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

[Jim K]

I’m glad things are starting to come together for you. It’s difficult not being able to hear like one should. It’s not fun. I tried a pair of those tactical ears when I was elk hunting out west. I found the same thing, trying to pinpoint a sound wasn’t easy. However, that was years ago so I have been considering trying another type for squirrel hunting. It will not be another pair from Tactical company, considering one side on the pair I had stopped working and the company would not support me in any way.

What state do you reside in?

Most likely the reason for squirrels not minding your presence as much whilst you deer hunt has to do with the nut crop situation at that time.

I’ve been wearing Walker game ears for years. I wore them bow hunting, turkey hunting, squirrel hunting and bird watching. I started with one in my left ear ( my bad ear from to much shooting without hearing protection). Couldn’t tell directions. Got the second for my right ear. Game changer. Sometimes I have to turn my head around a little to really key in on a sound. But they work.

Last year I got hearing aids. I only wear them hunting if using a 22. The game ears shut off when you shoot protecting your ears.

Obviously the hearing aids are set up for my hearing deficiencies and work better than the game ears but I can’t shoot a muzzleloader with them in.

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

No one can ever convince me that the big guy upstairs doesn’t do good work.

It would of been nice to get a mess of squirrels, but that boulder is so cool.
I could have looked at that for hours. I love finding rock piles and big oaks blown over by a storm once uprooted
They expose a lot rocks and other things.

Your statement

 

[Boomerang]

What a beautiful day in the woods today. Started out 29 degrees in the morning with frost. I was able to get four squirrels with my GPR. Here is a picture of two of them.

 

[ETipp]

What a beautiful day in the woods today. Started out 29 degrees in the morning with frost. I was able to get four squirrels with my GPR. Here is a picture of two of them.

Congrats on a successful hunt.

What kind of peep sight is that?

 

[Boomerang]

Congrats on a successful hunt.

What kind of peep sight is that?

Thanks.
The peep site is one that I made at work. I’m a machinist and it’s kind of like the Pedersoli ghost site, but it’s adjustable to make it square with the barrel.

 

[ETipp]

Thanks.
The peep site is one that I made at work. I’m a machinist and it’s kind of like the Pedersoli ghost site, but it’s adjustable to make it square with the barrel.

Well done, Boom.

I’m still trying to come up with anoer type of peep for my GPR. I do like that bulky and boxy Lyman 57 but I’m stuck with it until I can come up with something better.

 

[pilot]

@pilot I understand that directional thing. When I wear electronic ear protection at the range I can clearly understand conversations taking place 100 yards away but no clue as to the direction.

How does your device work in the wind?

Wind noise is similar to hearing aids. I have to turn my head to reduce it when the wind is up. Mostly just annoying.

I haven't tried shooting yet, but can say this device has automatic gain control. The only thing I don't like about is that it is slow. For example, I can adjust the agc on my hf radio for attack time. I'll ask about that at my appointment this week. I'll also try shooting before I head back to the city tomorrow.

On a side note, I'm hearing bird calls for the first time in decades. I need to relearn them to know what I'm hearing. Crows are no problem. Bluejays are easy. It is the little guys I forgot about. We have pileated woodpeckers here in north Missouri and those I remember. I heard two this week.

 

[Jim K]

Wind noise is similar to hearing aids. I have to turn my head to reduce it when the wind is up. Mostly just annoying.

I haven't tried shooting yet, but can say this device has automatic gain control. The only thing I don't like about is that it is slow. For example, I can adjust the agc on my hf radio for attack time. I'll ask about that at my appointment this week. I'll also try shooting before I head back to the city tomorrow.

On a side note, I'm hearing bird calls for the first time in decades. I need to relearn them to know what I'm hearing. Crows are no problem. Bluejays are easy. It is the little guys I forgot about. We have pileated woodpeckers here in north Missouri and those I remember. I heard two this week.

I’m so glad you can hear the birds again. I felt bad for my dad. We were sitting on his patio one time and I said, listen to all the birds. He couldn’t hear them. Made me sad. I’m happy for you!

 

[longcruise]

Well done, Boom.

I’m still trying to come up with anoer type of peep for my GPR. I do like that bulky and boxy Lyman 57 but I’m stuck with it until I can come up with something better.

I'm in the same boat with the GPR. Mine wears a GM drop in 54 and it has sights very much like TC factory sights which I've always liked but vision is making it harder all the time.

I made this sight from a readily available adjustable from TOW. Some file work and a washer soldered in place. Haven't tried this yet so the jury is still out. It's mounted on an unmentionable here.

For the GPR I'm thinking to make another with a smaller washer and cut a dovetail so the peep sits far too the rear.

 

[longcruise]

Why doesn't my town have a swat team dedicated to getting rid of squirrels?? Bet they could take out 20 squirrels in an hour. Took me five months to get rid of them. Well at least my 20 are living quality lives in "The Colony".

 

[ETipp]

Why doesn't my town have a swat team dedicated to getting rid of squirrels?? Bet they could take out 20 squirrels in an hour. Took me five months to get rid of them. Well at least my 20 are living quality lives in "The Colony".

Ha, they have you fooled, Cruiser. Little do you know they are probably clandestinely plotting a major attack on you. No doubt there are sleeper cells of revengeful squirrels just waiting for the perfect time. Squirrels do not forget, you know. They have had a lot of time for preparations.

I would be very concerned if I were you.

 

[snakebit]

Ha, they have you fooled, Cruiser. Little do you know they are probably clandestinely plotting a major attack on you. No doubt there are sleeper cells of revengeful squirrels just waiting for the perfect time. Squirrels do not forget, you know. They have had a lot of time for preparations.

I would be very concerned if I were you.

Ed is spot on Cruiser. They are all at the Colony doing close order drill, and studying Sun Tzu's Art of War. Be extra vigilant at sunrise, and sunset. That's probably when they will strike. Just remember, speed, surprise, and violence of action. That will be your keys to victory.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Every morning I check about 60 cows up the road. There is a bayou that meanders through the place, and an old cutoff pond. I start my route at the pond looking for gators, and then follow along the high bank of the bayou looking for squirrels while scanning the low bank, making sure I don't have any stranded bovine swimmers in the bayou channel.

The enemy (🐿, ) is thick at this place, and I always try to carry the appropriate tools for the job. Lately I've been carrying a wonderful little piece built by Bob Hoyt that I got from @AZ Muzzleloaders . It's a super light and classy little half stock with interchangeable .62 smooth and .45 rifled barrels. For the squirrels, I've been loading the .62 with ~60gr 3f & 1 1/8oz of copper plated #6 shot. It has been doing a fine job.

Yesterday, I was rolling along and saw a flash of movement. A cat squirrel had raced around to the backside of a tree I had come alongside. I slammed on the brakes and got out with the trusty, yet still unnamed, piece. I've never been one to name a gun, but more on that later....

As I backed up several paces, to not vaporize Mr. Greysquirrel, he runs out on a limb and stops DIRECTLY over the jeep. Both my dogs were staring straight up at him, mouths gaping. I think to myself, HECK YEAH!, I'm gonna shoot this sucker and the boys are going to catch him when he falls!

One split second before I pull the trigger, he blasts off. I'm doing my best to follow him, and BLAMM!! Big cloud of smoke, limbs thrashing, leaves floating down, but no sign of Mr. Greysquirrel.....I had fired that gun about a week ago, loaded it again, and cleaned the bore above the shot column. I had been needing to clear it and give it a good cleaning. I wasn't necessarily looking to kill anything, as I had other chores that needed to be done more than cleaning another squirrel, but he triggered me with his antics. Thought to myself, heck yeah, mission accomplished!! As I turn to walk back to the jeep, I hear limbs crashing, and look to see a nice sized fox squirrel hit the ground, dead as a hammer! She was hid up, trying to avoid the action but ended up becoming collateral damage .

I thought to myself, I've done kilt a shapeshifter!

Got to thinking, what a great name for the gun, with its interchangeability.

Shapeshifter it is.

 

[Boomerang]

2 fer 1, can't beat that!

 

[snakebit]

Every morning I check about 60 cows up the road. There is a bayou that meanders through the place, and an old cutoff pond. I start my route at the pond looking for gators, and then follow along the high bank of the bayou looking for squirrels while scanning the low bank, making sure I don't have any stranded bovine swimmers in the bayou channel.

The enemy (🐿, ) is thick at this place, and I always try to carry the appropriate tools for the job. Lately I've been carrying a wonderful little piece built by Bob Hoyt that I got from @AZ Muzzleloaders . It's a super light and classy little half stock with interchangeable .62 smooth and .45 rifled barrels. For the squirrels, I've been loading the .62 with ~60gr 3f & 1 1/8oz of copper plated #6 shot. It has been doing a fine job.

Yesterday, I was rolling along and saw a flash of movement. A cat squirrel had raced around to the backside of a tree I had come alongside. I slammed on the brakes and got out with the trusty, yet still unnamed, piece. I've never been one to name a gun, but more on that later....

As I backed up several paces, to not vaporize Mr. Greysquirrel, he runs out on a limb and stops DIRECTLY over the jeep. Both my dogs were staring straight up at him, mouths gaping. I think to myself, HECK YEAH!, I'm gonna shoot this sucker and the boys are going to catch him when he falls!

One split second before I pull the trigger, he blasts off. I'm doing my best to follow him, and BLAMM!! Big cloud of smoke, limbs thrashing, leaves floating down, but no sign of Mr. Greysquirrel.....I had fired that gun about a week ago, loaded it again, and cleaned the bore above the shot column. I had been needing to clear it and give it a good cleaning. I wasn't necessarily looking to kill anything, as I had other chores that needed to be done more than cleaning another squirrel, but he triggered me with his antics. Thought to myself, heck yeah, mission accomplished!! As I turn to walk back to the jeep, I hear limbs crashing, and look to see a nice sized fox squirrel hit the ground, dead as a hammer! She was hid up, trying to avoid the action but ended up becoming collateral damage .

I thought to myself, I've done kilt a shapeshifter!

Got to thinking, what a great name for the gun, with its interchangeability.

Shapeshifter it is.
View attachment 359950

Heck yeah!

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Every morning I check about 60 cows up the road. There is a bayou that meanders through the place, and an old cutoff pond. I start my route at the pond looking for gators, and then follow along the high bank of the bayou looking for squirrels while scanning the low bank, making sure I don't have any stranded bovine swimmers in the bayou channel.

The enemy (🐿, ) is thick at this place, and I always try to carry the appropriate tools for the job. Lately I've been carrying a wonderful little piece built by Bob Hoyt that I got from @AZ Muzzleloaders . It's a super light and classy little half stock with interchangeable .62 smooth and .45 rifled barrels. For the squirrels, I've been loading the .62 with ~60gr 3f & 1 1/8oz of copper plated #6 shot. It has been doing a fine job.

Yesterday, I was rolling along and saw a flash of movement. A cat squirrel had raced around to the backside of a tree I had come alongside. I slammed on the brakes and got out with the trusty, yet still unnamed, piece. I've never been one to name a gun, but more on that later....

As I backed up several paces, to not vaporize Mr. Greysquirrel, he runs out on a limb and stops DIRECTLY over the jeep. Both my dogs were staring straight up at him, mouths gaping. I think to myself, HECK YEAH!, I'm gonna shoot this sucker and the boys are going to catch him when he falls!

One split second before I pull the trigger, he blasts off. I'm doing my best to follow him, and BLAMM!! Big cloud of smoke, limbs thrashing, leaves floating down, but no sign of Mr. Greysquirrel.....I had fired that gun about a week ago, loaded it again, and cleaned the bore above the shot column. I had been needing to clear it and give it a good cleaning. I wasn't necessarily looking to kill anything, as I had other chores that needed to be done more than cleaning another squirrel, but he triggered me with his antics. Thought to myself, heck yeah, mission accomplished!! As I turn to walk back to the jeep, I hear limbs crashing, and look to see a nice sized fox squirrel hit the ground, dead as a hammer! She was hid up, trying to avoid the action but ended up becoming collateral damage .

I thought to myself, I've done kilt a shapeshifter!

Got to thinking, what a great name for the gun, with its interchangeability.

Shapeshifter it is.
View attachment 359950

Nice story, great name for your gun!

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Guys I haven't posted much lately.
I've been hunting 4 times out back by the Slough.

First 3 times after the storm I saw nothing other than birds. 4th time I out I did se 3 squirrels, 40 to 50 yards out in tree tops. No sneaking up on them.
Went hunting on a WMA this weekend.

Last year the spot I hunted, no one else was in that area. I saw a good amount of deer, I even saw a couple hogs. This year nothing, other than people. I had one fella walk right up next to me, 8 foot away. Looked around and spit on the ground. When I finally said something, Hey Buddy, it scared the Stuff out him.

However there were many squirrels. I will be taken off Friday to hunt plus Saturday and Sunday. I'm half tempted to take the Crockett Rifle and shoot the squirrels and if I was to get a good close clean head shot at a deer I might take him.
We'll have to see what plays out.

Good to see others getting out there making some kills, keep it fellas.


Take Care Stay Safe

 

[snakebit]

Guys I haven't posted much lately.
I've been hunting 4 times out back by the Slough.

First 3 times after the storm I saw nothing other than birds. 4th time I out I did se 3 squirrels, 40 to 50 yards out in tree tops. No sneaking up on them.
Went hunting on a WMA this weekend.

Last year the spot I hunted, no one else was in that area. I saw a good amount of deer, I even saw a couple hogs. This year nothing, other than people. I had one fella walk right up next to me, 8 foot away. Looked around and spit on the ground. When I finally said something, Hey Buddy, it scared the Stuff out him.

However there were many squirrels. I will be taken off Friday to hunt plus Saturday and Sunday. I'm half tempted to take the Crockett Rifle and shoot the squirrels and if I was to get a good close clean head shot at a deer I might take him.
We'll have to see what plays out.

Good to see others getting out there making some kills, keep it fellas.


Take Care Stay Safe

The public land curse my friend. When I only hunted from tree stands, I'd get such a kick out of watching guys Fudd through the woods. Too noisy, moving too fast, could smell cigarette smoke on them, or worse, waaayyy to much tinks 69. Even funnier when when hunting on the ground and they (humans) get so close to you you scare them. I usually wear a ghillie suit jacket when bow hunting from the ground, had one older fella get about 3 ft from me, when I cleared my throat to get his attention, he jumped and straightened his back out spun around and said " you SOB! I think I $h!t my pants". My side hurts from laughing so hard. He did too. At least you were able to get out in the woods Fred.