First Hunt of the Season

[Jon Payne]

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Most started bow hunting this morning. This year I went after tree rats.


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[Chaos]

Is that first one a Fox (looks red)?

Nice hunt....

[Jon Payne]

Is that first one a Fox (looks red)?

Nice hunt....

Why yes, yes it was. A vintage 870 Wingmaster in 16 GA with high brass number 5’s will reach in the top of the pines and cypress.


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[Jon Payne]

Even though it’s small game hunting (which I love) there’s always something to learn about tactics and behavior.


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[Chaos]

Happy eating, Brother....

[Jon Payne]

Happy eating, Brother....

Thanks, I got enough for a couple of recipes.


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[Jon Payne]

So what does the tribe think gives the squirrel’s position away to the hunter?


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[SUA SPONTE]

Nice fouling piece and that's a big ass tree rat on the left!

Sound and movement is what always zeros me in on squirrels.

[paknheat]

Ok, I’ll play. Just speaking for myself, when I’m out after tree rats it’s their movement that catches my attention.

My eyes aren’t what they were some years back & I can’t pick them out in the trees anymore until I catch their movement up in the branches.


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[Jon Payne]

Nice fouling piece and that's a big ass tree rat on the left!

Sound and movement is what always zeros me in on squirrels.

My first one of the day. I had to let 4-5 gray squirrels pass to get that big old sow.


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[Chaos]

Ok, I’ll play. Just speaking for myself, when I’m out after tree rats it’s their movement that catches my attention.

My eyes aren’t what they were some years back & I can’t pick them out in the trees anymore until I catch their movement up in the branches.


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Yep...I have always depended on my peripheral vision first and then sound to locate them....

[Jon Payne]

With grey squirrels its movement that gives them away. To their detriment, if you spook one and then stay motionless they’ll come back to see what you are. Had one do that today while I was sitting on a downed oak. Took him with a head shot when he peeked at me through a fork in a tree.

The fox squirrel has different habits. If they see you first they sprint across the top of the trees going 100 yards or more before they stop to see what you were. I normally located fox squirrels by sound. The sound of them climbing and scurrying as well as them “cutting”. When I hear them cutting I tend to stay real still until they show themselves.

What I love about small game hunting is many of the same principles apply when hunting/stalking the human animal.


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[Redbug]

I use binoculars and slowly go around the tree looking. Sometimes you have to reverse direction to fool them as they go around opposite you. I have pecan trees in the yard and my squirrels have started wearing level 3A.

[Huntindoc]

They tend to use sound as well. So if they are on the opposite side of the tree, tossing a dead branch or even my water bottle around the other side of the tree will often have them scurry around to my side.

[DavySprocket]

Does wearing camo make a difference? From what I understand deer can't tell the difference, but a turkey will think you glow in the dark if you aren't covered in camo.
I have an old sxs 20 I'd love to learn to stalk with.

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[Forklift]

The grey's are the most fun, th swishing of the tail or their insatiable curiosity gets them every time. Many times I've sat and knocked on the buttstock of the rifle a few times then wait for them to come out to see what it was. Then there is the that knot doesn't look right on the tree branch. Some good eating too!

[Jon Payne]

Does wearing camo make a difference? From what I understand deer can't tell the difference, but a turkey will think you glow in the dark if you aren't covered in camo.
I have an old sxs 20 I'd love to learn to stalk with.

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Camo doesn’t make a difference imho. I normally just wear subdued earth tones.


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[7 Mary 3]

I was told years ago that they move more at high tide. I have no clue why that means anything but you always listen to old people.

Chucking a stick to the other side of the tree can get them to hop to your side for sure.

Ive read garlic is a key to making them tasty.

7M3

[Bubba]

Looks like a great time. I also spent my time outdoors this weekend, hunting whitetail with a stick and a string.
Watched a lot of grey squirrels come over and bitch at me for invading there tree tops.
A lot can be learned hunting wild animals.
Good to see you hunting. Looking forward to training with you soon.

[Redbug]

In a survival situation...if things did go to hell...squirrels are number one for meat. They can be found just about everywhere...in parks, back yards and deep woods. They only require a 22, and not everyone knows how to hunt them. 22 rounds are cheap and best for small game. I have a mound of 22 ammo stored away. Most of us do or should. Squirrels come in small packages. Who needs something large like a deer, (which is harder to hunt), and the meat will go bad before you can eat all of it.

Here's a few fancy squirrel recipes: https://www.survivalsullivan.com/squirrel-recipes/

[BobM]

Timely thread. I’m in a camping trip now and plan on slipping out with a suppressed 22 pistol to try to get a couple squirrels myself.

[Chainsaw76]

I wear whatever when hunting, especially squirrel. I have been using a Cricket single shot with peep sights and go for head shots. When the rat is on the far side of the tree, I make a loud kissing sound on the back of my off hand then take the inevitable head shot as soon as the rat looks around the side of the trunk to see what is making the noise. Works with a pellet gun too.

Fry until brown and sticky, add one half cup of whiskey add lid to pan and cook for another 10 mins. Remove lid and finish off to crisp exterior. Fried taters, brown gravy, biscuits, and whatever greens you want with adult beverage. My favorite meal.

Back in the day, we were paid .25 cents bounty per tree rat by pecan orchard owner. Now, with all the newcomers, they want to charge me to hunt. I tell them the same thing I told a rancher who wanted to charge me for hunting yotes and feral hogs.�� I figured a drug test was in order as I figure I am doing them a favor.

jim