Hunting Forum

That's a good point steve. "More doesn't equal better". I seem to be seeing/hearing alot more of folks (Mostly new hunters) boasting about the shoulder/hip cannon they just got to hunt something that is way out of the league for the weapons capabilities compared to what they intend to hunt. Simply put, why buy a 12 guage to shoot moles? In my book, it's their personal compensation for the lack of experience in the hunt itself, as well as (again, lack of) concentration on placement and distance.

Shootinj: I've seen them hang from one foot, and had to shoot the foot off to get them down myself. So, good point. There is a possiblity it was dead already as you said.
Even though you can shoot them with a shotgun. I think it's more fun. And more challenging to head shoot tree rats with a 22.

In 1961, while still in High School I saved enough money to buy a 9 shot Hi-Standard (double-nine) Longhorn .22 Cal. Revolver, 9.5 inch barell, for $61.83 Brand new. I've killed so many squirrells with this pistol, I could'nt venture to estimate the number. Not often, but some were moving along the tree limbs. As has already been pointed out, if you practice, know your equipment, practice some more and become confident you can kill a squirell with any .22 cal. I've killed squirells with Air rifles and BB guns also, but the distance was close range. Unless you make a brain shot, a BB won't bring a Tough skined squirell to the ground. It more than likely will die later in a den tree, or not at all. I have killed squirells that had lead under the skin that had been hit with a shotgun. Old squirells are Tough critters. If you don't put lead into the heart, backbone, lungs, neck, or brain, it will take more that one shot to kill it. That's if you get a second shot. They know where every knot-hole in the forest is located.

hey man - was wondering if you dropped off the face of the earth! Glad you didn't. ;-)

Ain' it amazing how those little b*stards have a knack for moving at JUST the right second.... lol

YEP,
Hi youself.
Been busy with the seasons, taking care of the cripple, Tanning deer skins, butchering meat for the freezer, etc.
I have found time to read the comments and spats between the regulars tho. How's things up thar in Yankee land?

Yankee Land? I resemble that remark. LOL. It's all hunting land.

Good point J... I think he was channeling rt... lol

Shootin'j
Yo'all is right. was just joshin steve cause I's hangin out in Ozarks. I've been in steve's part of the country. Went to Plattsburg NY once. That is some of the Prettiest country I've ever been in. It was the time of the year when the Maple trees were in their amazing glorious colors.
I just referred to steve's country as Yankee Land because Mo. is further south.
When I was in Australia, everyone north of their "Island" was a Yankee!!!

Oh Yeh,
Forgot to mention, If it weren't for the Yankees, we would still be an English Colony.
Don't blame me. Not my fault I was born in Missouri.LOL.

Shootin'

He and rt are good guys. Instigate sometimes, but so do I. All in fun and not really taken seriously. Hell, if we all got together and had a drink of our choice, it'd probably be a blast!

The wife tells me I may be headed south to research a place for us to retire. She doesn't want to waste her vacation and being the fool that she is, she trusts my opinion so she wants me to go look around. I'll be down south, probably in the Southern part of Va or in N. Carolina somewhere so looking forward to maybe meeting some of our rebel brothern.

Shootin'J,
If you use I44 to get to Springfield, you will pass by my part of the country by about 25 miles.
To answer some of your questions: The Tree Rat season opens 15Apr. each year and goes until Feb.15 of The next year. The population is determined by the food supply. I killed my daily limit from one Hickory Tree every time I went out. The tree is behind my Corral, so I only had to walk to Backyard fence. Rabbit population in my part of state not so good. Too many coyotes and Feral cats.
I consider calling someone who lives in the Northern Part of the Country a Yankee to be a compliment. If I was trying to offend someone who lived in the Northern part I (might) call him a Torrie. In my book the word Yankee is GOOD, not derogatory.
Oh yeh, btw, I spent 20yrs, 3mos, 3days in USAF. If you want to give me you address, I can sent you a list of all the critters that are legal to hunt and the seasons.
My e-mail is: gnatsum65@hotmail.com. We have some good places to fish for Trout. Both wild trout and State Parks that are stocked.

Forgot to ask!!!
If steve can call someone who lives in the South, rebel brothern, why can't I call the north Yankee Land? See what I mean? All depends on how terms all used and the tone of voice..... (and I was grinnin, when I asked him about Yankee Land)., but if you want me to I'll take it back!
Peace Bro.

No hard feelins taken at all guys. I'm just corn-fused on some of the lingo. You know bubbler vs water fountain, and soda vs pop and the like. I'm pretty sure RT can attest to "Controversial" posts or comments that I have posted in the past, and it is fully understood on my part that what we submit may not always agree with everyone. I'll be the first to admit that I am guilty of that at times. Anywho, the next time I head down there, I'll shoot you an email, and maybe we can hook up for some rat season. If I drive, I'll bring my .177 pellet gun, as I stated, that is my preffered rifle for the rats. Less legal crap to deal with when crossing state lines too. That's great that your season goes so long. Ours only runs from Sept to Feb. Slim pickins in my book, but if I can get to the right woods, I do OK. I agree with Steves last post, and if we all got together, we WOULD have a good time. Let's just have the drink AFTER the hunt. Not before.

etaylor8, I used to live in Knob Noster at Whiteman AFB, just west of Sadalia in 1990. I loved heading down to the Ozarks for some good bass fishing. Of course I had to stop in at the Bass Pro shop headquarters in Springfield, loved that place. Hated the dang snakes that kept wanting to climb in the boat!

Steve, if I can swing it in the future I may be heading to Texas to live. I'm tired of the dang Yankee, liberal, bleeding hearts up here giving us woodsman a bad rap. No offense, shootin'J, I spent 10 years of my life serving this county, and on foriegn soil to come back to this crap? Of course I'm reffering to the new gun laws. Sorry for the rant guys, it just wrinkles my bloomers!

I'm sorry, I got off the main topic here?  Although a shotgun is the "easiest" way to shoot them, picking lead out of your mouth while eating them is no fun.  It's really hard to get all the pellets out while cleaning, they seem to hide very well.
I prefer a .22, it's lighter to carry, cheaper on ammo, and makes you a better shot.  Squirrels have amazing abilities to "hang on" after being shot. Try not to shoot them while on the trunk, get them out on the limbs if you can for better recovery and maybe a follow up shot if needed.

I have a stepson and DIL living in Knob Noster, but he ain't into hunting/fishing. (YET! but I keep trying.) So when I'm down there, I chum with my (AF retired) Sis and BIL in Springfield. They, on the other hand live to hunt and fish. And as you touched on, OFTEN visit Bass Pro. When I visit, we go at least 2-3 times a week. My BIL and I usually end up prying my sister off of something shes looking at when it's time to leave. Only to do it again the next time we visit. No offense taken on the yankee thing either. I guess I am one, but only cuz I was born here. But no liberal tendencies from this yankee expressed or implied. I have no prejudice for any responsible hunter regardless of where theyare geographically located. HUnting is hunting, is hunting. It's that simple. Let the liberals debate their narrow-minded opinions while I go out and hunt. Anywho, as you said shotgun IS the easiest, but as you also stated, (And I agree with) the drawbacks of chompimng into shot when trying to eat. What sux is, Wisconsin wont let you hunt t-rats or squirrel on public land with anything other that shot. Overkill in my book. I understand your mention of coming back to these gun laws, as I am in the exact same boat. Just don't refer to your" bloomers" anymore. That's just wierd. Being we're both vets, skivies would be more understanding. Trivial, but JMO. I too got off track abit, so I'm gonna let this go. Happy huntin!!!

I'm very comfortable with my wierd statements, along with my wife, 5 kids, 4 grandkids and one on the way. Your from Wisconsin and they call you a Yankee?
I guess I didn't figure the term went that far west of us? If you haven't guessed, I'm a upstate NY Yank, right in the middle of farmlands galore. I caught all the jokes while serving in the military too. Good times! Watch out for Steve though, I believe he is weirder than me. LOL!

GLW,
Over twenty years I was in the USAF, I could never get any closer to Mo. than Lockbourn (Rickenbacker) in Oh. Everyyear I filled out my "dream sheet", I wound up overseas. Maybe that's why I retired back home. Was stationed at Dyess in Ablene Tx. when I got out, but that wasn't much closer either.
And yeh, The snakes are bad here if you aren't watchful, most won't (attack) you if you give them a chance. If one tried to climb into you boat, it might be because he was tired of swimming and wanted a lift to dry land. We have some HUGE Timber Rattlers here. I saw two last fall over 4 ft. long.