Deep Forest Ambush ! Scored Twice Today ! The Hunt is Getting Harder !

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

I set off from my backyard before dawn and headed into the woods out back. This time I brought along a pair of garden snips to cut away any snags of Buckthorn and Wait-a-Minute Vines that I might encounter. I traveled a well used deer trail and headed to an area that I had not hunted this year. Mr. Furry is starting to get Savvy, to the fact that  "There is a Dangerous New Predator in the Woods".  Consequently the squirrels are starting to get harder to come-by. I reached my destination presently and set-up under a big vine adjacent to a tall White Oak. The Vine is growing naturally and makes for good cover to sit under. I banked up some dead-fall branches on the Big Vine's frame work, placed my leaf pattern camo rain jacket over the top and sat down inside on my three legged hunting stool. It was cool this morning, the temperature was 42F and there was no wind. I was dressed in a faded pair of Tiger Stripe BDU's with a black, moisture wicking, tee shirt and black, moisture wicking sweatshirt, underneath. I had an O.D. green fleece stocking cap on and a light weight pair of O.D., moisture wicking, Longjohn's on under the BDU paints with insulated rubber boots on my feet. I was comfortable in my hide and I began the wait until dawn, taking note of all the sounds of the woods around me. Dawn came and I could make out what looked like squirrels in distant tree tops but none close by. So still more, I waited, not making a sound or moving. I waited for an hour or so and presently I saw movement in a White Oak on my left. High in the branches at about 25 to 30 yards.  MR.Furry  was moving about from branch to branch and then back again. After about 10 minutes of this, he stopped on a larger branch and began eating an acorn. I had a good shot to his left shoulder and chest. I rased My Benjamin Trail NP 1100XL rifle and sent him an Urgent Message with a Gamo Red Fire, 15.4 grain, 22 caliber Hunting Pellet. He responded to my Summons, with "a Drop & a Flop" to the forest floor. I noted my squirrels location and remained in place, reloading my rifle. The other squirrels must have been alarmed because all activity ceased in my area. After I had waited for an hour or so and determined that all the squirrels had departed the immediate area, I retrieved my squirrel, fired the Benjamin 1100 in to the ground and put it in my homemade Drag Bag. I then picked up my loaded B-3, retrieved my camo rain jacket, hunting stool and headed home for breakfast. On the way back I was fortunate enough to spot another squirrel, on a tree branch, at eye level, at about 20 yards. I leveled the B-3 on him and put a Crosman 117cal 7.4gr Premier Pointed pellet just below his ear. I felt lucky this morning as the squirrels are getting harder to get I had scored twice this morning.

My Best Wishes to All - Good Hunting       -        Tom

[dk1677]

Nice shooting Tom!

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Nice shooting Tom!

Thank You for the reply Dave.   The Squirrel Hunting is Getting Harder and They are Getting Wise to my Ways. 

Best Wishes & Good Hunting - Tom

[BenjiHunter]

Great shooting and pictures, Tom!!

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Great shooting and pictures, Tom!!

Thank You for the reply, Stefan !   I'm glad you liked the pictures from this morning. That 1st one was high in the tree pictured. I took the shot.. of-hand while sitting & shooting up, to the left.  The second shot was of-hand standing shooting straight ahead.      Best Regards & Best Wishes to You Stefan        -           Tom

[SteveP-52]

Nice shooting, Tom and a great story as always!

[RBQChicken]

Great story, Tom! When you were describing what you were wearing  I was reminded of the catalog descriptions Seinfeld character Elaine Benes used to come up with when she was working for J. Peterman.

Now I have two great hunting authors that I really look forward to reading: Tom Wood and the Shadow.

[outdoorman]

  Nice off hand shooting!

[steveoh]

Good shooting!

[longislandhunter]

Good shooting and pics.  I especially love seeing the harvested nutter laying next to the B-3    I love the B-3's   Great little shooters, especially with some TLC and as you've proven...... quite capable of harvesting small game.   Thanks for sharing 

Jeff

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Nice shooting, Tom and a great story as always!

Thank You for your kind reply Steve !   I'm glad you liked this mornings hunt. The story was told as how it was this morning.

My Best Wishes to You & Good Hunting my Friend       -        Tom

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Great story, Tom! When you were describing what you were wearing  I was reminded of the catalog descriptions Seinfeld character Elaine Benes used to come up with when she was working for J. Peterman.

Now I have two great hunting authors that I really look forward to reading: Tom Wood and the Shadow.

Thank You for your kind reply, Randy.   I am glad you liked this mornings hunt.   Sorry but I don't hold a candle, EVEN CLOSE to..... THE SHADOW !

My Best Wishes & Good Hunting          -          Tom

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

  Nice off hand shooting!

Thank You for your kind reply, Eric !         Nice & Lucky... off hand shooting!       

My Best Wishes to You Sir & Good Hunting     -       Tom

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Good shooting!

Thank You Steve for your reply and kind complement.     I've been following your posts very closely !

My Best Wishes & Good Hunting           -           Tom

[only1harry]

Good shooting and nice story Tom.  The surviving critters know something is going on for sure.  It will only get harder from here on, but I am sure you like a good challenge

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Good shooting and pics.  I especially love seeing the harvested nutter laying next to the B-3    I love the B-3's   Great little shooters, especially with some TLC and as you've proven...... quite capable of harvesting small game.   Thanks for sharing 

Jeff

Jeff:    Thank You for your reply and kind complements.    The B-3 is not a power house gun But it is very accurate and I find it a joy to hunt with. The gun handles quickly in the field and it is capable of making a snap shot, when that type of shot, is absolutely necessary.  Yes sir,.. it is indeed quite able to take small game, with a well placed shot.

My Best Wishes & Good Hunting.       -        Tom

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Good shooting and nice story Tom.  The surviving critters know something is going on for sure.  It will only get harder from here on, but I am sure you like a good challenge

Thank You for your kind reply, ...# 1  Harry     I am glad you enjoyed the hunt.  Yes you are absolutely right about the Critters becoming more Skittish,  as I have been noticing, myself.    The Hunts are getting harder to be successful at and I will just have to get, that much more,... Craftier !     I do have some more.. "Tricks Up My Sleeve"... that I can employ if it becomes necessary.

My Best Regards & Good Hunting # 1 Harry !       -         Tom

[beachgunner]

Nice shooting Tom. You keep bringing those nutters down. Good work and continued success.

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Nice shooting Tom. You keep bringing those nutters down. Good work and continued success.

Thank You for your kind reply, Michael !         It is starting to get harder to get them lately, they are starting to get real hyper-aware and skittish.   They know that there is a "New and Dangerous Predator in the Woods Now" !!!   ME !!

My Best Wishes & More Good Hunting to You      -       Tom

[VTME13]

Nice work and great read!!  Patience is an earned virtue.

They definitely learn quickly... I'm having to stretch the legs a bit on my Marauder as they've stopped coming to the tree line behind the house.