No more Squirrels???

NHmsj · 10-12-2007, 09:11 AM

Hey, it's gotten pretty quiet in here. Any of you squirrel hunters still bagging squirrels or is everyone off hunting deer and/or other critters now? Muzzleloader deer season is still some weeks away up here in NH (Nov. 3), so I am still hunting, bagging and eating squirrel. Anyone else?

Oxford · 10-12-2007, 09:24 AM

My squirrel season ended after trapping seven gray's that wouldn't leave my ripened tomato's alone. Since then, probably double that many have moved back in.

webs · 10-12-2007, 10:57 AM

I have been bowhunting for deer and been seeing lots of squirrels.So far I have not taken a shot at a squirrel with my bow.I still have plenty in the freezer and have been eating a couple a week.The squirrels are hiding nuts and moving around most of the day here in west central Indiana.I am also seeing some chasing going on but think it is only of territorial nature.The rut (breeding season)won't be until December in my area.Great time of the year to be in the woods.

Triggerjerk · 10-12-2007, 11:19 AM

Hey NHmsj! Still a lot of them on my land...and Mrs. Triggerkerk and I are almost ready to put the bird/squirrel feeder out for the winter. On my 3.5 acres of "prime game reserve" I try to keep 'em fattened up and healthy in case I ever do need them.

Found fresh deer scat in the woods, just a stone's throw from the house. It's the brook and acorns that keeps the wildlife, here.

NHmsj · 10-12-2007, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxford

My squirrel season ended after trapping seven gray's that wouldn't leave my ripened tomato's alone. Since then, probably double that many have moved back in.

Oxford, I have a stew recipe that's dominate features are squirrel and tomato. What's that old saying about making lemons into lemonade?

Triggerjerk · 10-12-2007, 12:04 PM

Brennan Brook...runs into the Piscataquog. All dammed up behind my house by those busy beavers. Wildlife loves it.

NHmsj · 10-12-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triggerjerk

Brennan Brook...runs into the Piscataquog. All dammed up behind my house by those busy beavers. Wildlife loves it.

Yes, if I recall from my wanderings up around that way, there did seem to be a fair amount of low, wet lands. Lots of water. And a fair amount of hills, too. Pretty much what a lot of NH was like a long time ago, before urban expansion.

Triggerjerk · 10-12-2007, 12:20 PM

Since Mrs. Triggerjerk does not want Bambi shot on our property I had to show a bow hunting buddy the new scat, then my property lines! "Hide here, brother, and it's okay."

You know...Mrs. Triggerjerk was not amused...

NHmsj · 10-12-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webs

...So far I have not taken a shot at a squirrel with my bow...

Years ago I always had one or two arrows in my quiver tipped with blunts or judos. At times I even took El Cheapo Bear Razorheads and cut the tips off, using them as small game stoppers. They did the trick well enough, and it beat trashing more expensive broadheads. The only tough part was watching the poor, impaled bugger thrash around if the shot didn't kill him outright. More than once I had to climb down out of my tree to finish one off. And, of course, when you're deer hunting, getting out of one's stand is not what one usually wants to do. One time I even lost a squirrel, with arrow imbedded, up a tree when he was able to pull the arrow out of the ground and run, hop, crawl away before I could finish him. That was a MAJOR unpleasant event.

Oxford · 10-12-2007, 03:19 PM

Unfortunately, my first deer kill wasn't clean. The shot went through the backbone knocking him to the ground. At the time all I could think of to do was get out my 8" hunting knife and cut the juggler. I'll never do that again. That memory still haunts me. If the kill isn't clean I'll put another round in it's brain. That made me realize how important it is to spend plenty of time at the range before hunting season.

jerry · 10-12-2007, 04:07 PM

Same as Webs here.
I carry an extra arrow with a judo point for the critters if they get too close.

Must not be tempted to shoot into tree. Try to keep it on the ground. Only problem is...I feel like I screwed up the deer hunting when I shoot one of the little critters.

webs · 10-12-2007, 07:58 PM

I have bowhunted for many years now and in fact never plan on quiting.No doubt there have been times when I have made bad shots on all types of game but that is part of the game we play called hunting.It can happen with whatever weapon one chooses to use and is a real shame.With that said,let me say that when I bowhunt I strive to get as close as I can to any game animal I am hunting.I have a self imposed limit on how far I will shoot at any animal and squirrels must be real close.I do not shoot at squirrels from tree stands but only when I am still hunting or in a ground blind.I use traditional archery equipment including re-usable broadheads that I re-sharpen.I have never been fond of blunts or judo type points but prefer to use the same hair shaving sharp broadheads I use on deer.Do I ever kill any?Well, not many but every now and then I do and man does it feel good.

jerry · 10-12-2007, 08:37 PM

I shot a squirrell a couple of years ago with the bow. Stuck him to the ground. he wiggled off the shaft and ran up a tree bleeding. Eventually he climbed down and ran off. I lost the blood trail later on. Don't know where he ever went????

rtch77 · 10-16-2007, 06:40 AM

Look at all these posts! Squirrels last all season, its not an "easy" hunt in the upland/bacwoods but fun. My next recipe will be Squirrel burger. Also I will shoot more just to skin and chop up for the kitty( he runs my ass I know!)

NHmsj · 10-17-2007, 09:10 PM

Actually, rtch, as far as Squirrel season is concerned, there is no closed season for Red Squirrel. At least there isn't here in NH. Also, unlike some, I actually like eating Reds. It's true, they are smaller than Grays, and by half as much (it takes at least two for a meal), but they eat real good. Luckily, I have never experienced the "pine" taste others have complained about. All the Reds I have eaten were as tasty, if not tastier, than a Gray. In fact, a Red skins much easier than a Gray and their meat is more tender. Again, I have not experienced that pine taste at all - no, not in the least. So, for me, squirrel hunting doesn't have to stop once the season on Gray's ends.

Oh, and one of my cats loves Squirrel liver. I save all the livers for him.

ArkansasHunter · 10-17-2007, 10:15 PM

Though it's still squirrel season in Arkansas it is also muzzeloading season right now.
Weather permit I'll be in the woods tomarrow working with my Step Father getting ready for modern gun deer season. When we were at our hunting grounds the other day we noted there's not hardly any acorns this year and didn't see any pine cone cuttings but we saw a good many squirrels and deer...A.H

rtch77 · 10-21-2007, 11:04 AM

here in NY reds are not even mentioned. I saw one from a deer stand last year and I was amazed; so vigilant so fast! Fox is rare too small but delicious. Just got home bagged 2 grays fat one for burger experiment other for cat. The clean air, blue sky, fall foliage priceless! Its nice to coordinate with tree stand bow hunters they like the chance I bounce a deer their way later give (some) scoop on findings. No bad day of hunting. Ok now just wondering what about liver, heart and brain any exotic recipes or Im just being nuts (no pun haha)!

NHmsj · 10-21-2007, 04:31 PM

I can't say a thing regards squirrel brains - didn't know they had any. However, as far as their little livers go, saving them up until one has a goodly amount seems worth the effort. People cook up chicken livers in a bunch, why not squirrel livers likewise? I personally like liver quite a lot, but so does one of my cats. So, as far as squirrel liver goes, he gets them. I have also given him squirrel heart, but he turns his nose up at such. But again, however, saving up a bunch of livers or hearts to mash into a pate' might be an option. And, of course, just cooking up the livers with onions sounds good to me. What's your guess?

ArkansasHunter · 10-27-2007, 12:53 PM

This morning early I woke up with a start, I was cold ! When my wife and I went to bed it wasn't even cool enough out for extra cover.

I looked over at the clock and it was 4:24 AM and I thought to my self I'm going squirrel hunting, so quietly I slipped out of bed and stumbled to the kitchen lol and made me a couple cups of coffee. A set of my hunting clothes is hanging behind the carport door so luckyly I wouldn't have to rumage around for sumpin to wear and wake up my wife and kid.

What gun to take ? Hmmm I'll use my 870 Express the 24'' ported barrel Mossberg killed my ears 3 weeks ago squirrel hunting with it. Before leaveing I tiptoe into our bedroom and tell my sweetie what I'm fiddin to do and she says be carful and off I go.

The radio says it's 46 degrees this morning and clear skies, to me thats will make for a perfect morning to be in the woods.
I didn't take time to load my 4 wheeler, I need the excersise and I can drive to where I'm gonna start hunting.

It was 6:12 Am and I just slipped on my hunting vest that has a game bag and wornout loops that no longer will hold the 12 ga shells...
Then a thought hit me BIG FOOT LOL ! As I stood there in front of my truck I said CHIT !!! So I get back in my truck and listen to the radio until I could see well enough
in the woods, anyway.

It was a liitle after 7 am I saw the first squirrel and I got him and as I stood next to the tree where he hit the dirt another one was to my left about 15 minutes later.
I had to get a little closer before I could get a clean shot at him but I got him.

I made my way to small creek and set down to stake out a White oak tree and it wasn't 5 minutes another squirrel started cutting acorns, after what seemed to be 20 minutes I nailed him comeing down.

WOW I'm beginnig to think how butiful it is here right now and I've already got 3 squirrels the limits 8 but if I can get 1 more I can hang it up and go look around and see if Deer are pawing and hooking bushes and starting scrapes.

I stayed at the White Oak tree and saw 1 more squirrel but he was a little to far and I wanted to look around so off I go to look for Deer signs.

Well It occured to me a little later I needed to get the squirrells cleaned so I hiked back to the truck and head home, once home fortunity I have a thing thats triangler shaped you hang the squirrels on to help you clean them, I got that done so I called my Step Father and ask him if he would like to have them and said he sure would so he's on his way to get them as I type this.

Gosh it's a nice day today, I hope you didn't mind me shareing it with you...A.H

NHmsj · 10-27-2007, 04:14 PM

Hey A.H., I don't think anyone at all minds that you shared with us about your morning hunt. As for myself, I loved reading every word of it. And of course, it sounded like you had an excellent time of it. It rained pretty hard here all day, so I got some things done around the house that needed doing. The weather for tomorrow is predicted to be fine Fall weather, so I plan on being in the woods at daybreak. However, you make a good point about Big Foot. Nonetheless, Big Foot or not, I'll be in the woods with my 20 ga just before sunrise looking for bushytails. I hope I have a morning much like the one you just shared with us about. Again, thanks for sharing your story. It was a very motivating read!

10-12-2007, 09:11 AM	#1
NHmsj Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127	No more Squirrels??? Hey, it's gotten pretty quiet in here. Any of you squirrel hunters still bagging squirrels or is everyone off hunting deer and/or other critters now? Muzzleloader deer season is still some weeks away up here in NH (Nov. 3), so I am still hunting, bagging and eating squirrel. Anyone else?

10-12-2007, 09:24 AM	#2
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,023 Blog Entries: 4	My squirrel season ended after trapping seven gray's that wouldn't leave my ripened tomato's alone. Since then, probably double that many have moved back in. __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

10-12-2007, 11:19 AM	#4
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	Hey NHmsj! Still a lot of them on my land...and Mrs. Triggerkerk and I are almost ready to put the bird/squirrel feeder out for the winter. On my 3.5 acres of "prime game reserve" I try to keep 'em fattened up and healthy in case I ever do need them. Found fresh deer scat in the woods, just a stone's throw from the house. It's the brook and acorns that keeps the wildlife, here. __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ

10-12-2007, 12:04 PM	#6
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	Brennan Brook...runs into the Piscataquog. All dammed up behind my house by those busy beavers. Wildlife loves it. __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ

10-12-2007, 12:20 PM	#8
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	Since Mrs. Triggerjerk does not want Bambi shot on our property I had to show a bow hunting buddy the new scat, then my property lines! "Hide here, brother, and it's okay." You know...Mrs. Triggerjerk was not amused... __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ

10-12-2007, 10:57 AM	#3
webs Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 255 Images: 3	I have been bowhunting for deer and been seeing lots of squirrels.So far I have not taken a shot at a squirrel with my bow.I still have plenty in the freezer and have been eating a couple a week.The squirrels are hiding nuts and moving around most of the day here in west central Indiana.I am also seeing some chasing going on but think it is only of territorial nature.The rut (breeding season)won't be until December in my area.Great time of the year to be in the woods.

10-12-2007, 03:19 PM	#10
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,023 Blog Entries: 4	Unfortunately, my first deer kill wasn't clean. The shot went through the backbone knocking him to the ground. At the time all I could think of to do was get out my 8" hunting knife and cut the juggler. I'll never do that again. That memory still haunts me. If the kill isn't clean I'll put another round in it's brain. That made me realize how important it is to spend plenty of time at the range before hunting season. __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

10-12-2007, 04:07 PM	#11
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,899 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Same as Webs here. I carry an extra arrow with a judo point for the critters if they get too close. Must not be tempted to shoot into tree. Try to keep it on the ground. Only problem is...I feel like I screwed up the deer hunting when I shoot one of the little critters. __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

10-12-2007, 07:58 PM	#12
webs Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 255 Images: 3	I have bowhunted for many years now and in fact never plan on quiting.No doubt there have been times when I have made bad shots on all types of game but that is part of the game we play called hunting.It can happen with whatever weapon one chooses to use and is a real shame.With that said,let me say that when I bowhunt I strive to get as close as I can to any game animal I am hunting.I have a self imposed limit on how far I will shoot at any animal and squirrels must be real close.I do not shoot at squirrels from tree stands but only when I am still hunting or in a ground blind.I use traditional archery equipment including re-usable broadheads that I re-sharpen.I have never been fond of blunts or judo type points but prefer to use the same hair shaving sharp broadheads I use on deer.Do I ever kill any?Well, not many but every now and then I do and man does it feel good.

10-12-2007, 08:37 PM	#13
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,899 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	I shot a squirrell a couple of years ago with the bow. Stuck him to the ground. he wiggled off the shaft and ran up a tree bleeding. Eventually he climbed down and ran off. I lost the blood trail later on. Don't know where he ever went???? __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

10-16-2007, 06:40 AM	#14
rtch77 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 69 Images: 6	Look at all these posts! Squirrels last all season, its not an "easy" hunt in the upland/bacwoods but fun. My next recipe will be Squirrel burger. Also I will shoot more just to skin and chop up for the kitty( he runs my ass I know!)

10-17-2007, 09:10 PM	#15
NHmsj Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127	Actually, rtch, as far as Squirrel season is concerned, there is no closed season for Red Squirrel. At least there isn't here in NH. Also, unlike some, I actually like eating Reds. It's true, they are smaller than Grays, and by half as much (it takes at least two for a meal), but they eat real good. Luckily, I have never experienced the "pine" taste others have complained about. All the Reds I have eaten were as tasty, if not tastier, than a Gray. In fact, a Red skins much easier than a Gray and their meat is more tender. Again, I have not experienced that pine taste at all - no, not in the least. So, for me, squirrel hunting doesn't have to stop once the season on Gray's ends. Oh, and one of my cats loves Squirrel liver. I save all the livers for him.

10-17-2007, 10:15 PM	#16
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,722	Though it's still squirrel season in Arkansas it is also muzzeloading season right now. Weather permit I'll be in the woods tomarrow working with my Step Father getting ready for modern gun deer season. When we were at our hunting grounds the other day we noted there's not hardly any acorns this year and didn't see any pine cone cuttings but we saw a good many squirrels and deer...A.H

10-21-2007, 11:04 AM	#17
rtch77 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 69 Images: 6	here in NY reds are not even mentioned. I saw one from a deer stand last year and I was amazed; so vigilant so fast! Fox is rare too small but delicious. Just got home bagged 2 grays fat one for burger experiment other for cat. The clean air, blue sky, fall foliage priceless! Its nice to coordinate with tree stand bow hunters they like the chance I bounce a deer their way later give (some) scoop on findings. No bad day of hunting. Ok now just wondering what about liver, heart and brain any exotic recipes or Im just being nuts (no pun haha)!

10-21-2007, 04:31 PM	#18
NHmsj Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127	Squirrel Brains? I can't say a thing regards squirrel brains - didn't know they had any. However, as far as their little livers go, saving them up until one has a goodly amount seems worth the effort. People cook up chicken livers in a bunch, why not squirrel livers likewise? I personally like liver quite a lot, but so does one of my cats. So, as far as squirrel liver goes, he gets them. I have also given him squirrel heart, but he turns his nose up at such. But again, however, saving up a bunch of livers or hearts to mash into a pate' might be an option. And, of course, just cooking up the livers with onions sounds good to me. What's your guess?

10-27-2007, 12:53 PM	#19
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,722	This morning early I woke up with a start, I was cold ! When my wife and I went to bed it wasn't even cool enough out for extra cover. I looked over at the clock and it was 4:24 AM and I thought to my self I'm going squirrel hunting, so quietly I slipped out of bed and stumbled to the kitchen lol and made me a couple cups of coffee. A set of my hunting clothes is hanging behind the carport door so luckyly I wouldn't have to rumage around for sumpin to wear and wake up my wife and kid. What gun to take ? Hmmm I'll use my 870 Express the 24'' ported barrel Mossberg killed my ears 3 weeks ago squirrel hunting with it. Before leaveing I tiptoe into our bedroom and tell my sweetie what I'm fiddin to do and she says be carful and off I go. The radio says it's 46 degrees this morning and clear skies, to me thats will make for a perfect morning to be in the woods. I didn't take time to load my 4 wheeler, I need the excersise and I can drive to where I'm gonna start hunting. It was 6:12 Am and I just slipped on my hunting vest that has a game bag and wornout loops that no longer will hold the 12 ga shells... Then a thought hit me BIG FOOT LOL ! As I stood there in front of my truck I said CHIT !!! So I get back in my truck and listen to the radio until I could see well enough in the woods, anyway. It was a liitle after 7 am I saw the first squirrel and I got him and as I stood next to the tree where he hit the dirt another one was to my left about 15 minutes later. I had to get a little closer before I could get a clean shot at him but I got him. I made my way to small creek and set down to stake out a White oak tree and it wasn't 5 minutes another squirrel started cutting acorns, after what seemed to be 20 minutes I nailed him comeing down. WOW I'm beginnig to think how butiful it is here right now and I've already got 3 squirrels the limits 8 but if I can get 1 more I can hang it up and go look around and see if Deer are pawing and hooking bushes and starting scrapes. I stayed at the White Oak tree and saw 1 more squirrel but he was a little to far and I wanted to look around so off I go to look for Deer signs. Well It occured to me a little later I needed to get the squirrells cleaned so I hiked back to the truck and head home, once home fortunity I have a thing thats triangler shaped you hang the squirrels on to help you clean them, I got that done so I called my Step Father and ask him if he would like to have them and said he sure would so he's on his way to get them as I type this. Gosh it's a nice day today, I hope you didn't mind me shareing it with you...A.H

10-27-2007, 04:14 PM	#20
NHmsj Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127	Don't mind at all! Hey A.H., I don't think anyone at all minds that you shared with us about your morning hunt. As for myself, I loved reading every word of it. And of course, it sounded like you had an excellent time of it. It rained pretty hard here all day, so I got some things done around the house that needed doing. The weather for tomorrow is predicted to be fine Fall weather, so I plan on being in the woods at daybreak. However, you make a good point about Big Foot. Nonetheless, Big Foot or not, I'll be in the woods with my 20 ga just before sunrise looking for bushytails. I hope I have a morning much like the one you just shared with us about. Again, thanks for sharing your story. It was a very motivating read!