Nutter brought home some baggage

[wimpanzee]

Went squirrel hunting yesterday, and bagged a fox squirrel and a grey. No big deal, I didn't take any pictures because we all know what a squirrel looks like.

However, the funny part was the grey I shot. I had seen him hopping on the ground, to the side of the trail, heading for an intercept course. I crouched down and waited for him to present a clear shot, and as soon as he crossed the trail, he did. Aimed at his head, right as he hopped, and managed to end up clipping his spine right above his shoulders - he layed down sideways and never moved again. I don't think he even twitched, just a flop and then stillness.

Once I got him home, cleaned him, and I was about to toss the remains when I saw something strange about the head. I picked it up, and look, and behold - an acorn still in his mouth. I went and buried it in my backyard for him, as I am certain that's what his plans for it were!

On another note, the fox squirrel I bagged, I recovered all 3 pellets from! Hind leg, guts and a final headshot - 0 passthroughs with 31fpe at 20 yards!

[Motorhead]

What pellets were being used ?

[wimpanzee]

JSB 18.1 at 885fps.

I've had this go through squirrels from shoulder to butt before. To be stopped by an ankle bone was rather odd!

They did deform a bit - obviously hit bone on every shot, I'm guessing that's what halted their exodus.

[jungleexplorer]

Squirrels are just tough, that is all there is to it. I have shot 10 bunnies and over a dozen collared doves in the last month up to 30 yards with my RWS 36,  with a 7.56gr 177 dommed pellet at 820fps (11.3 FPE). All pass throughs. I shot a fox squirrel yesterday day at 25 yards right behind the ear where the neck attaches to the head and recovered the pellet embedded in the skin.

[maraudinglizard]

Three of the squirrels I shot yesterday retained the .22 cal polymags under their skin. It just depends on where they get hit with the pellet. I was using the long version 16gr. and the range was 20yds to 30yds. I know one thing they make a loud whack sound when you hit one with them.

[WolfyW]

Yep, that's why people used to make bow strings out of squirrel hides.

[dk1677]

Nice shooting! I had that happen once , mine had clamped down on a butternut with a head shot

[wimpanzee]

Yep, that's why people used to make bow strings out of squirrel hides.

I'm using the hides to make moccasins for the kids in the family this year!