Arg! Gray #1 gets away.

[timegoat]

On the first day of the season to boot! I was just staring out the kitchen window at the bird feeder 25yds away when I saw #1 cautiously working it's way down one of the trees. Moved to my shooting window in another room, got my bench rest (folded pair of old jeans) all set, pulled up the rifle and just watched him near the ground for a minute or two. Saw him hop onto the branch the feeder hangs on and decided it was time to lock and load. Asked myself, "Ready to skin this thing after only 1 cup of coffee?" "Ready as I'll ever be". I talk to myself a lot. Got a good look at his belly cause we have a potentially pregnant female running around that I don't want to shoot yet, and saw it was smooth and teat free.

There he was, upside down and all stretched out on the tube feeder giving me a perfect broadside shot. Aimed, squeezed, and heard the sound of pellet hitting meat.

Then he slowly made his way back up into the hemlock!

Watched for about 10-15 minutes to see if he fell out of the trees or if I saw any motion... nuthin. Went down to the area to see if I could look up into the branches and find him, again no luck.

And so, squirrel chili will have to wait a little longer. At least there's one less seed thief around... dunno where the pellet hit, but I do hope he didn't last long up there in the branches. I'll be keeping my eyes open to see if he shows himself again. Last time something like this happened it was a tough little Red who came back 5 days later.

The good news is, for me, a bad start often turns into a good finish.

- Mark

[1377x]

i had a similar situation
shot the squirrel it ran up the tree stretched out on a large branch too high and wide to get it down i could see only the tail hanging off the limb it sat there until a crow or something ate it not much left when it came down

[timegoat]

Yeah, I expect to see some fur or a tail on the ground one of these days. I probably should've waited till after my second cup of coffee to take the shot, but I was all excited. Live and learn.

Saw the female and a Red shortly after taking the shot. It's the first Red I've seen in a month, and the female doesn't look as chubby and her teats ain't as swollen as a few weeks ago. I know it's the same one cause she has a distinctive tiny bare patch in the fur on her back.

I ain't worried, the season has just begun!

[454 Big Block Chevy]

i've missed my fair share of nutters.  they have an incredible will to live.

[shadow]

He probably expired up on a limb in the tree and will be buzzard bait. Ed

[timegoat]

If I start to see crows in the stand of hemlock, I'll know for certain.

[Jman]

Ive had the same situation. I always here the "WHAP" of the crosman premier when it hits a squirrel, and some of the squirrels just shoot up the tree really fast like they got stung, and the pellet didnt penatrate. Well, It happened once and I happened to get a second shot off once the squirrel shot up a tree. I killed it with a headshot, and it had no other pellet wounds that I could find besides the 1 pellet in the head. I am 100% positive I hit that thing atleast twice as I heard the hide get whapped with the premier. Idk what happens...maybe they are super squirrels!!!!haha

[longislandhunter]

It happens at times, I'm sure you'll get the next one.  There's a good possibility he will live to raid more bird feeders but even if he didn't he'll become a meal for some other critter.  Mother nature wastes nothing. 

Jeff

[only1harry]

Don't worry Mark.  You 'll get plenty more opportunities.  They can hide very well when they are wounded.  Hopefully he 'll recover quickly and you can get another chance at him.  I 'm sure there will be a lot more where that one came from.  Just wait and see.

[timegoat]

I've been keeping my eyes peeled since this morning. The female has come around once or twice, but not the male I shot. And I haven't seen the Red again today. Holding off on shooting the female for now just in case she had a litter. The Red Menace is going down as soon as I get a chance.

Yeah, they'll be back. Just a frustrating way to start the season. Glad others are having better luck though.

[dk1677]

It happens, Ed needs to send you some zen 

[shadow]

Hunt Zen sent......may the hunting God's smile down upon you. Ed

[timegoat]

Hahahahaha! Thanks Ed!

[JimH]

...I talk to myself a lot.

  LOL.... don't we all?  Better luck next time.

[timegoat]

Heh, thanks Jim.

Better luck might be sooner than I thought! Was just outside setting up for a 10yd offhand match and what did I see while standing quietly in my wee stretch of woods? Not one, but two Reds scampering in the trees. Gonna have get a chair and just sit out under the trees with my rifle one of these days. Gonna be patient... Red season is all year round, Gray till the end of December.

Never doubt Zen from Ed! Never!

- Mark