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

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Went out this morning again. Creeped around a few minutes, found a good spot. Sat there for about half an hour, seen a couple squirrels off in the distance. Had pop up out of no where and kept moving fast. He was gone. Then a couple minutes later one comes in from another direction and sat on a big vine straight in front of me, about 6 feet above the ground and about 12 foot up. I shot and down he came. It was not the best shot, it hit him mid spine. Little fella was crawling away. I didn't like that always what what I shot to die quickly. I knifed him and it was over.
I'll be back out this afternoon if the rain allows me to. They've been moving in late afternoon and early evenings.
I have 2 for frying up tomorrow...
Not the prettiest picture but here he is.
Crockett curse?! What Crockett curse? Way to get er done Fred!
 
Yeppers. Never was a curse. That Crockett rifle was just testing Fred. It wants to know how much patience he has for when the comes when he really needs patience on a shot. Just testing the waters.
You're correct Ed, nothing wrong with them Crockett Rifles. I feel I was trying to hard. I'll be going more and I'm sure get some and miss some.

I do like hunting with PRBs. I did receive Quota Hunt Permits for some nice WMAs
 
Well fellas the humidity has dropped some this week and I’ve got squirrel hunting on my mind sooo Wednesday evening I drove to one of my spots and checked some hickory’s. Thursday evening I shot my smr for awhile. This morning I went to another spot with some loppers and cleared out some trails I use. Then walked around on the mountain. I found a small stand of hickories I hadn’t found before. Marked them on Onx. I’m going to be like a kid on Christmas Eve by the time Sep 14 gets here. Lol
 
You're correct Ed, nothing wrong with them Crockett Rifles. I feel I was trying to hard. I'll be going more and I'm sure get some and miss some.

I do like hunting with PRBs. I did receive Quota Hunt Permits for some nice WMAs
That Crockett squirrel rifle will teach you a few things in time if you let it. I know mine did. A Crockett with open sights is the most challenging squirrel hunting I’ve ever done. Truth be known, it’s the overall most challenging hunting I’ve ever done on any species, at least my preferred method of squirrel hunting. It ain’t for the faint of heart or easily discouraged hunter that’s for sure.

Patience Grasshopper, patience is the key.
 
Well fellas the humidity has dropped some this week and I’ve got squirrel hunting on my mind sooo Wednesday evening I drove to one of my spots and checked some hickory’s. Thursday evening I shot my smr for awhile. This morning I went to another spot with some loppers and cleared out some trails I use. Then walked around on the mountain. I found a small stand of hickories I hadn’t found before. Marked them on Onx. I’m going to be like a kid on Christmas Eve by the time Sep 14 gets here. Lol
That’s great, Jim. I hope you have a very successful season chasing squirrels. Knowing where to hunt is a major part of the battle for sure and you’re already lined out.
 
Okay fellas, I have an update on my vision issue and seeing the front sight on my Crockett squirrel rifles.

It was cloudy and raining this morning. I had planned on breaking in my newest Crockett after the rain stopped so I shouldered it to test my vision. I could barely make out the end bead it was so fuzzy. Not acceptable.

So, I had enough of that foolishness and pulled out an old lenses from a pair of identical glasses from 2-3 years ago. Installed the right lenses in a pair of glasses that I had my new prescription in. And just like that, I could see the factory rear and front bead fairly clear. Not perfect but doable. Next, I picked up Mr. C to look through my sights. I can see both the peep and the front bead just fine.

I took this one step further and made an eye chart and had my wife hold it up from across the room. There is very little difference between the left and right eye vision. So, I have one old lenses (Right) and one new lenses (left) and I was able to determine that the corrected left eye lenses is a bit stronger than my previous one. This helped for sure.

I still cannot explain this but my guess is, that considering I have two of the exact frames, the old right lenses I got back might be one out of the other pair of old glasses that had a lenses fitting problem to where the lenses would pop out often, so I put them away a couple of years ago and never wore them. They were an extra pair. I don't know for sure what the heck is going on but as of now, I am back in the saddle again. I am finding my right eye longer distance to be just a tad less than the new corrected left eye vision, but it is absolutely doable at this time.

My other new glasses (lenses) for the other identical frames should be in this coming week. All I know now is I'm not walking out of there until I get some answers and things are all worked out. The old right lenses is plastic and thicker, not poly like the new prescription. So it will not be staying in those frames. Hopefully I can get this figured out.

I'm simply thrilled that I know I am okay to squirrel hunt with my Crockett again as it is. This has been deeply bothering me for days now. So I can rest at ease for a while now anyway.
 
Okay fellas, I have an update on my vision issue and seeing the front sight on my Crockett squirrel rifles.

It was cloudy and raining this morning. I had planned on breaking in my newest Crockett after the rain stopped so I shouldered it to test my vision. I could barely make out the end bead it was so fuzzy. Not acceptable.

So, I had enough of that foolishness and pulled out an old lenses from a pair of identical glasses from 2-3 years ago. Installed the right lenses in a pair of glasses that I had my new prescription in. And just like that, I could see the factory rear and front bead fairly clear. Not perfect but doable. Next, I picked up Mr. C to look through my sights. I can see both the peep and the front bead just fine.

I took this one step further and made an eye chart and had my wife hold it up from across the room. There is very little difference between the left and right eye vision. So, I have one old lenses (Right) and one new lenses (left) and I was able to determine that the corrected left eye lenses is a bit stronger than my previous one. This helped for sure.

I still cannot explain this but my guess is, that considering I have two of the exact frames, the old right lenses I got back might be one out of the other pair of old glasses that had a lenses fitting problem to where the lenses would pop out often, so I put them away a couple of years ago and never wore them. They were an extra pair. I don't know for sure what the heck is going on but as of now, I am back in the saddle again. I am finding my right eye longer distance to be just a tad less than the new corrected left eye vision, but it is absolutely doable at this time.

My other new glasses (lenses) for the other identical frames should be in this coming week. All I know now is I'm not walking out of there until I get some answers and things are all worked out. The old right lenses is plastic and thicker, not poly like the new prescription. So it will not be staying in those frames. Hopefully I can get this figured out.

I'm simply thrilled that I know I am okay to squirrel hunt with my Crockett again as it is. This has been deeply bothering me for days now. So I can rest at ease for a while now anyway.
Sounds like a good plan . Good luck
 
I'm simply thrilled that I know I am okay to squirrel hunt with my Crockett again as it is. This has been deeply bothering me for days now. So I can rest at ease for a while now ananyway.
Glad you were able to figure it out and make it work. Hope they give you some answers and get ya headed in the right direction as far as the cataract problem.
 
Glad you were able to figure it out and make it work. Hope they give you some answers and get ya headed in the right direction as far as the cataract problem.
Sounds like a good plan . Good luck
Thanks. It certainly is a relief. The Cataract issue is still there but at least I can see my front sight now. Still cannot explain this because it is somewhat difficult with some twists involved.
 
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Thanks. It certainly is a relief. The Cataract issue is still there but at least I can see my front sight now. Still cannot explain this because it is somewhat difficult with some twists involved.
Ed
This is just a thought.
Could there be some sort of stress that could be causing your eye not to focus properly ?
Knowing you have cataract issues???
 
Ed
This is just a thought.
Could there be some sort of stress that could be causing your eye not to focus properly ?
Knowing you have cataract issues???
Could be, Greg. I really don’t know what it is. Evidently, neither do the eye doctors at this point.

I definitely have damaged eyes from vitreous detachments in both eyes that tore the eye. This has left me with some rather large floaters at times. When that occurred the first time (in my right eye) I went to see an ophthalmologist and never got a good explanation. That’s been about 5-6 years ago.

I do know that since the detachments I have been experiencing dry eyes at times that definitely affects my vision. Therefore, I now carry eye drops with me in my possibles bag, as well as in my truck. I often apply eye drops first thing in the morning as well. One thing for certain, at least in part, this condition can and does vary at times. I never know when until it happens. There’s days that my vision is distorted all day long. Yet the next day will be fine, other than cataract issues.

Interesting as it is, both the cataract and dry eye(s) condition showed up right after the vitreous detachments, so you might be onto something when thinking some sort of stress might be causing this.

Just my luck to have such a strange situation. Growing old ain’t for sissies that’s for sure. At least I’m not blind so I count my blessings for that.
 
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Ed... stress and caffeine! If I'm going to the range early in the day, I avoid coffee until I get home. I know for a fact that coffee tends to mess with my eyes and even through a scoped rifle, I am not as accurate. Stress is a big one, figure blood pressure etc. and it is very easy to have that impact your eyesight. I also struggle with vision issues, not nearly as bad as you. I have been reduced to a peep on my Cherokee and even then, some days I just can't focus on the front sight and the have a comfortable non-fuzzy view of the intended target. I hate to say, but I have acquired the components to put a 1x on that rifle just so I can have a focus. I'm hoping to get another year out of things without adding that tho

I have tried my standard tv/long-range lenses, my readers, plain old off the shelf safety glasses... no eye cover (stupid I know) and now think I'll try the various low power readers from the local store rack. Problem is, in the woods I would need to swap pairs to shoot... which I suppose is at least better than not seeing well at all.

My cataracts are ten years out, I'm told. I'm going on 56 this fall. Also, on night-driving, try a pair of your prescription lenses in a light tint amber or yellow. I have worn prescription sunglasses at night for decades and it greatly reduces the halo and glare. If you haven't tried this site, check them out as you can get a couple pair of full glasses for 30$ in many cases.. goggles4u.com I buy a couple pair a year there. Just input your prescription numbers and pick the frame, lenses and tint, if any. Definitely worth a try.
 
Problem is, in the woods I would need to swap pairs to shoot... which I suppose is at least better than not seeing well at all.
I use the low power readers in the woods and can see fine at distance. The only time I would need to switch is if lookin at small and close like small print on my phone and that's generally not needed in the woods, but I bring the bifocals just in case.
 
Ed... stress and caffeine! If I'm going to the range early in the day, I avoid coffee until I get home. I know for a fact that coffee tends to mess with my eyes and even through a scoped rifle, I am not as accurate. Stress is a big one, figure blood pressure etc. and it is very easy to have that impact your eyesight. I also struggle with vision issues, not nearly as bad as you. I have been reduced to a peep on my Cherokee and even then, some days I just can't focus on the front sight and the have a comfortable non-fuzzy view of the intended target. I hate to say, but I have acquired the components to put a 1x on that rifle just so I can have a focus. I'm hoping to get another year out of things without adding that tho

I have tried my standard tv/long-range lenses, my readers, plain old off the shelf safety glasses... no eye cover (stupid I know) and now think I'll try the various low power readers from the local store rack. Problem is, in the woods I would need to swap pairs to shoot... which I suppose is at least better than not seeing well at all.

My cataracts are ten years out, I'm told. I'm going on 56 this fall. Also, on night-driving, try a pair of your prescription lenses in a light tint amber or yellow. I have worn prescription sunglasses at night for decades and it greatly reduces the halo and glare. If you haven't tried this site, check them out as you can get a couple pair of full glasses for 30$ in many cases.. goggles4u.com I buy a couple pair a year there. Just input your prescription numbers and pick the frame, lenses and tint, if any. Definitely worth a try.
Thanks for the information.

I do drink coffee. My blood pressure, as well as all my other critical functions are darn near perfect. That includes all my bloodwork, which last month was fairly extensive. No medications either and I’m 66 years of age. My doctor is impressed by this.

I cannot rule out daily stress being part of this situation. However, I really don’t have much of that. Now in terms of self induced stressed, more so adrenaline, from my preferred squirrel hunting method, as well as the amount of physical stress added due to steep terrain, that may very well be a factor. Also, I have a tendency to push myself way too hard on physical activity such as clearing land, firewood getting, etc. In short, I run myself ragged at times. So perhaps that has something to do with it?

With that said, some days I wake up with fuzzy vision and it remains with me all day. Or, it might go away later in the day. Sometimes it comes on later in the day and lasts until I go to bed. Whatever it is causing this, it’s not a fun thing to experience.

Cataract issue is consistent.

IMO, these type of situations are the most difficult. Much like a vehicle that has a problem sometimes but not always. If the computer doesn’t have a code, then it’s simply guesswork until it ultimately refuses to work anymore.

In addition, I used to wear corrected lenses that were tented to the amber/brown tint of my specification. They definitely help during night driving especially during rainy conditions. They worked great when I used to fly in haze or smoky weather. That’s what I had them dipped for. However, those days are gone. No one seems to tent prescription lenses anymore in that color.
 
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goggles4u will tint several colors, give them a look, maybe you'll find something worth trying. I need to get an appointment and new prescription myself to update mine. I prefer yellow now because of the extra daylight you get early and late, I figure at the shortest days of deer season I get another 15 to 20 minutes over my buddy who won't wear colored lenses.
 
goggles4u will tint several colors, give them a look, maybe you'll find something worth trying. I need to get an appointment and new prescription myself to update mine. I prefer yellow now because of the extra daylight you get early and late, I figure at the shortest days of deer season I get another 15 to 20 minutes over my buddy who won't wear colored lenses.
That could be. When I first started skydiving years ago I bought a pair of yellow goggles. They weren’t worth a hoot in bright light conditions. One evening on the last load of the day, in a rush I reached into my bag and grabbed them. I was amazed at how much they helped when it was darn near dark.

That’s an option for poor light conditions while squirrel hunting. Actually, there is an inexpensive way to test this theory. All it would cost is a few bucks to purchase one of those cheap clip-on shades that go over your glasses. Cheap, fast and easy.

Yes sir, now I have something that just went to the top of my list of things to try. 😁

Thanks so much for the info.
 
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