Squirrel Hunting

[coach]

What is your favorite weapon when Squirrel hunting? This will be sons first year able to hunt, He is very good with his 22. but I was thinking 410. WHats everyone elses thought?

Also do you walk or sit for Squirrel I always sit for awhile then walk a little then sit. Many freinds tell me they walk slow and use a call. WHats your thoughts here.

Thanks in advance.

Doug

[huntman63]

410 Is My Choice This Time Of Year Due To All The Leaves And Stuff,i Do Sitting Mostly And I Call Alot And It Works Great For Me,find The Acorns Trees Sit By Them Call After A Half Hour And Youll Be Shooting And Eating Some Great Dinners

[Jacob Huffman]

.22 bolt action.This time of year I sit due to all the leaves you have a harder time spotting them if they are in the trees.Sitting they run by and are easy targets,but the mosquitos can be pretty bad...my 2 cents..

[Huntsman27]

if the leaves are up now, its tough to spot them. I usually stick near the Hickory trees than acorns myself but either are good to watch. With all the leaves 410s arent the 1st choice. Id use a 20 with No5s, but I am watching the bigger oaks and hickory trees. 22s are nice also if you can use them safely. However if the 410s all you have, a load of 5s will do the trick if you can put the sneak-em on them.

[ih772]

An over and under .410/.22 would be nice.

[yippy]

For a young hunter I would suggest the .410. Too many .22 misses may discouage him.

I usually sit for a bit and wait for some movement. If I see one 100yds out I trot over to the area and tree them. If I cant see them I wait again. If you have a good idea what tree it is in stand your son on one side of the tree and move slowly to the other side. The squirrel will move around from the person walking and put him on your sons side.
Good luck!

[One Eye]

We use shotguns in the early season. I have been using my bow the last couple of years, and that is a blast. We mix things up as far as stalking or sitting. If I am hunting with my dad, we mostly walk, as he cannot still much. I actually like sitting, especially if I am serious about killing squirrels.

Dan

[Line-Loc]

I use a shotgun only. Try the forums at www.sqdog.com it is a MI site also.

[Rondevous]

I hunt 600 plus acres with a shotgun.

Hunt the hickory trees and slow walk.
I can shoot two squirrels out of a patch and come back 45 minutes later and get one or two more early on.
Late hunt is tougher.

[fasteight]

i like my 22 bolt action.... does the job, just gotta be patient....

[BarryPatch]

I use a shotgun if I happen to be carrying it. I prefer this .22 though.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/540/squirel_marlin.JPG

[Randy Kidd]

Early hunts when there are lots of leaves I like to use a 20ga with a load of #5s..late when the leaves are down I use a .22 rifle..I have on occasion used a .22 revolver, High Standard, Durango with a six inch barrel, unscoped..wait for the critters to get on the ground or freeze on the side of a tree...taken lots of shots, only killed a few squirrels, but man is it fun..lookin' to build a .32 flintlock next though.

[Northbound]

Early season I vote for a 20 gauge which would also allow your son to hunt upland birds or rabbits.

Typically I hunt later in the season with a lever action Ruger 22 mag., I like the extra hitting power.

[skulldugary]

20ga. the first of the season,then a .410 as the leafs start to come off,then a .22 after the trees are bare.

[CrazyJ]

I use a shotgun if I happen to be carrying it. I prefer this .22 though.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/540/squirel_marlin.JPG

Nice Pic. How'd you get the little guy to pose like that? ;)

[alex-v]

Nice Pic. How'd you get the little guy to pose like that? ;)
Snuck up on him while he was taking a nap. See how relaxed the little guy looks.

I like the shotgun approach, usually a 20 guage. For those real close in shots I will have my 22 revolver handy but this is not always an option for youngsters.

Later, if there are a few critters in the freezer and the leaves are down I will use a single shot 410 with a 22 back-up.

[MDHunter]

I like to use a .410 the first few weeks, then my .22 magnum.

For your son's first hunt, I agree with others that the .410 probably gives better chance of success and thus further interest. Remember too that the little guys have a hard time sitting still as long as we do, so you may want to still hunt with him after a short sit in the AM.

Good luck, I hope he gets one and I hope he has a hard time sleeping the night before!

Michael

[MDHunter]

Nothing like a youngster's first hunt, let us know how everything turns out!

Michael

[FISHIN 2]

Yippy, If a squirrel runs around the tree on ya, pick up a big stick and throw it around the other side a ways back from the tree and that squirrel will come to you!!!

Good Huntin, Mike

[alex-v]

Used the stick or stone throwing technique myself a few times. It will work real well. Best way is to have a buddy along with you and he or she walks towards the other side of the tree while they toss the stone or stick.

[Jacob Huffman]

You can also try leaving your hat on a bush on a side of the tree,as you walk around they will see the hat and sometimes scare them to your side..

[BigEasy]

I picked up a Ruger Single Six Hunter, 7 1/2" barrel, in .17HMR this summer. Can't wait to try it on some squirrels. I also use a Marlin lever action .410.

[triplehooked]

The 410 would be a great squirrel gun, as others have stated. All that was available to me was a single shot, bolt action 22,still have that gun. I cut my teeth on that in the hills of Kentucky, what great memories, thanks all for bringing up the topic. I can't wait for the triplets to get old enough to take out squirrel huntin' The 32 cal. flintlock looks pretty interesting.....

[jk hillsdale]

I'm taking my eight year old son on his first squirrel hunt next Thursday in Ohio. He'll be toting a single shot .410.

[FISHIN 2]

I'm taking my eight year old son on his first squirrel hunt next Thursday in Ohio. He'll be toting a single shot .410.
HERE-HERE We gonna need pictures. Good luck to you both and glad to see another young hunter coming up the ranks !!!!


Good Luck to All Mike

[victor mi pro bowhunter]

me and my dad use a 870 12 ga we use such a big gun because we take very far shots my mom uses a 870 20 ga my wife uses a 20 ga also

my mom sits and hunt gets about 2 a day
my dad walks about 4 a day
I walk about 4 a day
its my wife first year i am going to train her so we probly walk

[shotgun12]

we all ways use a 12 gauge in woods.

[john warren]

"the" gun for squirrel is the .17hmr with a good scope. its a head shot only combo that can't be beat.

[GWPguy]

I like hunting with my 22. But if bird season is open, I carry a 12 gauge through the woods.

Last year I carried a .22 pistol and a shotgun. That was challenging.

[Little Roober]

I Like Using The .22 Because You Can Shoot A Lot Farther Than A Shotgun. Then It Might Be Easier For Him Because He Wont Have To Sneak Up So Close To Get Off A Shot.

I Guess The Shotgun Is A Good Idea For Rabbits And Birds But I Still Like Shooting Farther With A Rifle. And Rabbits With A Rifle Is A Challenge.

[2-BIG]

I just made up a bunch of squirrel arrows and I have a blast using my recurve or longbow. I have taken quite a few squirrels with my bows but usually they are incidental to my deer hunting. I will admit though, if I am hungry for squirrels I use my .410 or Marlin .22! ;)

[Outdoorzman]

.36 caliber Cabelas muzzleloader, everything else is just too easy.

[john warren]

for you fellows that really get into squirrels. ever hunt them with a squirrel dog? any dog will work if he likes to chase squirrels, my first was a rat terrier.

they call them fiests now, great squirrel dog. but ive used beagles, and eve a cairn terrier.
the dog chases the squirrel up the tree and runs around barking at him. the squirrel stays to the side of the tree away from the dog and won't even notice you drawing a bead on him.
great fun with kids too, their pet can be great hunting dog with virtually no training.

[SmallGameStalker]

I like to use my 20 Gauge shotgun with #6 shot. It's great for squirrels, rabbits and grouse. This year, I'm thinking I might also take along my .22 pump action rifle and/or .22 revolver for a greater challenge when I feel like it.