Treerats!

Although I love to fish, with the mild temps today and the boat not producing much lately I decided to try and put the smack on a few squirrels, the bluegill of hunting. My father and I are both avid squirrel hunters, so much so that he bought a treeing squirrel dog last summer. He was out with the smokepole this morning at another property, so I decided to go sit up by my treestand behind my parents house and thin out the population a little bit. The woods are loaded with hickory trees and there are quite a few treerats.

While walking back the path to my stand, i spotted 1, then another 2 of the little guys in a ravine in front of me. Hit one offhand at 25 yds, and missed another. While at the stand I saw 2 more with the same results. They seemed to be active today, so I went and grabbed the dog to see what she could do.

She's a mountain feist that's 1 1/2 yrs old. Squirrel hunting is natural to her, and she's really getting the hang of it this year. It's fun just watching the dog work as she hangs fairly close scoping everything, then takes off like a bolt of lightning as soon as she spots one. Ended the day with 3 more for a total of 4 greys and 1 fox.

Even though I wanted to stock the freezer up after making squirrel stew last week, hunting squirrels is more about marksmanship anymore. The trusty Winchester lever action .22 delivered 4 out of 5 headshots today and 2 misses. Was really a great day to be out.

Any other avid squirrel hunters out there?

I went out on Monday and shot two Grey's with the 22. The dog thing interest me where did your dad get the dog?

Crappie Slayer if you could at your leisure,PM  phone number or Name of kennel or town in Ohio I'd appreciate it. Thank you.

Jig's are you shooting shot and what size/load?

We shot number four shot from rifled barrels and it doesn't do too bad at about thirty yards.  Grouping was always tighter than we liked, even when we went to 7 shot for dove hunting.  Don't want to shoot a squirrel or bunny if much closer then that, what with tight groups, wasn't much left to cook.

How about shooting a lead ball from a shot barrel, not for small game of course but, for deer hunting?  Would a '20 gauge' not meet the requirements for hunting deer in PA?

One would have to see a deer first for that to even be a legitimate question.

😎

I've always loved black powder, grandpa got me started. Turkey is my favorite but can't get up and run thur the smoke fast enough any more and to make matters worse I'm suppose to have a babysitter with me.  Another reason I'm considering letting the smoke poles go.

Your making me jealous. I talked to the other guy in Ohio that you gave me contacts too. He going to have a couple litters coming soon. $325  for a pup.  I'll buy a male pup and if it turns out right,well your dad and I could be in the squirrel dog business.lol

Dad-burn-it yinz guyz...........  I went looking for the elusive PA. White-Tailed Deer today and all I seen was stupid squirrels, thank you very much.  Anybody got a good recipe for squirrel sausage, I'm thinkin about huntin sum them elusive PA. Fluffy-Tailed Critters?
 
Oh and, I seen, one elusive PA. Fluffy-Tailed Bunny also!

Now stop that, tain't fair!  
 
Besides ya forgot Hasenpfeffer (Pennsyltuky style).
 
Right you are, they're much easier to drag out of the woods.  Problem is, finding my way back outta the woods.  10-4?
 
Keeep up the reports, enjoying the read.

 ewwwww................ they taste anything like pickled pigs feet?

Not as strong as pigs feet. Figured that was because of a red meat being used. My grandmother use to put them up in pt jars.

Possibly a racoon? Any other tracks or just those 2?

Was out Friday on some local gamelands with zero results squirrel wise. I did however see 15 turkeys. Don't think the dog knows what to make of them yet. A few deer seen as well.

My buddy and I got out yesterday and checked out some new country. Was a pretty slow day with the dog only putting up 3, but was nice scouting out new land. Late in the afternoon on the way back to the truck she put this guy up a tree. Was glad he made it up the tree instead of tangling with the dog.