small game squirrel hunting

[apoallo]

I have always stuck with big game hunting, but am considering expanding my horizons and trying small game specifically squirrels. I want to use my air rifle it shoots standard .177 pellets. Is that a good size to use or is the .22 better off

[jusputtn]

Either will work. It's shot placement that counts.

[shawnhu]

I'm currently taking squirrel from 30 yards with my .177. More than 80% of my kills are from headshots. I'm working on extending my range to 50 yards, but it takes practice.

Squirrel hunting with an airgun is awesome!

[Elmo]

I always enjoy a good squirrel hunt. It's a lot more casual that big game hunting. Big game hunting requires some work. Gotta wash your clothes, use the scent blocker, etc. With squirrel hunting, you just pick up your rifle and go on a nice casual hike. Sometimes, I forget I'm actually hunting at all.

[Skillet]

I think you would be better off with a .22, Squirrels are tough critters.

Edited February 24, 2012 by Skillet

[Early]

Head shots at 30 yards??? What gun are you using? Scope?

[Deerslayer2388]

Head shots open sights from 15 feet is how I go with a .177

[papabear]

I was out yesterday 2/25 got a few of them for the pot noting like taking a walk in the woods with your dog getting a few sqirreals I don't have an air gun so i go with a 410 shot gun had a good time and i am looking to go again on tusday

papabear

[shawnhu]

Head shots open sights from 15 feet is how I go with a .177

What I would give if the squirrels around me gave me 15 feet shots. Likely to never happen. I use 4-16x 40mm scope and usually have to shoot at 15 yards to 45 yards.

[shawnhu]

I was out yesterday 2/25 got a few of them for the pot noting like taking a walk in the woods with your dog getting a few sqirreals I don't have an air gun so i go with a 410 shot gun had a good time and i am looking to go again on tusday

papabear

Hey papa,

Where a outs in LI are there squirrels to shoot? I use an airgun, so the shots are relatively cleaner than that taken from a shotgun. Let me know if you ever want to show a new guy around your neck of the woods.

Shawn

[shawnhu]

Just came back from hunting in Orange county, got a few crows and squirrels. Also took out a few reds and chipmunks. Today is the first time I encountered a squirrel that didn't die from a headshot. After the recovery, we noticed the squirrel started breathing again and started to move. Had to finish it off close range. I'll have to inspect where the shot went wrong later.

[Elmo]

Squirrels season ends on the 29th. Better get out there and get some.

[apertureguy]

While I have a very powerful .177, I use it to stay sharp in my backyard shooting range rather than hunting. For small game I take the 12 guage shotgun or .22 Mag after deer season.

There are way too many coyote where I hunt to only have a single shot BB rifle and I would rather have the opportunity to take those too.

[Elmo]

I very curious to see the carnage your 22 mag does on a squirrel. I bought a 17HMR but haven't had the opputunity to take a squirrel with it. Internet photos shows squirrel almost completely sawed in half with the 22 mag/17 hmr if you don't get a head shot but I still want to get a home first hand experience from it.

[shawnhu]

Elmo, have you gone out there lately? You can still try out your 17 HMR on reds and crows.

[Elmo]

Have not had the chance. Saw a ton of crows last weekend but none came within shotgunrange. Busy this weekend. Thinking of going again next weekend.

[Fur N Feathers]

Are there some particularly good places to hunt red squirrels in Regions 3 or 4?

Woodchucks can also be hunted at any time...

[shawnhu]

I've ran across a few reds, but that was on state lands in Orange.