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Squirrel season

12K views 71 replies 31 participants last post by  garhtr 
#1 ·
Hard to believe the summer is flying by and we can be hunting those little munchers next month this time, I haven't seen much of a nut crop this year as much as last year. Have to get the air rifle fired up soon.
 
#2 ·
I've looked at some oak trees that have tons of acorns, but they're all tiny! Doesn't look like they'll amount to much unless we get some significant rain ASAP!

Same thing happened last year, sort of. There was almost no precip from January thru May, then we almost drowned in June with 25 days of rain in the month. Then, when it decided to dry up, it seriously dried up! June prompted my buddy's Chestnut trees to set about a zillion burrs. We thought we'd be in chestnut heaven, but when they started falling the nuts were all tiny and undeveloped. We left them for the squirrels, which we have to fight for the chestnuts anyway!
 
#5 ·
I'm ready to shoot some tree rats. Just got the savage .22/20ga out the other day. Hope the hickory trees turn yellow soon. Because the acorns are few and far between this year
 
#6 ·
Rain has been a big issue for our nut trees as well. Friday I looked out the window and noticed a constant stream of leaves falling already.
Ready to shoot a few nut rats for sure. I want to try the recipe that was posted in the kitchen section for tacos.
 
#7 ·
I have to get my shotgun patterned and ready. And probably cut down the stock some. And grab some extra ammo. I might try out rio #6 game loads in place of the remington #6 game loads i normally use. The rio has 1/8 more shot.

Im going to wait until the average air temperature falls somewhere around 60-50° before getting out there. Not getting eaten up by mosquitoes and what not. Its funny because i dont mind spiders, but i detest anything that has wings.

Last year, i was able to kill one squirrel with my pardner pump 12 gauge before i couldnt go anymore due to lack of transportation.

On another note, i was at dicks the other day and saw a nice semi auto 20 gauge that was only 319, i think it was a tr imports silver eagle. It was lightweight and felt nice. I like the idea of the light recoil of a 20 and semi auto as well. Would make a good squirrel and dove gun.
 
#14 ·
I have to get my shotgun patterned and ready. And probably cut down the stock some. And grab some extra ammo. I might try out rio #6 game loads in place of the remington #6 game loads i normally use. The rio has 1/8 more shot.
I do not recommend Rio shot shells. I used them a couple times Trap shooting and my Shotguns were never dirtier. To me it seems like they don't burn the powder off clean or something, the barrel was full of trash by the time I shot 100 rounds. With The Remington's I normally use the barrel is just a smooth as before I shot.
 
#8 ·
One word to make early season squirrel hunting bearable. Thermacell. It will change your life in the woods.
 
#16 ·
I can tell you guys where not to hunt this year. I live on the top of a hill with some woods in the back of my property. It's in a city where you can't hunt, so I see squirrels there constantly on my walks through the woods. Except for this year. There is no permanent water source, and with the lack of rain, every little puddle has dried up! I haven't seen a squirrel here in 2 months! Usually, the clay soil holds some surface water, but not this year. Got plenty of forage for them on the property, but no water!

So, if you're hunting early this year, hunt near a water source!
 
#20 ·
Nice assortment RogerS! And it looks like you zapped every one of them right through the head. Good shooting! Good eating!
 
#31 ·
There was a half dozen white squirrels in my hometown that would hang out around the school. We would watch them out the windows running across the power lines. There are always a few albino or just white ones killed in the woods every year locally, but I'd imagine they don't last long in the woods. They stick out pretty bad.
 
#35 ·
got 4 gray and 2 fox yesterday.22 winchester model 150. waiting for sun up to go again.
Nice job !
What area and what are they cutting ?
Squirrels are killing the buckeyes in my area - S/W Ohio . Shag bark hickory nuts and walnuts are very scattered but pignuts seem to be in great abundance along with acorns.
Good luck and Good hunting !
 
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