Squirrel hunt (WARNING PICTURES MAY BE GRAPHIC)

[resq854]

Huge tree rats! The ones out here in VA are tiny in comparison. Got a question for you: while we were in IA, in the Council Bluffs area, I saw a lot of black squirrels. Can they be shot, too? My MIL didn't know, and I forgot to ask the FIL.

[one-eyed-fatman]

chupacabrachus don't eat the jackrabbits up there.

[chupacabrachus]

Originally Posted by resq854

Huge tree rats! The ones out here in VA are tiny in comparison. Got a question for you: while we were in IA, in the Council Bluffs area, I saw a lot of black squirrels. Can they be shot, too? My MIL didn't know, and I forgot to ask the FIL.

Big indeed, but only one of them was actually a lunker in my book. Fox squirrels weighing upto 3# are pretty common. It's the largest species of tree rat! The ones in VA are probably Red squirrels (looks pretty much the same as a Fox, but tiny. Fox squirrels can be gray too actually, they have a H U G E variety in fur color as the season progresses from red/brown/gray/white/yellowish) Yes! in Iowa you can shoot Gray's which is most likely what the "black squirrels" you saw were. I've yet to see any Gray's in this part of the state, but where I'm from (SW IA, close to C.Bluffs) they're abundant.

Originally Posted by kayl

How do you go about cleaning and cooking them? I kinda want to get into squirrel hunting this fall.

Go to rimfirecentral.com to find the answer to this question. There are hundreds of old-timers there with endless knowledge and wisdom in squack hunting. Try the "Squirrel hunters: The Tree Kind!!!" thread starting around page 11 or so (it's 250+++ pages long). It can be found in the "hunting" section and is F U L L of great info as well as lots of ridiculousness.

Originally Posted by cadejo69

What did you shoot them with?, I have a Marlin 917V just itching to do some shooting. I used to shoot squirrels in Tennesse, not much of a challange, I would shoot one and another would come to investigate what just happened to poor old Chip, shoot that one and anotherone would come to see what the other two were doing on the ground. had to limit my self to one squirrel a day.

Shot them with my Savage 93r17 (practially same rifle as your Marlin). You can see it in the picture, it's the wood stocked/target bbl. model. I love it. It can easily shoot 1" or less groups at 100yards all day long. In case you're curious, I was using CCI FMJ 20gr. ammo today. The 17gr. and 20gr. hollow point stuff is too darn explosive to use if you plan on keeping the meat. The FMJ just leaves clean holes, but make sure and get head/neck shots if you're using them to make sure and drop the little guys quickly. One of those guys I got through the neck and it exited through his hand... kinda crazy. Sounds like you've got a squirrel abbundance and you should maybe not limit yourself.

[chupacabrachus]

Originally Posted by one-eyed-fatman

chupacabrachus don't eat the jackrabbits up there.

I've never ever seen one up where I'm living right now, only cottontails. Jackrabbit season isn't open yet anyway. Is there abundance of disease in them right now or what? I typically wait until cooler months to eat anything that I kill, but I'm going to eat these bad boys. I checked them throughly for obvious signs of chronic wasting disease and other problems common with squaks and they all 3 looked good. Shoot, I didn't even see any ticks or fleas on them.

[one-eyed-fatman]

Originally Posted by chupacabrachus

I've never ever seen one up where I'm living right now, only cottontails. Jackrabbit season isn't open yet anyway. Is there abundance of disease in them right now or what? I typically wait until cooler months to eat anything that I kill, but I'm going to eat these bad boys. I checked them throughly for obvious signs of chronic wasting disease and other problems common with squaks and they all 3 looked good. Shoot, I didn't even see any ticks or fleas on them.

That's what I was talking about. I didn't realize the abundance of disease came and went though. Something I heard as an Iowa farm boy 43 years ago (age 10).

[The Knight Of Light]

Originally Posted by one-eyed-fatman

That's what I was talking about. I didn't realize the abundance of disease came and went though. Something I heard as an Iowa farm boy 43 years ago (age 10).

Wow you are old! Just kiddin around with ya OEFM

[mpak87]

kind of reminds me of a bit of unintentional squirrel hunting that i did today. I was shooting on BLM land today, with two other people in a line. We had a good selection of expired stereo equipment downrange, which a squirrel found quite fascinating. Anyway, two .303 British rounds and several 9mm later it stopped running. That was the most resiliant squirrel I have ever seen, and we saved the tail for a place of honor. (only part that wasn't totally blown apart)

[standerson]

I'm hungary now! Fry 'em up, I'll be over.