Squirrel Hunting!

[PITBULL]

I think that the season that I enjoy the most is Squirrel season. Maby because it is the first thing that I hunted for? It seems that people that have been hunting them is declining. How many of you still hunt them? And are there that hunted them in the past but have given it up and why?

[ozzgood2001]

i love to be out hunting for squirrels so much fun and so laid back. my earliest memories are hunting squirrels with my dad. i actually just sat there whittling sticks with my dad's knife while he hunted. we would always look around for puffball mushrooms at the same time, usually find a lot where we hunted. also a great time for some scouting of deer. i agree the numbers of squirrel hunters are declining seems if its not big game people just dont care anymore,except for the true outdoors person. i just love being in those woods and what better to do while im out there then pop off a few squirrels:D :D

[RMV]

I still enjoy squirrel hunting as well, although it often turns into deer scouting.:D

[Bow Hunter Brandon]

I still love it. I go in ohio with some familly over thansgiving weekend as long as the weather is nice.
Now that then exstended the season I plan to go out in January when the weather is warm and brings them out. The one reason I dont go early in the season is Im bow hunting. I hope to be able to go after them some day with the recurve that way I can deer and squirrel hunt :)

[bowhunter4life]

Squirrel hunting is some of the funnest hunting I think that a person can possibly do. Like RMV said, I also get in some deer scouting while in the woods listening for the dropping of acorns that those bushy tails are trying to get their paws on. What do all of you think about the state opening up the season until March 31 this year? I personally like the idea. To do a little squirrel hunting while snow is on the ground will be fun.

[Gr8 Scout]

As I get older, I do more and more squirrel hunting... that explains the 10 rimfires in my gun closet. Great idea extending the season! After running myself ragged hunting bunnies, I can go lean against an oak tree, relax, and hopefully add to my bounty.

Squirrel tails... Go here:

http://www.mepps.com/mepps/information/squirrels/

I always save mine and send them in when I get over 50 of 'em. Dip the end in salt, and let dry STRAIGHT. They will keep for a long, long time in your basement, if it is dry. Mepps will give you $, or double your money in lures. I think it's kinda cool that those small mouths I catch on the Grand River are being caught on 'tail dressed lures that I MIGHT have had some small part in making.

Another week... good hunting!

[Hunter333]

Love to hunt squirrels! First animal that I seriously hunted when I was younger. 22 or shotgun, the choice is nice. Being able to walk around and not have to be absolutely still is a plus! Finding them once you see them can be a challenge, often times with me, they win..... My buddies 9 year old has been walking with us the past 2 years and she cant wait to be able to hunt them. Just watching here sneek through the woods, listening, looking for signs makes it worth while!! Great meat for chili too!!

[Worm Dunker]

I'm one of those people that quit hunting squirrels. I got really good bird dogs now and enjoy bird hunting better. Maybe with this late season I have to start again sure miss eating those tree rats.

[timjj]

I still hunt them, but deerhunting has taken most of my time.
Now with the extended season I can start hunting them more like I use to before I got into bowhunting.:)

[Jumpshootin']

I've always enjoyed squirrel hunting, and hunting with dogs. So much so that I bought a little squirrel dog pup a few years ago. (shown here treeing a squirrel) I'm very pleased that the squirrel season has been extended. It will give me alot more time in the woods with this little dog that may well be turning out to be the best hunting dog that I've ever had. He's surely the most intense and focused one.

http://www.hunt101.com/img/056254.JPG

[mich buckmaster]

Never hunted with a squirrel dog, but it sounds like a hoot. I also like to hunt squirrels, but I dont let anyone on my deer hunting properties, for risk of bumping a nice buck.

I do like to set a side some property for small game hunting, but I am always wondering if this is someones deer hunting place, and am I bothering their way of hunting.

Oh well you cant make everyone happy. I cant wait to take my son, when he gets older. He is only 2.

[victor mi pro bowhunter]

I love squirrel its the best i just stated liking it last year use to just bow/gun hunt for deer and birds but now all season all i can think about is going up north walking down that great trail i found with oaks all around acorns falling every where man!!!
i cant wait:)
as far as there not being as many people into it as before good more for me less hunters;)

as much as i love hunting them i dont think it is a good idea to make the season longer give them time to rest why over hunt them remember the ones that get away are just waiting for next season:p

[DuckMan]

For years I hunted squirrels. My mother truly loved cooking and eating squirrels so much in fact she told me to stop bringing home rabbits and get more squirrels. I didn't agree but brought her every squirrel I harvested. She died in 1991 and I found myself thinking about her a lot while squirrel hunting.....while that sounds good, it wasn't too much fun re-hashing memories so I stopped going squirrel hunting. Just something about it brought back those rough times.

Now my oldest is 5 years old and has been bugging me for over a year to go hunting. Squirrel hunting is *THE* way to introduce kids to hunting in my book so this will be his first year. No way will I take him duck hunting yet as I don't want to be taking him back to the launch within an hour because he's cold/wet/bored/etc., but I know I can get 1-3 hours out of him for squirrel hunting.

Bringing this up reminds me I need to get a new scope on my .22 rifle. My wife is gonna love that. :D

[hangoo]

7 days!

[henryboy32]

I love to go once before the bow opener. I tried BBQ grilling them last year and was amazed at the flavor. However, I found that only the hind legs made for a great meal because the front was real tendony and wasn't worth the effort in separating the good meat. What is a good way to utilize the rest of the squirrel?

[Walligator]

I'll be squirrel hunting, and this is the first year my son is able to go out and carry his own gun. I can't wait!

Walligator

[scottyhoover]

Love to hunt them....same problem with rabbit's though....i can't hardly bring myself to cook and clean them. Gross! But if someone would post some good instructions and recipies....I would be thankful.

[deepwoods]

This is part of my bowhunting camp tradition. We all go up and squirrel hunt along with getting ready for the upcoming bow season. Set up stands, shoot, etc.... Any squirrels we take get cleaned and frozen for a fry during our big bowhunting opener. We deep fry them in a turkey fryer like ckicken wings battered in "Hooter's" wing batter along with an ice cold libation. Yummmmy! :D

[n.pike]

I boil them until the meat falls off, them simmer them in gravy with mushrooms and onions and put them on fresh biscuits. Cant beat this for breakfast.


I also have a recipe for stuffed shells, I will post it next week after I try it.

[Sarge]

I haven't hunted them since mid 60's when I was a pup.

I have a little ruger 22 revolver and plan to hunt them some this season. My brother in-law has challenged me and said that I have to use the handgun. I shot at one and missed last season, but since have put 600 rounds through the handgun, most of which after installing a red dot scope.

Them little buggers are in serious trouble this season. :D

[bivenser]

Squirell hunting is a blast. I am pumped that the season has bee extended. I got back into it two years ago when I got both my bucks in bow season. But I didn't get to do much of it last year because I was not so lucky and hunted for deet throught late season. But this year come January when all the leaves are down they are going to be in trouble. And where I hunt they are thick as thieves. I took 5 a trip twice and the third trip I saw just as many. But my scope got nocked off center so they all gat a free pass. I thought I as going crazy. I am not the best shot. But when I emptied my Marlin model 60 at one squirrel and didn't even draw hair, I knew somthing was wrong. But I digress.

It is a great way to spend a few hours and do some late season deer scouting. This year we will be able to hunt sheds and squirels at the same time! And I agree with Duckman. Squirel hunting is how I cut my teeth on hunting. It is a fun way to learn the craft. It doen't take all the patence that deer hunting does.

[Deershutzen]

here's how i cook them.
Bone your legs and don't miss the strips on the back. Use drakes batter and pan fry in canola oil, real s l o w. The only problem is you need a handful of squirrels in order to have more than a snack.

On second thought, there's no problem with hunting a bunch of squirrels.

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

I have found that most of the time hitting a place for small game a couple of times a year doesn't bother the deer.


Some places are loaded with deer year after year.

Some aren't but I have seen deer watch my dog run a rabbit right by them and never move.

I think by putting regular pressure on a place it may affect it.

But a time or two I belive doesn't bother it at all.

Last year while hunting with thunderhead I jumped a nice buck.

He let me and the dog walk right up to him before he jumped.

Then he just got up and didn't even really run just moved off out of they way.


As long as the dog don't chase them they don't seem to mind.

[rb1]

I have had some very good squirrel dogs. You just find a good tree to sit against and wait for the old dog to bark tree. and when you shoot at the squirrel you had better not miss or you are going to have one mad dog.
I have had guys come wanting to buy a good squirrel dog(mine wasn't for sale) talking $600.00 to $1,500.00
I thought about training dogs on squirrels. alot of mongels make
good squirrel dogs. But aways too busy. RB1

[carp_assasin]

Squirrell hunting is my absolute favorite, but I get nervous hunting them during bow season. I don't want people shooting in the tree's when I'm in my stand! Think we could move bow season to Oct.15th? (joke!)

[Huntin Horseman]

bowhunter4life ~ I'm pretty sure it's only open till March 1st.

[Outdoorzman]

Squirrel is also my favorite.
Over the years I have made it more challenging for me and the squirrel.
I've worked my way down from a :12ga shotgun, .410 shotgun, semiauto .22 rifle, single shot .22 rifle, .22 ruger pistol, to my new prized possesion a .36 caliber Pennsylvania style blackpowder rifle.
Talk about a rush !
When you only get one shot you sure do stalk them for a perfect opportunity.

[victor mi pro bowhunter]

your more of a man then me Outdoorzman
i get buck fever so bad some times i miss them with my 12 gauge

fast little tree rats;)

[mparks]

Can't wait!

I'm going to use my grandpa's old '04 Winchester .22 on opening day and leave the 77/22 sit for awhile.

[Jethro]

I just got back into squirrel a few years ago and will never go without it again.

Getting older, I'm a lot more patient, It's one of my favorite forms of hunting now.

[Hawker]

Hawking bushytails is my favorite form of hunting. I am never so alive as I when I am running through the forest, eyes fastened on a squirrel being pressed hard by my redtail. Average chase on a squirrel with my bird is 20 minutes, with some over an hour! It's a chess game in the trees, move and countermove, with sudden sprints, amazing acrobatics and desparate leaps to the ground from forty feet up! It hopefully ends with my bird parachuting down with a struggling treerat in his talons and me diving under him to help get control of the the squirrel's dangerous head and dispatch it.

Happily, my bird eats the entire squirrel so I don't have to skin those buggers. That's like playing tug-of-war with a Rottweiler!
I'll stick to bunnies, which he'll share...reluctantly.:D

Unfortunately, my bird won't be on the wing for another 5-6 weeks. :( Ah well. More time for scouting.

[Chuck]

I havent hunted them in years. Im planning on hunting them with my recurve towards the end of the season this year. It seems where ever I hunt deer there are lots of em.

[Gr8 Scout]

Fascinating, Hawker! Absolutely fascinating. I have read about how hard it is getting into your sport, all it takes, and I salute you for keeping a very old form of hunting alive. Way cool!

[outdoor junkie]

I think squirrel huntin is one of the best times to be in the woods. Its quiet and still a little warm, you can scout deer, and its a great time to take a kid with you.

[bounty hunter]

This was this little squirrel hunters first trip and he actually sat pretty quiet for a 3 year oldhttp://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/3826Picture1-med.jpg?7461

[PITBULL]

Great picture, Looks like your bringing him up right!