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

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Methinks Jim discovered the squirrel version of fat camp

Good one.
I wonder if Pritzker is lurking amongst them.

 

[snakebit]

Good one.
I wonder if Pritzker is lurking amongst them.

Hope not. Ol Jelly Belly Pritzker would eat all the acorns and hickory nuts.

 

[snakebit]

Lol. They were three big ones. They aren’t all like that. I did notice they were big.

I’ve shot a couple really little ones this year. Kinda feel bad when I do. But they eat good!

Just means your a good shot to hit the little ones. Tender is good

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

I'll probably try some squirrel hunting on public lands this weekend. I did find a couple spots hunt last 2 weekends. No dog gone deers, not even does. I usually see does and non shootable bucks.

 

[yellowhammer]

I'll probably try some squirrel hunting on public lands this weekend...

Me too, Fred. I may try Swan Creek WMA: LINK

If I can find a dry spot LOL. Swamp squirrels....

On the other side of I-65 from there is Wheeler NWR, a squirrel honey hole. But, they close it off to squirrel hunting during deer season dangit. Gotta wait for there...

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Me too, Fred. I may try Swan Creek WMA: LINK

If I can find a dry spot LOL. Swamp squirrels....

On the other side of I-65 from there is Wheeler NWR, a squirrel honey hole. But, they close it off to squirrel hunting during deer season dangit. Gotta wait for there...

The WMA I'm planning to hunt, is past the First 9 days. No quota permit required, so it's a free for all. I saw several hunts this morning at the
Circle K, their headed out. It will probably be crowded but I'll deal with it. General Gun will run through the 24th, then small game till March 2nd. Not so many hunters then. You do have some guys still hunt wild hod though, and most of them hunt with rifles so one has to pay attention for sure.
Good luck hope ya stay high and dry.

 

[yellowhammer]

... But the next three were kills...

I'm going to chime in with the other guys and say those are the fattest squirrels I have ever seen! Never seen a squirrel that chunky at the base of the tail like that.

 

[snakebit]

I'm going to chime in with the other guys and say those are the fattest squirrels I have ever seen! Never seen a squirrel that chunky at the base of the tail like that.

Yep. Definitely cake eaters.

 

[snakebit]

I'll probably try some squirrel hunting on public lands this weekend. I did find a couple spots hunt last 2 weekends. No dog gone deers, not even does. I usually see does and non shootable bucks.

I'm heading for the bottoms back home this Sunday. I want to take the Crockett with me, there are a ton of squirrels there. But, we're trying to fill freezers with deer meat.

 

[snakebit]

Me too, Fred. I may try Swan Creek WMA: LINK

If I can find a dry spot LOL. Swamp squirrels....

On the other side of I-65 from there is Wheeler NWR, a squirrel honey hole. But, they close it off to squirrel hunting during deer season dangit. Gotta wait for there...

Looking forward to seeing you get some of those Bama squirrels with your new rifle Hammer

 

[yellowhammer]

Looking forward to seeing you get some of those Bama squirrels with your new rifle Hammer

Thanks snakebit; I'm on the lookout for something 'foxy':

 

[yellowhammer]

Just another gratuitous southern fox squirrel picture for your viewing pleasure....

...I really want to get one mounted...

 

[snakebit]

View attachment 362048

Just another gratuitous southern fox squirrel picture for your viewing pleasure....

...I really want to get one mounted...

They are pretty for sure.

 

[Jim K]

View attachment 362048

Just another gratuitous southern fox squirrel picture for your viewing pleasure....

...I really want to get one mounted...

What a gorgeous squirrel!! I hope you get one.

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

View attachment 362048

Just another gratuitous southern fox squirrel picture for your viewing pleasure....

...I really want to get one mounted...

I love them squirrels.
I think they're so cool looking.
I useuly see them when out hunting.
We can't shoot them.
They are protected down.

 

[10 spot]

Sometimes it pays to be a taxidermist, and I don’t mean monetarily. Yesterday a friend brought me in a buck that his grandson shot.
In the course of chatting, he knowing I’m a squirrel hunter, said I need to try this piece of public land next valley over. He said there were lots of squirrels there.

He has mentioned it before and I’ve been meaning to check it out but hadn’t yet.

I was going to go out to my honey hole this morning but decided to try this new area. Wise decision. This woods was loaded with squirrels. It’s thick and tough to get shots but man there are a lot in there.

My first three shots were misses which had me gritting my teeth. But the next three were kills.

I think I found a new honey hole. I’m looking forward to getting back there. View attachment 361938

What cal is that Jim K. Inquiring minds would like to Kno

 

[ETipp]

Hey fellas. The big guy upstairs looked down and smiled upon me this morning. For the last month this ole boy has been hammering down trying to get enough meat in the freezer to hold us over until next year. That totally put a stop to my squirrel hunting. It’s been a rough year all the way around for me this year, even squirrel hunting. It about kilt me sitting up in a tree watching squirrels all around me, but I had a job to do. Now it looks like I can get back to my beloved squirrel hunting.

An interesting story about this morning that I’d like to share with you all. As some of you know from reading my book, I’m fanatical about being as quiet as possible in the woods. Nothing squeaks or rattles on my equipment. I cannot explain why other than it has flat paid off many times, and in different facets. This morning was one of such.

This was not a muzzleloader hunt. However, the basics are exactly the same, different deer tool. I almost took my .54 GPR this morning but due to the long bad luck streak that’s been with me, I decided not to take the chance at the last minute. Pretty sure the outcome would have been the same.

It rained all night here. Still raining at 0800 hrs. Then the rain stopped. No way was I going to go sit up in a tree stand in the rain, but considering it had stopped (for the most part) I decided I was going to give it a try. I was at least 3 hours behind my normal departure time, but what the heck.

Grabbed everything, got some breakfast and headed out. By the time I got to the woods it was about 0900. I didn’t want to take a chance on riding my four wheeler up through that thicket and scare any critters away, so I took off on foot up the hillside rather quickly. Made it to my tree, got in my climber and up I went to about 25 feet platform height as quietly as possible. By the time I finally got settled in my stand I looked at my watch. It was 10:07 hours. Sat there a couple of minutes evaluating everything, look down into the thicket, and a nice 8 point was working his way through the brush. It took about 20 seconds before I could get a shot. He hit the ground then slid down the very steep hill for about 15 yards and stopped. I couldn’t see very much of him but I knew he was dead. Looked at my watch and it was 10:11. I had only been in my stand for maybe 3 1/2 minutes before he came through. I would estimate the distance of 40 yards.

So, the moral of the story is, if the leaves were not wet from all the rain, that made it possible to ease in quietly, and, had I made any noise at all going up that tree, I most certainly would not have gotten that buck. He had to have been pretty darn close. It was also very quiet in there this morning.

Believe it or not, this was not my only time this has happened. It actually happened two other times while bow hunting. One time was, I think maybe a minute and a half and the other time was 3 minutes.

For the record, I don’t claim to be a ghost or some kind of spirit that magically appears and disappears with no sound. We all make noise in the woods while hunting, even squirrel hunting. However, call me weird if you like, but I do my very best to be as stealthy as possible most all the time, yes especially while squirrel hunting. Easier said than done sometimes but it does have its benefits, such as this morning.

Just thought I would reiterate that for you all. Now, with a little luck, I can get back to squirrel hunting in a couple of days.

I hope no one minds me posting these pics.

 

[10 spot]

Hey fellas. The big guy upstairs looked down and smiled upon me this morning. For the last month this ole boy has been hammering down trying to get enough meat in the freezer to hold us over until next year. That totally put a stop to my squirrel hunting. It’s been a rough year all the way around for me this year, even squirrel hunting. It about kilt me sitting up in a tree watching squirrels all around me, but I had a job to do. Now it looks like I can get back to my beloved squirrel hunting.

An interesting story about this morning that I’d like to share with you all. As some of you know from reading my book, I’m fanatical about being as quiet as possible in the woods. Nothing squeaks or rattles on my equipment. I cannot explain why other than it has flat paid off many times, and in different facets. This morning was one of such.

This was not a muzzleloader hunt. However, the basics is exactly the same, different deer tool. I almost took my .54 GPR this morning but due to the long bad luck streak that’s been with me, I decided not to take the chance at the last minute. Pretty sure the outcome would have been the same.

It rained all night here. Still raining at 0800 hrs. Then the rain stopped. No way was I going to go sit up in a tree stand in the rain, but considering it had stopped (for the most part) I decided I was going to give it a try. I was at least 3 hours behind my normal departure time, but what the heck.

Grabbed everything, got some breakfast and headed out. By the time I got to the woods it was about 0900. I didn’t want to take a chance on riding my four wheeler up through that thicket and scare any critters away, so I took off on foot up the hillside rather quickly. Made it to my tree, got in my climber and up I went to about 25 feet platform height as quietly as possible. By the time I finally got settled in my stand I looked at my watch. It was 10:07 hours. Sat there a couple of minutes evaluating everything, look down into the thicket, and a nice 8 point was working his way through the brush. It took about 20 seconds before I could get a shot. He hit the ground then slid down the very steep hill for about 15 yards and stopped. I couldn’t see very much of him but I knew he was dead. Looked at my watch and it was 10:11. I had only been in my stand for maybe 3 1/2 minutes before he came through. I would estimate the distance of 40 yards.

So, the moral of the story is, if the leaves were not wet from all the rain, that made it possible to ease in quietly, and, had I made any noise at all going up that tree, I most certainly would not have gotten that buck. He had to have been pretty darn close. It was also very quiet in there this morning.

Believe it or not, this was not my only time this has happened. It actually happened two other times while bow hunting. One time was, I think maybe a minute and a half and the other time was 3 minutes.

For the record, I don’t claim to be a ghost or some kind of spirit that magically appears and disappears with no sound. We all make noise in the woods while hunting, even squirrel hunting. However, call me weird if you like, but I do my very best to be as stealthy as possible most all the time, yes especially while squirrel hunting. Easier said than done sometimes but it does have its benefits, such as this morning.

Just thought I would reiterate that for you all. Now, with a little luck, I can get back to squirrel hunting in a couple of days.

I hope no one minds me posting these pics.

Congratulations! Nice Buck, I have said it before ETipp, You da MAN!
YOU PUT THE SLAM ON THAT BUCK
10Spot.

 

[snakebit]

Hey fellas. The big guy upstairs looked down and smiled upon me this morning. For the last month this ole boy has been hammering down trying to get enough meat in the freezer to hold us over until next year. That totally put a stop to my squirrel hunting. It’s been a rough year all the way around for me this year, even squirrel hunting. It about kilt me sitting up in a tree watching squirrels all around me, but I had a job to do. Now it looks like I can get back to my beloved squirrel hunting.

An interesting story about this morning that I’d like to share with you all. As some of you know from reading my book, I’m fanatical about being as quiet as possible in the woods. Nothing squeaks or rattles on my equipment. I cannot explain why other than it has flat paid off many times, and in different facets. This morning was one of such.

This was not a muzzleloader hunt. However, the basics is exactly the same, different deer tool. I almost took my .54 GPR this morning but due to the long bad luck streak that’s been with me, I decided not to take the chance at the last minute. Pretty sure the outcome would have been the same.

It rained all night here. Still raining at 0800 hrs. Then the rain stopped. No way was I going to go sit up in a tree stand in the rain, but considering it had stopped (for the most part) I decided I was going to give it a try. I was at least 3 hours behind my normal departure time, but what the heck.

Grabbed everything, got some breakfast and headed out. By the time I got to the woods it was about 0900. I didn’t want to take a chance on riding my four wheeler up through that thicket and scare any critters away, so I took off on foot up the hillside rather quickly. Made it to my tree, got in my climber and up I went to about 25 feet platform height as quietly as possible. By the time I finally got settled in my stand I looked at my watch. It was 10:07 hours. Sat there a couple of minutes evaluating everything, look down into the thicket, and a nice 8 point was working his way through the brush. It took about 20 seconds before I could get a shot. He hit the ground then slid down the very steep hill for about 15 yards and stopped. I couldn’t see very much of him but I knew he was dead. Looked at my watch and it was 10:11. I had only been in my stand for maybe 3 1/2 minutes before he came through. I would estimate the distance of 40 yards.

So, the moral of the story is, if the leaves were not wet from all the rain, that made it possible to ease in quietly, and, had I made any noise at all going up that tree, I most certainly would not have gotten that buck. He had to have been pretty darn close. It was also very quiet in there this morning.

Believe it or not, this was not my only time this has happened. It actually happened two other times while bow hunting. One time was, I think maybe a minute and a half and the other time was 3 minutes.

For the record, I don’t claim to be a ghost or some kind of spirit that magically appears and disappears with no sound. We all make noise in the woods while hunting, even squirrel hunting. However, call me weird if you like, but I do my very best to be as stealthy as possible most all the time, yes especially while squirrel hunting. Easier said than done sometimes but it does have its benefits, such as this morning.

Just thought I would reiterate that for you all. Now, with a little luck, I can get back to squirrel hunting in a couple of days.

I hope no one minds me posting these pics.

Great write up, and great buck! Why would anyone mind those pics? You killed that deer in the same woods you squirrel hunt in, that makes it legit Glad the pressure is off ol buddy. Make sure to oil your innards after being out in the damp woods grocery shoppin

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Hey fellas. The big guy upstairs looked down and smiled upon me this morning. For the last month this ole boy has been hammering down trying to get enough meat in the freezer to hold us over until next year. That totally put a stop to my squirrel hunting. It’s been a rough year all the way around for me this year, even squirrel hunting. It about kilt me sitting up in a tree watching squirrels all around me, but I had a job to do. Now it looks like I can get back to my beloved squirrel hunting.

An interesting story about this morning that I’d like to share with you all. As some of you know from reading my book, I’m fanatical about being as quiet as possible in the woods. Nothing squeaks or rattles on my equipment. I cannot explain why other than it has flat paid off many times, and in different facets. This morning was one of such.

This was not a muzzleloader hunt. However, the basics is exactly the same, different deer tool. I almost took my .54 GPR this morning but due to the long bad luck streak that’s been with me, I decided not to take the chance at the last minute. Pretty sure the outcome would have been the same.

It rained all night here. Still raining at 0800 hrs. Then the rain stopped. No way was I going to go sit up in a tree stand in the rain, but considering it had stopped (for the most part) I decided I was going to give it a try. I was at least 3 hours behind my normal departure time, but what the heck.

Grabbed everything, got some breakfast and headed out. By the time I got to the woods it was about 0900. I didn’t want to take a chance on riding my four wheeler up through that thicket and scare any critters away, so I took off on foot up the hillside rather quickly. Made it to my tree, got in my climber and up I went to about 25 feet platform height as quietly as possible. By the time I finally got settled in my stand I looked at my watch. It was 10:07 hours. Sat there a couple of minutes evaluating everything, look down into the thicket, and a nice 8 point was working his way through the brush. It took about 20 seconds before I could get a shot. He hit the ground then slid down the very steep hill for about 15 yards and stopped. I couldn’t see very much of him but I knew he was dead. Looked at my watch and it was 10:11. I had only been in my stand for maybe 3 1/2 minutes before he came through. I would estimate the distance of 40 yards.

So, the moral of the story is, if the leaves were not wet from all the rain, that made it possible to ease in quietly, and, had I made any noise at all going up that tree, I most certainly would not have gotten that buck. He had to have been pretty darn close. It was also very quiet in there this morning.

Believe it or not, this was not my only time this has happened. It actually happened two other times while bow hunting. One time was, I think maybe a minute and a half and the other time was 3 minutes.

For the record, I don’t claim to be a ghost or some kind of spirit that magically appears and disappears with no sound. We all make noise in the woods while hunting, even squirrel hunting. However, call me weird if you like, but I do my very best to be as stealthy as possible most all the time, yes especially while squirrel hunting. Easier said than done sometimes but it does have its benefits, such as this morning.

Just thought I would reiterate that for you all. Now, with a little luck, I can get back to squirrel hunting in a couple of days.

I hope no one minds me posting these pics.

Congratulations Ed.
You damn well deserve it.

You are Back.

I know them squirrels best be on high alert. Come to think about it you'll out fox them anyhow.

I'm real happy for you.

Nice Buck. I'm glad you posted your pictures and as always share your hunt with us is great. Love reading them.