2024/2025 Squirrel Hunting Thread...........

ETipp said:

Six to eight weeks for many people. Hopefully my recovery will be faster. I usually bounce back fairly quickly. Feel like I’ve been ran over by a cement truck. My entire upper body is sore as heck, especially my chest. Still difficult breathing well. Only half-breadths at most. Very tired.

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Gum Slough Muzzleloader said:

P.S. I'm fix'n to get in the woods and hopefully s h ot a good eating size Pig..
So glad your home!!!!

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Gum Slough Muzzleloader said:

I found some fresh rooting, and a fresh hog wollow. They are working that area, but no fresh pork.

I'll be there tomorrow.
I saw 4 deer and about 10 or more squirrels.

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Jim K said:

My family is in from Michigan for thanksgiving. My sil and grandson two friends and I went pheasant hunting at a shooting preserve which we do every thanksgiving. My Sil brought his turkey fryer along and deep fried our turkey on Thursday. We decided to do our pheasants and some squirrels today. I was really looking forward to trying the squirrels this way.

We dipped in egg and put in a bag of flour with seasoning then in the deep frier. Everyone loved it.

We’re going to their house for Christmas. I asked my Sil if he’d smoke some for me when we come out. I’m anxious to try it. I know it’s Ed’s favorite.

Any way, the deep fried is the best squirrel I’ve had so far. View attachment 365211

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snakebit said:

Sounds like a good day brother Fred!

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Gum Slough Muzzleloader said:

It was Tom.
Very good day. Basically had that section to myself. Nice and cool.
I figured that's why the hig follow was not so productive, pigs hit when it's hot. It cools them down plus helps rid them of ticks and other parasites.

We'll be there early tomorrow morning. Wife is going to join me.

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ETipp said:

Hello everyone.

First off I want to take this time to thank each and everyone of you for the prayers and support. It means a lot to me. I will try to cover the this situation as briefly as I can with the hopes of informing you all on something that I had absolutely no idea about, until now. This is in hopes of helping anyone else in the event they ever experience such.

I was awaken at 0312 with the strangest pain at the back of my tongue. It was a very dull pain. As soon as I moved to get out of bed, the pain radiated all the way down my esophagus to the top of my stomach area. It was a very dull pain that I have never felt in my life on any part of my body. The more I moved, the worse it became. I tried to drink a little bit of milk, Tums, and a few other things. The pain kept increasing. I laid back down in hopes of the pain subsiding, but it never.

Laura got up, got ready and went work. I assured her I was fine. After getting out of bed the second time, the pain had elevated to the degree that I was having a difficult time breathing. The pain also expanded to include my entire upper chest area, especially over my heart and the tops of my lungs. Then came the coughing with each tiny and shallow breath I tried to take. I could only take in a small amount of air with each breadth.

Realizing this was not good and medical attention was required, I wanted to take a shower and get dressed first, then call Laura at work and have her drive me to a decent hospital an hours drive away. When I got out of the chair, the pain went through the roof. The higher intensity of pain, the tighter my chest got and the less oxygen I was getting with each shallow, tiny breath. My heart began to race like a weedeater at full throttle. I got back into a dining room chair just as things were getting fuzzy.

I've always considered myself a very strong-minded person during any sort of emergency situation. I told myself to think and that I was going to be okay. So I reached over and picked up a bag of Halls cough drops, emptied it on the table, placed the bag over my mouth and began trying to contain my runaway heart and rapid shallow breathing by breathing into the bag. It helped very little.

At this point I was thinking it was a heart attack. Thankfully, my cell was within reaching distance. So I called Laura and told her the situation and asked her to "get home now" and get me to the London hospital. She said she was on her way. Getting back up from the chair trying to get dressed was a mistake. The more I moved, the pain increased to what appeared to be exponentially. The pain was like being hit in the chest with a 20 pound sledgehammer. Getting back into the chair I called Laura back and told her I didn't think I could make it another hour to London plus her 20 minute drive home. I told her to call an ambulance.

Long story short, the only way the ambulance EMS folks and the hospital could get control of this situation was with Morphine. Was given a very little bit in the ambulance but the hospital increased the dosage. It was the only way they could get the pain under control which slowed down my heartrate. It was like a runaway train. The worse the pain became, the tighter my chest got from the pain, the faster my heartrate, the worse the pain become. Very strange situation.

After much testing, I was assured it was not a heart attack. However, as soon as the morphine began to wear off, the terrible pain was back. I was given morphine every few hours the entire time. It was like a Dodge pickup truck was parked on top of my chest. After all day of testing, being up most of the night, more testing yesterday morning, then two new doctors going over everything, the best I can relay until more testing is done is this, per the report.

"Your symptoms are likely related to peptic ulcer disease and advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease with gastritis/esophagitis (I would reckon that means GERD in medical lingo). Due to also having a hiatal hernia, decreasing pressure on stomach will also help with your symptoms. You were also found with moderate stool within the intestines and some sort of partial blockage is suspected".

Try as they did, and after being violated by not just one, not two, but three pretty nurses, two different times, they have not been successful at removing the partial blockage. I'm not bound up, and things are moving and getting past the partial blockage, evidently just not like it should be.

They went on to explain there could be damage to the esophagus in several places but they will not know for certain until I have an endoscopy in a couple of weeks. So, several issues going on at the same time for sure. I have medicine to get me by for a while, and I am very limited as to what can can eat for a while. I am still weak but getting a little stronger. The pain is mostly gone now and my breathing is better but the cough is still there if I move around too much, especially if I begin to breath heavily. My chest muscles are still sore, for whatever reason.

I was not in any shape to type, at all, due to being so wooggered out on morphine and being weak. Last night was a pretty good night for me, actually got some sleep, finally. Being on a limited liquid diet, not sleeping, pain, morphine, light breathing.........it all took its toll on me. Who would ever thought that the above could put a man down like that, to the degree that I was certain I was having a heart attack?

I have known for over 20 years that I have had some issues in the stomach area. It got better for the most part. However, the signs were increasing the last few months. At first I refused to believe it. Then I hid it. Then I was trying to live with it thinking it would improve again, despite issues increasing. I reckon there were simply too many issues going on at the same time to avoid putting it off. It made sure of that one.

Also, I was informed last night that one of Laura's sisters (which is a nurse) experienced the same basic thing as I did several years ago. She too, was certain she was having a heart attack.

Again, I thank you all for the support and prayers. It means a lot.

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ETipp said:

Hello everyone.

First off I want to take this time to thank each and everyone of you for the prayers and support. It means a lot to me. I will try to cover the this situation as briefly as I can with the hopes of informing you all on something that I had absolutely no idea about, until now. This is in hopes of helping anyone else in the event they ever experience such.

I was awaken at 0312 with the strangest pain at the back of my tongue. It was a very dull pain. As soon as I moved to get out of bed, the pain radiated all the way down my esophagus to the top of my stomach area. It was a very dull pain that I have never felt in my life on any part of my body. The more I moved, the worse it became. I tried to drink a little bit of milk, Tums, and a few other things. The pain kept increasing. I laid back down in hopes of the pain subsiding, but it never.

Laura got up, got ready and went work. I assured her I was fine. After getting out of bed the second time, the pain had elevated to the degree that I was having a difficult time breathing. The pain also expanded to include my entire upper chest area, especially over my heart and the tops of my lungs. Then came the coughing with each tiny and shallow breath I tried to take. I could only take in a small amount of air with each breadth.

Realizing this was not good and medical attention was required, I wanted to take a shower and get dressed first, then call Laura at work and have her drive me to a decent hospital an hours drive away. When I got out of the chair, the pain went through the roof. The higher intensity of pain, the tighter my chest got and the less oxygen I was getting with each shallow, tiny breath. My heart began to race like a weedeater at full throttle. I got back into a dining room chair just as things were getting fuzzy.

I've always considered myself a very strong-minded person during any sort of emergency situation. I told myself to think and that I was going to be okay. So I reached over and picked up a bag of Halls cough drops, emptied it on the table, placed the bag over my mouth and began trying to contain my runaway heart and rapid shallow breathing by breathing into the bag. It helped very little.

At this point I was thinking it was a heart attack. Thankfully, my cell was within reaching distance. So I called Laura and told her the situation and asked her to "get home now" and get me to the London hospital. She said she was on her way. Getting back up from the chair trying to get dressed was a mistake. The more I moved, the pain increased to what appeared to be exponentially. The pain was like being hit in the chest with a 20 pound sledgehammer. Getting back into the chair I called Laura back and told her I didn't think I could make it another hour to London plus her 20 minute drive home. I told her to call an ambulance.

Long story short, the only way the ambulance EMS folks and the hospital could get control of this situation was with Morphine. Was given a very little bit in the ambulance but the hospital increased the dosage. It was the only way they could get the pain under control which slowed down my heartrate. It was like a runaway train. The worse the pain became, the tighter my chest got from the pain, the faster my heartrate, the worse the pain become. Very strange situation.

After much testing, I was assured it was not a heart attack. However, as soon as the morphine began to wear off, the terrible pain was back. I was given morphine every few hours the entire time. It was like a Dodge pickup truck was parked on top of my chest. After all day of testing, being up most of the night, more testing yesterday morning, then two new doctors going over everything, the best I can relay until more testing is done is this, per the report.

"Your symptoms are likely related to peptic ulcer disease and advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease with gastritis/esophagitis (I would reckon that means GERD in medical lingo). Due to also having a hiatal hernia, decreasing pressure on stomach will also help with your symptoms. You were also found with moderate stool within the intestines and some sort of partial blockage is suspected".

Try as they did, and after being violated by not just one, not two, but three pretty nurses, two different times, they have not been successful at removing the partial blockage. I'm not bound up, and things are moving and getting past the partial blockage, evidently just not like it should be.

They went on to explain there could be damage to the esophagus in several places but they will not know for certain until I have an endoscopy in a couple of weeks. So, several issues going on at the same time for sure. I have medicine to get me by for a while, and I am very limited as to what can can eat for a while. I am still weak but getting a little stronger. The pain is mostly gone now and my breathing is better but the cough is still there if I move around too much, especially if I begin to breath heavily. My chest muscles are still sore, for whatever reason.

I was not in any shape to type, at all, due to being so wooggered out on morphine and being weak. Last night was a pretty good night for me, actually got some sleep, finally. Being on a limited liquid diet, not sleeping, pain, morphine, light breathing.........it all took its toll on me. Who would ever thought that the above could put a man down like that, to the degree that I was certain I was having a heart attack?

I have known for over 20 years that I have had some issues in the stomach area. It got better for the most part. However, the signs were increasing the last few months. At first I refused to believe it. Then I hid it. Then I was trying to live with it thinking it would improve again, despite issues increasing. I reckon there were simply too many issues going on at the same time to avoid putting it off. It made sure of that one.

Also, I was informed last night that one of Laura's sisters (which is a nurse) experienced the same basic thing as I did several years ago. She too, was certain she was having a heart attack.

Again, I thank you all for the support and prayers. It means a lot.

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Gutdaddy said:

Ed, sorry to hear about your illness, I just got through reading your squirrel book this morning, great read, really enjoyed it, continuing prayers for a speedy recovery,best wishes, Gutdaddy

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Greg Selner said:

Ed
Glad to hear you’re doing better.
Will continue to pray for a quick healing and recovery.

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pilot said:

Glad to read you're on the mend, Ed. I haven't been checking often lately due to chasing deer and working on the cabin. I'm home with the wife this week and next and headed back to the farm after that. Hopefully I'll have some time to sit in the woods with my Kibler. I'll try to remember to take some pictures if I do.

This one teased me when I was after deer a few weeks ago.whimper.

View attachment 365212

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Boomerang said:

Get well soon Ed! You are in my prayers.
I went out today. It was in the 20’s and windy with snow. It was pretty, but not very comfortable. Only saw two squirrels and they were on the run.

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Jim K said:

My family is in from Michigan for thanksgiving. My sil and grandson two friends and I went pheasant hunting at a shooting preserve which we do every thanksgiving. My Sil brought his turkey fryer along and deep fried our turkey on Thursday. We decided to do our pheasants and some squirrels today. I was really looking forward to trying the squirrels this way.

We dipped in egg and put in a bag of flour with seasoning then in the deep frier. Everyone loved it.

We’re going to their house for Christmas. I asked my Sil if he’d smoke some for me when we come out. I’m anxious to try it. I know it’s Ed’s favorite.

Any way, the deep fried is the best squirrel I’ve had so far. View attachment 365211

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Gordoncourtney said:

I only got 1/3 acre 15 miles from centre of London, but the woods are full of squirrels across the road and deer, , it’s mainly fenced off ???? We can walk there but carrying a gun is pushing our luck. But the squirrels come over to my bird feeders. , big fat males like in photo, got him at 15 yards . Sorry moderator it’s a 22 bsa Scorpio , not allowed to use a real gun, I have a big choice , but that’s life in many parts of uk. One must be thankful for the little things in life. God bless you all
. Ps seems that’s no 3 this week

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ETipp said:

Thank you. Much appreciated.

Windy, temps in the 20's and snow. I'm surprised you even saw a squirrel. Hillbilly squirrels hibernate for a few days in weather conditions like that.

Not that it means anything with the weather forecast liars here, but they are calling for severe clear, cold with not too much wind for next Wednesday morning. I probably shouldn't do this but I'm already zeroing in on that day. I can take the cold but squirrels here generally do not move much in lower temps unless the sun is bight in the sky. I located one place close to the road last week that has a few squirrels running around in there, complete with many downed logs and a little thicker overall. I actually had two of the little fellas run up next to me on a downed limb, and stop about 5 feet away. I was leaning up against a tree wearing solid camo and I didn't move. The lead squirrel just kept looking at me, then he would make a clicking sound followed by that purring sound. He finally decided there was nothing there to bother him and hopped away. The second squirrel that was chasing stopped and did the same thing only about 4 feet behind the lead squirrel. However, he was not as brave and after another 45 seconds or so, turned around on the limb and went back in the direction they both came in from. They were so close it was amazing. Just my luck this year. They are either too far away or jump out right on top of me. If I am able to do this, my hopes are to sneak in there before daylight, perhaps with a folding chair, and set up and wait. As much as I hate to say it, this might just call for one of those strange contraptions that JimK uses that I call "Cheater Sticks". Oh my, what am I thinking?

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Jim K said:

Now you’re cooking!!!

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Jim K said:

My family is in from Michigan for thanksgiving. My sil and grandson two friends and I went pheasant hunting at a shooting preserve which we do every thanksgiving. My Sil brought his turkey fryer along and deep fried our turkey on Thursday. We decided to do our pheasants and some squirrels today. I was really looking forward to trying the squirrels this way.

We dipped in egg and put in a bag of flour with seasoning then in the deep frier. Everyone loved it.

We’re going to their house for Christmas. I asked my Sil if he’d smoke some for me when we come out. I’m anxious to try it. I know it’s Ed’s favorite.

Any way, the deep fried is the best squirrel I’ve had so far. View attachment 365211

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ETipp said:

Chairs and Cheater Sticks for squirrel hunting. That just ain't right. There's something bad wrong here.

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