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

[snakebit]

Uh oh....ummm. Dale Gribble maybe

 

[Rap Scallion]

I agree
A 12 step program could help us all.

With the meat smoking???????

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

With the meat smoking???????

That, and other things.

 

[oldschoolhunter55]

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.

congrats to you sir!!!! well done and that's going be some good eating meat and a lot easier to drag to the truck. That dragging deer will wear a person out. thanks for posting

 

[ETipp]

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

I did go out about mid-day yesterday. There was a cold breeze, fairly warm temp and very sunny. I took my cheater sticks and my Crockett. I was able to recover my trail cam.

However, I never saw the first squirrel, didn't even hear one barking. Its very steep terrain in there and the sun had already went behind the ridgetop. There was still some thick frost in one area. I knew I wasn't going to see anything in there so I worked my way over to the sunny side. I have seen many squirrels in there and I reminded myself of their elaborate detection system. Considering that man nor beast can penetrate that alert system, and the leaves were quite dry, I eased in anyway thinking surely I could get some squirrels barking at me. But nothing. Not even across the drainage on the sunny hillside. I sat in two different locations for a while just sitting, but nothing.

So, for whatever reason, it was obviously one of those days that squirrels simply were holed up. I never fired a shot and I never even set up my cheater sticks. But I was successful at losing my capper full of caps.

I'm beginning to think that I have been cursed. Either that or the big man upstairs raised his hand and said "thou shall not kill one more squirrel this year". I'm sure that one of those is correct.

 

[Duk]

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've never hunted with it but I do practice with it some.

 

[Christophero]

I must say, Gentleman, that all this talk of cheater stix thoroughly breaks my heart, especially when they are store bought and made out of plastic! In a Traditional Muzzleloader Forum, nonetheless. O, the shame of it.....

A fine stock of walnut, or even yet, curly maple should never be cradled by a lowly molded petroleum product. At the least pick up two sticks in the woods, cross them in your hand and make your rifle proud to be supported by one of its kin, as the critters fall from their perch by your steady aim. Ain't no wonder the woods is cursing your futile efforts, Etipp. You are much too good of a woodsman to succumb to toting unnatural crutches into its domain, and the floral and fauna are letting you know.

These two examples are some that the game hasn't shunned me out of wood and field for propping up my rifle. Even cheap pine scrap seems to be permitted into the Hickory and Beech woods without appearant distain, thankfully.

Why at the end of that barrel two Odocoileus Virginianus willingly offered their very lives without disput of the materials that this wooded stocked weapon was rested upon. Their generosity was, I am most sure, predicated upon my naturally crafted set of shooting sticks not offending their sense of common decency.

 

[Trigger]

I must say, Gentleman, that all this talk of cheater stix thoroughly breaks my heart, especially when they are store bought and made out of plastic! In a Traditional Muzzleloader Forum, nonetheless. O, the shame of it.....

A fine stock of walnut, or even yet, curly maple should never be cradled by a lowly molded petroleum product. At the least pick up two sticks in the woods, cross them in your hand and make your rifle proud to be supported by one of its kin, as the critters fall from their perch by your steady aim. Ain't no wonder the woods is cursing your futile efforts, Etipp. You are much too good of a woodsman to succumb to toting unnatural crutches into its domain, and the floral and fauna are letting you know.

These two examples are some that the game hasn't shunned me out of wood and field for propping up my rifle. Even cheap pine scrap seems to be permitted into the Hickory and Beech woods without appearant distain, thankfully.

View attachment 367089


Why at the end of that barrel two Odocoileus Virginianus willingly offered their very lives without disput of the materials that this wooded stocked weapon was rested upon. Their generosity was, I am most sure, predicated upon my naturally crafted set of shooting sticks not offending their sense of common decency.

View attachment 367096

I like that better. That's what I use.
It packs nice. Adjustable.

 

[Trigger]

Do you need a different set for standing to sitting?

 

[Christophero]

Do you need a different set for standing to sitting?

The longer sticks are when sitting on a stool, though the are employed even when sitting on the ground just fine. The shorter set is for butt on the ground situations. I have a walking stick, if I think it is necessary, but normally lean the long arm against a tree if needed.

 

[Trigger]

There nice..

I'd add gun slings to them. To carry.

That way I could have my hands free to use the gun offhand when walking to and from

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

I did go out about mid-day yesterday. There was a cold breeze, fairly warm temp and very sunny. I took my cheater sticks and my Crockett. I was able to recover my trail cam.

However, I never saw the first squirrel, didn't even hear one barking. Its very steep terrain in there and the sun had already went behind the ridgetop. There was still some thick frost in one area. I knew I wasn't going to see anything in there so I worked my way over to the sunny side. I have seen many squirrels in there and I reminded myself of their elaborate detection system. Considering that man nor beast can penetrate that alert system, and the leaves were quite dry, I eased in anyway thinking surely I could get some squirrels barking at me. But nothing. Not even across the drainage on the sunny hillside. I sat in two different locations for a while just sitting, but nothing.

So, for whatever reason, it was obviously one of those days that squirrels simply were holed up. I never fired a shot and I never even set up my cheater sticks. But I was successful at losing my capper full of caps.

I'm beginning to think that I have been cursed. Either that or the big man upstairs raised his hand and said "thou shall not kill one more squirrel this year". I'm sure that one of those is correct.

Ed I sometimes think I'm cursed or as you say the big man might be upset. I also think it was just one of those days.

Henry and had a full day. Low 40s then up to 65. We're out from a little before 9 until 4. Saw a few squirrels off in the distance running around on the ground and some big logs.

We were sitting in a nice spot and the didn't seem right he was focused on this tree with a dead saw palmetto next to it. He was whining a bit and was quivering. So after about 20 mins or so we went to investigate. He sniffed around then started digging on the palmetto side I looked around to the other side of the tree and there was a hole. I said "Get em boy" and stated digging. Sure as s*** here comes mister Opossum running out the other side.

It was good day we had together.

Maybe next time.

Do you any squirrel hunting days available this year?

 

[Jim K]

I must say, Gentleman, that all this talk of cheater stix thoroughly breaks my heart, especially when they are store bought and made out of plastic! In a Traditional Muzzleloader Forum, nonetheless. O, the shame of it.....

A fine stock of walnut, or even yet, curly maple should never be cradled by a lowly molded petroleum product. At the least pick up two sticks in the woods, cross them in your hand and make your rifle proud to be supported by one of its kin, as the critters fall from their perch by your steady aim. Ain't no wonder the woods is cursing your futile efforts, Etipp. You are much too good of a woodsman to succumb to toting unnatural crutches into its domain, and the floral and fauna are letting you know.

These two examples are some that the game hasn't shunned me out of wood and field for propping up my rifle. Even cheap pine scrap seems to be permitted into the Hickory and Beech woods without appearant distain, thankfully.

View attachment 367089


Why at the end of that barrel two Odocoileus Virginianus willingly offered their very lives without disput of the materials that this wooded stocked weapon was rested upon. Their generosity was, I am most sure, predicated upon my naturally crafted set of shooting sticks not offending their sense of common decency.

View attachment 367096

Well, I hate to soil this thread with any more talk of using cheater sticks. I use to use sticks made from 1/2” dowels but once I tried the trigger sticks, the dowels went by the way side. So far this year I’ve shot 55 squirrels and 53 off the trigger sticks.

I’m not hc,pc, ac, dc or any kind of c. I’m a squirrel hunter. They work for me. I’ll bow out now to the purists.

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Well, I hate to soil this thread with any more talk of using cheater sticks. I use to use sticks made from 1/2” dowels but once I tried the trigger sticks, the dowels went by the way side. So far this year I’ve shot 55 squirrels and 53 off the trigger sticks.

I’m not hc,pc, ac, dc or any kind of c. I’m a squirrel hunter. They work for me. I’ll bow out now to the purists.

53 out of 55, that's great. Ya can't argue that. I like HC, PC but if ya can't shoot it or hunt with it what good is it? I really like my SMR and it's historic accuracy. I love my Crockett Rifle, I'm looking into peep sights, and or fiber optic one the front. Once I figure it out and decide on which one I'll buy put it on and use it.

How many of use a Dictionary.
Or go to a set of encyclopedias to obtain information these days .

To you and ETipp and anyone else use what ya gotta to use or have to use.
Heck I'm using a Flush Kit.

 

[Christophero]

I trust you fine gentleman realize that my post was in jest and humor. May not have been in good humor, but light-hearted humor, nonetheless.

I have a tendency to drop, forget, or misplace items while hunting. Thus the easy and cheap shooting sticks are quick to replace with left behind.
Now if Bog Field Pods are beginning to be suggested.... LOL

ETipp, hit those woods in any manner necessary to reign terror and rain down the squirrels.

 

[ETipp]

Well, I hate to soil this thread with any more talk of using cheater sticks. I use to use sticks made from 1/2” dowels but once I tried the trigger sticks, the dowels went by the way side. So far this year I’ve shot 55 squirrels and 53 off the trigger sticks.

I’m not hc,pc, ac, dc or any kind of c. I’m a squirrel hunter. They work for me. I’ll bow out now to the purists.

With as steep and all the uneven hillsides here, I figured that if I’m going to use sticks, it’s going to be the self leveling Trigger sticks. They make perfect sense for this territory. I cannot see how any other sticks would work on such unlevel ground. That’s one reason I bought them. The other was JimK highly recommended them. I can absolutely see how they could be beneficial in some applications.

While out yesterday trying to find some squirrels, I came across one of several trees that were very active hickories last fall. I killed about 10-12 squirrels out of that one hickory. Looking around, I could see exactly where and how the trigger stick would have been of great benefit. Reason being, suitable trees to take a rest from. There really wasn't any, considering the secondary canopy. I'm not great at offhand shooting, especially up in the tops of 30 to 40 foot trees. It became real apparent that had I set up with a chair and those sticks, I most likely would have had better results. I sometimes had to wait for long periods of time before getting a suitable shot due to not being in the ideal position. The other active hickory was worse yet, in terms of finding a suitable rest.

I'm withholding comment on them until I give them a fair field testing. However, they do give me much confidence thus far. Not my style of hunting due to I much prefer to be on the go and cover a lot of ground, but considering I'm flat running out of places to hunt, this ole boy is more than willing to give them a try.

If anyone has a hankering to see how they work, just go to YouTube and type in Trigger Sticks. There's several videos available.

The Trigger sticks are well made and have some great features. I hope to give them a better review after proper field testing.

 

[ETipp]

Okay, QD’s installed. The sling came off of another critter tool, temporarily until I order a leather strap. Luckily for me, even this one will accept all of my universal slings I made. I slung it over my back and it is going to work. As heavy as the GPR is, the sling will be well received.

I’m hoping to resight this one in and try to kill a couple of squirrels with it this year. About 30 grains of 3F should do the trick.

 

[ETipp]

Ed I sometimes think I'm cursed or as you say the big man might be upset. I also think it was just one of those days.

Henry and had a full day. Low 40s then up to 65. We're out from a little before 9 until 4. Saw a few squirrels off in the distance running around on the ground and some big logs.

We were sitting in a nice spot and the didn't seem right he was focused on this tree with a dead saw palmetto next to it. He was whining a bit and was quivering. So after about 20 mins or so we went to investigate. He sniffed around then started digging on the palmetto side I looked around to the other side of the tree and there was a hole. I said "Get em boy" and stated digging. Sure as s*** here comes mister Opossum running out the other side.

It was good day we had together.

Maybe next time.

Do you any squirrel hunting days available this year?

I think perhaps until February

 

[ETipp]

I trust you fine gentleman realize that my post was in jest and humor. May not have been in good humor, but light-hearted humor, nonetheless.

I have a tendency to drop, forget, or misplace items while hunting. Thus the easy and cheap shooting sticks are quick to replace with left behind.
Now if Bog Field Pods are beginning to be suggested.... LOL

ETipp, hit those woods in any manner necessary to reign terror and rain down the squirrels.

Indeed. Losing them is of big concern to me, considering I paid almost $120.00 for them and they are camo. I've given this some consideration and I believe what I will do is take some white flagging tape and tie to one or both legs.

Well, I wanted to go to the woods this morning but was unable. After I ate, I became severely short winded and very little energy, followed by that darn nagging cough again. Maybe later in the week.

 

[10 spot]

Indeed. Losing them is of big concern to me, considering I paid almost $120.00 for them and they are camo. I've given this some consideration and I believe what I will do is take some white flagging tape and tie to one or both legs.

Well, I wanted to go to the woods this morning but was unable. After I ate, I became severely short winded and very little energy, followed by that darn nagging cough again. Maybe later in the week.

Hang in there ole Buddy,
10spot