Squirrel Hunt

[Nutcracker]

I generally hunt national forest. Millions of acres and very light pressure during squirrel season. But today I hunted a tiny track of land bordering a large tract of public land. I didn't even ask the landowner, was talking to him the other day & he invited me to hunt this 100 acre wood. Drove 25 miles to get their before daylight. The land laid a little flatter than I am used to, but was nice for a change. 

 

[Ezana4CE]

Looks like a nice haul. How long were you out hunting? What distances did you take them from? And from what shooting position?

 

[Nutcracker]

Looks like a nice haul. How long were you out hunting? What distances did you take them from? And from what shooting position?

4 hours. 20-50 yards. Offhand standing on a couple standing leaning front of rifle against side tree on two.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Sounds like time well spent. Did you have to move around and stalk them much or did you find a couple of areas that they frequent and lay in waiting for them to sit still long enough for a shot?

 

[harrymoreland]

Nice hunt.

Will they reach the pot, if so details please.



Good luck.

 

[Ranchibi]

Great shooting! Beautiful hunting set up with Impact, nice photo.

 

[Nutcracker]

Sounds like time well spent. Did you have to move around and stalk them much or did you find a couple of areas that they frequent and lay in waiting for them to sit still long enough for a shot?

Both.. I usually move & stop every now & then & look sometimes stand for 1/2 an hour. I am a very impatient person, I have a hard time sitting. But my legs are getting weaker & i have sit a few times this year, even sucumbed to carrying a 3 legged stool now. The woods are so dry here, hard to stalk them this year But if they are cutting on hickories you can sneak up on them. I guess the hickories are harder and they can't hear as well as when chowing on acorns. 20 squirrels so far this year & all of them were chomping on hickories. I know another good stand of hickories about 60 mile from here, was there a few weeks back and no squirrels. but they will move in. Probably will hit that spot again soon. 

 

[Red25R]

Good hunting spot , When thy are cutting Hickory. They are making squirrel hunting music to my ears. 

 

[Ezana4CE]

Sounds like time well spent. Did you have to move around and stalk them much or did you find a couple of areas that they frequent and lay in waiting for them to sit still long enough for a shot?

Both.. I usually move & stop every now & then & look sometimes stand for 1/2 an hour. I am a very impatient person, I have a hard time sitting. But my legs are getting weaker & i have sit a few times this year, even sucumbed to carrying a 3 legged stool now. The woods are so dry here, hard to stalk them this year But if they are cutting on hickories you can sneak up on them. I guess the hickories are harder and they can't hear as well as when chowing on acorns. 20 squirrels so far this year & all of them were chomping on hickories. I know another good stand of hickories about 60 mile from here, was there a few weeks back and no squirrels. but they will move in. Probably will hit that spot again soon.

Dunno what it is about those nuts, but now that I think about it, the few hickories in my area frequently have squirrels around them. Those and pecan trees. I’m told that the timber industry is responsible for greatly reducing hickories in this area. Sounds like you have good hunting ground up there. Whether sitting or standing at least you’re still able to get out there and that’s a good thing. Good shooting and thanks for sharing. Would love to see more pics and hear about your future outings. If you have recipes, I’m interested in reading about those too. 

 

[Nutcracker]

Nice hunt.

Will they reach the pot, if so details please.



Good luck.

We eat them & we give most away to old friends who cant hunt anymore & still like squirrel meat. I quarter them up & pressure cook in chicken broth for about 25 minutes, less for young grays & more for old fox squirres. The take em out, dip in flour mixture, then egg wash then back in mix. ( sometimes i skip the egg bath) I uses flour, some corn starch & or baking powder( corn starch & baking powder seems to make them cisp). ,plus what ever other seasoning u like, garlic, salt & pepper 4 sure. they turn out perfect that way if u like fried food. Sometimes I take them out of the pressure cooker and pull meat from bone & put meat & vegtables back in with added broth & cook until vegetables are done for a stew. I never make the squirrel gravy anymore that everyone loves, I really dont care for it. The only gravy I ever make or eat is chip beef. LOL 

 

[Bandhunter]

That is a nice haul. Good shooting.

 

[Blackpaw]

@nutcracker, how do you compare hunting with the vixen long vs the maverick? I know they are and are not the same, but just curious strong points for each and any weak points you might think of for either gun.

 

[Nutcracker]

@nutcracker, how do you compare hunting with the vixen long vs the maverick? I know they are and are not the same, but just curious strong points for each and any weak points you might think of for either gun.

Blackpaw, I have the Vixen short & my FX is a Compact Impact MK II.

I have not hunted enough with either to give a fair comparion. . But so far, the Vixen is limited on power , & the Impact is a magnum. The impact fatigues me, while aiming waiting for the squirrel to stop, the vixen does not. I am making better shots with the vixen up to 40 yards , but think that is becasue It does not tire me, & I am concerend about power so I am taking more time. I am missing more shots with the Impact than the Vixen, even though it is just as acccurate.

Tried a new 3 legged stool out this am, the other one I bought was too low & I had a hard time standing up from it. ( gotta lose some weight) LOL

 

[Nutcracker]

Good hunting spot , When thy are cutting Hickory. They are making squirrel hunting music to my ears.

Ain't that the truth.. the only thing better is to get one barking that doesn't stop & lets u get withing range. 



"Squirrel Music" I like that , will use that in the future.

 

[Blackpaw]

@nutcracker thanks and my mistake. I can see that a lighter Vixen would have the haul around advantage and stalking rifle over the impact. 

 

[Nutcracker]

Sounds like time well spent. Did you have to move around and stalk them much or did you find a couple of areas that they frequent and lay in waiting for them to sit still long enough for a shot?

Both.. I usually move & stop every now & then & look sometimes stand for 1/2 an hour. I am a very impatient person, I have a hard time sitting. But my legs are getting weaker & i have sit a few times this year, even sucumbed to carrying a 3 legged stool now. The woods are so dry here, hard to stalk them this year But if they are cutting on hickories you can sneak up on them. I guess the hickories are harder and they can't hear as well as when chowing on acorns. 20 squirrels so far this year & all of them were chomping on hickories. I know another good stand of hickories about 60 mile from here, was there a few weeks back and no squirrels. but they will move in. Probably will hit that spot again soon.

Dunno what it is about those nuts, but now that I think about it, the few hickories in my area frequently have squirrels around them. Those and pecan trees. I’m told that the timber industry is responsible for greatly reducing hickories in this area. Sounds like you have good hunting ground up there. Whether sitting or standing at least you’re still able to get out there and that’s a good thing. Good shooting and thanks for sharing. Would love to see more pics and hear about your future outings. If you have recipes, I’m interested in reading about those too.

Nice hunt.

Will they reach the pot, if so details please".



Good luck.

Here is how I do it, skin em, soak in salt water overnite, quarte them, ( freeze or cook next day). Pressure cook (20-30 minutes) in Better Than Bullion Chicken, add other seasoning to taste, remove, egg wash, flour, cornstarch & season to taste, fry in Crisco , cause Lorreta said so. However my wife hates me using any recipie that has flour, ( it does not look messy to me) so I may just start baking them. 

 

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Nutcracker That looks damn good!! What’s that red contraption you have the squirrel hanging from?

 

[Nutcracker]

Oh, the squirrelhelper holder. Keeps old fat men like me from bending over when we skin squirrels. I keep it in back of truck, & just ratchet strap it to a tree or post & skin the squirrels wherever I am. I got it online somehwere a few years ago. Makes it a lot easier skinning. I have seen many variations of it over the years, & thought they were unecessary until recent years.

 

[LeeroyJenkins]

Looks awesome! We need a recipe section on here.

 

[Squirrelgun]

Nice!