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

[yellowhammer]

We are not in cahoots together. I know that I don't work for James Kibler, I can not speak for Hammer. Plus, if I recall, Jim complemented him on a couple of his rifles.... So

Haha... Busted!

Nahh, kidding, no cahoots, but I've bought a lot of his stuff, probably enough to pay for his kids braces

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

thank you very much. they are some very good and outstanding men in here.

Funny thing Oldschool, none of us have ever met, we're from all over the map. But some of these guys are like brothers to me. So now that you're here, you might as well jump on in and bust chops with the rest of us!
Hope you heal up soon and you can get back to it

I think it's great. Never thought I'd be conversing with a bunch of guys I never met. I truly feel I've made some genuine friends.

 

[Boomerang]

Ok guys, I made it out to public land today on the first day of muzzleloader season. It was 23 degrees this morning and supposed to get to about 40. As usual there were a lot of hunters signed in and most of the parking spots had vehicles in them. I went to a place that I was familiar with and have seen deer there while squirrel hunting. I walked back in the dark and found a spot to sit against a tree. The only thing I saw was a few birds and a red squirrel.
I took a break and went to the gas station to get a sandwich. Then I drove to a spot that I hadn’t been before. It looked good, so I walked back a long lane that was adjacent to private property. When I got to a wooded area there were a couple of squirrels playing and one of them didn’t notice me at about 5 yards away. I didn’t feel like it would be very sporting to shoot it that close, so I gave it a pass. I walked back in the woods farther and noticed a red squirrel messing around about 30 yds away. I thought about popping it, but I held off since I was loaded for deer. About 5 minutes later I heard a bleet behind me and it sounded kinda funny. I thought it was another hunter back in the brush, but in a minute or so there was a little doe that came out of the brush, heading my way. I knew it was small, but on public land you can’t be too picky sometimes. So I drew a bead on her front shoulder and squeezed the trigger. The smoke rolled and she dropped in her tracks. Should be good eating anyway even if it’s not much bigger than some of the squirrels.

 

[ETipp]

Congrats, Boom. Some good eating there.

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Good going Boomerang, them small deer eat real well for sure. Most of deer are on the small side. I haven't gotten one yet. I still have a chance. Public land and it's been hunted hard. So maybe.

 

[Trigger]

I tried deer half the day.

I've had a few weeks off.. I hunted everyday for birds and rabbit.. allot of fun..

Finally work came in for Monday start!

Deer is now a couple Saturdays to try.... I don't think I'll get one just because but luck is a maybe.

After the new year though I'll start taking a day off a week to hunt rabbit till the season ends.

 

[Trigger]

You know..

My buddy was down the bottom.

I texted him to wait there I'll work the woods push Down to him and then we leave.. he texted back OK so I started..

I get half way working. he texts me he's up on the trail on the way out..

 

[snakebit]

Ok guys, I made it out to public land today on the first day of muzzleloader season. It was 23 degrees this morning and supposed to get to about 40. As usual there were a lot of hunters signed in and most of the parking spots had vehicles in them. I went to a place that I was familiar with and have seen deer there while squirrel hunting. I walked back in the dark and found a spot to sit against a tree. The only thing I saw was a few birds and a red squirrel.
I took a break and went to the gas station to get a sandwich. Then I drove to a spot that I hadn’t been before. It looked good, so I walked back a long lane that was adjacent to private property. When I got to a wooded area there were a couple of squirrels playing and one of them didn’t notice me at about 5 yards away. I didn’t feel like it would be very sporting to shoot it that close, so I gave it a pass. I walked back in the woods farther and noticed a red squirrel messing around about 30 yds away. I thought about popping it, but I held off since I was loaded for deer. About 5 minutes later I heard a bleet behind me and it sounded kinda funny. I thought it was another hunter back in the brush, but in a minute or so there was a little doe that came out of the brush, heading my way. I knew it was small, but on public land you can’t be too picky sometimes. So I drew a bead on her front shoulder and squeezed the trigger. The smoke rolled and she dropped in her tracks. Should be good eating anyway even if it’s not much bigger than some of the squirrels.

Heck yeah! Tasty, tasty and tender. Nicely done meat for the freezer is the best trophy ever.

 

[snakebit]

We are not in cahoots together. I know that I don't work for James Kibler, I can not speak for Hammer. Plus, if I recall, Jim complemented him on a couple of his rifles.... So

Methinks one of, if not both of you, have code names. Will the real Rusty Shackleford please step forward

 

[10 spot]

They're good looking Cheater Sticks.
I think you might just like them in certain situations

I seen some home made shoot sticks a while back, I can't remember if it was the squirrel forum or another
May buy or build me some, who was it fellers??

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

I seen some home made shoot sticks a while back, I can't remember if it was the squirrel forum or another
May buy or build me some, who was it fellers??

I remember seeing them not sure who but I believe it was in this thread.
Maybe Jim?

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Methinks one of, if not both of you, have code names. Will the real Rusty Shackleford please step forward

Rusty, Rusty Shacklefird????

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

I seen some home made shoot sticks a while back, I can't remember if it was the squirrel forum or another
May buy or build me some, who was it fellers??

Shooting with a shooting stick
post #6

 

[snakebit]

Rusty, Rusty Shacklefird????

No? Doesn't ring any bells?

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

No? Doesn't ring any bells?

Umm... I'm not sure?
Maybe?

 

[snakebit]

Umm... I'm not sure?
Maybe?

 

[yellowhammer]

Rusty, Rusty Shacklefird????

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

View attachment 367029

Uh oh....ummm. Dale Gribble maybe

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Okay, I hope to field test this today.

Received my sling in the mail to go on my Crockett squirrel rifle. It’s made by October Country.

My initial thoughts are, it’s made fairly durable. The strap is most likely thick enough to hold up to whatever I might put it through. I certainly wouldn’t want it made of any thinner leather, but I can understand why the strap is the thickness it is. I’m running a taller front bead so there’s no concern for the strap obscuring the front sight. However, that most likely would not be true of many traditional ML’s with low profile sights if the leather strap were any thicker.

I do not like the way these slings connect around the barrel. IMO, this can and will induce slippage. Being a stickler on all of my hunting equipment, I have a hard rule. Nothing slips, slides, shines, sqeakes or rattles. Everything must remain in place and be quiet. So, I came up with an idea to hopefully prevent slipping of the sling around the barrel.

What I did here was first wrap the sling strap around the forward side of the lower pipe. Then,I pulled it very tight and using the first existing hole, marked the strap, then punched the hole. I cannot see how this could possibly slip past the pipe and rearward. It can slide forward a little while removing the ramrod but that’s easily rectified by placing my hand near there during the reloading procedure. It certainly will not slide while pacing the ML on my back.

This is only for field testing unless I find a different method of tying the rawhide straps. I have several slings I have made for other types of critters tools. They are all interchangeable, even on my crossbow. I prefer to tie the rawhide off and braid it as shown in one of the pics, and might do so. First is actual field testing, which might be today.

Also of note, and to my likings, is the brass ramrod is held tighter to the rib but still functional. This will most certainly prevent any rattling under certain conditions.

In addition, it appears that this sling will help hold steady during an offhand shot if my arm is wrapped around it. Only one way to find out.

Ed, was ya able to do any field testing today?

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

View attachment 367029

That's great.