haha
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: trueze]
#17521633 - 01/09/13 10:32 AM (12 years, 9 days ago) |
|
|
I'll be sharing that with my dogs.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
|
GuruBushHippie
MountainMan


Registered: 04/28/11
Posts: 3,434
Loc: USA
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Icelander]
#17521677 - 01/09/13 10:42 AM (12 years, 9 days ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Icelander said: I'll be sharing that with my dogs.
My husky never had an interest in retrieving kills until she tasted rabbits and squirrels. Now she's first on the scene and can barely control her excitement when she come trotting back, kill in mouth.
-------------------- Two roads diverged in a wood, and I cut straight through the forest, and that has made all the difference.
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
|
There is nothing better imo then being afield with your dogs. If I have my dogs I never want for human company.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
|
Lord_McLovin
mad scientist on shrooms


Registered: 04/09/11
Posts: 3,071
Loc: infinite dimensional void
Last seen: 7 years, 24 days
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Icelander]
#17596315 - 01/23/13 12:56 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
stop eating dem beautiful creatures?

|
Dough
Chillin


Registered: 05/25/12
Posts: 1,110
Loc: New England
Last seen: 7 years, 8 days
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Lord_McLovin]
#17596340 - 01/23/13 01:00 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
theyre rats tho
-------------------- Trippy Kit
trippy mane
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Lord_McLovin]
#17596431 - 01/23/13 01:14 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Lord_McLovin said:
stop eating dem beautiful creatures?


Do you eat any meat? And... plants are beautiful too. I'd suggest you quit eating.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
|
Lord_McLovin
mad scientist on shrooms


Registered: 04/09/11
Posts: 3,071
Loc: infinite dimensional void
Last seen: 7 years, 24 days
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Icelander]
#17596535 - 01/23/13 01:28 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Do you eat any meat?
Hell no.
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Lord_McLovin] 1
#17596548 - 01/23/13 01:30 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Well leave them beautiful plants alone too. I hate it when you make them scream.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
|
GuruBushHippie
MountainMan


Registered: 04/28/11
Posts: 3,434
Loc: USA
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Lord_McLovin]
#17597109 - 01/23/13 03:03 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Lord_McLovin said:
Quote:
Do you eat any meat?
Hell no. 
I'm so sorry that must be awful. If you ever decide to indulge in in the greatness that is cooked meat, I'll have a bowl of squirrel stew waiting for you
-------------------- Two roads diverged in a wood, and I cut straight through the forest, and that has made all the difference.
|
r00tuuu123
Now I'm just really piseed



Registered: 04/20/12
Posts: 8,507
Loc: I'll be there in a minute
Last seen: 8 years, 10 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Rifki]
#17599765 - 01/23/13 11:00 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Rifki said: i thought only mountain men hicks ate squirrel's.
Squirrel is delicious.
--------------------
Please report me to a Mod for hurting your punk ass hippie feelings And all time Champion thread killer.
|
ashfiken
TotalCrazyasshole


Registered: 09/06/06
Posts: 3,460
Loc: SCranton
Last seen: 9 hours, 10 minutes
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Icelander]
#17609416 - 01/25/13 02:35 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Icelander said:
Quote:
Lord_McLovin said:
stop eating dem beautiful creatures?


Do you eat any meat? And... plants are beautiful too. I'd suggest you quit eating.
Haha and that is One of those cute Canadian looking squirrels anyway, the ones round here are twice the size dull gray and twice as Plentiful!
1L
-------------------- hmm...
"I'm naked and fearless... And my fear is naked."
"life isn't worth living without the threat of death"
"I got my plans in a ziploc bag, let's see how unproductive we can be"
"nobody lives their lives fully except for bull fighters"
My Trade List
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: ashfiken]
#17610013 - 01/25/13 04:36 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
If that's a red squirrel they are smaller but more vicious and drive other squirrels out of their range from what I've read.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
|
ashfiken
TotalCrazyasshole


Registered: 09/06/06
Posts: 3,460
Loc: SCranton
Last seen: 9 hours, 10 minutes
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Icelander]
#17610617 - 01/25/13 06:45 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
They may. But are def cuter looking then the dull gray ones imo.
1L
-------------------- hmm...
"I'm naked and fearless... And my fear is naked."
"life isn't worth living without the threat of death"
"I got my plans in a ziploc bag, let's see how unproductive we can be"
"nobody lives their lives fully except for bull fighters"
My Trade List
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: ashfiken]
#17611037 - 01/25/13 08:19 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
I hear they don't taste very good living on pine cones.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
|
MorphinTime
Tulpa



Registered: 09/05/11
Posts: 7,152
Loc: Angel Grove
Last seen: 4 months, 13 days
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Icelander]
#17764296 - 02/07/13 08:56 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
If you're rimfire hunting try using subsonic ammo or CB caps since they're so quiet. I wouldn't use CB caps in longer barrels (18"+) though; I've heard cases of them getting stuck.
|
GuruBushHippie
MountainMan


Registered: 04/28/11
Posts: 3,434
Loc: USA
Last seen: 7 years, 3 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: MorphinTime]
#17769900 - 02/08/13 08:56 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Icelander said: I hear they don't taste very good living on pine cones.
Pine cones are not their primary food source by any means. More often they just chew them to keep their teeth from growing exponentially. A forest dwelling squirrel's main diet consists of nuts, seeds, and fruits. They are also known to eat fungi, bird eggs, and insects.
Quote:
MorphinTime said: If you're rimfire hunting try using subsonic ammo or CB caps since they're so quiet. I wouldn't use CB caps in longer barrels (18"+) though; I've heard cases of them getting stuck.
I typically use my .177 air gun, but I've taken plenty of squirrels with my .22 Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle. The noise from a standard .22 round really isn't an issue in my experience. The problem I have with the CB caps is the decreased velocity. They are pretty much all primer and no powder and have an average speed of around 500 fps which is horrible for distance shots. Hence the reason they sometimes get stuck. A well placed shot with a standard .22 round is more than adequate. I've actually had a lot of success with high velocity .22 rounds, especially when it comes to taking down rabbits.
-------------------- Two roads diverged in a wood, and I cut straight through the forest, and that has made all the difference.
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
|
Turns out you're right.
Unlike the gray squirrel whose diet consists largely (although not exclusively) of nuts and seeds, red squirrels are complete omnivores, consuming a tremendous variety of food. In addition to nuts, seeds, buds, bark, fruits, mushrooms (which are often hung to dry in tree branches), they are successful predators on bird's eggs, nestlings, voles, young rabbits, frogs, salamanders, and insects. In fact, I recall reading that they will eat anything that will not eat them.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Icelander]
#17773310 - 02/09/13 03:41 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
These delicate looking little animals, weighing not much more than about 230 g, are in fact aggressively fearless, not at all reluctant to chase intruders many times their size. People get a kick out of seeing these squirrels stamping their feet, flicking their tails, and scolding vociferously in what seems like a paroxysm of rage. Anyone who has ventured near one of their food caches has been treated to this display. At times they get so agitated that they nearly fall out of the tree in their anxiety to see the interloper off.
They can often be seen chasing away larger gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) who rarely put up a fight when confronted by these red terrors. A few years ago, I watched a red squirrel quite literally riding on the back of a gray squirrel and repeatedly biting its head. The gray was running, with difficulty, trying to shake the smaller animal from its back, with no success. I don't know what the outcome was because the gray managed to climb a tree and vanish, still with the red on its back! Was this simply a matter of chasing away an intruder taken to extreme, or was there a more insidious intent, with the gray being viewed as food?
Some years ago, I found a red squirrel feeding on the hindquarters of a gray squirrel (black phase). I never knew whether the gray squirrel had been killed by the red squirrel, or whether, as seems more likely, it had simply come across the animal already deceased and had taken advantage of a good source of protein (the flesh) and calcium and minerals (the bones). I watched this squirrel for a long time and it both ate the meaty part of the gray squirrel and gnawed on the bones. I have also seen red squirrels gnawing on bones of various animals, including those of a rabbit at the FWG.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom.
" All that lives was born to die"-Anom.
With much wisdom comes much sorrow,
The more knowledge, the more grief.
Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
|
MorphinTime
Tulpa



Registered: 09/05/11
Posts: 7,152
Loc: Angel Grove
Last seen: 4 months, 13 days
|
|
Quote:
GuruBushHippie said: I typically use my .177 air gun, but I've taken plenty of squirrels with my .22 Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle. The noise from a standard .22 round really isn't an issue in my experience. The problem I have with the CB caps is the decreased velocity. They are pretty much all primer and no powder and have an average speed of around 500 fps which is horrible for distance shots. Hence the reason they sometimes get stuck. A well placed shot with a standard .22 round is more than adequate. I've actually had a lot of success with high velocity .22 rounds, especially when it comes to taking down rabbits.
I usually just use standard velocity .22 lr, but in some places the squirrels are more skittish and subsonic rounds may be more suitable. I don't personally use CB caps, but they are really quiet. Not great for longer shots as you said, but the bullet has enough mass to do the job on closer shots.
|
Boutang
AKMC




Registered: 01/25/06
Posts: 1,660
|
|
They fucking love peanut butter.
When I was young I would put tons of peanut butter on paper plates around my property and sit on my porches and wait for them to come running over to it.
Not much of a need to bait them though since there's an insane amount of squirrels around where I live.
--------------------
  
North to the future is our motto I'm still up north no future to follow
We do these things and we don't give a fuck, we fire up a blunt in the car bumping Cougnut.
|
gandalf579
Mushroom Hunter

Registered: 09/28/07
Posts: 907
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
|
Re: Tips for hunting squirrels: [Re: Boutang]
#17808044 - 02/15/13 03:38 PM (11 years, 10 months ago) |
|
|
I love to hunt squirrels! Mainly greys but if I'm desperate I'll take a red. I only use my trusty Nylon 66 .22 LR (with scope). Slings are OK for short shots, say up to 50-75 feet away, but much further and they lose accuracy and velocity. With my .22 (with scope) I can tack drive at 250 feet, no need to get so close and risk "spooking" the squirrels.
If I'm camping or just making a quick lunch I just spit roast em over an open fire. At home I like to have em for breakfast.
I brown em in one pot and then boil em in another (using chicken broth or just plain water) until fully cooked. In the first pot I make a rue using the butter/oil that I browned the squirrel in and add flour, then cook the rue to a very light brown. While the rue is cooking I pick/pull the meat off the squirrel and set aside until the rue is cooked. After the rue is cooked I add some of the chicken broth (that I used to cook the squirrel) and a splash or two of whole milk to make a gravy. The amount of broth and milk I add all depends on how big of a pot of gravy I'm making. Right before the gravy is fully cooked I add the squirrel meat to it to heat through. The whole time seasoning to taste. I serve the gravy on a couple of slices of toasted white bread. Delicious!!!
|
|