My 12 year old son passed the NYS hunter safety course yesterday. Since he is not old enough to shoot a deer in the state of NY, I promised to take him on a squirrel hunt when the season opens. This will be the first squirrel hunt for both of us. What load would you recommend in a 12 Ga. shotgun. Do you think sticking to .22 rife would be a wiser choice. I thought that it would be easier for him with a shotgun but the 12 ga. might be too powerful for small game like squirrel. Any other advice would also be appreciated.
Squirrel Hunting with a 12 Ga.
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I'll vote for the .22 vs. 12 guage, for a few reasons ---
12 guage shotguns are large, heavy, probably awkward for a 12-year old, and have recoil probably off-putting to a kid.
Most .22's (I'm assuming a rifle ...) are more user-friendly, recoil-free, and demand more precision in aiming, all desirable attributes for a young shooter...
Head shots with a .22 waste no meat, shotguns ruin much...
12 guage shotguns are large, heavy, probably awkward for a 12-year old, and have recoil probably off-putting to a kid.
Most .22's (I'm assuming a rifle ...) are more user-friendly, recoil-free, and demand more precision in aiming, all desirable attributes for a young shooter...
Head shots with a .22 waste no meat, shotguns ruin much...
reerc
Member
What jkc said, depending on how large/sturdy/strong your 12 YO is, a 12 ga. shotgun may be quite a handful ... er, shoulderful.
A 12 YO kid can learn a lot of gun safety, learn to make their shots count, and have a heck of a lot of fun on the relatively cheap with a .22
Happy shooting, and enjoy your time together!
A 12 YO kid can learn a lot of gun safety, learn to make their shots count, and have a heck of a lot of fun on the relatively cheap with a .22
Happy shooting, and enjoy your time together!
GatorFarmer
Member
How close can you get to said squirrels? I ask since tree rats in some areas are more used to humans, and thus unfraid. In other places, the range might be a bit longer.
You could of course put a scope on the .22. Results will depend on how good a shot your son is.
Also, do you want to eat the squirrels or just shoot them? Some people just hate squirrels.
If I were to use a shotgun on squirrels, I'd probably just use game loads from my local Walmart and pick what was in stock, which would be either number 6 or 8 shot.
You could of course put a scope on the .22. Results will depend on how good a shot your son is.
Also, do you want to eat the squirrels or just shoot them? Some people just hate squirrels.
If I were to use a shotgun on squirrels, I'd probably just use game loads from my local Walmart and pick what was in stock, which would be either number 6 or 8 shot.
USAF385
US Veteran
I'd go with the .22.
I also agree that a 12 gauge seems too much for a 12 year old. I've never hunted squirrel with a shotgun, but I don't think I would even use a 12 gauge myself.
Throw a scope on the .22 to help teach the finer aspect of scoped rifle hunting.
I also agree that a 12 gauge seems too much for a 12 year old. I've never hunted squirrel with a shotgun, but I don't think I would even use a 12 gauge myself.
Throw a scope on the .22 to help teach the finer aspect of scoped rifle hunting.
Gamer
Member
I'm guessing you want this to be a good experience so I'd steer clear of the 12. As for the 22, a big maybe IMO cause those tree rats can be tough to hit even for an experienced hunter. 
On a personal note, my first shooting/hunting experience was with a 20 gauge single barrel. I later moved up to a 12 Remington 1100 of my Dad's but it felt good to have "my own" gun. The recoil wasn't bad at all and I did go on my first deer hunting trip with it too. Looking back I learned a lot with that 20, how to shoot, cleaning, saftey and you name it. If he's got a birthday or something between now and hunting season I'd think about it. It could be a good tool to teach him ownership etc and they are fairly inexpensive.
On a personal note, my first shooting/hunting experience was with a 20 gauge single barrel. I later moved up to a 12 Remington 1100 of my Dad's but it felt good to have "my own" gun. The recoil wasn't bad at all and I did go on my first deer hunting trip with it too. Looking back I learned a lot with that 20, how to shoot, cleaning, saftey and you name it. If he's got a birthday or something between now and hunting season I'd think about it. It could be a good tool to teach him ownership etc and they are fairly inexpensive.
My first squirrel hunting was done with a single shot 410. Unless you're spending enough time practicing with the 22 he'll find squirrel hunting with one frustrating. When my daughter decided she wanted to try squirrel hunting I was able to find a cheap bolt action 410 for around $60. She has since moved on to better firearms but it was a useful tool.
mississippi revolverman
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Grew up squirrel hunting and rather do tha than eat. In Mississippi I always used a 12 ga first part of the season when leaves were still on the trees and the ground was dry and nosiy. After the hard frost would change over to the 22,
Most unforgetable morning got 21 squirrel and was out the wolds by 10:00
Most unforgetable morning got 21 squirrel and was out the wolds by 10:00
Forester
Member
How old do you have to be to shot a deer in the state of NY?
I have a buddy who has three sons. They all have gotten a deer by the age of 9.
Just curious.
I have a buddy who has three sons. They all have gotten a deer by the age of 9.
Just curious.
pps
Member
To this very day I use a .410 with anything from #5 to#9 shot whenever I'm in an area where a ricochet from the 22 would be unacceptable.
ACP230
Member
I shot a few squirrels with a 12 and a 16 gauge shotgun using seven and a half or six shot.
They weren't torn up much even with the 12.
I'd say use of a 12 by a 12-year-old depends on the kid and the 12.
My son and I went looking for a shotgun for him when he was 12. We found a deal on a pump J.C. Higgins that fit him like a glove but was a 12 gauge. He told me he could handle it and was right. He's done well on clay targets and game with that old pump.
They weren't torn up much even with the 12.
I'd say use of a 12 by a 12-year-old depends on the kid and the 12.
My son and I went looking for a shotgun for him when he was 12. We found a deal on a pump J.C. Higgins that fit him like a glove but was a 12 gauge. He told me he could handle it and was right. He's done well on clay targets and game with that old pump.
butchd
Member
In the earliest part of my hunting career, a 12 was all I had. It hunted everything. I could buy #6 shot shells for 8 cents each from the little store up the road. I chomped on several lead shots that escaped inspection. That would have been bad with steel shot. Alas, appetites change but if I were gioing for a mulligan today it would be with a .22. IMO if you don't eat it let it go.
gunlovingirl
Member
Either use a .22, or better yet, go out and buy him a .410 of his very own to commemorate the event. If that's not an option, don't let him read this!
By all means, the .22! Squirrels don't fly and so are not suitable targets for shotguns. 
When I went on my first squirrel hunt with Dad and Grandpa, all I had of my own was a 16-gauge single shot - full choke. My Dad, who was not one to buy things for his kids (he preferred they work and earn the money themselves), suggested I have a talk with my Grandma. Her late husband had stored a .22 rifle in his attic and Grandma had told Dad she would give it to me when he thought I was old enough. He helped me install a cheap scope and sight it in.
The lessons learned about marksmanship (only head shots were permitted), and "squirrel hunting tactics" ( ), were a great thrill. I still recall the early morning car ride to the squirrel woods, with all the rifles in the back seat of the car, protected by a blanket. (No one used gun cases back then as they cost money and blankets were something we already had.)
.22 rifles and squirrel hunting just go together.
When I went on my first squirrel hunt with Dad and Grandpa, all I had of my own was a 16-gauge single shot - full choke. My Dad, who was not one to buy things for his kids (he preferred they work and earn the money themselves), suggested I have a talk with my Grandma. Her late husband had stored a .22 rifle in his attic and Grandma had told Dad she would give it to me when he thought I was old enough. He helped me install a cheap scope and sight it in.
The lessons learned about marksmanship (only head shots were permitted), and "squirrel hunting tactics" (
), were a great thrill. I still recall the early morning car ride to the squirrel woods, with all the rifles in the back seat of the car, protected by a blanket. (No one used gun cases back then as they cost money and blankets were something we already had.).22 rifles and squirrel hunting just go together.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Agree with this-shotgun for earlier in the year 22 for late season. The kid wants to hit something and to be honest hunting squirrels with a 22 takes some serious marksmanship.. My favorite squirrel gun (one I haven't used if a while) was a mint condition 11-28 Remington in .410 ga-I need to break that one out again.
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gunsmith11
Member
nothing but a .22 for squirrel
nitesite
Member
What is the distance to the nearest inhabited area? How densely populated are the surroundings?
Not knowing more about the safety concern or how good of a marksman he is, it's a tough call for me to suggest a twenty-two.
But if you do think of trying the rimfire rifle, please make it something other than a semi-automatic.
Not knowing more about the safety concern or how good of a marksman he is, it's a tough call for me to suggest a twenty-two.
But if you do think of trying the rimfire rifle, please make it something other than a semi-automatic.
Andy Griffith
Member
By all means, the .22! Squirrels don't fly and so are not suitable targets for shotguns.
What?!?!?!
Haven't you heard of a flying squirrel?
They be kinda hard to hit with a S&W K-22 on the "wing."
I'll vote for a shotgun to start with depending on location within relation to inhabited areas. A cheap .410 or even 28 gauge will fill the ticket nicely.
If the squirrels are "back yard" game, get some "rat shot" for the .22, or some .22 Short CB's from CCI if you are worried about distance.
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NFrameFred
Member
Depends on the child. I've seen 12 year olds that can handle a 12 gauge and some that couldn't take the recoil of a 3" .410.
Also, as has been mentioned, the idea is to start him out with a "sure thing" as much as possible for encouragement and positive reinforcement. Unless he's a much practiced dead shot with a .22, chasing tree rats with little lead pills and not scoring can be discouraging, as well as possibly dangerous.
Also, there is a difference in a 12 gauge semi-auto that 'pushes' against you and an old polk stoke single barrel that wallops anyone who shoots it. If he has the stature to handle an available 12 gauge SA, load it as a single shot and start him out that way. Trap & skeet loads are another option.
Even with the lowly .22LR one must be very conscious of his back stop since they can fly quite a ways with the power to injure or kill.
A lot of variables to take into consideration - too many to make a definitive blanket statement about what works best. Depends on the individual's stature, experience, ammunition used, and the area to be hunted for starters.
Also, as has been mentioned, the idea is to start him out with a "sure thing" as much as possible for encouragement and positive reinforcement. Unless he's a much practiced dead shot with a .22, chasing tree rats with little lead pills and not scoring can be discouraging, as well as possibly dangerous.
Also, there is a difference in a 12 gauge semi-auto that 'pushes' against you and an old polk stoke single barrel that wallops anyone who shoots it. If he has the stature to handle an available 12 gauge SA, load it as a single shot and start him out that way. Trap & skeet loads are another option.
Even with the lowly .22LR one must be very conscious of his back stop since they can fly quite a ways with the power to injure or kill.
A lot of variables to take into consideration - too many to make a definitive blanket statement about what works best. Depends on the individual's stature, experience, ammunition used, and the area to be hunted for starters.
nitesite
Member
I know I just posted three rows up, but I wish I would have added that some 7½ light trap loads and a 12-ga would be what I would him start with. Something like the Remington STS12LR which is a light recoil load doing 1100-fps.
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/shotshell/target/premier_sts.asp
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/shotshell/target/premier_sts.asp
