Bushy Tails

[DirtTime]

I hope to get out over this holiday weekend and hang a stand over at my folks place (about 20 mi away).  There is a spot in the oaks over there where I always see lots of greys.    It is kind of tough hunting them with so many leaves on the trees. I like shooting them from a stand with a .22, not only to eat, but also to get some "live target" practice for deer hunting.   The kill zone is so small on a squirrel, that after taking a few, it really helps my confidence when shooting at deer later.   My little 410 would probably be a lot more effective at this time of year, but it would not provide as good of practice and the pellets would complicate the eating.
I like the idea of taking a cooler and an ice pack and processing them in the woods, especially early in the season like this.   Most of the squirrel hunting I have done the last few years has been after deer season, so keeping the meat cool has not been an issue. I have often mixed squirrels and rabbits together in the crockpot and the squirrel always tastes a little better.   It just takes a few more of them to make a meal.  I also think that the backstraps are the tastiest part.  I am getting hungry now just thinking about it.         

Hope your shooting at them on the ground not zinging bullet's through the tree tops.


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[Swamp_bucks]

Have to finish stands in am so 22lr will be getting dusted off.

[wolc123]

38 minutes ago, ....rob said:

Hope your shooting at them on the ground not zinging bullet's through the tree tops.


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I only shoot at them from up there if they are on the ground or if they are on the front side of a tree such that the basic rule of "know your target and what is beyond" is not violated.  Getting up in a tree on level ground directs most of the shots towards the ground, which makes it considerably safer than shooting at them from the ground.   I appreciate your concern for safety.   

[chas0218]

On 8/31/2017 at 1:12 PM, Culvercreek hunt club said:

crockpot squirrel with Italian style stewed tomatoed over rice...mmmmmmmmmmmm

How long do you cook them? Throw it all together before work on low then eat for dinner that night?

[Culvercreek hunt club]

4 minutes ago, chas0218 said:

How long do you cook them? Throw it all together before work on low then eat for dinner that night?

yup. I let it fall off the bones. Remove the bones and shred it and then put it over cooked rice. 

[chas0218]

6 minutes ago, Culvercreek hunt club said:

yup. I let it fall off the bones. Remove the bones and shred it and then put it over cooked rice. 

Cool thanks, Always looking to try them a different way. Love cooking in the crockpot easy to do. Have you ever put the rice in with it all in the beginning? I was wondering if it would cook it to make it similar to a jambalaya. 

[Culvercreek hunt club]

4 minutes ago, chas0218 said:

Cool thanks, Always looking to try them a different way. Love cooking in the crockpot easy to do. Have you ever put the rice in with it all in the beginning? I was wondering if it would cook it to make it similar to a jambalaya. 

I have  never done it with squirrel but have with chicken. I would suggest not adding the rice until you get home. Otherwise it might be mush. 

[Rattler]

On 9/1/2017 at 0:59 PM, TACC said:

Good luck, rattler let us know the end result of that.

The propane guys came out this morning.  Lit the pilot and everything is good now.  No charge.  Time to hunt squirrels.