Tree Squirrel Rifles

[DarryH]

4 of us were hunting old growth timber.
Walk 4 abreast, about 10-20 feet apart, had to keep each other in sight.
Pockets full of rocks. Our rules were you had to shoot straight into the tree truck to stop bullets. Rocks were to make noise to bring squirrels around tree for the shot.
Had several and were driving out.
Game warden stops us. We all show licenses, then he ask to see our guns.
We open trunk. All guns cased.
Ask if they are unloaded. About them he sees squirrels have no heads.
We pull out guns and show him our ammo.
3 were .375H&H, 1 was .458 Winchester.
Warden makes a funny face and walks back to his truck, shaking his head and mumbling something like, they'r never going to believe this back at base.
We have laughed about this for about 40 years now.,

 

[scooter1954]

I guess my question would be, center fire ammo is pricey. Why waste it on squirrels?

 

[Critter Picker]

RWS R50 is about the same price per round as centerfire ammo.

 

[Taj]

My very first squirrel hunt was in the Ozarks with my Granddad. I think I was about 10 or 12 years old. He had a squirrel dog named Rags. Rags would stand on the hood of the truck as we slowly drove through the woods on back country dirt roads. When Rags heard, saw or smelled one, he'd jump off the hood and head into the woods. Granddad turned off the truck and waited until we heard Rags bark "treed". We'd go find him and try and shoot the squirrel. The squirrel would sometimes play "ring around the rosie" so my Granddad would hang his coat on a sapling and we'd move a round to the opposite side of the tree. When the squirrel ran around the other side, he'd see the coat and immediately come back around to our side of the tree. Bang!! Great memories.

 

[DarryH]

B cause Iowa had no Rife deer season back then. We all liked the "elephant" guns we read about in magazines,
Blowing up dirt clods got boring.
Hard to find old and unused wood fence post.
It was the one and only time we squirrel hunted with elephant rifles!

 

[memtb]

I ran into a guy long ago who said he shot squirrels with a 30.06 - he called it barking. Wait for a squirrel to flatten itself against the bark, then shoot the limb it's on below the squirrel. The shock wave kills the squirrel and knocks it off the limb. No bullet holes, internal injuries only. It probably tenderized them too.

I've never tried it, though in Ohio for small game rifle & hand gun calibers are unlimited. I should use the 458 Win Mag just to say I've done it, though I'm concerned about shooting it upward & keeping the bullet within 50 acres.

I used to do that with my .308 Win., using either light load 110's or cast bullets.

You still didn't want to hit near the neck or shoulders…..even bark will bloodshot pretty badly! memtb

 

[memtb]

My very first squirrel hunt was in the Ozarks with my Granddad. I think I was about 10 or 12 years old. He had a squirrel dog named Rags. Rags would stand on the hood of the truck as we slowly drove through the woods on back country dirt roads. When Rags heard, saw or smelled one, he'd jump off the hood and head into the woods. Granddad turned off the truck and waited until we heard Rags bark "treed". We'd go find him and try and shoot the squirrel. The squirrel would sometimes play "ring around the rosie" so my Granddad would hang his coat on a sapling and we'd move a round to the opposite side of the tree. When the squirrel ran around the other side, he'd see the coat and immediately come back around to our side of the tree. Bang!! Great memories.

A long string tied to a small limb or bush……jerk on the sting a couple of times. The squirrel would usually roll to your side! memtb

 

[MKWas]

I guess my question would be, center fire ammo is pricey. Why waste it on squirrels?

Waste? It's better practice than shooting pieces of paper.

 

[gorobie]

View attachment 323369

 

[gorobie]

Springfield 1922M2 Custom! (not finished yet)

 

[gorobie]

4 of us were hunting old growth timber.
Walk 4 abreast, about 10-20 feet apart, had to keep each other in sight.
Pockets full of rocks. Our rules were you had to shoot straight into the tree truck to stop bullets. Rocks were to make noise to bring squirrels around tree for the shot.
Had several and were driving out.
Game warden stops us. We all show licenses, then he ask to see our guns.
We open trunk. All guns cased.
Ask if they are unloaded. About them he sees squirrels have no heads.
We pull out guns and show him our ammo.
3 were .375H&H, 1 was .458 Winchester.
Warden makes a funny face and walks back to his truck, shaking his head and mumbling something like, they'r never going to believe this back at base.
We have laughed about this for about 40 years now.,

Springfield 1922M2 Custom! (not finished yet)

 

[Little Church Mouse]

...It was the one and only time we squirrel hunted with elephant rifles!

Besides, you never know when you might find a rhinoceros up in a tree.

 

[gorobie]

Besides, you never know when you might find a rhinoceros up in a tree.

What's the difference between a HIPPO-and a ZIPPO?...One is REALLY big.. the other is a little lighter!!!

 

[gorobie]

Beats RWS R50