7br
11-27-2006, 10:34 AM
I turned down a pheasant hunt with my brother and nephew to take my 12yr old son squirrel hunting on my dad's farm. He used a 20gauge and while it isn't quite as sporting as a .32 revolver, it was plenty challenging for him.
We had my other two younger kids with us as we hit the timber. After a few minutes watching, we decided to cross the creek and try to sneak up on a couple that were running in the trees. The youngest had to go back the house for a potty break, so the middle child offered to take her back while Jake and I completed the stalk. Jake and I settled down about 20 yards from an ancient oak that we had last seen the squirrels in. About 10 minutes after the younger kids cleared the 6 inch carpet of dried oak leaves, a squirrel came back out and started making its way through the trees. Jake turned down the first shot that presented itself because he wasn't quite sure of it. The squirrel jumped to the next tree and shimmied up about 30 ft before it looked back to see what Jake was up to. Jake pulled the trigger and the squirrel tumbled out of the tree. He had the safety back on before I could remind him and had marked the squirrel down.
I have earmarked the next few years for investment hunting.
We had my other two younger kids with us as we hit the timber. After a few minutes watching, we decided to cross the creek and try to sneak up on a couple that were running in the trees. The youngest had to go back the house for a potty break, so the middle child offered to take her back while Jake and I completed the stalk. Jake and I settled down about 20 yards from an ancient oak that we had last seen the squirrels in. About 10 minutes after the younger kids cleared the 6 inch carpet of dried oak leaves, a squirrel came back out and started making its way through the trees. Jake turned down the first shot that presented itself because he wasn't quite sure of it. The squirrel jumped to the next tree and shimmied up about 30 ft before it looked back to see what Jake was up to. Jake pulled the trigger and the squirrel tumbled out of the tree. He had the safety back on before I could remind him and had marked the squirrel down.
I have earmarked the next few years for investment hunting.