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

[yellowhammer]

Spare some for Virginia, please!

Left hand half-stock smoothbore? Very cool. Post some pics and details , weight, etc, for us!

 

[longcruise]

Wondering how our squirrel hunters in Helene's path are faring??

 

[Duk]

Wondering how our squirrel hunters in Helene's path are faring??

I was thinking the same thing. I hope they are all doing good and getting time in the squirrel woods.

 

[snakebit]

Wondering how our squirrel hunters in Helene's path are faring??

Good friend of ours on here, Fred (Gum Slough Muzzleloader), told me the DNR is/has closed a lot of the public hunting areas. I'm hoping round 2 for those folks isn't as bad. I kinda feel like a schmuck, I'm complaining about several days of rain, while folks down there are having their homes flooded. Excuse my poor behavior.

 

[Lead Mosquito]

Left hand half-stock smoothbore? Very cool. Post some pics and details , weight, etc, for us!

Sure thing! It’s my first fowler (it ain’t easy finding left-handed anything). Bought it used off Track of the Wolf. 12 gauge with an integral modified choke. Walnut stock. 6.6 lbs. Been experimenting with loads based on all the forum suggestions. Good results so far with 2F, Corn Meal, #6 shot, over shot card, but open to any and all suggestions. Good hunting!

 

[snakebit]

Looks from the photo, it works pretty good.

 

[yellowhammer]

Sure thing! It’s my first fowler (it ain’t easy finding left-handed anything). Bought it used off Track of the Wolf. 12 gauge with an integral modified choke. Walnut stock. 6.6 lbs. Been experimenting with loads based on all the forum suggestions. Good results so far with 2F, Corn Meal, #6 shot, over shot card, but open to any and all suggestions. Good hunting!

Thanks Lead Mosquito. Very cool weapon. Light, versatile, all business. My next will be a smoothbore.

 

[pete in Wboro]

Sounds like a good day. I'm with you on the eyesight. I've had to either pot fiber optic sights, or paint my irons. I still have just as much fun missing them though. Ever quits raining here, I'd like to get out some more before deer season opens up.

My man Snakebit;
I know all about eye problems. I am 81 and have glaucoma. I have a
n implant in my left eye and 3 stents. This eys has had a total of

Sounds like a good day. I'm with you on the eyesight. I've had to either pot fiber optic sights, or paint my irons. I still have just as much fun missing them though. Ever quits raining here, I'd like to get out some more before deer season opens up.

Mr. Snakebit,
I too have eye problems. I am 81 and have glaucoma. My left eye has an implant and 3 stents, a total of 5 surgeries. It is my good eye. My right eye has 1 implant, 1 stent, 2 surgeries, it is my shooting eye. I can't shoot left-handed because my pacemaker is in the pocket of my left shoulder. I can't line up the sights and a target with my right eye. It is impossible. I had my gunsmith tap the barrel of a .50 cal. Traditions flinter and a .36 cal. Dixie Flinter to install red dot sights. Please don't shout "Stone him. Stone the infidel". I didn't like to do this. I have many modern firearms but no longer want to use them. These 2 rifles and my .62 cal. TVM flint smoothbore will take me too the end.

As we age, we face the most difficult time of our lives. Most solutions aren't pleasant, but they are solutions. Perhaps there is another forum member who is willing to try this solution as opposed to quit shooting. These red dots really work.
Best regards,
Pete

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Good friend of ours on here, Fred (Gum Slough Muzzleloader), told me the DNR is/has closed a lot of the public hunting areas. I'm hoping round 2 for those folks isn't as bad. I kinda feel like a schmuck, I'm complaining about several days of rain, while folks down there are having their homes flooded. Excuse my poor behavior.

Them folks who took a direct hit pretty much lost everything. From the Florida coast all the way to the Carolinas, need help and prayers.
As far as me a little clean up of Spanish Moss limbs and leaves, 12 hours with out power. No big deal at all.
Go to YouTube and type in Drone Footage of Cedar Key, Horseshoe Beack, and Keaton Beach.

I feel it's kinda like "Complaining about not having Shoes until you meet a Man with no Feet"
That's just me.

 

[snakebit]

My man Snakebit;
I know all about eye problems. I am 81 and have glaucoma. I have a
n implant in my left eye and 3 stents. This eys has had a total of

Mr. Snakebit,
I too have eye problems. I am 81 and have glaucoma. My left eye has an implant and 3 stents, a total of 5 surgeries. It is my good eye. My right eye has 1 implant, 1 stent, 2 surgeries, it is my shooting eye. I can't shoot left-handed because my pacemaker is in the pocket of my left shoulder. I can't line up the sights and a target with my right eye. It is impossible. I had my gunsmith tap the barrel of a .50 cal. Traditions flinter and a .36 cal. Dixie Flinter to install red dot sights. Please don't shout "Stone him. Stone the infidel". I didn't like to do this. I have many modern firearms but no longer want to use them. These 2 rifles and my .62 cal. TVM flint smoothbore will take me too the end.

As we age, we face the most difficult time of our lives. Most solutions aren't pleasant, but they are solutions. Perhaps there is another forum member who is willing to try this solution as opposed to quit shooting. These red dots really work.
Best regards,
Pete

No judgement here Pete. Rather, I say God bless you. I can only hope to be shooting at 81. Whatever you need to do to keep in the game. Scopes, red dots, lazers, whatever, just keep going. The only person you have to please is you Pete. Someone may read your post and be inspired to try a red dot and continue shooting again. Keep banging away buddy. Just make sure you post pictures of all them squirrels lined up on a log after one of your successful hunts.

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

No judgement here Pete. Rather, I say God bless you. I can only hope to be shooting at 81. Whatever you need to do to keep in the game. Scopes, red dots, lazers, whatever, just keep going. The only person you have to please is you Pete. Someone may read your post and be inspired to try a red dot and continue shooting again. Keep banging away buddy. Just make sure you post pictures of all them squirrels lined up on a log after one of your successful hunts.

Well said.
My feelings also.

 

[10 spot]

It appears that right eye surgery went well yesterday. I could see fairly well when I got out of surgery. Not great but not bad. Couldn’t help myself so after I got home I took a peek with Mr. Crockett. I could see the front sight fairly well but the tang peep was a blur.

Had to be at the surgeons office first thing this morning. He checked me out and said everything is good and I’m right where I’m supposed to be at this point. Tested out to 20/40. He said things will slowly improve. Might take 2-3 weeks.

A few minutes ago I thought I’d give it another try so I shouldered Mr. Crockett. I’m pleased to report that both sights are clear even though I’m testing to 20/40, or did earlier this morning. Even though it’s cloudy out, I could clearly see the small pearl bead on my front sight. That’s never happened before. It had to be in sunlight in order for me to see that pearl bead.

Next I grabbed my GPR. Same kind of front sight with a different style peep. Both were basically clear with the peep being a tad fuzzy. It is completely doable, however.

I cannot explain how or why I can see those pearl white front beads now when before it had to be in the sunlight, even though I was testing out to 20/20 with corrected lenses. The only thing I can think of is it had to have been the cataract.

Also, due to not being able to wear glasses with this new lens installed, now lm finding that every time I look at my desktop screen or this cell, my vision in my left eye is obscured big time afterwards. Definitely cataract related. Left eye surgery in 2 weeks.

I hope this information helps anyone that may be experiencing the same issues. I will update as things progress.

Hello Mr ETipp

 

[10 spot]

Hello Mr ETipp

ETipp, you spoke of a pearl bead site
Did you paint the bead or is there a pearl bead front site out there?