Preparing for bushytails

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dburkhead

New member
I'm planning going hunting for squirrels tomorrow morning--first time hunting for squirrels, second time hunting in my life (first time was duck, better than 25 years ago). Today, at the range, I tried some preparation practice.

I had printed out a bunch of squirrel "picture targets"--a squirrel sitting on a limb eating a nut--very archetypical squirrel--that worked out to about 1/2 to 1/3 scale given the "typical" sizes of an adult squirrel I've seen listed (I've never actually measured one in real life). Since the indoor range is limited to 50 feet, this is approximately like shooting 30-50 yards (my rifle, with it's scope set up, is sighted to produce +/- 1 inch using high velocity ammo from 5 to 70 yards, provided I read the ballistics tables right).

Normally, I put the rifle to my shoulder, inhale, let it out, hold, fire, inhale, let it out, hold, fire, etc., until I've fired off one magazine (10 rounds). In addition to the new target, this time I did something different. I held the rifle in a "ready carry" (modified so the barrel was pointed downrange rather than to the side), lifted it to my shoulder, got a sight picture, held my breath at wherever it was in my breathing cycle at that point, and fired relatively quickly. The idea was to mimic what might happen in the woods. I spot a squirrel, and I don't have a lot of time to take aim and take the shot. I also changed my foot positions from time to time, again, on the basis that I wouldn't have time to set up a perfect stance while hunting. The squirrel would be gone before I could get set up.

I shot 100 rounds, of which about 60 hit the squirrel pictures somewhere in the body, not great, but I figure not horrible either. I noticed that I had a strong tendency to hit in the haunches, probably because my eye was drawn to this larger area. This is something I need to be aware of should I get the chance to shoot "live."
 
A 2-inch circle is a bit too big of an ares to aim for on a squirrel, in my opinion.

Haunches is a bad shot, that will be a crippled squirrel that you may have to shoot out of the tree.

Also, haunches will ruin most of the usable meat, and probably penetrate the intestines, bladder, rectum and make a stinky mess too.

When I went squirrel hunting a few years ago, I was able to stalk up to within 10 yards, and take a head shot. With a Winchester Super-X hollow point, the result was pretty explosive, even with the humble 22LR. I shot from below, and it took off the whole top of his head.

Thinking about it, I doubt you will ever need to take a 50 yard shot on a squirrel. I bet your shots will all be 15-30 yards. Heck, you could almost use an airgun.
 
How did your bushy tail hunt go? Got picts? Hope you did well.
I am sure you found, you do have time to set up most of the time. If you are in stealth mode, usually they are up in the leaves and dont notice a slow aproach. If they do they will just clinmb higher if you are lucky.

Lonny
 
Interesting stuff. I've never hunted squirrel before and the one's I've seen in urban and suburban environments never seem to sit still for very long. That's why I thought I had to get the shot off quick.

My _intended_ point of aim was heart/lung area. However, I noticed that despite that intention my shots were actually going more to "center of mass" of the image. This was something I figured I needed to pay more attention to even at the time.

Some have mentioned "head shots" and, actually, now that I think about it, on squirrels, a head shot is little, if any, smaller a target than the "vitals" shot that I see recommended for hunting. I'll try that more.

For the most part, I practice shooting offhand (although occasionally putting the sandbag on the shelf to shoot from). I figure, if I can shoot well offhand, I can shoot better with support but the reverse doesn't hold.

In any case, I went out on my little venture this morning. I heard (I think) several squirrels "barking." I Set up as covered as I could get and waited a good half hour but nothing came into view from where I think the barking was coming from. I did see a tree limb flexing in the distance to one side (kind of glimpsed between limbs of nearer trees) and think I caught a quick flash of a squirrel moving through it, but that may only have been my imagination. No time to even move on my part, let alone get a shot (and I probably wouldn't have tried at that range anyway).

Several things I learned from this trip:

First, make a checklist of what to take along. There were several things I wanted (my binoculars, a camera in case I got lucky) that I didn't have.

Second, I hadn't bought camouflage yet but I did dress in "subdued" clothing (a kind of dull green "plaid" long-sleeve pullover and jeans). I think good camo is next on my list of things to acquire.

Third, the trees were a lot taller than I was expecting, not spreading to crowns until quite a ways up. This suggests that any shots I make would have to be at a longer range than I had originally expected.

Fourth, I really wasn't used to the kind of walking I had to do--stepping over obstacles, much steeper grades than you generally face in the typical urban environment, etc. Be the end of the morning, the muscles around my ankles were tired and sore, and this was wearing boots that I thought provided good support.

Fifth, I found reserves of patience that, quite frankly, I never knew I had (that half our wait, hoping Mr. Bushytail would come out to play). Okay, maybe to a seasoned hunter or a Ranger Sniper or something like that, it's trivial, but it means something to me.

In any case, that's the result of my first squirrel hunt.
 
This time of year you can easily look for squirrel movement by just watching the trees. As they jump from one to another you'll see the tree limb move as it takes the squirrel's weight. If it's a windy day this becomes difficult, but if it's a windy day squirrels don't move as much anyway. You'll also become attuned to their gait through the dry leaves on the ground. They sound like a much bigger animal to a novice. You'll typically hear three to five bounds and then a pause, then repeated perhaps. Possibly not if it's taken to the trees at that point. Also as you spend more time in the woods you'll start hearing their chewing sounds on nuts and acorns. Or the sound of them dropping bits of shell as they eat. All these things develop with time spent outdoors.

Use your ears and your peripheral vision to detect movement. If the activity is happening a distance away from you, move there, quietly. Then settle in again and wait. The squirrels that went quiet or bounded away at your intrusion will be back if you are patient.
 
To each his own and all of that...
I walk hunt bushy tails in the woods. Subdued clothing is helpful but I often wear a bright hat. I can put the hat in a pocket and they seem to wonder where the guy went. Often they seem to get on the trunk and stay on the wrong side. For this I like a pocket loaded with small rocks. Toss one past the tree and he will often circle to my side...
I do set up and still hunt over bait (MY BIRD FEEDERS ARE FOR BIRDS).
Brent
 
What time did you hit the woods? We will try to get there right at day break.

Last time out, I seen more playing on the ground than in trees.

When we see the tree tops moving, we try moving a little closer. But watch the tree trunks. If they are suspicious of you, they will come down far enough to see.

The area we hunt is full of sapplings and low tree branchs full of leaves. Only thing I can say is (12 guage)ok or 410. I know it is cheating;)

Subdued clothing should be good. Boots, squirrel season is the only time hunting I wear tennis shoes.

Not sure where you are. Here in Southern Indiana, they are cutting on hickory at the moment.

You mentioned your patiance, I am not a patiant person until I hit the woods. I can set in deer stand for the better part of day. I cant set at home for same time with out get grouchy.

Biggest question is did you enjoy your hunt?

When I get to the woods, it dont matter if I shoot critters or not. I jsut like being there. I still get excited seeing any critters, whether it is squirrel deer or the elbino skunk.

I too will stalk squirrels about as often as I will set and waite. I will do both most of the time. I will set a while, if no action. then I get up and walk a bit.

Good luck

Lonny
 
And my second trip was even more of a learning experience--I got lost.

I made two major mistakes which led to that:

1) I cued on terrain features. In particular I knew that I had to cross a ravine/dry creek bed to get back to the fire trail where I'd parked (and, once there, it would be a right turn back to the car.

2) Once I realized I wasn't going the right way, I checked my compass, but (and I'm a physicist; I should know better), for quite some time I didn't set down my gear and step away from it so the metal screwed up the compass readings.

I've reconstructed where I probably went on this little "treck" here:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g206/dburkhead/DBTrek091308JPG.jpg

A couple of other things I noted while I was out there:

On some of the softer spots on the fire trail on my way home, I saw deer tracks, probably doe. I also saw tracks of what looks to be a remarkably large cat: main pad and four "toe" pads but no claw marks as one would find with canines. These tracks were a good inch and a half to two inches across. I'm not sure what made them, but I'm pretty sure I don't want to meet.

At one point when I was stopping to take a compass bearing, I also spooked a turkey.

Another thing I learned is that my hydration pack was a lifesaver, possibly literally. By the time I finally hit pavement again, I was completely exhausted, but at least I was hydrated. I was back in the care and halfway home before I finally finished the last of the water.

In the end, I didn't have to break into the emergency kit stuff, and I didn't have to call for help (I was carrying my cell), so I guess it's all good.

Oh, I saw exactly two squirrels--both after I'd returned to my car and was driving home. :(
 
Squirrels

I am a handicapped hunter, so moving around is not an option for me. I kill more squirrels now than I ever did before when I was wandering around the woods. The key to squirrel hunting is comfort. Find a spot that has a good clear view of the surrounding area. Brush yourself in with a few branches, or just bend over a couple of small trees. Get comfortable and sit still. Squirrel's are in a sense "NOMADIC". They willl come to you if you have patience. To me it is extremely enjoyable to just be in the woods and enjoying Mother Nature. Then killing a squirrel becomes secondary to my day in the woods.

I am also not buying the camo idea. I hunt from a red Kawasaki Mule. Sitting still is the key. Also safety is important. I always wear an orange hat.

Do not be in a big hurry. If you see a squirrel-wait. His buddy should be right behind him. Doubles and triples are great fun, and a true challenge for your shooting skills.

Buy a "GONG". Get the swinging type, and you want a "GONG" with a 2 inch target. Practice your shooting at the "GONG". A 2 incher is the size of a squirrel's head. Just keep moving the swinging target back farther and farther. It will come. Tom.
 
I got lost.
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You can only say that if, you knew where you were going to begin with.:)


I made two major mistakes
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Its only a mistake if you or someone got hurt. Admit it, You had a great hike and enjoyed the sights and sounds of nature. :)

I didn't have to call for help (I was carrying my cell), so I guess it's all good.
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Soo to friends and family, you were enjoying the hunt so much you decided to take the scenic route.:)

Brother as I am sure you have to admit. Getting in the woods (regardless of plan execution) It was better than being in the office:)


Hogghead

I love to see a person doing what they enjoy despite their limitations. Thumbs up to you sir. "May your freezer always be full"

Lonny

(by the way, only time I am an optimist is in the great outdoors)
 
I got lost.
Click to expand...
You can only say that if, you knew where you were going to begin with.
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Well, since at that time I was trying to get back to my car....

Its only a mistake if you or someone got hurt. Admit it, You had a great hike and enjoyed the sights and sounds of nature.
Click to expand...

I'm afraid I was a bit too tired that last hour or so to really appreciate all that. Note, I also had an "I'll be back by...." notice at home which could lead to some serious worries if I didn't make that deadline.

Soo to friends and family, you were enjoying the hunt so much you decided to take the scenic route.
Click to expand...

There is that. ;)
 
Most bushy tails here, come out at the break of day, so I try to get in my spot a little before daybreak. I sight my .22 in at 30 yards dead zero, on a 1" target. The I try to look for the ears in my scope. This keeps my concentration on the head shot and results in very few body shots. I squirrel isn't very hard to kill, and you will be surprised at how many you will shoot that won't even have a hole in their head. By shooting at the ear hole, sometimes the bullet just coming so close, will knock them out. I don't think camo is that important, but to each his own. Movement is your worst enemy. If you are hunting with a buddy, don't sit together, as bushys will circle the tree on you. Try to get about 30 or 40 yards apart, so you can cover a wider area. Try to get where you can see each other, and work out a set of hand signals, that are very discreet, so you can let each other know if a squirrel has circled a limb on you.
If you happen to shoot one to close to a hole in the tree and he gets in it, you can take a limber sapling and cut of all of the leaves, leaving a fork at the end. This can then be shoved in the hole, and twisted until you catch the hair and skin, then can be pulled out of the hole to retrieve your squirrel. Be careful and make sure the squirrel is dead when you pull him out, as they really don't like being done this way if they are alive. (Won't go into how I gained this knowledge):D
 
1+

1+ walk hunting.
ease into an area. Spot squirrel. Stalk Squirrel. Shoot Squirrel.
Walking as slow and quiet as you can with more standing than walking.
Get some camo. Developes great woodsman skill.
 
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