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

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Here it is Ed. I love the dogs name. Lol
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One of the best methods of using squirrel dogs is to drive to locations that you know has a fairly high population of squirrels. Hunt that then go back to the truck and drive to another location. Some folks use ATV's and drive the small logging roads while their dog(s) remain out in front of them. When the dog takes off into the woods, get off of the ATV and walk to where the dog has a squirrel treed. This would not be my preferred method but I can understand it for those that may not be physically able to endure long walks in steep terrain.

The old gal is not happy with me but I informed her yesterday that I am now actively looking into perhaps getting a squirrel dog. Much to consider, however. Price, training, GPS tracking devices, and type of characteristics of the dog to mention a few.

Considering I see, on a daily basis, my prime squirrel woods going down the highway on the back of log trucks in front of my house, which leaves me with not a whole lot of good hunting places, I can still hunt the early season and do okay. Then when the leaves fall later in the season, a good squirrel dog would benefit me well for other locations that does not contain a high population of squirrels. Win-Win. Keeps me moving and hunting most of the year.

There is a YouTube video of a guy riding an ATV with a squirrel dog out in front of him on a small logging road. He was shooting a Crockett Squirrel Rifle. I looked but was not able to find that video again. If anyone happens to locate it, please post up.
lol that long legged cur could cover some woods 🪵 🤣 last I heard of him he moved because of divorce. later on I run into another friend and he said the old boy was doing good 👍 also he was still raising them curs.
 
I figured all the side talk was because none of us were getting out. 🤣🤣🤣 Looking forward to getting Little Ann back out and taking her for a woods walk. Tomorrow is the last day of rifle deer season in Maryland, but late muzzleloader for deer starts on the 21st. I’ll likely go out a few days as I’m a teacher and off, but it’ll be one of them newfangled ones that we don’t talk about. Still trying to get a sidelock rifle. I did go out today for a managed hunt at a state park, but it was shotgun only. Got a nice little 6 point. First deer ever. I’m quite happy, even if I lost style points. 🤣🤣
congrats 👏 to you on your buck. You will never forget that deer 🦌 wishing u a great hunting season no matter what u are hunting
 
We’re going to Michigan for Christmas. If we have room in my wife’s car, I’ll take hunting gear and try and get a black squirrel.

If I’m fortunate to get one, I’ll post a picture minus rifle as it’ll be an unmentionable.
hope u get one
 
I'm not trying to be a boss nor unfriendly, but I do believe we should cut back posting on things unrelated to squirrel hunting before the mods come in to clean it up. The last thing we need is to become a problem to the moderators.
GUILTY 😔 I'm gonna be more careful.
I don't know about eating an Aberts squirrel but I know of a couple of fellas that would love to have one to mount.

Aberts are fine eating. Around the end of the month I'll be getting the grandkids out on a designated Aberts hunt. If someone can explain how to treat a squirrel to prep for taxidermy, I'll give it a shot.

We hunt the pineys but I turn them over to the grandkids to dress and prep. I don't eat them often but they taste fine to me.
Well, they aren’t that hard to get where I’m at. They are cool looking.
You must me southerly front range??
 
GUILTY 😔 I'm gonna be more careful.


Aberts are fine eating. Around the end of the month I'll be getting the grandkids out on a designated Aberts hunt. If someone can explain how to treat a squirrel to prep for taxidermy, I'll give it a shot.

We hunt the pineys but I turn them over to the grandkids to dress and prep. I don't eat them often but they taste fine to me.

You must me southerly front range??
Cruiser, if you mean what to do with a squirrel to prep it to take it to a taxidermist. Put in a plastic bag and roll it up getting all the air out. Tape it. Do it again in a second bag, then freeze it.

Freezer burn is what you want to prevent.
 
Cruiser, if you mean what to do with a squirrel to prep it to take it to a taxidermist. Put in a plastic bag and roll it up getting all the air out. Tape it. Do it again in a second bag, then freeze it.

Freezer burn is what you want to prevent.
So, don't skin it or dress it? Just freeze it? Would it be advantageous to vacuum seal.eit a food saver?
 
No, freeze it without skinning or gutting. Vacusealing is ok as long as nothing pokes a hole in it or the seal gives up. I’ve had birds vacusealed that when I get it out of the freezer found the seal gave way. Then the feet are freezer burned.

I just double bag and tape up good and freeze.
 
...Its a neat thing to do if one has a good squirrel dog...
Agree, Ed. Cherished memories of youth, running the ridges and hollows with my little dog, oh man if I could go back in time...

Some dogs are naturals...
When I was a boy, the Feist ruled squirreldom! The prototypical squirrel dog! All the best squirrel dogs the boys had were Feists.

From the information I have obtained, good squirrel dogs are often difficult to train.
The wrong dog, and you're just wasting you're time.


My first post in here, #437 on pg 22, I talked about ole "Hey Dog". Once in a lifetime squirrel dog. He and I were big pals. Heart worms took him from me ☹️
 
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Agree, Ed. Cherished memories of youth, running the ridges and hollows with my little dog, oh man if I could go back in time...


When I was a boy, the Feist ruled squirreldom! The prototypical squirrel dog! All the best squirrel dogs the boys had were Feists.


The wrong dog, and you're just wasting you're time.

My first post in here, #437, I talked about ole "Hey Dog". Once in a lifetime squirrel dog. He and I were big pals. Heart worms took him from me ☹️
sad to loose a hunting pup 🐶 I used to raise and hunt with beagles. still miss them all
 
Agree, Ed. Cherished memories of youth, running the ridges and hollows with my little dog, oh man if I could go back in time...


When I was a boy, the Feist ruled squirreldom! The prototypical squirrel dog! All the best squirrel dogs the boys had were Feists.


The wrong dog, and you're just wasting you're time.


My first post in here, #437 on pg 22, I talked about ole "Hey Dog". Once in a lifetime squirrel dog. He and I were big pals. Heart worms took him from me ☹️
Thank you for the information, Stan.

Feist are used here as well by some folks. I never even heard of a Feist until about 3 years ago. Had a neighbor that had two of them. Very wired little fellas.

I have sent a text to someone that I know is, and has been, a big time squirrel hunter using dogs. His family is also into to that gig bigtime. I do not recall what breed(s) of dogs they have. I do know that he told me about someone offering his uncle a lot of money for one of his dogs. So, that right there might rule that breed out for me. Then again, having dogs most of my life, some hunting dogs, I fully understand that hunting dogs can vary in their planned purpose. I do know from experience that some dogs, even mixed mutts, that I never thought would be a squirrel hunting dog were naturals.

Lots of researching to do on this. I have to get it right the first time. As of now, considering how thick and brushy many areas are here, my thoughts are getting a bigger squirrel dog that can get through it more easily might be the best route to take. Those Feist aren't much bigger than a bar of soap after a weeks washing.
 
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