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

[ETipp]

https://www.shootinguk.co.uk/features/drey-poking-for-grey-squirrel-control-35528/

We do it this way, the article above covers off the details. Needs a party of three or four really.

I can see how that would work, especially if there's more than one person. Gonna need a long pole here for most dreys. Many are up near the tops of large oaks, hickories and other tall trees. I would guess that some are at least 50-60 feet up, maybe higher.

 

[Greg Selner]

That’s interesting
I know here in Wisconsin you can not disturb the nest and I hunt by myself .

 

[snakebit]

A question for the North American members. Is it common or accepted practice on your locality to poke the Eastern Grey Dreys, Then shoot them as they emerge/flush?

I'm guessing not, but it's fairly common in the UK when the leaves are off the trees, purpose made poles are available.

It's considered unsporting here. At least that's how I was mentored. One thing if it's a matter of survival, then I guess you do what you gotta do.

 

[oldschoolhunter55]

A question for the North American members. Is it common or accepted practice on your locality to poke the Eastern Grey Dreys, Then shoot them as they emerge/flush?

I'm guessing not, but it's fairly common in the UK when the leaves are off the trees, purpose made poles are available.

got a question. because I don't know.what is a dret?

 

[oldschoolhunter55]

got a question. because I don't know.what is a dret?

ohhhh After further reading. think this is a nest. hahaha. I don't mess with the nest if that's what u are talking about.Figure that is home to them.

 

[yellowhammer]

It's considered unsporting here. At least that's how I was mentored. One thing if it's a matter of survival, then I guess you do what you gotta do.

That's the way I was taught, also, @snakebit . Unsportsmanlike; sorry behavior.

Sorta like shooting a duck in the water, or a dove off of a power line.

Of course the gray squirrel is invasive over there. They're not shooting for sport.

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Looks good buddy. Both form, and function

Thanks brother.

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Jim, that is the type I prefer and trust the most, especially for tree stands. I have the same setup on my New Englander. Too bad the other (actually all) traditional ML manufacturers do not offer that option.

I'm most likely going to purchase and use the lace-up type on my Crockett. For my GPR, due to the weight, I'm really wanting to find a way to install one of my homemade slings that is somewhat like it your pic above. I especially like the option of the quick disconnect. Two of my slings are interchangeable between several unmentionables, my New Englander, and my crossbow. Just disconnect and connect to either of them.

Ed, probably a good choice as far as the saddle sling for Mr. "C" and the other one for your GPR. Just a note I used my saddle sling on my CVA SxS .50 Express Rifle and that thing has gotta by close to 10#s so it's strong enough to handle to GPR. I've used this one for 25 years.

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Looks good, Fred. I really like it.

I have found one that is mostly like that one for my Crockett. Not sure if I like the way it attaches around the front of the barrel. For best balance and functionality, it really needs to attach out farther for my liking. So whatever I get must attach farther out and stay put. No sliding. Not sure how I'm going to achieve this but there is a way, I'm sure. By running a taller front sight bead, I believe that might help facilitate the process.

https://www.possibleshop.com/p-g-rifle-sling.html

The top loop will slide up and down, ya gotta play with the adjustments to get it where it's most comfortable. I you have short sights, as I stated before it can and will interfere with the sights. If I'm carrying it on my shoulder and need to shoulder my rifle, it's just kinda second nature to grad that loop and sling it down in one motion. I very gotten use to it.
Hope it works out for ya.

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Love the loading block

Thanks Greg.
I made that when hurricane Milton was unleashing it wrath on use. Job was shut down for 5 days and not too much to do outside, plus really not safe.

As far as the wrath thing goes we were very lucky. We feel for those who are still suffering!

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Well, well. The weather people lied again. Imagine that! Supposed to have been severe clear all day. Its after noon here and its still cold and cloudy with a cold North wind. I don't foresee squirrels coming out in this weather.

Go poke them out of their Dreys

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

It's considered unsporting here. At least that's how I was mentored. One thing if it's a matter of survival, then I guess you do what you gotta do.

The same here Brother.
It's just wrong.
If'n I had to eat or feed my family I would do it.

 

[ETipp]

ohhhh After further reading. think this is a nest. hahaha. I don't mess with the nest if that's what u are talking about.Figure that is home to them.

Yes, a drey is a squirrel nest made of leaves and/or sticks. They use them mostly for storing nuts. Squirrels prefer to nest inside of trees for better protection from predators. Den trees are also safer for their young.

 

[10 spot]

Here's a few pics of the sling on the Crockett. This is the first time on my Crockett. I used it for my SxS 12ga and my CVA Express Rifle SxS .50, the CVA is a heavy gun. I've had this sling for 25 years.
As far as fitting the Crockett Rifle I feel is just fine. It's adjustable for length.

A close up of how it fits the crescent buttstock. How it hangs. One of the pictures is where I slid the top loop down to the forearm to keep it tight to the top of the barrel out of the way of the sights. If loose it can and will get in the way of you sights. To mecit no big deal, I just figure away around something of it's not working and make work for me.
I like it and will be getting a couple more for my others guns.

Hey, got a question? Does the fore end, loop hender your sight picture?
Just wondering.

 

[10 spot]

got a question. because I don't know.what is a dret?

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

I made a comit yesterday that I had to Admit some Cheating well I did.

I used this new fangled thingamajg

Most of my guns have a wedge pin and the barrel pops out easily. I would do so and remove nipples, place the barrel in a bucket half full with hot water and pump it clean.

I stated messing around with some flintlocks, I was fortunate enough to acquire a American Colonial and a SMR both have pinned barrels. After shooting them used water and patches over and over until clean. It worked. Maybe just me but it did take awhile to get clean. Then I removed the pins and the barrel, I did this with both guns. I did not damage anything but I know if I continued doing this it would happen, sooner or later.

Well, I received a gift from my
Feral Brother. Snakebit had sent me a universal flintlock flush kit. I never thought I would use one, figured I'll just do it the way they did it. After shooting my Colonial .58 Smoothbore I tried it out. I liked alot, loved it. Hooked it up to the barrel, set a half gallon of hot water in a milk jug next to the buttstock on the floor dropped in hose in and stated flushing it out. After a few pumps I replaced the water, I really didn't need to. Just wanted to see how much more fouling was left in the barrel. It was cleaned in no time with very few patches.

I know it's necessary but I liked and I will use the He!! Out Of That Flush Kit.

Thanks Snakebit.
Let's keep the Feralism Alive!

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Hey, got a question? Does the fore end, loop hender your sight picture?
Just wondering.

Yes it can and will.
I pull towards the rear sight on to the forearm. See 3rd Pic down from the top on pade 188 in post#3751
That stretches it tight keeping it below sight. When sitting on ground or in stand I do that as soon as I get situated. So I don't forget. Ya get use to, atleast I did.

 

[10 spot]

Yes, a drey is a squirrel nest made of leaves and/or sticks. They use them mostly for storing nuts. Squirrels prefer to nest inside of trees for better protection from predators. Den trees are also safer for their young.

My pawpaw always told me never never, shoot in the nest, and he better not ever hear tell , of me doing so, or I'd not go hunting with him any
More, (I took that very seriously )
Lessons learned by our elders.

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

My pawpaw always told me never never, shoot in the nest, and he better not ever hear tell , of me doing so, or I'd not go hunting with him any
More, (I took that very seriously )
Lessons learned by our elders.

Nice advice.
Good pawpaw to past that on.

 

[oldwood]

Since I'm old , and having a love afare with a .40 cal. long rifle , I use .390 patched r/b , and a reduced load of 29 gr. FFFG. I pretend I'm hunting deer , and do rib and head shots where appropriate. Last night for supper , my long time hunting buddy , cooked a nice mess of grey squirrels he got this fall , for our last night at deer camp. Oh......was to die fore. Temp was between 18 F and 11 F. for five days. No deer , but memorable squirrel dinner at camp.