squirrels

[Dan92]

hey guys.. i just got an idea.. since this year had a lack of acorns. i decided i am going to hut a few squirrels from one of my spots to ensure if the same problem happens there will be more chance of deer having them then the squirrels. i only have a bow and a shotgun right now so ill be using my shotgun. what kind of shot would i use for these lil varmints lol

[13BVET]

#6, or 7.5 low brass is what I use. Works fine for me.

[SteveNY]

#6 is great for tree rats.

If your going to eat them tho, I suggest a .22 head shot. There isn't much meat to waste on them!

[shawnhu]

Or get yourself a cheap .177 break barrel for under $100 and save on ammo.

[Dan92]

thank you guys.. i have a crap ton of 7.5 so ill use that.. shawnu i am saving for a s&w trying not to spend alot right now.. i do have a .177 crosman but its probably 10 years old now and doesnt shoot how it used to.. it has taken a good amount of squirrels and a few opposum in its day though

[ny hunter]

LOL I did this same thing 2 or 3 years ago,for some reason we had a huge out break of reds,not only were they every where but they scream like crazy.we did get quite a few,not much meat on the little rats.I gave them to an old man on my street,he said he was gonna send the tails to a fishing lure company.Mepps I think.

[16. ga hunter]

4's work good too out of a tight choked gun lead them little damage done at range due to fewer pelltes thrown

[PREDATE]

For shotgun I'd recommend sticking with 7 1/2's. Even 6's in my opinion are overkill. I use those for rabbits and grouse. Do you eat the squirrels?

[greybeard]

Predate.. Yes, nothing elaborate though.

[PREDATE]

Predate.. Yes, nothing elaborate though.

I used to eat them and was quite fond of the sweet meat. I was just wondering if the original poster was going to utilize his kill or not. It kinda came off sounding like they were just killing to save a few acorns.

I like the little buggers, they can be annoying but without them we'd have way fewer adrenaline rushes while on stand!

[fasteddie]

I havn't eaten one since I was a kid so that was a long time ago .

When I came home on leave from the Marine Corps , My brother in law and I shot some rats at the dump with his 22 pistol . A couple days later I shot a couple squirrels out back of my parent's house . When I skinned the 2nd one the fur came off the tail but the tail was still on the squirrel . I thought , oh crap , it's a rat . I havn't eaten one since .

[sid727]

Can't we use the Airgun?

[shawnhu]

Can't we use the Airgun?

Yes, airguns are allowed to take squirrel in NYS.

[Elmo]

Can't we use the Airgun?

As long as it meets the 600 fps minimum requirement.

[Doc]

If you use a shotgun and eat the little critters, eat very slowly and carefully. Those pellets can crack a tooth pretty easy if you aren't careful. However, if you don't get too oinkish, there shouldn't be a problem. If your used to eating fresh-caught, un-filleted fish, you already have the technique down ..... lol.

The shotgun has been my weapon of choice for squirrels for decades. When I go for squirrels, it is always with the intent of limiting out. The shotgun will do that a whole lot more reliably than rifles and such.

[Paula]

Love my 410 for small game

[nycredneck]

Can you use your bow from your treestand. more fun and good practice. I always see tree rats when I'm in my stand, matter of fact, sometimes that's all I see :-(

[Uncle Nicky]

#4s, out of a full choke gun. Most of my shots are long, I believe I've educated the squirrels after all of these years.

[Paula]

Can you use your bow from your treestand. more fun and good practice. I always see tree rats when I'm in my stand, matter of fact, sometimes that's all I see :-(

I think you can, seems like i seen it on here before

[shawnhu]

If you use a shotgun and eat the little critters, eat very slowly and carefully. Those pellets can crack a tooth pretty easy if you aren't careful. However, if you don't get too oinkish, there shouldn't be a problem. If your used to eating fresh-caught, un-filleted fish, you already have the technique down ..... lol.

The shotgun has been my weapon of choice for squirrels for decades. When I go for squirrels, it is always with the intent of limiting out. The shotgun will do that a whole lot more reliably than rifles and such.

Doc, how far out do you take shots with the shotgun? 40 yards?