Squirrel Season 2020

[MountainSmoke]

I went out this morning. Perfect morning. 32 degrees,calm and clear. I used a climbing stand so I could see over the limbs from logging last year. At first light it sounded like it was raining so many squirrels were cutting hickories. I waited until it got lighter to take my first shot.
I had loaded my rifle the night before and had 6 more loads with me. I was out of ammo by 8:30. Lol, I didn’t think I’d need more. Lesson learned. Anyhow, I got 3 out of the 7 shots. Lots of fun!!View attachment 43914

That sounds like a great hunt you had there Jim. Getting 3 with a muzzleloader is a job well done.

 

[JamesT]

Went out for a few hours this morning with my 12 year old son. We usually take turns shooting. Today it was my turn to shoot first. We were still hunting on one of our favorite ridges on our property and after only about ten minutes I saw one coming towards us about 40 yards up the ridge. I got a rest on a tree and at about 25 yards the squirrel stopped for just a second and I touched it off. My son said " you got him!". We quickly went up to it and it was stone dead. We gave each other a big high five and excitedly talked over and over how the scenario had played out. It was perfect. We got it skinned out and dressed and loaded the rifle back up. We hunted for another couple of hours and my boy had many close but the squirrels just would not sit still for more than a second or two. Finally he couldn't take it any more and took a 30 yard shot at one moving up the side of a big poplar tree and missed. Now he is an excellent shot, beating me on many occasions but this time it was not meant to be. All in all an absolutely great day spent in the beautiful WV mountains and a great meal at the end of the day. We were using our Crockett 32 caliber rifle with 20 grains of 3f with .311 balls that we cast a few days ago and an .010 cotton patch lubes with mink oil. This rifle is a tack driver and never fails to impress me. It flat puts them down. Good luck to allView attachment 43628

That's great! Hoping your boy gets a couple this Fall. Shoot straight!
James

 

[JamesT]

View attachment 43637Our squirrel season started on August 15. For once that fell on a weekend so i was able to be out in the woods on opening day. I have been out several times since but didn't connect until this morning. First blood drawn with the new rifle. Great morning to be out.

That is an absolutely beautiful rifle! Is that a Fox Squirrel? Ive never seen one. I have hunted black squirrels. Seems like no one has talked about them. Maybe I can post a photo this Fall.
James

 

[Troyfairweather]

I may go out in the morning, I have to check the weather and feel like I'm getting a bug.
I picked up some pillow ticking from Wal-Mart today, $5.97-yard, looks like .018 and burns to ash. It's red and white tho does that make any difference, seems most guys use the blue.

 

[JamesT]

I may go out in the morning, I have to check the weather and feel like I'm getting a bug.
I picked up some pillow ticking from Wal-Mart today, $5.97-yard, looks like .018 and burns to ash. It's red and white tho does that make any difference, seems most guys use the blue.

I take a dial caliper or micrometer to the the store when I buy my ticking. Look like a crazy man but Oh well. I want .018 to .020. When you find some good material buy as much as you can afford. The entire bolt if possible. Just make sure it is 100% cotton and not polyester or artificial. Red or blue does not matter. Wash it first and hang it to air dry. Then cut it into strips for patching.
James

 

[Troyfairweather]

I take a dial caliper or micrometer to the the store when I buy my ticking. Look like a crazy man but Oh well. I want .018 to .020. When you find some good material buy as much as you can afford. The entire bolt if possible. Just make sure it is 100% cotton and not polyester or artificial. Red or blue does not matter. Wash it first and hang it to air dry. Then cut it into strips for patching.
James

Ok, ya this stuff is about 18-20 thou thick, I think it should work with my smooth bore for round ball in just using it for shot for small game now with wads. I know it has to be washed, does that help tighten up the fibers of something.

 

[toot]

any way it sure looks rely good. I wanted to try it and that is why I asked did you use any liquid?

 

[JamesT]

Ok, ya this stuff is about 18-20 thou thick, I think it should work with my smooth bore for round ball in just using it for shot for small game now with wads. I know it has to be washed, does that help tighten up the fibers of something.

Washing it removes the sizing which to my understanding is like a wax coating on the fibers used in the weaving process. Or so that was what was told me years ago. Can't hurt. Your mileage may very

 

[kemart17]

With the interest in all things squirrel hunting in mind I thought I would start a thread on our successes. Post your hunt photos and any details youd like. Maybe your favorite recipes or how you like to prepare them!

my favorite game to hunt, will soon be out with my .36 underhammer

 

[Troyfairweather]

my favorite game to hunt, will soon be out with my .36 underhammer

I'd like to see that underhammer,

 

[dhaverstick]

Just saw this thread. In Missouri, our squirrel season opens Memorial Day weekend so I've been at it for several months now, both with bow and flintlocks. Here are a few hero photos. I use a 12 gauge cylinder bore, a 32 caliber rifle, and a longbow.

Darren

 

[JamesT]

24SEP2020. 1745. Saw three this evening. This beautiful Grey was in an oak. I paced off the distance to the tree and it was no less than 48 yards.

 

[MountainSmoke]

View attachment 44248

24SEP2020. 1745. Saw three this evening. This beautiful Grey was in an oak. I paced off the distance to the tree and it was no less than 48 yards.

That is some good shooting James and again I have to say you take some great photos. Nicely done

 

[Bassdog1]

Cooler weather is setting in gonna get out in the morning again. Sure wish I owned a smooth bore with the leaves still on. My sons think I am nuts for not carrying my little 28 gauge pump but I only need a few for me to eat anyhow so I will stick with the 32.

 

[Troyfairweather]

We got a heat wave this week, are normal Indian summer I guess. Hope it's cool next week.

 

[Antonio Ferraioli]

I like them in my spaghetti sauce. I am going to try the gravy and biscuit recipe.

 

[Bassdog1]

Forgot to take a picture in the woods it was windy and hard to hear them cutting but got lucky and spotted one for the pan. Leaves are turning fast and starting to fall so should be able to get some more open shots soon.

 

[Jim K]

Today was the first day of archery here in PA. I went squirrel hunting instead. Beautiful morning at 38 deg and clear. A pleasure to be in the woods. Normally I’m a stand hunter but today i had the wanderlust and wanted to explore my favorite area more. The squirrels were busy in the branches. I missed 3 shots before i finally got one. Im not to deadly shooting up high off hand. I need a tree to rest against. Im a taxidermist so now that deer season has started, my hunting gets less. PA brought squirrel season in a month early which let me get out more before the busy season starts. Have a great weekend folks!

 

[hanshi]

Few things compare with a crisp morning in the squirrel woods and carrying an iron mounted .32 or .36 SMR. Never like shotgunning them, always preferred a rifle.

 

[Troyfairweather]

Today was the first day of archery here in PA. I went squirrel hunting instead. Beautiful morning at 38 deg and clear. A pleasure to be in the woods. Normally I’m a stand hunter but today i had the wanderlust and wanted to explore my favorite area more. The squirrels were busy in the branches. I missed 3 shots before i finally got one. Im not to deadly shooting up high off hand. I need a tree to rest against. Im a taxidermist so now that deer season has started, my hunting gets less. PA brought squirrel season in a month early which let me get out more before the busy season starts. Have a great weekend folks!View attachment 45081

Nice you got out and did some hunting, I know you taxidermy guys get busy this time of year and can't even hunt. Good thing pa moved the season for you in sure there's a lot of guys liking that, here in N.Y. We only have the month before bow to do some squirrel hunting. You ever taxidermy a squirrel, I always wondered what it would cost.