White Oak and Squirrels

[Johnch]

I wanted to change cards in all of my trail cameras to see when the does are moving
Deer bow season is in , but I am waiting for it to cool off a little
So this morning my lady and I went out to my dads woods to change those 2 cards

But we figured that combining the walk through the woods with harvesting a few squirrels would be a good idea
3 Greats thing about dad's woods is we could drive right down the lane to it
#2 I don't think anyone has hunted squirrels in it for at least 3 years
#3 is that the woods is only 400 yards from my back door , for Quick hunts
We agreed we didn't "Need" a limit of 6 each , but I new a few more in the freezer would be nice
She took my H&R single shot in 32 S&W that I have had for a few years
85 gr cast bullet at 1000 FPS

I took my Savage 25 Walking Varminter in 22 Hornet that I bought this summer
I have worked up a load for the 22 Hornet with a 45 gr cast bullet at 1400 FPS

We changed the first card and heard squirrels in a group of large white oaks just down the lane
So she sat down close to the first tree and I moved down the lane about 50 yards

I told her I would wait maybe 5 min. and blow my squirrel call
After maybe 3 min. I saw a squirrel looking at me over a branch
So I got ready to shoot it , when I heard her shoot and the thud of the first squirrel hitting the ground
My squirrel stopped looking at me and looked at her , so I shot it

Over the next 30 min. we slowly moved from tree to tree
The squirrels didn't seem to mind the sound of brothers and sisters hitting the ground

As we hunted , I was also looking how many acorns were on the ground
Under most of the trees , there was not many acorns
But we both saw corn cobs
So I bet the squirrels have been stashing ears of corn to make up for the lack of acorns

We unloaded the rifles as we both had taken 6 shots and had both harvested 6 squirrels
I had brought plastic bags , so we cleaned the squirrels
I did keep the tails , as I use them for tying Flies
I also have a number of people trade me stuff for the squirrel tails , deer tails and duck feathers so they can tie flies

The 250 or so yards to the other trail camera was tough
As we kept seeing more squirrels

The trail cameras showed me the bucks and does are moving to the edge of the woods well before dark
But right now they are going into the corn field , likely headed to the hay field to feed

So I guess I will wait a few more days before deer hunting
As Saturday is opening day of the first part of duck season
As I need a few Drake Wood Ducks and a couple more Blue Wing Teal
Both to eat and for their feathers

Good Hunting
John

[ChristopherO]

A very productive quick hunt. Sounds like much fun. Been years since I've enjoyed a squirrel hunt and have thought about going again.

[GregLaROCHE]

Sounds like a great outing. Good luck with the deer.

[badwolf]

Nice shooting, 32 s&w sounds cool in a rifle , custom job? What's your hornet load? I have a Browning low wall I'd like to try squirrel hunting with.

[sharps4590]

After 63 years in the woods, hunting, I'd rather hunt squirrels as deer. There's more of 'em, more action and they taste better.

[CastingFool]

I have 3 oak trees in our front yard. The one by the edge if the driveway has been dropping acorns like crazy. I checked the other 2 trees and they are hardly dropping any acorns. I thought that was strange. I haven't been squirrel hunting in years.

[dale2242]

The squirrel population is definitely up this year here in SW Oregon.
We have them running everywhere here on our 10 acres.
Speaking of white oaks, the deer are crazy about the white oak acorns.
We have both white and black oak on our property but the deer prefer the white oak acorns.

[Earl54]

Most memorable squirrel hunt, was mowing a field with white oaks lining one side and noticed squirrels in the trees. Went to my truck to get my pistol (6" S&W model 19, my only one at the time, shot it every day). Had 11 full wadcutter reloads in my ammo wallet, normal loads that I shot were 358-156 and warm load of unique. Went into the trees, and got 9 squirrels, with 1 wadcutter left in the wallet when it got 2 dark 2 see the sites. Best day ever and my Great Grandma made squirrel and gravy with homemade buttermilk biscuits when I got home.

[Kylongrifle32]

Squirrel hunting was always a great time when I was growing up as a kid. That was before the deer population explosion. We hunted every weekend during season. The best times were when uncle's and cousins joined us.
Still love to squirrel hunt just don't do it enough.

[warren5421]

My idea of squirrel hunting today is set in the kitchen, window open, Marlin 39A beside me. Can limit out in about 10-15 min. I have a hickory grove within 30' of the window with more squirrels than I have seen in 20 years.

[gunseller]

Sounds like both of you had a ball. When the leaves are still on I use a 22/20 savage modle24. When most of the leaves are gone I go to my interarms mini MK10 in 223. 60 grain gc over a dose of 2400 getting to around 1600 is a 75 yard squirrel rifle. Good luck getting your doe.
Steve

[warren5421]

Deer hunting I just set in the swing and wait for either a doe or buck if big enough rack-10 points one side 20 both sides and good form. Had an a-tipical buck here for about 5-6 years till he meant a police car about 10:00 PM one night. His get all have big racks and run up to 75 pounds larger than others.