Missouri's squirrel season opened this weekend and I was determined to make the most of it despite the rainy forecast. I went out a little after daylight behind my house on Saturday morning and the trees were full of squirrels! I missed two right off the bat with my 20 bore pistol. It is a close quarters weapon and I still haven't got it patterned the way I'd like to so I went back to the house and got my 12 bore long gun. It only took about 20 minutes after that to hang one from a belt loop.
I hunted a little bit longer but the rain set in so I went back to do some chores. I'm batching it this weekend and the hounds were wanting their breakfast. I piddled around for another hour or so but just couldn't stand being inside with a hunting season just opening. I grabbed the pistol again and brought this one home in short order.
I needed to get some stitching done so I decided to call it a day after that. Sunday was supposed to be a wash out so I planned on getting back out Monday morning. However, the weather man lied and Sunday morning was nice. I still had a leisurely time of it by fixing a good breakfast, reading the paper and petting on the dogs. Then the squirrel activity started outside the living room and I knew I was going to have to go out again. At one time I had seven squirrels and one rabbit just off the front porch. Fearing for my life and property, I grabbed the pistol again and killed another one. This guy was a tough old devil and didn't want to give it up easily. If you look close at the pistol butt, you can see that it also makes a mighty fine club!
So now I had two young-n-tenders and one destined for the stew pot. I decided to celebrate my good fortune with a traditional Ozarks meal I grew up eating: pan fried squirrel, fried taters and onions, gravy and a buttermilk biscuit. I threw in the broccoli just to add color and to remind any kid reading this to eat your vegetables. I also had peach cobbler for dessert. Just because I'm batching it doesn't mean I don't eat well. Yes, I cooked it all myself. I do all the cooking here - my wife could burn water!
I got up Monday morning and things were quiet. I hunted for about an hour then went back to the house. I did a few chores and messed with the dogs and then started noticing treetop activity about nine. I suited back up and hit the woods again. This time I got three - all with the long gun. They were wild this morning and hardly ever sat still. I really had to wait for a good shot.
So now the guns are all cleaned and oiled and I'm making the house presentable for the wife and daughter when they return this afternoon. I put some meat in the freezer, had some fine vittles and did it all with my two favorite firearms. Life is good!
Darren
Equipment notes: In the pistol I used 40 grains of 3F powder, 1 overpowder card, 1/4" lubed wad, 1 oz. #6 chilled lead shot and 1 overshot card. Everything was the same for the long gun except I used 60 grains of 3F powder.
I hunted a little bit longer but the rain set in so I went back to do some chores. I'm batching it this weekend and the hounds were wanting their breakfast. I piddled around for another hour or so but just couldn't stand being inside with a hunting season just opening. I grabbed the pistol again and brought this one home in short order.
I needed to get some stitching done so I decided to call it a day after that. Sunday was supposed to be a wash out so I planned on getting back out Monday morning. However, the weather man lied and Sunday morning was nice. I still had a leisurely time of it by fixing a good breakfast, reading the paper and petting on the dogs. Then the squirrel activity started outside the living room and I knew I was going to have to go out again. At one time I had seven squirrels and one rabbit just off the front porch. Fearing for my life and property, I grabbed the pistol again and killed another one. This guy was a tough old devil and didn't want to give it up easily. If you look close at the pistol butt, you can see that it also makes a mighty fine club!
So now I had two young-n-tenders and one destined for the stew pot. I decided to celebrate my good fortune with a traditional Ozarks meal I grew up eating: pan fried squirrel, fried taters and onions, gravy and a buttermilk biscuit. I threw in the broccoli just to add color and to remind any kid reading this to eat your vegetables. I also had peach cobbler for dessert. Just because I'm batching it doesn't mean I don't eat well. Yes, I cooked it all myself. I do all the cooking here - my wife could burn water!
I got up Monday morning and things were quiet. I hunted for about an hour then went back to the house. I did a few chores and messed with the dogs and then started noticing treetop activity about nine. I suited back up and hit the woods again. This time I got three - all with the long gun. They were wild this morning and hardly ever sat still. I really had to wait for a good shot.
So now the guns are all cleaned and oiled and I'm making the house presentable for the wife and daughter when they return this afternoon. I put some meat in the freezer, had some fine vittles and did it all with my two favorite firearms. Life is good!
Darren
Equipment notes: In the pistol I used 40 grains of 3F powder, 1 overpowder card, 1/4" lubed wad, 1 oz. #6 chilled lead shot and 1 overshot card. Everything was the same for the long gun except I used 60 grains of 3F powder.
