arkdweller22
Member
For all the reasons stated above: I'd stick with the .22. He can graduate to something larger/more powerful when he gets good with the aforementioned .22.
Regards,
Arkdweller
Regards,
Arkdweller
Squirrel Hunting with a 12 Ga.
- Thread starter shootndoc
- Start date
oldRoger
US Veteran
I agree with the .410 advice, IMO it is the way to learn. A friend's father could throw an empty can w/a bit of sand a long way. After a few rounds of can shooting, it was off to the woods.
The .22 is a fair alternative but you must watch your backstop carefully, not easy to do when you have a nice silhouette of a squirrel on a limb.
The .22 is a fair alternative but you must watch your backstop carefully, not easy to do when you have a nice silhouette of a squirrel on a limb.
yanici
US Veteran
Here in Eastern MA the method, by law, is shotgun. You can use an air rifle or air pistol also. A good airgun is deadly and nice and quiet so you don't spook all the other potential targets.
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I started hunting on my dads land at 10-- not supposed to until 14 in those days---ah don't tell anyone---oh yea I am on a forum. I grew up in NY and used a 22 for sitting and waiting for squirrels to come to me and a 12 gauge (#6 or #7 shot) for on the move. On the cold windy-overcast days they stayed pretty close to the tops of the trees where a 22 will fly on past your target and end up in the dude's house on the other end of the block, the 12 gauge had the power to reach out and kill them at 75 to 100 feet up the tree where a 20 gauge or 410 would not be that great at a kill shot without some luck. I shot hundreds of squirrels, rabbits, ducks, geese, grouse, pheasants, doves, and dozens of deer and turkey out of my trusty (first gun) 870 Remington with the 30 inch full , 26 inch modified, and slug barrels. Upstate NY (not the mountains) is shotgun only county pretty much. I know a bunch of old friends that had nothing but shotguns for all game. My 22 was for rat patrol outside the pheasant pens we had, and occasionally for the squirrel that was on the ground with a proper backstop. Oh and the loud-ass frogs by the pond. I got in trouble for that one though--while going around the pond shooting frogs and turtles my Black Lab named Spike (RIP) would follow me while hunting those croakers; well when he hunted frogs by himself--leaving them on the grass half dead/stinking waiting for the lawn mower, my dad had a small issue with that and the fact he was better hunting those dudes then the pheasants he was trained to hunt up. I still don't hear the end of it when I get to shooting the bull with dad about ol Spike the frog hunter. Great memories.
USAF385
US Veteran
I mentioned earlier I'd use .22, but I have to agree .410 or even 20 gauge would be a good choice as well.
SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY!!! Forty and Fifty years ago I always used a .22 for squirrels but now NC has so many houses I would not shoot a .22 in the air. A bullet goes through a squirrel or misses and then no telling where it goes. Larry
USAF385
US Veteran
You bring up a very good point. Depending on where you are doing your hunting, this can be an issue. I'm lucky enough to share 102 acres with my brother.. with enough thick tree growth this isn't a concern for me.
Frizzman
US Veteran
I started hunting squrirrel when I was around 12. I had a Remmington Speedmaster .22 I got for Christmas. My father helped me get a scope for it and taught me to shoot. I didn't bring any home often but I got lots of experience in being patient and still and taking time to get a good shot. These were skills that helped me later when I started hunting bigger game. When I did get one or two, it was exciting. I always cleaned them and my mother cooked them for me...she thought they were disgusting.
When I was around 15, I was given a Savage 311 double 12ga, full and modified. That became my everything hunting gun. I used #6's for rabbits and squirrel. I used 00 buck for deer. I got both with that old shotgun. For years after that, I used a shotgun for the little critters. I became bored with small game hunting and considered it a waste of time and only hunted deer.
A few years ago, I was hunting on some private land and the deer hunting was very slow. Neighboring hunt clubs had shot out almost all of the deer when running dogs. I was in the stand one day and noticed there were lots of squirrels on the ground and in the trees. I was going to go get my shotgun but picked up my old .22 instead. I went back to my stand and shot a mess of the bushytails. My hunting buddy and I had a nice squirrel stew the next day in the hunting camp.
I bought myself a Marlin stainless bolt in gun in .22 mag and put a decent scope on it. I quit deer hunting and devoted myself to small game hunting. I found that I actually enjoy it more at this stage of life. Hauling my game out of the woods is easy. The cleaning is easier and I like squirrel if it's fixed properly.
So, I say get him to hunt the squirrels with a .22 and don't take him deer hunting until he gets good at stalking the bushytails and learns to pick his shots and learn that hunting is not just about slaughtering animals. If it were my son, he would have to earn the chance to hunt bigger game.
When I was around 15, I was given a Savage 311 double 12ga, full and modified. That became my everything hunting gun. I used #6's for rabbits and squirrel. I used 00 buck for deer. I got both with that old shotgun. For years after that, I used a shotgun for the little critters. I became bored with small game hunting and considered it a waste of time and only hunted deer.
A few years ago, I was hunting on some private land and the deer hunting was very slow. Neighboring hunt clubs had shot out almost all of the deer when running dogs. I was in the stand one day and noticed there were lots of squirrels on the ground and in the trees. I was going to go get my shotgun but picked up my old .22 instead. I went back to my stand and shot a mess of the bushytails. My hunting buddy and I had a nice squirrel stew the next day in the hunting camp.
I bought myself a Marlin stainless bolt in gun in .22 mag and put a decent scope on it. I quit deer hunting and devoted myself to small game hunting. I found that I actually enjoy it more at this stage of life. Hauling my game out of the woods is easy. The cleaning is easier and I like squirrel if it's fixed properly.
So, I say get him to hunt the squirrels with a .22 and don't take him deer hunting until he gets good at stalking the bushytails and learns to pick his shots and learn that hunting is not just about slaughtering animals. If it were my son, he would have to earn the chance to hunt bigger game.
Keep in mind the conditions of the forest he'll be hunting in. I grew up hunting squirrels first with a 20 gauge Remington 870. We first started hunting on Labor Day weekend when the trees were in full foliage and you couldn't always get a full view of the game. That shot spread came in handy. Then, as I became more experience I graduated to a .22 bolt action with a scope.
As I became more independent and experienced, I used the 20 ga. in the earlier part of the season when the leaves were on, then transitioned to the .22 when the forest canopy became more open later in the season. This method worked very well for my brothers and I in our youth.
As I became more independent and experienced, I used the 20 ga. in the earlier part of the season when the leaves were on, then transitioned to the .22 when the forest canopy became more open later in the season. This method worked very well for my brothers and I in our youth.
84CJ
US Veteran
.22 if its safe to shoot in your hunting area. Head shots only. Adds more sport to the hunt and gives you a feeling of accomplishment. Blasting away with a shotgun just seems too easy.Unless you have so many tree rats that you can stay busy blasting one after the other.
Lots of practice before heading to the woods.
Lots of practice before heading to the woods.
Crazy K38
Member
I think a 20ga would be the best for what you are doing and his age
canoesota
Member
Get him a 20 Gauge shotgun to shoot in a pump, or double. Get a youth size if he is a smallish size. Even a 22 rifle can be too long in the stock. Just like adults, a good fit helps the shooter. Teach him wing shooting sports like Skeet, Trap, and even Sporting Clays. A shotgun for a young hunter is a perfect one and only gun to get comfortable with. Different guns and hunting opportunities are eagerly awaited after mastering the shotgun on small game.
Thank you everyone, for your input. You seem to be fairly split on the .22/ shotgun debate. I'll have to scout out the woods where we plan to hunt in order to make a final decision.We have .22s and a 12 Ga. but no 20 or .410 . I'll try to borrow one to see how my son feels about shooting it. I'll keep you posted as the season approaches.
Shooter10
Member
I've read every message posted so far, and to my surprise, even though many claimed to be "old school", not one mentioned the most practical and useful firearm for tree rat hunting, the Savage #24. This was first, and my first one also a .22 lr over a full choke 410 barrel, later with many different combinations. I started my sons with that same little .22/410, and have added to it with a .22 wrm/20 guage, a .223/20 gauge, a 30-30/20 gauge, a .357/20 gauge and the last a .17/ 20 gauge. Each and every one came with a groved .22 scope attachment point or drilled and tapped for a better scope mount.
Several of these I picked up used at yard sales, although the last two did cost like rip, but still less than a new pump shotgun. A decent long eye relief scope is very necessary, to keep from getting cut by the scope from shotgun recoil.
The stiffness of the rifle barrel attached to the larger shotgun tube seems to enhance accruacy, and every one I have owned would shoot better than the operator could.
By moving the selecter, the operator shifts from rifle to shotgun barrel, and has instantaneous choice of which he shoots, I think i tis a great system for anyone.
Several of these I picked up used at yard sales, although the last two did cost like rip, but still less than a new pump shotgun. A decent long eye relief scope is very necessary, to keep from getting cut by the scope from shotgun recoil.
The stiffness of the rifle barrel attached to the larger shotgun tube seems to enhance accruacy, and every one I have owned would shoot better than the operator could.
By moving the selecter, the operator shifts from rifle to shotgun barrel, and has instantaneous choice of which he shoots, I think i tis a great system for anyone.
