GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Hunting Gate => Topic started by: Bicycleman on September 10, 2021, 06:07:56 PM
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September 10, 2021 (The peak of the Atlantic Hurricane Season!)
Hello everyone. I hope you are well or getting well!
Today is the beginning of my 2021 Fall/Winter Squirrel Season. The Tennessee season actually opened on August 28. But it was too hot for me at that time and the ticks, chiggers, and mosquitos are not to my liking. So, I wait until the morning temperatures are below 55ºF.
Guess who overslept on the morning of his first hunt. Yep, I did snooze a little extra. I didn't get to the woods until after the sun was shining. But that means I could see the squirrels as I was walking to the woods. And see them I did. Well, actually, I could see the movement of the leaves that they were causing. Finally, after about an hour, I saw the big girl in the first picture. She was peacefully feeding high in a Hickory tree. I watched her for about ten minutes [while telling myself to be patient]. Finally, I took a shot. WOW, she dropped like a stone -- no flinch, clawing of the branch, or surprise jump. She just fell. After the photo op was done, I measured the distance back to my hunting spot with my new laser range finder/Golf Pin distance measuring device = approximately 93 feet to the ground. That would mean that the distance to the branch the squirrel was on would probably be over 40 yards. Yes, I am proud of that shot. It was a clean through shoulder shot.
Squirrel #2 below was taken about 1.5 hours later, and also in the trees. This young Gray female offered me a shot when she paused on a naked limb about 40 - 50 feet up in the tree. Again, I witnessed that 'she dropped like a stone' thing happening again. When I retrieved her, I realized she had taken the JSB in the shoulder like #1 had. Same type of hit; same type of dead drop. This Gray fell in one of the deep canyons in "Canyon Land". [For those of you seeing my Squirrel Season thread for the first time, I hunt in a very rocky area of Tennessee appropriately named Rockvale. There are a series of canyons laid out roughly East - West throughout most of the woods where I hunt. Hard hunting; but usually very productive.]
Because I had a doctor appointment in the early afternoon, I ended my hunt after retrieving this second squirrel. The time was approximately 10 a.m.
Keep watching this thread. This is just the beginning.
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NICE ! Good shooting Mike.
Best Wishes - Tom
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Yes, Good shooting Mike.
Our fall squirrel season begins on October 1st. This summer I had 6 squirrels in the Bradford pear tree at one time so I'm looking for a bumper year. I've been practicing on 1-1/2" spinners at ranges from 35 -50 yds. At times I'm shooting while sitting on a bucket and using sticks as a forward rest patterned after NCED's setup.
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Mike, congratulations on your first hunt and a successful one at that….great shooting and nice photos! Your marksmanship was spot on!
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Nice shooting Mike!
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NICE ! Good shooting Mike.
Best Wishes - Tom
Thanks, Tom. I had check the accuracy of that rifle the day before. Three shot is all it took to show that the rifle was on target. This morning, I was able to do my part.
Stay well, my friend.
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Dan, in my thinking, practicing like you are hunting is an excellent thing to do. I never met a football coach who told his players to practice thing they didn't plan to do in the next game.
Thanks for the compliment.
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Randall, thanks for the compliment.
The photos -- I try to get pictures of all the squirrels I harvest. The pictures you don't see are the squirrels I don't kill. ;) ::)
I had not done any off-season shooting to speak of. So, this morning, I was a bit nervous for those shots. Next hunt, I hope to be over that!
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Nice shooting Mike!
Hello, Dave, and thanks for looking in.
Has your season started yet?
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Hey Mike yes it has ,up to 12 now
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Great start to your season Mike.
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Good hunting and good shooting, Mike! Our squirrel season is May 15 - Feb 28, never changes. Like you, I like it when it cools off though, below 55* in the mornings are perfect.
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Hey Mike yes it has ,up to 12 now
Dave, that cool.
I'll be watching.
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Great start to your season Mike.
Thanks, Jerry.
My brother responded to an email I sent yesterday. He will be on a trip when the Louisiana season begins next month. Poor thing! ::)
Stay well, Jerry.
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Good hunting and good shooting, Mike! Our squirrel season is May 15 - Feb 28, never changes. Like you, I like it when it cools off though, below 55* in the mornings are perfect.
John, I agree with you about the cool down. In Louisiana, we usually had a very brief cool front come through in early October. Then it would warm up again until later in the month. Sometimes, we still had leaves on the trees at Thanksgiving when the first frost/freeze happened.
Thanks for the compliment, John, and take care of yourself.
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Good hunting Mike. Always a pleasure to follow your hunts.
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Thanks, Cap.
And good luck to you when your seasons open. I will say a little prayer for cool weather your way.
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Thanks, Jerry.
My brother responded to an email I sent yesterday. He will be on a trip when the Louisiana season begins next month. Poor thing! ::)
Stay well, Jerry.
Likewise Mike. Looking forward to reading about your hunts.
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Well Mike it looks like you haven't forgotten where the kill zone is.. ;) Hope your season goes really great. I may get to make my first trip out this year on Saturday. We will see. Looks like the weather will be great for it. Keep knockin em dowm brother!!!
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Always enjoy the reports on your hunts.
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Well Mike it looks like you haven't forgotten where the kill zone is.. ;) Hope your season goes really great. I may get to make my first trip out this year on Saturday. We will see. Looks like the weather will be great for it. Keep knockin em dowm brother!!!
That is exactly what I was doing this morning. Read more below.
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Always enjoy the reports on your hunts.
I will try not to let you down. Another hunt is below - #2 for the season.
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September 23, 2021
Wow, this morning was a beautiful, calm, and cool morning.
I hunted in my favorite area in these woods. Why is it my favorite? It is flat, clean, has nut trees, and many squirrels. And it will only get better as the leaves start falling.
By 6:30 a.m., I was in my chosen spot and waiting for the woods to get light enough to shoot. About 7 a.m., the squirrels started moving. I just realized I need a swivel stool because the were all around me. Most of them were Grays - but one Eastern Fox squirrel moved through the tree I was leaning my back against. It never really stopped to give me a shot; and continued moving down the valley. The squirrels were feeding and stashing away nuts. Those that were feeding were in the treetops hidden in the leaves. Those that were hiding the Hickory Nuts didn't stop very long. They would dash up the tree and find a nut. Then they would race down the tree and across the floor of the woods to bury the nut. Then they would repeat. Tough trying to line up a shot.
There was one feeding in the tree above me. As I stood to try to see it, one starting moving on the ground behind me. I had to turn around to shoot and that meant leaving my shooting stick behind. A standing off hand shot is not my favorite; but I pulled it off. After picking up that guy, I just sat there. About 20 minutes later I got a shot at the big girl in the second picture. I am not proud of that shot - as it was a mid-body shot. But it did the job.
The breeze was storting to pick up; so I called it a hunt. As I walked back to the truck, I followed the fence line and checked its condition for the rancher. All was good.
Thanks for looking in.
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Nice ones Mike!
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Good morning, Dave.
Thanks for the compliment and good luck to you in your hunting.
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Monday --
December October 4, 2021
This morning, in the fog, I hunted the second permission. I went directly to the Hickory Grove near the Big Deer Stand and sat. Soon (like 15 minutes later) squirrels were barking at me and coming to investigate. I missed the first one and got the second - a huge Eastern Fox Squirrel. I missed the first one because my glasses were fogged up. Yeah, that sound like a good excuse. :D I saw several more and missed another on - no excuse this time.
When the breeze came up, I started walking back to the truck. As I neared the cattle/goats feedlot, a Gray jumped up onto a lone tree and quickly whipped around the other side. I stopped immediately and waited. About ten minutes later, it came out onto a low limb and gave me a shot. Another head-shot - DRT. I picked it up and continued walking across the creek and feedlot. This was a three hour hunt. And it was the first time I hunt this woods in the Fall. I will do this again soon. [I don't hunt there once the deer season starts.]
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December 4? You’ve got a time machine don’t you! Very clever! Just speed time up so you don’t have to wait for opening day. Brilliant! ;D
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Thanks for catching that one, Cap. We were in time to correct it. The rest of the world will never know.
I will let you in on a little secret: Our Squirrel Season in Tennessee opens in August.
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Mike, excellent last 2 hunts and shooting! That is one HUGE female fox for sure...she will eat well!
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Nice one Mike!
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Mike, excellent last 2 hunts and shooting! That is one HUGE female fox for sure...she will eat well!
Good morning, Randall, and thank you for the compliment.
Most of the squirrels I have taken so far, seem to be older ones. In seasons past, many early season squirrels were the young/stupid ones that made fatal mistakes. Maybe they breed earlier in this area and/or get smart quicker.
Stay well.
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Nice one Mike!
Hello, Dave. Thank you for the compliment and following my thread.
Take care of yourself.
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Mike, excellent last 2 hunts and shooting! That is one HUGE female fox for sure...she will eat well!
Good morning, Randall, and thank you for the compliment.
Most of the squirrels I have taken so far, seem to be older ones. In seasons past, many early season squirrels were the young/stupid ones that made fatal mistakes. Maybe they breed earlier in this area and/or get smart quicker.
Stay well.
Mike, I’m a golfer and huge fox squirrels come right up to me begging for food…..I think to myself you’re lucky Mike is not here! LOL!
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Randall, the University I attended in Lafayette, LA had pine trees and Live Oaks all over campus. And the Fox Squirrels were very abundant. They would be feeding a few feet from the walkways and never flench. Very tempting!
Now, if I could only find a rural golf course . . . .
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Randall, the University I attended in Lafayette, LA had pine trees and Live Oaks all over campus. And the Fox Squirrels were very abundant. They would be feeding a few feet from the walkways and never flench. Very tempting!
Now, if I could only find a rural golf course . . . .
Mike, in a rural setting, a golf course might pay you or want you to cull their squirrel population!
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Randall, it seems that all the golf courses around here are in town. And that means no hunting/shooting with any type of weapon. I have yet to come across a course anywhere else - and that is discouraging.
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Randall, it seems that all the golf courses around here are in town. And that means no hunting/shooting with any type of weapon. I have yet to come across a course anywhere else - and that is discouraging.
Well, that’s a bummer Mike!
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Deer hunting is very popular in this area. And last time I checked, no one is hunting deer with a golf club.
I am sort of a freak because [1] I hunt squirrels. [2] I hunt with an air gun. [3] Some people think I am not supposed to be in the woods alone at 77 years of age.
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Deer hunting is very popular in this area. And last time I checked, no one is hunting deer with a golf club.
I am sort of a freak because [1] I hunt squirrels. [2] I hunt with an air gun. [3] Some people think I am not supposed to be in the woods alone at 77 years of age.
Well Mike, what you are doing is what we all should be doing…getting out and exercising at any age especially when we get older! Keep doing what you are doing, you are an inspiration to me! I wish I had land to walk and hunt like you do, I am a city dweller but in my heart a nature kinda person. I do get to long range tuna fish a couple times a year and that floats my boat for out in nature fun!
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Saturday - October 9, 2021
Normally, I don't hunt on Saturday or Sunday. I am happy to saw I made an exception this morning. It was an interesting hunt.
The squirrels were abundant this morning; but they kept their distance. Note to self: I guess it is time to wash those hunting clothes. :o
I heard a deer behind me. I slowly turned and she was looking the other way. So I froze as she turned back to look at me. She approached to about 15 yards and decided something was not right. She then ran a distance, jumped the fence, and changed ZIP Codes.
About mid-morning, I started moving through the woods and continued to see squirrels that would not get close enough. Finally, when I was almost out of the woods, the young Gray below was looking at me (barking) with its head in the V of two branches about 40 feet up. I deliver the JSB to his head. One shot, one kill. That was it for the day.
One other thing: Just before I shot that squirrel, I met a new friend - about the size of a cantaloupe. That is the reason for the second picture.
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SPECIAL THANK YOU to my good friend who awarded my thread a 5-STAR rating.
It is much appreciated.
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Mike, nice shot on that gray! And, is that an eastern box turtle? Anyway, nice hunt and photos!
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Randall, my friend, it appears that you are spot-on with your identification of that turtle. (photos below) Those two tortoises in the photos below appear to be twins.
Thanks for the compliment. And I will not say that it was a 'Lucky Shot'. I actually took careful aim, controlled my breathing, and squeezed the trigger. My Marauder .25 is dependable if I do my job. I knew that squirrel was very likely my last chance at a shot for the day. 11 a.m., and I could see the cars passing on the highway from where I was standing.
I am home today - high winds predicted with the passage of a front. That front did some damage in Arkansas last night.
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Nice shot Mike! and nice pix of the turtle
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Hey, Dave, that little guy stayed very still while I took the picture. He just pulled his head in his shell and I disappeared.
Thanks for the compliment, Dave.
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Mike, nice shot on that gray! And, is that an eastern box turtle? Anyway, nice hunt and photos!
As Mike stated, it is an Eastern Box Turtle. The ones in the Blue Ridge Mountains are more colorful than the ones in the swampy areas of the southeast. I have seen some in Kentucky that were a reddish color. The ones here in my area are almost solid black with just a hint of yellow on the shell.
Mike nice shot on both.
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Thanks, Kris. The shot at the Eastern Box was not fatal. The Gray wasn't so lucky. ;) ;D ;D
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Randall, my friend, it appears that you are spot-on with your identification of that turtle. (photos below) Those two tortoises in the photos below appear to be twins.
Thanks for the compliment. And I will not say that it was a 'Lucky Shot'. I actually took careful aim, controlled my breathing, and squeezed the trigger. My Marauder .25 is dependable if I do my job. I knew that squirrel was very likely my last chance at a shot for the day. 11 a.m., and I could see the cars passing on the highway from where I was standing.
I am home today - high winds predicted with the passage of a front. That front did some damage in Arkansas last night.
Very cool Mike! I luv nature and animals! Wanted to become a veterinarian but..LOL! Anyway, sorry you couldn’t get out yesterday! You are one heck of a shot!
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Hee hee Randall, I love animals too - mostly with onions gravy and rice!
Seriously, thanks for the kind words. In all modesty thought, I am doing my part so far this season. On my first hunt I was able to avoid the dreaded 'Squirrel Fever' that has given me problems at other times. So the rest of the season should go well.
Stay well.
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Hee hee Randall, I love animals too - mostly with onions gravy and rice!
Seriously, thanks for the kind words. In all modesty thought, I am doing my part so far this season. On my first hunt I was able to avoid the dreaded 'Squirrel Fever' that has given me problems at other times. So the rest of the season should go well.
Stay well.
Mike, I’m a city guy that shoots rats from a room window for the most part but do get to pest ground squirrels and starlings @ a friends place about 3 times a year so I really appreciate how well and accurately you hunters shoot out in the field along with your unnerving patience.
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Sunday - October 17, 2021
Good morning GTA Folks. Normally, I don't hunt on Sunday. But I had been trying to get my son to accompany me on a hunt. That boy is sooooo busy that Sunday was the only answer. And we had to be out of the woods by 8:30 a.m. because he had something scheduled at 10 a.m.
It was a great short hunt. The early temperature was in the low 40ºs and the wind was calm. I missed a Gray and got an Eastern Fox Squirrel. I thought I was doing pretty good until I saw my son's bag. (Pictures below.) He was using the Stormrider .22, and said he missed two others in addition the the four in his bag. Young eyes and steady hands are better that the wisdom of age.
Stay well friends.
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Mike, great hunt with your son! Excellent shooting and, your one is almost as big as his 4! But, like you said, there is no substitute for young eyes and steady holds!
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Happy Weekend Randall and thanks for the compliments. It was and unusual and fun hunt. I told my son that when the big Eastern Fox Squirrel hit the ground, the shock registered on the Richter Scale. ;D ;D
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Great haul Mike!
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Thanks, Dave. It was great fun on a great morning.
Now, I will give you three guesses who had to clean all those squirrels; and the first two guesses don't count!
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Happy Weekend Randall and thanks for the compliments. It was and unusual and fun hunt. I told my son that when the big Eastern Fox Squirrel hit the ground, the shock registered on the Richter Scale. ;D ;D
LOL…that’s hilarious Mike! Squirrelzilla hits the ground causing a small seismic anomaly…..😂
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Yesterday morning, the weather was clear, cool, and calm. I was out in the woods just about the time I could see enough to take a shot if a squirrel showed itself. Soon I saw a couple of squirrels on the ground and moved in that direction. Then I saw another in a tree playing around the trunk about 15 feet above ground. While I waited for it, I saw another that saw me trying to line up a shot - it ran off unharmed.
Well, back to the one in the tree. It move onto a small limb and paused long enough; but the shot was a miss. It came back to the same small limb about a minute later. Yes, I know that seems strange. This time, however, I didn't miss. It hit the ground, made one jump, and died.
After taking the picture, I picked it up, and placed it on the palm of my hand. It was just slightly longer than my hand. That is probably the youngest Gray I have ever harvested. That sort of solved the mystery as to why it returned to the same limb where it had been shot at a minute before.
I was out of the woods before 9:30 a.m. because I had an appointment at 11 a.m.
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Wednesday - October 27, 2021
The morning dawned clear and calm with the temperature about 40ºF. The squirrels were moving in anticipation of the storms coming in tonight. I tried to take advantage of their mistakes. The three I killed were all on the ground. I saw at least 10 squirrels and most were on the ground. All my shots were in the chest area and rather far for this time of the year.
Squirrel #3 really didn't want to let go of that nut.
Picture #4 shows a comparison - the small one was the first I shot. Its sibling escaped unharmed.
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Nice work! Gots me all hot to go squirrel hunting now! Well, tomorrow is my day off, I’ve got 40 acres of permission behind my house and a new air rifle to blood. Guess I’ll be getting up early! ;D
Thanks for the inspiration!
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Thanks for the inspiration!
Anytime, Cap. I am happy to do it.
Good luck in your hunt tomorrow. And pictures please.
Thanks for looking in.
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Nice ones Mike!
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Thank you, Dave, for the reply.
It was one of those fun days.
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Hoo dang…nice hunt and shooting there Mike, nice photo! The third one was surely gonna take that nut with him to the other world!
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surely gonna take that nut with him to the other world!
Randall, I left that nut in his mouth and discarded his remains just that way. He is indeed taking it with him.
Thanks for you kind compliment.
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Monday - November 1, 2021
I was in the woods by 6:30 a.m. and the breeze was already starting. I took a stand at the bottom end of Canyon Land were Tree Stand Valley actually starts. (But there ain't no tree stand on that end.) Almost immediately the Grays started barking at me somewhere in the canopy.
About 30 minutes later, one had changed trees and was close enough for the shot. I missed it three time when twigs and vines got in the way. I hit it on the 4th shot and had to finish it off on the ground. About five minutes later, one offered a shot when it left the 'V' where I saw it and went up a limb and stopped. I tried successfully for a headshot, and out of the tree it fell. However, it grabbed a limb in the small Hickory tree below and held on. I had to finish it off too. As I retrieved it, I realized the head shot was to the nose/mouth area [Picture #2]. I saw more squirrels but none offered quality shot opportunities. And the wind kept getting stronger. I headed back to the truck.
Thank you kindly for looking in.
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Mike! Excellent shooting on both of those nutters! Good pics too. Those 2 will make a fine meal! Stay safe and WARM!
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Good hunting there, Mike! I’m planning on taking some off my property next week. Until then I’ve enjoyed seeing you take yours this season, so far.
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Mike! Excellent shooting on both of those nutters! Good pics too. Those 2 will make a fine meal! Stay safe and WARM!
Thanks for the compliments, Randall. Both shots were in the trees at about 25 yards each.
I am thinking about saving up for a Squirrel and Sausage Gumbo soon. My son really enjoys squirrels and gumbo - win, win!
And about that stay WARM thing - our weather guy is predicting FROST and maybe our first freeze this week. The first week of November is usually when we get our first freeze. I will be staying warm thought.
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Good hunting there, Mike! I’m planning on taking some off my property next week. Until then I’ve enjoyed seeing you take yours this season, so far.
Hi, John. Thanks for the kind words.
Good luck thinning out your squirrels.
Take some pictures if you have time.
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Nice ones Mike!
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Hey Mike, great shooting for the season so far. I enjoy a good squirrel hunt that ends in a bag full of meat for the pot:)
Our season opened the first of last month but its been too warm and I look forward to the coming frosty temps forcasted for this coming weekend.
I hope to get the Prod out and be in the woods before daylight this Saturday morning. Keep up the good writing and hunting cause we all enjoy it. I miss the hunting stories from member SteveV.
Later
Ray
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Nice ones Mike!
Thanks, Dave.
Stay well.
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Hey Mike, great shooting for the season so far. I enjoy a good squirrel hunt that ends in a bag full of meat for the pot:)
Our season opened the first of last month but its been too warm and I look forward to the coming frosty temps forcasted for this coming weekend.
I hope to get the Prod out and be in the woods before daylight this Saturday morning. Keep up the good writing and hunting cause we all enjoy it. I miss the hunting stories from member SteveV.
Later
Ray
Ray, your words brought back memories of those early season Louisiana hunts with the sweltering temperatures, mosquitoes, and Red Bugs [Chiggers]. It was wonderful. The otherside of that was those fat Fox Squirrels we brought home.
Thanks for your reply and GOOD LUCK Saturday morning.
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Wednesday - November 3, 2021
The hunt this morning was a little strange. It started out frosty and cloudy. The clouds stayed. I didn't see any squirrels on my first stand. But when I started moving in the canyons, I saw two playing chase. The first one came up in a tree to check me out. I shot it and turned on the second one. It stopped as I sighted it and died about three seconds later. Two squirrels in about one minute. However, I could not find the first one - must have fallen in one of the crevices. Later while waiting for a long shot that didn't happen, a Fox Squirrel started barking. When I finally spotted it, I took a head shot. It was hanging on too long to be dying. It took two more shots to bring it down. Three hits in the head and it still had some breath left in it on the ground. About a half-dozen turkeys put on a show for me. I actually sighted in on one. When I would normally have squeezed the trigger, I said 'BANG' instead. I now have an imaginary Thanksgiving Turkey.
The third picture is another one of those comparison pictures. Both are mature animals.
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Mike, nice hunt and shot on those 2! That one sure is much larger than the other one, nice photo and some critters are just TOUGH.
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Randall, thanks for the kind words.
Yes, squirrels are tough animals. Head shots don't always kill them right away.
Stay well and keep warm if you have a winter in your area.
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Nice ones again Mike!
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Dave, it always good to hear from you.
Thanks for the compliment.
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Tuesday, November 9, 2021
The weather was not as cool as the last several days, but still chilly. The wind was calm until about 8 - 8:30 a.m., but never strong. I watched 17 turkeys fly down and land about 15 yards from where I sat waiting for the sun to rise. I also heard a deer behind me. But no squirrels there - so I moved on. I missed one at the next place when it moved right as I squeezed the trigger. The next one was not so lucky. The pellet entered the left side of its face and exited in the belly area. DRT I saw several more before the day got too warm for the amount of clothes I had on.
Yep, another one that died before it had a chance to finish breakfast.
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Good shot, Mike! I can’t say I’ve ever shot one that hung onto a nut in its mouth. And you’ve gotten more than one! My squirrels think they’re getting a pass. Plenty of food for them this year on my property from my trees, I’m glad to see it. But, any day now and I’m going to start culling them in the mornings. ;D
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Nice shooting Mike!
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Good shooting sir!
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Nice shooting Mike! I had 2 turkeys land about 10 feet away from me a few years ago when I was sitting under a tree waiting for a Groundhog to come out of its burrow under my home's foundation. They were above me in my tree the whole time and I had no clue. They scared the c**p out of me :-)
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Mike, great shot! Yup…it’s last meal…now becomes your meal!
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John, I actually get quite a few with their mouths full. It seems to happen more when the squirrels are hit in the head.
Thanks for the compliment and looking in.
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Nice shooting Mike!
Good morning, Dave, and thanks.
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Good shooting sir!
Thanks for the compliment, Cap.
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Nice shooting Mike! I had 2 turkeys land about 10 feet away from me a few years ago when I was sitting under a tree waiting for a Groundhog to come out of its burrow under my home's foundation. They were above me in my tree the whole time and I had no clue. They scared the c**p out of me :-)
Thanks for the good words, Harry. Those turkeys had no chance of surprising me or anyone else within a quarter-mile. They were very noisy for about 30 minutes before finally flying down to start feeding. I did see them a couple more times during my hunt.
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Mike, great shot! Yup…it’s last meal…now becomes your meal!
Good morning, Randall. Thanks for the compliment. Yes, that one will be going in the pot.
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This post doesn't involve an actual hunt, though I did look for squirrels as I walked out to the woods [carrying TWO rifles].
One of the recent threads posed a question about the 'cold affecting PCSs'. So my airgun related activity yesterday was to check the accuracy of both of my hunting rifles. The Marauder .25 required only three shot to tell me it was 'Good to go'. The Diana Stormrider .22 was a different story. It was shooting low about 1/2 inch, and to the right about an inch. It took two tries to get the elevation corrected. But I had a senior moment, and twisted the L/R adjustment the wrong way the first try. After I figured that out, the windage was corrected too. The last two shot were on the 'dot'.
Conclusion: Cold doesn't affect the Marauder .25's accuracy. About the Stormrider .22, I am not certain why it was off a little.
And, NO, I didn't see any squirrels.
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Tuesday - November 23, 2021
The early morning temperature was 23ºF on this 23rd day of November. So, this Louisiana boy slept in, and didn't get to the woods until a little after 10 a.m. I guess, by that time, the morning romp was almost over - I saw only three squirrels. I missed two and hit the third one - which jumped out of the tree. That is usually not a good thing. I didn't find any blood, fur, or squirrel.
But the turkeys were putting on the show this morning. Three were just across the fence from where I sat; and the big bunch was deeper in the woods. I slowly removed my camera from my pocket and got a few pictures. Below is one of the group.
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Sounds like me this morning. I got a slow start and didn’t get out to the woods until 9:15. The wind was blowing and I tried a couple of spots but no luck at either. Better luck next time!
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Speaking of turkey. I heard a flock come in and roost over a little pond I hunt near yesterday evening. I spooked a couple of the birds as I was walking out. I’ll try hunting this tract again early in the morning.
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Sounds like me this morning. I got a slow start and didn’t get out to the woods until 9:15. The wind was blowing and I tried a couple of spots but no luck at either. Better luck next time!
Thanks for the good luck wishes, Cap. These days happen - I hope not to often thought.
And good luck to you too. I am following your hunts.
As for the turkeys: I was surprised at how long they talk and move around on their perches before they fly down in the mornings. I have not witnessed them going to their roosts yet, as I seldom hunt into the late evenings.
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Monday November 29, 2021
I went to the woods about 1 p.m. under beautiful blue skies and the temperature was in the mid-40s. The squirrels were moving on the ground; and I starting seeing them about 15 paces after crossing the fence into the Cow Woods. I stopped at a favorite spot just above Canyon Land and sat a while. Nothing! So I moved on to Deer Stand Valley where I thought there might be some. Bingo - but I missed the first shot. Then about 25 minutes later, another one appeared on the ground moving into a tree. I tried a shot and suspected I hit it when it jumped out of that tree. It climbed a tree about ten feet farther - but soon came back down and sat on the root in the picture. (It looks like his left foot is resting on the root.) I rolled it with a chest shot to the heart/lung area. The picture shows how it landed. My range finder showed 130 feet back to my stand. And I counted 51 paces back to the spot I shot from. I figure that is about 43 yards - my longest shot to date with the Marauder.
Because the sun was behind the trees, I headed back to the truck.
I slipped down into a small crevice and bumped my scope. Tomorrow I will re-sight to check accuracy. ::)
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Mike, nice hunt, shot and funny photo of how it ended up....literally legs up!!
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Nice one Mike!
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Mike, nice hunt, shot and funny photo of how it ended up....literally legs up!!
Good morning Randall.
Yeah, that is sorta funny looking. But when the pellet hit him, that big boy humped up for a moment, then just rolled off the tree root.
Thanks for looking in.
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Nice one Mike!
Dave, thanks for your compliment.
I hope your season is going well too, my friend.
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Tuesday - December 2, 2021
The skies were mostly clear and the temperature was in the upper 40s. Can you say M o r n i n g H u n t !
It was a little strange, but all of the squirrels I saw this morning were in the trees. I have been taking most of my squirrels on the ground lately - so I am blaming my miss on the first squirrel on the fact that I was out of practice shooting at squirrels in the trees. About 30 minutes later I sorta missed another one in a different tree. I was aiming for a chest shot. But I missed the chest and hit it in the head. Darn! It acted like it was paralyzed for a couple seconds. Then it fell into the rocks. I saw several after that; but none were willing to take the chance that I would miss their chest too.
I was hunting with the Stormrider .22 this morning because (if you read my last hunt post, you know) I bumped the Marauder's scope on my last hunt. It needed some fine tuning before my confidence would return.
The fine tuning took place after the hunt:
Shot 1 = about an inch to the right. Adjustment - 4 clicks left turret.
Shot 2 = on the bottom of the dot
Shot 3 = in the dot and touching Shot 2.
Good enough for the confidence factor.
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Mike, great shot and hunt! Yeah...a POI shift will cause confidence issues and misses! Nice adjustment and shooting!
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Thanks, Randall, for your compliment.
In my last hunt post (November 29), I made a kill shot at approximately 43 yard. [That is a confidence builder.] It was after that shot, while walking back to my truck, that the scope took an impact. It seems to be accurate now. But the thought of not being able to hunt because my scope almost got trashed sort of scared me. Tomorrow, I am going shopping for a scope that is on sale. Yes, I am buying it because it is on SALE - $100 OFF. But I still would not buy it if it was not what I need/want.
I may post about my next hunt and include a review of the new scope??
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I was looking back at my post #99.
At the top, it should be: Thursday, December 2, 2021
Senior moment!
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Well Mike.....congratulations on a new scope! Don't know how much you're spending on a new scooe but on amazon, folks have been purchasing the Westbunter FFP scopes for around a buck fifty...nice scopes (comes with caps, illuminated reticle, parallax wheel, focus down to 10yds) for the price, might want to check it out if you haven't already purchased a scope FYI.
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Randall, thanks for the 'heads up'. I will check it out.
In recent years, I have had very good success with Bushnell scopes on several different rifles [including .22 LR]. I was leaning in that direction.
More later . . . .
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I mentioned in my last post that I was partial to Bushnell scopes.
Sportsman's Warehouse has a sale on a Bushnell Prime 3 -12 X 40. $229.99 - $100 = $129.99.
The guy in the Sporting Goods Dept. was kind enough to mention and demonstrate the MOA Turret.
There is a brief instruction sheet in the box that has a link to register the scope, get an instruction manual, and learn about the warranty.
I decided to take advantage of this sale as a Christmas present to myself.
https://www.sportsmans.com/hunting-gear-supplies/optics-binoculars-scopes-rangefinders/rifle-scopes-red-dots/bushnell-prime-3-12x-40mm-rifle-scope-multi-x/p/1710851 (https://www.sportsmans.com/hunting-gear-supplies/optics-binoculars-scopes-rangefinders/rifle-scopes-red-dots/bushnell-prime-3-12x-40mm-rifle-scope-multi-x/p/1710851)
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Randall, thanks for the 'heads up'. I will check it out.
In recent years, I have had very good success with Bushnell scopes on several different rifles [including .22 LR]. I was leaning in that direction.
More later . . . .
Mike, WestHunter! Not Bunter.....LOL! Sorry.....
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Nice looking scopes, Randall.
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Nice looking scopes, Randall.
Mike, if you've never used an FFP (fFirst Focal Plane) scope, once you try one you'll have a tough time going back to an SFP scope! POI never changes when changing the magnification as the reticle shrinks or grows.
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Nice one Mike!
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Thank you, Dave.
Always good to hear from you.
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Wednesday - December 8, 2021
I hunted yesterday afternoon, and again this afternoon. I did see turkeys, deer, and squirrels. I had a better chance to kill turkeys than squirrels. The squirrels are really benefiting from the naked trees in the woods I hunt. I know now that I need to be in the woods early and sit and wait. Moving around isn't producing for me.
No pictures when I don't kill any squirrels.
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Well Mike.....you'd better shoot some nutters, so we your fans, can see some photos! LOL! Good luck on your next hunt!
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Pretty much the same for me. If I get out early enough I see squirrels. Otherwise I just hear them. Several places I hunt I’ve seen fresh shotgun hulls on the ground so I know that the squirrels are being “educated” by other hunters too. This late in the season most of the really dumb squirrels are gone and the ones that are left are smart and wary. Once the leaves are off the trees it gets real challenging. ;D
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Well Mike.....you'd better shoot some nutters, so we your fans, can see some photos! LOL! Good luck on your next hunt!
Randall, I was looking at the weather forecast for the next several days. It looks like Monday will be a good morning - COLD but no rain predicted. I will try my best.
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"This late in the season most of the really dumb squirrels are gone"
Cap, I was thinking about that very thing yesterday.
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Wednesday - December 15, 2021
Good morning, friends. Yes, I know; it has been a while. But life happens.
This morning, the temperature at sunrise was in the mid-50s [unusual for mid-December here] and the breeze was already up at sunrise. I sort of figured the squirrels would be on the ground. But the Eastern Fox Squirrel in the pictures below was in the tree below which I was sitting. She was on a limb almost as wide as her body when I spotted her. I tried a shot but hit the limb. She moved about two feet and stopped. The next shot hit her front leg. She ran about another two feet and stopped again. Because she was facing me the JSB took her in the face, and moved throw her body before exiting through the spine in the heart lung area. DRT
I have two pictures this time: The first picture is taken from the spot where I was sitting and shows where the squirrel landed. Yep, only a few feet from my stool. The second picture shows how she landed and didn't move at all.
I saw only two more squirrels (that were on the ground). Both scampered away without giving me a chance to shoot.
Stay well all.
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Mike, great shooting and photos! She is a big one. Your temps are warmer than ours! LOL..ours was 37 this morning....bbbrrrr! Happy Holidays if no .com by then! Forgot to tell ya, I was target practicing in my back yard and I shoot only a couple of feet from the brick wall behind me to maximize distance. Well, the other morning as I was shooting I heard crunch crunch crunch right by my right ear....I slowly turned and looked to my right and up....lo and behold there was a fox squirrel about 2.5 feet from my head munching on an unripe guava from my neighbors tree looking right at me! Couldn't take a shot as it definitely would have passed through into my neighbors window! LOL! My RAW is shooting JSB 18gr @ 950fps....I did put the barrel end next to it's head, gun was empty just wanted to see what it would do....seemed oblivious to me!
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Thanks for the compliments, Randall. A big squirrel? Yes; I had to use one of the 1/2 Gallon freezer bags.
Your squirrel is like my Morning Doves here at the house. They know it is safe for them on the back patio.
For you and your family, with a southern flavor ----v
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Nice one Mike!
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Thank you Dave. I hope your season is going well too.
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Thanks for the compliments, Randall. A big squirrel? Yes; I had to use one of the 1/2 Gallon freezer bags.
Your squirrel is like my Morning Doves here at the house. They know it is safe for them on the back patio.
For you and your family, with a southern flavor ----v
Mike, thank you! Beautiful southern style card!
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I know what you mean about only the smart ones being left.
The 10 or 15 I've gotten up to this point in my back yard must've been the neighborhood ones. My back yard abuts a big forested church property. The squirrels from that forest are a lot more wary than the neighborhood ones were. If I start to slide the patio door open, they're off into the woods.
They don't mind the other (hinged) back door as much, if I'm slow.
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Jeremy, thanks for your reply. By all means, don't give up trying to sneak up on those critters. That is the way the game is played.
I have a theory about taking squirrels from an area: As the local squirrels are removed from the area you are hunting, a vacuum is created. Squirrels from neighboring areas are sucked into that vacuum and become new residents in the area you are hunting. For a while, they may go back and forth. But eventually, they will become permanent residents in your area. But, I could be mistaken. ;)
Stay well and enjoy a family Christmas.
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Nice job on the fox squirrel Mike! Gotta love the "high" temps (strange weather) we are having in the middle of December.. It hit 62 here today and they said on the local news that that hasn't happened in over 20 years for my area.
Harry
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Good morning, Harry. Thanks for the compliment and the note about the weather.
The weather people predicted a warmer winter for Tennessee. Last year we had snow in November. This year, we may be in short sleeves for Christmas!?!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
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Nice shooting Mike. I’m seeing lots of squirrels but not shooting any. I got a good line of sight on one this morning but it was on the other side of the river about forty yards away. No way to retrieve it if I did hit it. Thanks for keeping me motivated!
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Well, Capitan Carter, Sir, you just need to be patient. Things have a way of going around and coming around. Last year was likely the worst year I have had in about 50 years of squirrel hunting. This year, after hunting two months, I have already harvested twice the squirrels as I got the whole Season last year. The squirrels are more plentiful and I am not missing as much too.
Thanks for your reply and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
[Good luck with the dental issues.]
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Good morning, Harry. Thanks for the compliment and the note about the weather.
The weather people predicted a warmer winter for Tennessee. Last year we had snow in November. This year, we may be in short sleeves for Christmas!?!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I wish it is like that too in NY. However, there is sleet/snow in the forecast for tomorrow, and temps for the next 5 days will be in the 30's during the day and 20-22 at night. So it looks like we are going back to normal here.
Merry Christmas!
Harry
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Good morning, Harry. I was just looking at the weather link: Our present temperature is 63ºF with rain. And there is no snow predicted any time for the rest of this year. No WHITE CHRISTMAS for us this year.
Merry Christmas everyone. And I wish a healthy and prosperous New Year for all of you.
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Monday - December 20, 2021
It was supposed to be an afternoon hunt!
I was setup on the edge of Deer Stand Valley and had several squirrels working. It was about 1:30 p.m., the sky was clear, the wind calm, and the temperature was about 48ºF.
A squirrel was crawling through the under bruch towards me and climbed up in a young Cedar tree. I steadied my aim and squeezed the trigger. The Marauder made an odd sound and the squirrel simply moved to another limb. The second shot at a very nervous squirrel confirmed a problem; and the squirrel changed ZIP Codes.
I was back in the truck at 2 p.m. At home, I found that the bolt o-ring was not in its correct place. Instead, it was on the bolt shaft. I put a bit of grease on it and worked it back into its groove. I determined, after testing the rifle, that was the issue.
How did the problem develop? After last hunt, as I cleared the chambered pellet, the bolt was not completely closed.
Note to self: Don't be stupid like that again and ruin another perfectly good hunt! >:( >:( ( ;D )
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Tuesday - December 21, 2021
While I was at my workbench yesterday reinstalling the bold o-ring, I replaced my old scope with the new Bushnell that is my Christmas present to myself.
When I got to the woods this morning [about 11:30], I zeroed my new scope. Five shots to zero and one more to confirm.
I crossed into the Cow Woods and started my hunt on the way to hunt the spot I was in yesterday. Before I got there, I killed a young Gray. Yep, the scope is deadly accurate. (I included both pictures so you could see the model of Bushnell I bought.)
Okay, enough about the scope. I continued moving to the spot I wanted to hunt again today. I had a brief glimpse of one squirrel as I was getting there. And that was it for the next couple of hours. So I started back toward the truck hunting as I walked slowly. I did see several more and got a shot at one. I think I hit it, but didn't see it fall. By that time the sun was getting low and I still had a ways to walk.
Scope review: I am very pleased with it. :D
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Sunday, December 26, 2021
My son accompanied me for a rare Sunday afternoon hunt. It was a cloudy afternoon, but calm and warm. The squirrels were not moving much. I saw five and killed the two in the pictures below. My son didn't see any. The one time I saw him, he was walking much too fast for this time of the year. But it was good for him to simply be out in the woods.
Both of my squirrels were very young - as in not fully developed yet. Those two will be good eating. Both were taken in the Canyon Land area - one shot each.
Stay well and Happy New Year to all of you.
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Mike, nice couple of hunts with your new scope and son....great shooting and photos! Happy New Year 🎈!
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Nice ones Mike!
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Randall, It is always special when my boy can get away for some hunting. But, he was hoping to do a little better than ZERO. He really prefers the other permission, which won't be available until after deer season.
And as for me, I did really well - Two shots for two squirrels - and found both easily.
Happy New year to you also.
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Dave, thanks for the compliment. Those young ones will be good eating.
Happy and Prosperous New Year to you.
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Mike: Nice shooting.
How old is your son?
I've got a 9 year-old daugher who loves shooting, but doesn't want to kill anything. She's pretty sure (since she was 4) she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.
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Good morning, Jeremy, and Happy New Year.
My son is in his mid-40s and has been an enthusiastic hunter since he was a small child. In the old days, he hunted ducks with my brother and me in the Louisiana marshlands. When he was a little older and had acquired a more patience, I brought him on squirrels hunts. He enjoys the quiet of the woods and the air rifles. I am hoping that the two grandsons will become hunters too.
In another thread you said" ".Thanks! Someone else here shamed me for taking lung shots (saying it's inhumane) a couple weeks ago and challenged me to take nothing but head shots, since it is only 25 yards. I think it IS humane to take lung shots, but I know my trusty S510 is plenty accurate for head shots at 25; it's just a question of whether my rest is steady enough." <--- I decided that any kill shot is probably more humane than a slow death from OLD AGE.
Thank you for looking and stay well.
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January 3, 2022 - Monday
During the night we received over 5-inches of snow. In Louisiana I almost never got the chance to hunt in snow; so when it snows here, I try my best to get out in the woods. I waited for the road conditions to improve; but by 11 a.m. I was on my way. I was surprised by the number of squirrels I saw and that they were so active. In fact, I only got to shoot at one. It was sitting facing me and I hit it in the shoulder and out the mid-spine. Even with that damage, I had to finish it off. The rest didn't hold still long enough or played their hide from Mike game. My feet were starting to get cold - and that will eventually make the rest of me miserable. So, I was out of the woody about 3 p.m.
[The picture is a little dark because the sun didn't break through the clouds until about 2 p.m.]
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Very cool! When I lived in north Georgia I loved to hunt after an ice storm. All the trees would be covered with a mantle of ice and every critter in the forest would be out trying to stay warm. My favorite spot on those days was a railroad siding near a feed silo. The switch points had gas burners that came on automatically and warmed the rails so the points wouldn’t freeze. It created a little 1/4 acre warm spot in the middle of the woods. All the birds and squirrels would hang around to get warm
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Good shooting Mike! I am glad that storm stayed south of me which is unusual, but we 'll get our turn later this week it looks like.
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Capitan Carter, I have not hunted Georgia YET. But it might happen soon. My middle sister and her husband live in Chickamauga; and I have a standing invitation to hunt there.
Back to the woods: While I was hunting, the sun started peeking through and the temperature warmed about 5ºF. That started the snow falling from the branches all over. Very nice for this boy of the Deep South.
Thanks for looking in and Happy New Year.
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Harry, thanks for the compliment.
Our weather lady was talking about another storm Thursday. I might get used to this!?!
Happy New Year
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Nice one Mike!
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Mike, great shot and photo...Happy New Year! 🎈 Hope you get yourself some light weight boots lined with Gortex....keep your tootsies warm! LOL!
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Nice one Mike!
Thanks for looking in, Dave.
After the small size of the last few squirrels I took, this was was a real 'man'.
Happy New Year
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Good morning, Randall, and thanks for the compliments.
The boots I am hunting with are Wolverines. They are very comfortable, relatively lightweight, and warm enough for 90% to 95% of the weather here. And they will do for all the hunting in any Tennessee weather if I just keep moving. Yesterday, I sat for a while to watch a small valley - and that is when the feet talked to me. ???
Stay well and Happy New Year to you too.
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January 10, 2022 - Monday
I decided on a late morning hunt [once the temperature got above 30ºF]. The sun was shining, the wind was calm, and I had enough clothes on. There were some squirrels moving around on the ground too. The first one I kill was the fifth one I saw. Yes, it is an Eastern Fox Squirrel. I would call it a large male. And it was carrying around one of my pellets from a previous season. I shot the Gray next, at a distance of about 40 yards. At first, I thought I had missed it; because there was no definite sound of the pellet striking the squirrel. It just jumped up and disappeared behind a tree. I figured it ran up the tree and would come down in a few minutes. After about 5 minutes, I walked over to where I shot it; just to find it dead where it landed. You might be able to see the blood on the side of its neck. I hunted for another hour without seeing any more squirrels. I headed back to the truck because it was starting to get cold.
Note: The new scope is amazing.
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Nice ones Mike!
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Mike, nice successful shooting and hunt! Nice photo! The shot on the gray must have missed bones and hit vitals or the squirrel has some sort or sound dampening material in it! LOL!
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Nice ones Mike!
Thanks for looking in, Dave.
Stay well, my friend.
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Mike, nice successful shooting and hunt! Nice photo! The shot on the gray must have missed bones and hit vitals or the squirrel has some sort or sound dampening material in it! LOL!
Randall, I think the pellet entered the neck [where the spot of blood shows] and traveled out through the face. The bones the pellet may have hit would be thin face bones. Also, that little guy was not yet mature; and maybe his bones were still sort of soft. I am think that it didn't sound loud because of the distance to the squirrel.
Thanks for your input. I do like to analyze my shots sometimes.
Give those rats h&ll.
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Great shooting at 40yds Mike! Which Bushy scope did you put on the Mrod? I own 3 Bushnell Legend 5-15x40 scopes and really like them. I got them right after Bushnell announced they had stopped making them. I put them on the Magnum springers because they hold up well to the double-recoil.
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Good morning, Harry, and thanks for the compliment.
For my birthday and Christmas present, I surprised myself with the Bushnell PRIME. Our Sportsman's Warehouse had a promotion on that one for '$100 OFF'. I jumped on that one like a duck on a June Bug. I am liking loving it very much.
https://www.bushnell.com/riflescopes/prime/prime%C2%AD-4-12x40%C2%AD-riflescope/BU-RP4124BS3.html (https://www.bushnell.com/riflescopes/prime/prime%C2%AD-4-12x40%C2%AD-riflescope/BU-RP4124BS3.html)
Stay well, my friend.
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I enjoy reading your hunt stories; keep ‘em coming!
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Thanks, Jeremy, for the fine compliment.
The plan is to keep hunting and posting. So, keep looking in.
I didn't post my last hunt because there were no squirrel sightings. I did see four Whitetail does, that were out of my camera's range.
Stay well, my friend.
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Thursday - January 27, 2022
I have been hunting, but not getting anything. So I don't always post the hunts with nothing to show. Today was different.
I was on a mission to remove a tree that had fallen on the fence in the back of the woods. I figure the owner lets me hunt free; so it's my way of paying back.
On my way to the back of the woods I was passing through the feedlot for the cattle, when I saw a squirrel on the edge of that feedlot. It moved along a rock table until it was about 40 yards out and paused. I took a shot and missed. It jumped up onto the side of the nearest tree and froze. For this shot, I held over about an inch and squeezed. It dropped, twitched for about 5 seconds, and was still. The .25 JSB went into the ribs/upper back, shattered the spine, and exited the neck on the opposite side. This Gray was young - not yet fully develop man squirrel. That was the only squirrel I saw today.
I did see a couple icicles that I actually measured. They were 66 inches after some melting. (Yes, I had a tape measure with me for cutting a new fence post to the right length. See the second line above.)
The hole in the bottom is a cave. I think it is part of the Snail Shell Cave system, which drains approximately 100 square miles of Rutherford County, Tennessee.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Snail+Shell+Cave+Spring/@35.7825652,-86.5448588,2803m/data= (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Snail+Shell+Cave+Spring/@35.7825652,-86.5448588,2803m/data=)!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8863f47ebefeacb3:0x1653594b2de0b7e!8m2!3d35.782566!4d-86.536104
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Mike, excellent shot! Very kind and thoughtful of you to remove that fallen tree. That icicle and cave is incredible! I rarely get to see natures wonders as I live in a city...thanks for sharing those photos! Was up at a friends place this past weekend, he lives up in the mountains and saw this doe drinking from his bird bath! His house is at 4500 feet elevation, took my RAW PCP and did some target shooting. My RAW's POI is set at 20yds @ 950fps with 18gr pellets, at his elevation, POI was over 1 inch high and 963fps! Crazy how much different it is at elevation.
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Good morning, Randall; and thanks for the kind words.
I, too, am amazed by the icicles I find in this area. Down in Louisiana, on those rare occasions we had ice, the icicles were usually about 3" to 6". And being so close to the Gulf of Mexico, we didn't have rocks and caves - just dirt and swamplands.
When my son and family lived in West Virginia, they often had Whitetail deer in their yard. They lived in a city, but were up the mountain from the main business district. The homes had been built about 50 years before and the wildlife had returned. Beautiful!
Stay well!
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Monday - January 31, 2022
The morning was cool but predicted to be much warmer in the afternoon. [It was!]
I hunted Permission #2 under cloudy skies; and the temperature was 36ºF when I left home. I saw the first squirrel dashing around on the ground. Yep, dashing! It would run to my right, then back to the tree it came from. Then to the left and back. This went on for about 1/2 hour until it finally went up into a Southern Red Cedar and sat long enough for me to get a shot. It was hit but still dashed over to the next tree. I crept closer and tried several shot but kept hitting twigs and stuff. It move higher and I got a better shot on it. It was hit again and crawled down into a fork where I finished it. I recovered two pellets from its shot-up body.
The other squirrel was an Eastern Fox Squirrel. It played/fed along the ground until it moved into the neighboring property. I didn't get that one.
It was getting close to 3 p.m. and hot. I headed back to the truck to go get some lunch/supper at home.
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Boy Mike, you're a very patient hunter....excellent shots and photo!
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Nice shooting Mike!
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Boy Mike, you're a very patient hunter....excellent shots and photo!
Thanks, Randall. Yesterday's patience was sort of different - I didn't need to be home at any particular time. And yesterday was probably the only day this week I get to hunt squirrels. My son invited me along on a rare Mourning Dove hunt Saturday. If we do well, I may post something in the 'Back Room' gate.
Stay well, my friend.
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Nice shooting Mike!
Thank you, Dave, for the kind words.
Stay well, my friend.
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February 10, 2022 Monday late morning and early afternoon hunt:
Today, the hunt was at the Permission #2 woods. I was in the woods by 11 a.m., carrying the .22 Stormrider, and didn't see anything until about 3 p.m. That is when I spotted an Eastern Fox Squirrel in a nearby tree. We danced around for about 10 minutes before it stopped where I could line up a head shot. MISSERS! But it didn't go more than about four feet and stopped again. This time, I tried for the chest area and knocked him out of the tree. But he scampered to the next tree and climbed to a low fork. I got close enough to see him and finished the job with a head shot. He was a young male.
Because I needed to pick up my grandson after baseball practice, I start back toward my truck. But before I could reach the creek on the edge of the pasture, I spotted a Gray on the ground. Because the cattle were feeding across the creek, I had to wait until the squirrel got in front of a tree. When she did, one shot turned her lights out. I picked her up and completed the short walk back to the truck. The time when I shot the Gray was 3:44 p.m. This was an enjoyable end to a early frustrating hunt.
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Mike, your patience paid off...nice shots on both and nice photos! Looks like it was a beautiful day out.
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Nice shooting Mike!
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Mike, your patience paid off...nice shots on both and nice photos! Looks like it was a beautiful day out.
Randall, thanks for your kind words.
It was a warm day for February - and that is why I was able to be so patient, I think. It was so cold that I had to constantly move to keep warm.
Today is supposed to be a few degrees warmer. I have a few thing to do this morning. After that, I may go to the woods for a late afternoon hunt.
Stay well, my friend.
Side note: Confession - I was hurrying back to my truck, to be at the school when my grandson finished baseball practice, and forgot to take a picture of the Gray at the kill site. The picture you see is on the parking lot median at the Rockvale School Complex. ;D
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Nice shooting Mike!
Dave, thank you for looking in.
How is your season going? What is the count so far?
Stay well, my friend.
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Saturday - February 12, 2022
About 3 p.m. my son and I went to hunt the Permission 2 Woods under cloudy, cold, snowy skies. I didn't figure we would see much this afternoon in the short time we had to hunt. He didn't see any squirrels. I saw only one Gray and was able to get a shot at it as it foraged on the ground. It was a one shot kill with my Marauder .25. The time when I shot that one was about 4:15 p.m. Shortly after that [about 4:30 p.m.], I saw my son walking toward the truck. I was more than happy to join him. The afternoon in the woods was much better than sitting at home watching whatever.
Stay warm and well everyone.
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Nice shot Mike! Got a grey here this afternoon
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Thanks for the kind words, Dave.
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Every time I read one of your posts it keeps me motivated to go hunting. It’s been slim pickings here for the last month. I did shoot the first water moccasin of the year yesterday but I call that pesting and not proper hunting. I’ve got to do some honey do’s today but I might sneak out for an hour or two tomorrow morning. Thanks for the motivation!
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Cap, I saw your post about the moccasin - a head shot is something to be boasting about!
I think that it may be slim pickings for squirrel hunters all over the country. I was fortunate to see that Gray yesterday. And then, I was able lucky to make the kill-shot. I guess, somewhere in the back of my mind, was the idea that this was the only shot I was going to have/get.
Good luck on your hunt tomorrow, my friend.
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Cap, I saw your post about the moccasin - a head shot is something to be boasting about!
I think that it may be slim pickings for squirrel hunters all over the country. I was fortunate to see that Gray yesterday. And then, I was able lucky to make the kill-shot. I guess, somewhere in the back of my mind, was the idea that this was the only shot I was going to have/get.
Good luck on your hunt tomorrow, my friend.
Head shots at five (5) yards are not too challenging especially when the snake is sluggish from the cold and doesn’t move. But thank you. I think I did pretty good to estimate the holdover for the short range.
I’m sitting here right now pondering the airgun hunters perpetual dilemma, what gun should I carry tomorrow?
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Nice shooting on the 2 Grays and Fox squirrel Mike! You are on a roll buddy.
I am surprised you asked Dave what the count is. We all know it's usually around 235,867,951 give or take a thousand. To me anything over 30 or 40 is a LOT of squirrels for 1 season, and I know Dave reaches that # 2-3 weeks into the season in early Fall, so I stopped asking about the count a decade ago. I just know it's very big number and only ask if he has contacted the Guinness Book of World Records, and if they have renamed his county to Squirrel County yet ;D
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Good morning, Harry, and thanks for your kind words.
I saw in another thread that Dave had killed well over 100 squirrel so far this season.
On Permission #2, I have taken more Eastern Fox Squirrels than on Permission #1. I am wondering why; but have not figured out this mystery yet! And my son and I have killed five times more Grays than the Fox Squirrels. (Where my brother and I hunt in Louisiana, it is ALL Fox Squirrels.)
Stay well, my friend.
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Mike, nice shot and hunt with your son!
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Randall, thanks for your kind words. It had been a stress filled couple of weeks for my boy. He had been having some engine coolant issues with his daily driver. The repair involved pulling the blower, fuel rails, injectors, and a bunch of fluid delivery tubes to get to the water pump. This was the second try because he missed something the first time. But he took his time and got it right the second time - and saved about $3,000 by doing the work himself.
All of that to say that the woods-walking was mostly for his stress relief. The fact that a squirrel got in the way of a pellet was an unexpected bonus.
Stay well, my friend.
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Well Mike after reading thru your entire season's posts, it sure looks like you had fun this year. Congratulations on a job well done young man! I didn't get to chase bushytails but one time this season. I got one on a hunt that lasted about 45 minutes. I have been dealing with some health issues this past year that kept me mostly in the lounge chair wishing I was in the woods. Good luck to you if you get to make another hunt before the season closes next Monday. I'll be rooting for you... ;)
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Eddie, thanks for the kind word and encouragement.
I am hoping to get in another couple of hunts - if this darn weather will just settle down.
I was real fortunate/lucky with no health issues that kept me out of the woods. I did turn my ankle on one of the many hundreds of rocks that litter the ground at Permission #2. But I took aggressive action and prevented a major problem.
This is the slow time of the whole season; and I am still seeing squirrels on about 90% of my hunts. So, it might happen that a few more wind up in my freezer.
I wish you good healing and a quick return to the hunting scene.
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Randall, thanks for your kind words. It had been a stress filled couple of weeks for my boy. He had been having some engine coolant issues with his daily driver. The repair involved pulling the blower, fuel rails, injectors, and a bunch of fluid delivery tubes to get to the water pump. This was the second try because he missed something the first time. But he took his time and got it right the second time - and saved about $3,000 by doing the work himself.
All of that to say that the woods-walking was mostly for his stress relief. The fact that a squirrel got in the way of a pellet was an unexpected bonus.
Stay well, my friend.
Mike, your son has mad mechanic skills! That's A LOT of money saved! Good for him to de-stress...woods walking is the perfect remedy whether you get a chance for anything or not.
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Randall, it's funny how my son took an interest in doing the job himself, when he started earning his own money. Don't get me wrong; I am very proud of him for the jobs he has tackled and conquered.
About the hunting and stress relief: He seemed ready to go back to the truck and get out of the brutal conditions. Maybe getting the heater in the truck going was some stress relief in itself. :D
Thanks for looking in and commenting.
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LOL about the brutal conditions! Puts everything into PERSPECTIVE! LOL! Fun stuff Mike!
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The temperature that afternoon was in the low 30s, cloudy, and had a breeze from the north. We hunted for about 1.5 hours - my shortest hunt this season.
Yep, we were both ready for the warmth of a crackling fire.
Thanks for looking in. Check back tomorrow afternoon: I may go hunting tomorrow. It is very wet in my area from three days of rain. But my Permission #1 should be dry enough to allow for good hunting.
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The temperature that afternoon was in the low 30s, cloudy, and had a breeze from the north. We hunted for about 1.5 hours - my shortest hunt this season.
Yep, we were both ready for the warmth of a crackling fire.
Thanks for looking in. Check back tomorrow afternoon: I may go hunting tomorrow. It is very wet in my area from three days of rain. But my Permission #1 should be dry enough to allow for good hunting.
Well, y'all are definitely smarter than me and my buddies....golfed recently in 55 degree weather but the wind chill factor was in the 30's! This was a 4 hour round....😂
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February 25, 2022 - Friday afternoonRandall, you looked in a little too early - I just finished cleaning my squirrels about 15 minutes ago.
I hunted under cloudy, snowy, cold skies; and there was a little breeze too. But those combinations made the squirrels move. I had to keep moving also, to stay warm. Otherwise, I may have gotten more. I got a Eastern Fox Squirrel first. It was on the ground and one shot to the head finished that one. The second one was up in a tree with twigs and branches in the way. I tried three shots without hitting it. But it never left that tree. About 10 minutes later, I spotted it looking at me. Bad mistake - another head shot kill.
Both squirrels were young males. However, the Fox Squirrel was very young; and was smaller than the Gray in length and weight.
Three more day to this season. I may get another hunt before it closes.
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Nice ones Mike!
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Thanks, Dave.
Man, I am almost sad that our seasons are coming to an end. For me, this has been an enjoyable time.
Stay well, my friend.
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Great shots, hunt and pics Mike! Hope you get more before the season ends.
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Thank, Randall.
Yeah, I had better hurry if I plan to get any more. But it is raining today and maybe tomorrow too. Monday should be just about perfect. I will be in touch.
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Monday - February 28, 2022
Yep, February 28. And that means the end of the Fall/Winter Squirrel Season. I celebrated with a 5.5 hour hunt under beautiful, clear, blue, cool skies. I saw about a dozen squirrel and kill an Eastern Fox Squirrel and a Gray Squirrel. Both were head shots.
The season statistics:
During the 2021 Fall/Winter Squirrel Season, I made 37 hunts starting September 10 and ending today. I hunted more at Permission #1 because there were more squirrels there.
I killed 35 squirrels at the two permissions -- 26 were Gray Squirrels and 9 were Eastern Fox Squirrels.
32 squirrels were taken with the Marauder .25. Seven were taken with the Stormrider .22. Yes, the Marauder is my #1 hunting rifle.
2020 Fall/Winter Squirrel Season - I made 29 hunts and killed only 11 squirrels. I mention the season last year so that I might answer the question that is the SUBJECT line: YES, this was a better season. In fact, this was my best season since I have been in Tennessee. And if one more squirrel had been harvested, this season would equal my best season on record.
Thank you all for looking in, and following my adventure. It has been fun. And I am already looking forward to the 2022 Spring Squirrel Season. I hope to see you posting again then.
Stay well, my friends.
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Congrats Mike! and nice shooting!
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Congrats on a great season Mike.
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Excellent, thank you for sharing your hunt season with us! ;D
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Congrats Mike! and nice shooting!
Thanks Dave.
Stay well my friend.
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Congrats on a great season Mike.
Thanks Jerry. I surprised myself. And that Marauder made me very happy this season.
Shoot straight.
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Excellent, thank you for sharing your hunt season with us! ;D
Thanks for your compliment, John.
Don't work too hard, my friend.
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Mike, great way to end the season with those 2....great shots and photos!
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Good morning, Randall.
Thank you for the compliment - and thanks also for following me throughout the season.
Stay well, my friend.
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Monday of this week, I shared Squirrel Stew with my son. The squirrel was an Eastern Fox Squirrel that I shot last October. While he was picking meat off the back portion, he discovered a pellet in the meat next to the spine. The strange thing is that was not where I shot the squirrel [head shot]. The next strange thing is that the pellet was a .177, and I shoot a .25. To my knowledge, no one else hunts on this permission. So I am guessing that the squirrel come over from the neighbor's property - only a couple hundred yards away.
This has been a very interesting season. And the surprises keep coming!