Squirrel hunting tools of the trade (pic)...

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canoeguy

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Squirrel season started last Saturday (6 September) here in Virginia. I am as excited as I have ever been to hunt as I have a little bit of mountain land here in Southwest Virginia that borders the Jefferson National Forest, I can step out my back door and roam thousands of acres in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Previously, I had to drive four hours to hunt on overcrowded public hunting lands...

I'll do a little bit of squirrel and rabbit hunting as a means to scout for deer, which opens in November.

So, today I went to town for my hunting license, picked up a new cammy top and cheap backpack to carry game in. Got my Ruger 10/22 Sporter all sighted in, dead on and deadly accurate with a Redfield "Revelation" 2-7 power scope. When I bag a squirrel, I"ll have my trusty Schrade "Old Timer" to do the field dressing duties.

A pic of my gear:

IMG_4379_zps30a37848.jpg


So, what kind of rifle and gear will you use to hunt with this season?
 
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Can't hunt anymore, but I admire your taste. I assume that's a real Old Timer, not one of the Chinese imports. Great knives--I've owned lots of them, all with good 1095 steel blades.

When I hunted squirrels I used a Marlin 39A with a Lyman aperture sight, wore full camo including a net face mask, and carried an Old Timer 158OT, the drop-point version of the splendid little Sharpfinger, without the gut hook. I've given those to my son and each of his three boys, and they love them.

Naturally I also had a pocketknife, but if I'm dressed I have at least one knife.
 
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Shouldazagged,

Yes, it is a real Old Timer Schrade, it is marked "Schrade USA 610T", I can't remember where or when I got it, but I've had it a while. I love the long, narrow main blade for field dressing small game...
 
Ah, the .22 for squirrels. That's the ticket. It's probably the most fun I've actually had hunting.
I love deer and turkey, but I grew up on squirrels.
I find its fun again as all the gear is LIGHT.
I use a Marlin 39A with a 3x9 Bushnell or a Marlin 60.
When I feel lucky, I'll take my S&W 17 8 3/8" barrel.
 
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Nice set up for squirrel hunting, I use the same rifle and it is challenging to kill them without tearing up the meat. I usually aim for the eye but miss more than I hit.
Like you, it is an excellent way to scout the woods for deer sign before the rut begins.
Good luck hunting and let us know how you do; stay safe!
 
Squirrel hunting is how I started out hunting, but for whatever reason, I quit going..

Then two years ago i started squirrel hunting again, after a friend with a good squirrel dog talked me into taking him.. I had forgotten how much fun it was. Plus, my son absolutely loves it.. Plenty of shooting and we don't have to be "quiet" for hours on end :)

Last year I even quit deer hunting the last few weeks of season, so me & the boy could go squirrel hunting
 
One of my intended gun buys is a CZ-452 .22, and I hope I get one and use it on squirrels.

However, my Marlin 795SS is quite accurate.

They can be shotgunned, but that isn't the way I like to hunt them. I understand that No. 6 shot is good for that.
 
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Texas Star said:
One of my intended gun buys is a CZ-452 .22, and I hope I get one and use it on squirrels.

However, my Marlin 795SS is quite accurate.

They can be shotgunned, but that isn't the way I like to hunt them. I understand that No. 6 shot is good for that.
Click to expand...

The CZ 452 is my small game rifle. It has a 3 X 9 Weaver scope, and when used with 22 short HP, it's whisper quiet, and a squirrel's worst nightmare.
 
My dad and grandfather would never let me hunt squirrels with a .22 caliber when I was a kid. They said never to shoot a rifle in the air, which is what you are doing when shooting squirrels up in the trees. I always had to use a shotgun. Which was fine. I guess a miss with the rifle could travel a country mile. I still use a single shot 20 ga. H&R youth size gun from the early 70's - my first gun - for squirrel. For rabbit, it's my trusty 1954 Remington Model 48 Sportsman.
 
Me and my pards hunt for meat... but do it in a competitive way. We go out and see who can shoot as many squirrels through one of the eyes. You'd be surprised at how good you can become when you... aim small, miss small.

.22LR Remington 541-T, with 12x Leupold...
IMG_0797A_zpsa52e589a.jpg


My Puma Gamewarden (on the right)... had it since the '70's... and it has skinned-out many a squirrel, rabbit, etc...
IMG_0430_zps4ed12628.jpg


We used to hunt squirrels on horseback... but there's just too dang many deer-huntin' idiots out there who don't know the difference twixt a equine and a deer. Most time... them suddenly-awake shooters couldn't hit a cow in the tit with a tin-cup... but I ain't takin' no chances with 'em.
 
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Ruger 10/22 topped with a Burris 3X9 compact. I have a Schrade Uncle Henry for skinning chores. It's my second Uncle Henry. My dad gave me my first when I was 13. After a few decades of skinning out squirrels, deer and other cutting chores the blade was worn to 1/3 of its original depth. Fortunately I found a USA made Uncle Henry and retired the first.
 
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