Hunting squirrels in brush with open sights

[Rebeldon]

Don't even consider a .22LR w/o a scope.

I don't mean to be contentious, but I've reach my bag limit countless times with a Marlin model 60 w/o a scope. All head shots! I regularly put a .22 bullet through the squirrels ears. It gets harder past 50 yards, so I don't take shots more than 50 yards. Maybe a scope would change that. But a scope isn't going to raise the bag limit. I like scopes, but I don't like always having to sight them in.

Squirrels are fast and really fast when they are shot at.

If you use a scope, be sure to follow the squirrel with both eyes open. If you shut one eye you will likely loose sight of the squirrel. I usually wait until the squirrel stops for a second, then bang!

Squirrels are very cautious creatures. If you can't get one stop for a good shot, try barking like a dog (If I can fool any dog I can fool a squirrel). That will freeze him for a second, or two, as he will try to locate the threat. It usually spooks all the other squirrels too and they will run and hide, but so does a rifle shot. They will venture out again in ten or fifteen minutes.

 

[Art Eatman]

rebeldon, whatever sights are used vary with one's ability to focus one's eyes. For some it's just the way God made 'em; for others it's an age thing.

I really hate to try to do any good with lining up two blurs on a sharp-focus target. Sucks.

, Art

 

[MLH]

Also, in the olden days

Used to borrow my Uncles over/under that had a .22 on top and a .410 or 20 ga. on the bottom. Don't remember the brand as I was just a young pup back then and was too concerned about that, just if it went "boom". You covered all bases that way.