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

[snakebit]

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.

Excuse me? Beggyer pardon? Can you say that in my good ear????!!!!! Ed is actually embracing the sticks! Good for you buddy! Nothing wrong with workin smarter. I hope you can get them comfortably worked into your kit and kicking @$$ with em

 

[snakebit]

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.

My stuff is on its way.

 

[snakebit]

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

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but weren't petroleum and carbon flora and fauna some years back?

 

[snakebit]

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.

Take your time with it buddy. Just like planning any hunt, you make sure your knife is sharp, your rifle cleaned and ready, your speed loaders and ball pouch are filled, you got plenty of patched in your can of mink oil. Some goes for YOU, don't push yourself too much. That whole one step forward, two steps back thing.

 

[10 spot]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but weren't petroleum and carbon flora and fauna some years back?

I kno what petro is the other two , I haven't a clue, then again doesn't matter to me. Quite the canumdrum.

 

[snakebit]

I kno what petro is the other two , I haven't a clue, then again doesn't matter to me. Quite the canumdrum.

Flora, and fauna. Plants and animals. See there, I wasn't always daydreaming about squirrel hunting when I was in school. Well, daydreamed about catching big blue catfish too but I do remember a teacher saying something about those 2 things. Maybe she was one of the better looking ones

 

[10 spot]

Flora, and fauna. Plants and animals. See there, I wasn't always daydreaming about squirrel hunting when I was in school. Well, daydreamed about catching big blue catfish too but I do remember a teacher saying something about those 2 things. Maybe she was one of the better looking ones

Hum, I'll be didn't know, long as ya can eat'm, that all that matter, they may have mentioned it back in school, but I probly wasn't listening

 

[snakebit]

Hum, I'll be didn't know, long as ya can eat'm, that all that matter, they may have mentioned it back in school, but I probly wasn't listening

I listened just enough to squeak through. I don't even go to reunions

 

[10 spot]

I listened just enough to squeak through. I don't even go to reunions

Yep, me either, that was a long time ago, 1982 and never step back in that
School. (Some good times though)
The sunny slops of long ago, wonder
I still alive.

 

[snakebit]

Yep, me either, that was a long time ago, 1982 and never step back in that
School. (Some good times though)
The sunny slops of long ago, wonder
I still alive.

Ive learned to not dwell on it too much. I'd bet my last bump of bourbon that I've used all of my extra lives. Nowadays I just try not to walk under ladders and what not, I can't afford to do dumb stuff anymore

 

[10 spot]

Ive learned to not dwell on it too much. I'd bet my last bump of bourbon that I've used all of my extra lives. Nowadays I just try not to walk under ladders and what not, I can't afford to do dumb stuff anymore

 

[Trigger]

I listened just enough to squeak through. I don't even go to reunions

Funny.. I was a year early I graduated. Sr year I had one class mid day and that was it.. I did allot of fishing. So I did 3 years of high school and 1 class the 4th year.. I had Sr year. Everyone else had no credit and was stuck in class.

I didn't go to graduation.

 

[Trigger]

It wasn't hard either.. not to brag.

I just got my credits for everything.

I didn't skip. I write the note and signed it . You get 9 absent only 3 skip.. I always had a note.

 

[Trigger]

Used to tell my friends.. why do they skip.

Take a day off. Write a note.

Other than that. Don't loose credit being late and or just skip..

I'd take days off all threw school. and write the note.. go fishing. Have fun. And I'd pick the nice days.

They did stupid stuff. Lost credits

 

[10 spot]

Funny.. I was a year early I graduated. Sr year I had one class mid day and that was it.. I did allot of fishing. So I did 3 years of high school and 1 class the 4th year.. I had Sr year. Everyone else had no credit and was stuck in class.

I didn't go to graduation.

Used to tell my friends.. why do they skip.

Take a day off. Write a note.

Other than that. Don't loose credit being late and or just skip..

I'd take days off all threw school. and write the note.. go fishing. Have fun. And I'd pick the nice days.

They did stupid stuff. Lost credits

I was right with ya

 

[longcruise]

I listened just enough to squeak through. I don't even go to reunions

Likewise, never been to one.

My teachers would send notes with my report cards. "He daydreams and looks out the windows" "He draws pictures when he should be doing his work" None of them ever seemed to consider that they were boring me near to death

Everyone told me I could never go to college. When I decided to go i got my bachelor's in three years. Take that Mrs. Stickler. YES, That was her real name.

 

[yellowhammer]

...Take that Mrs. Stickler. YES, That was her real name.

@longcruise
Same here, Cruiser. Can't remember her name, the ole fat heifer. Told me I should pick a trade school instead of college. But, looking back, I take full blame, because I, too, was bored sh!tless.

 

[snakebit]

Likewise, never been to one.

My teachers would send notes with my report cards. "He daydreams and looks out the windows" "He draws pictures when he should be doing his work" None of them ever seemed to consider that they were boring me near to death

Everyone told me I could never go to college. When I decided to go i got my bachelor's in three years. Take that Mrs. Stickler. YES, That was her real name.

I told a teacher once, history teacher to be exact, which I did get good grades in, I told him if he let me pack my lip with Kodiak, and we talked about hunting and fishing, he'd have my undivided attention. He hated me. Mr. Ebbersmire.

 

[Christophero]

Sounds like a theme of slipshod academics makes up a large portion of this hunting fraternity. I am guilty as charged, as well. A couple instructors out of the whole earned my inattention, but the main portion were victims of my lack of discipline and commitment, much to my chagrin and their frustration.

 

[Spikebuck]

...a few squirrels were out bright and early keeping me company. They don't always sleep in on cold mornings.

It's common in my area for squirrels to be out in very cold weather (single digits +/- zero F) not long after daylight...if it is calm. If it's windy or a strong breeze, then not. I find that wind is more of a deterrent than temp.