GTA

All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Hunting Gate => Topic started by: Wheelman on January 11, 2019, 07:59:30 PM

Title: 3rd for 2019
Post by: Wheelman on January 11, 2019, 07:59:30 PM
Bagged my 3rd gray squirrel for 2019 today.

This one was way up in a huge ponderosa pine that's also visible from my home office window.
The shot was close to 20 yards at an incline of probably 15* so I had to hold under him a bit.

I started "stalking" him when he was sitting in the limb joint of one of the maples along my east property line.
I saw him and headed for the basement door, when I stepped out into the back stairwell he was still sitting there but he saw the door open.
By the time I cocked and loaded the gun he'd headed for the ponderosa and climbed part way up, then stopped to watch me.
That was his mistake as I drew a bead on him (really put the cross hairs on him) and released the pellet, shortly there after he tumbled out of the tree.

Hit this one just behind his left eye and the pellet exited through the top of his head.
When I got to him he was still breathing and blinking his eye (I don't think I'll ever get used to that) so I put another pellet through his head just to be sure.
After that he did the thrash dance while I went to collect my cleaning tools.

He was still gasping and I could feel his heart beating when I got everything ready to dress him so I had to squeeze him for a minute or so to end all bodily operations.
Again, I don't think Ill ever get used to that!  I know he wasn't "there" as a good part of his brains were gone but it's still a bit disturbing.

Anyway, one less gray squirrel to dig up my yard and cause problems for the local native species.

Wheelman
Title: Re: 3rd for 2019
Post by: A.K.A. Tommy Boy on January 11, 2019, 08:01:45 PM
Ken...You are on a Roll !!!!!      ;)


Best Wishes - Tom
Title: Re: 3rd for 2019
Post by: Wheelman on January 11, 2019, 09:15:06 PM
Thanks Tom.

I'm getting a bit of practice skinning squirrels but still don't have it completely figured out.
I know you're supposed to be able to create a flap by starting at the base of the tail and freeing the tail and some of the hide down the back and sides, then step on that flap and pull the squirrel out of the hide. Doesn't always work though, sometimes the hide just doesn't want to come loose and it gets a little messy.
The last 2 have worked out that way and I'm not sure why. 
The one difference I'm 100% sure of is the last 2 squirrels were male, all the others I've taken were female.

Wheelman
Title: Re: 3rd for 2019
Post by: 35 shooter on January 11, 2019, 11:36:48 PM
Squirrels can be hard to kill drt sometimes, even with the best of shot placement. It’s amazing how tough they can be.

Congrats on number 3 for the new year!
Title: Re: 3rd for 2019
Post by: Wayne52 on January 12, 2019, 12:33:03 AM
Great shot on number 3 for the year !!!
Title: Re: 3rd for 2019
Post by: ranchibi on January 12, 2019, 12:36:04 AM
Ken, nice shot! :)
Title: Re: 3rd for 2019
Post by: accu fan on January 12, 2019, 12:40:20 AM
Nice shot Ken. :D
Title: Re: 3rd for 2019
Post by: dk1677 on January 12, 2019, 07:09:17 AM
Nice shooting Ken!
Title: Re: 3rd for 2019
Post by: longislandhunter on January 12, 2019, 12:32:11 PM
Nice shooting, congrats :)

Jeff