Head shots or body shots?

andrew cochran · 03-20-2008, 09:27 AM

I always shoot em in the head. What do you do?

rondog · 03-20-2008, 09:39 AM

Good plan if you can do it, doesn't destroy any meat that way.

Paper · 03-20-2008, 10:07 AM

Head. Aim for the eyeball, and anything close will result in a clean kill, and no damaged meat..

Come to think of it, I think I'll eat some squirrel tonight..

NHmsj · 03-20-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rondog

Good plan if you can do it, doesn't destroy any meat that way.

Ditto!

andrew cochran · 03-20-2008, 02:13 PM

I figured some people would vote body shots as it is easier to hit. A squirrels eye is very small for 50 yards away. DUH I know! But if you eat em, head shot!

CZer · 03-20-2008, 08:04 PM

9out of 10 times will be head shots but I won't hesitate to take body shots, especially past 35-40yds! Behind the front legs when I do in the heart lung area. One of the best shots I made this past season was a squack on a low limb of a Walnut, facing directly away from me. He was in the classic setting on hind legs, tail curled up his back. It entered right beside his spine and traveled directly up the center of neck, and exited perfect out between the eyes. The entrance hole was almost invisible. Appeared to be a perfect shot in the face! This was with a HP and there was 0 meat damage and really appeared to have been shot with a RN.

7mmremmag1995 · 03-20-2008, 08:15 PM

head cause you could get some dumplings

squirrelbaster · 03-20-2008, 08:21 PM

i do it like they train in the military, 2 in the chest to stun then 1 in to head to kill..........you know incase the squirrel is wear body armour.....j/k

billy · 03-20-2008, 08:25 PM

vodka shots!

LiveToShoot · 03-21-2008, 08:10 PM

When it comes to squirrels, if I'm hunting them, then it's wherever I hit them... Other game, where meat preservation is an issue, it's always a head shot.

Billy, how's the vodka shot on preserving meat?

Brad Y · 03-21-2008, 11:31 PM

Rabbits around here, mainly body shots as I hit them with the 22-250 to see how good they can blow up. Hahaha Im not disturbed I swear.... Anything else, I will try and head shoot, usually foxes within 200m so long as they are facing me. If I shoot low that way it gets them in the neck or chest. Longer shots or broadside shots in the wind are usually taken aiming for the chest.

cammo · 03-22-2008, 05:31 AM

I used to take body shots all the time especially the chest.but the last squirrel i shot through the body was a fox squirrel. i hit him in the chest while he was sitting on a log and destroyed his heart and lungs. he then proceeded to run 10-15 yards apparently unscathed before piling up, but still thats a long ways for a squirrel and too much time to get to a hollow tree or something. i dont want to risk losing a mortally hit squirrel so from then on it has been head shots all the way. they dont run too far after being taken through the head. lol

billy · 03-22-2008, 06:02 AM

Billy, how's the vodka shot on preserving meat? unquote

my meat is preserved.

it's made it 45 years so far.

webs · 03-22-2008, 06:08 AM

I shoot for the head when I can and the rib cage when I can't.During the early season there is a lot of thick leaf cover and a lot of shots are off hand.I am not always able to lean my rifle off the side of a tree for a steady shot, so I shoot for the rib cage.I also shoot for the rib cage if it is a longer yardage shot.I don't keep the rib cage on a Squirrel, so for me there is no waste.I am also careful to not angle a shot toward the opposite leg.A high percentage of my shots are head shots but I don't mind shooting a rib cage shot when I feel I need to.

AKHunter · 03-22-2008, 01:36 PM

Small game in general, I take head shots as I am usualy using a scoped .22 rifle or a air rifle or air pistol. It really helps to keep me tuned on marksmanship.

Sooner Shooter · 03-23-2008, 12:00 AM

You guys are shooting the best part! Squirrel brain! mmmmMMMM! Tasty

andrew cochran · 03-23-2008, 08:40 AM

I never have had squirrel brain. I will stick to the meat.

two-70 · 03-23-2008, 05:56 PM

well in my case i always go for the head but then yet i use a 12 gauge so it just makes sense lol

Triggerjerk · 03-23-2008, 06:00 PM

I don't shoot 'em. My wife and I feed them all winter, along with the birds. We used about 160 pounds of seed this winter. They're fat and happy!

Sooner Shooter · 03-24-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triggerjerk

I don't shoot 'em. My wife and I feed them all winter, along with the birds. We used about 160 pounds of seed this winter. They're fat and happy!

They're cool to watch and they keep me entertained during deer season. When they get in the attic and start chewing wires they're not as cool. Just try to keep them in the trees! SS

View Poll Results: Do you shoot a squirrel in the head or body?
Head:	57	81.43%
Body:	13	18.57%
Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll

03-20-2008, 09:27 AM	#1
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 1,904 Trader Rating: (1)	Head shots or body shots? I always shoot em in the head. What do you do? __________________ If you don't have anything good to say... Don't say it! Last edited by andrew cochran; 03-20-2008 at 09:56 AM.

03-20-2008, 10:07 AM	#3
Paper One Buwwit Weft Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: IL/WI Border Posts: 861 Trader Rating: (0)	Head. Aim for the eyeball, and anything close will result in a clean kill, and no damaged meat.. Come to think of it, I think I'll eat some squirrel tonight.. __________________

03-20-2008, 02:13 PM	#5
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 1,904 Trader Rating: (1)	I figured some people would vote body shots as it is easier to hit. A squirrels eye is very small for 50 yards away. DUH I know! But if you eat em, head shot! __________________ If you don't have anything good to say... Don't say it!

03-20-2008, 08:15 PM	#7
7mmremmag1995 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,275 Trader Rating: (0)	head cause you could get some dumplings __________________ Just LeDoux it

03-20-2008, 09:39 AM	#2
rondog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 1,239 Trader Rating: (0)	Good plan if you can do it, doesn't destroy any meat that way.

03-20-2008, 08:04 PM	#6
CZer Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Harlan, KY Posts: 44 Trader Rating: (0)	9out of 10 times will be head shots but I won't hesitate to take body shots, especially past 35-40yds! Behind the front legs when I do in the heart lung area. One of the best shots I made this past season was a squack on a low limb of a Walnut, facing directly away from me. He was in the classic setting on hind legs, tail curled up his back. It entered right beside his spine and traveled directly up the center of neck, and exited perfect out between the eyes. The entrance hole was almost invisible. Appeared to be a perfect shot in the face! This was with a HP and there was 0 meat damage and really appeared to have been shot with a RN.

03-20-2008, 08:21 PM	#8
squirrelbaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,072 Trader Rating: (0)	i do it like they train in the military, 2 in the chest to stun then 1 in to head to kill..........you know incase the squirrel is wear body armour.....j/k __________________ "My Shotgun SAYS I AM the POLICE !"--Mooseman684 "I like Turtles!" youtube kid

03-20-2008, 08:25 PM	#9
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 10,865 Trader Rating: (0)	vodka shots! __________________ i'll keep an eye out for ya!

03-21-2008, 08:10 PM	#10
LiveToShoot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northwest USA Posts: 1,778 Trader Rating: (0)	When it comes to squirrels, if I'm hunting them, then it's wherever I hit them... Other game, where meat preservation is an issue, it's always a head shot. Billy, how's the vodka shot on preserving meat? __________________ "Happiness is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it." -Unknown

03-21-2008, 11:31 PM	#11
Brad Y Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Australia Posts: 98 Trader Rating: (0)	Rabbits around here, mainly body shots as I hit them with the 22-250 to see how good they can blow up. Hahaha Im not disturbed I swear.... Anything else, I will try and head shoot, usually foxes within 200m so long as they are facing me. If I shoot low that way it gets them in the neck or chest. Longer shots or broadside shots in the wind are usually taken aiming for the chest.

03-22-2008, 05:31 AM	#12
cammo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pennsyltucky Posts: 12 Trader Rating: (0)	I used to take body shots all the time especially the chest.but the last squirrel i shot through the body was a fox squirrel. i hit him in the chest while he was sitting on a log and destroyed his heart and lungs. he then proceeded to run 10-15 yards apparently unscathed before piling up, but still thats a long ways for a squirrel and too much time to get to a hollow tree or something. i dont want to risk losing a mortally hit squirrel so from then on it has been head shots all the way. they dont run too far after being taken through the head. lol

03-22-2008, 06:02 AM	#13
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 10,865 Trader Rating: (0)	Billy, how's the vodka shot on preserving meat? unquote my meat is preserved. it's made it 45 years so far. __________________ i'll keep an eye out for ya!

03-22-2008, 06:08 AM	#14
webs Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 243 Trader Rating: (0)	I shoot for the head when I can and the rib cage when I can't.During the early season there is a lot of thick leaf cover and a lot of shots are off hand.I am not always able to lean my rifle off the side of a tree for a steady shot, so I shoot for the rib cage.I also shoot for the rib cage if it is a longer yardage shot.I don't keep the rib cage on a Squirrel, so for me there is no waste.I am also careful to not angle a shot toward the opposite leg.A high percentage of my shots are head shots but I don't mind shooting a rib cage shot when I feel I need to.

03-22-2008, 01:36 PM	#15
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 904 Trader Rating: (0)	Small game in general, I take head shots as I am usualy using a scoped .22 rifle or a air rifle or air pistol. It really helps to keep me tuned on marksmanship.

03-23-2008, 12:00 AM	#16
Sooner Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 593 Trader Rating: (0)	You guys are shooting the best part! Squirrel brain! mmmmMMMM! Tasty __________________ Save the drama for your mama!

03-23-2008, 08:40 AM	#17
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 1,904 Trader Rating: (1)	I never have had squirrel brain. I will stick to the meat. __________________ If you don't have anything good to say... Don't say it!

03-23-2008, 05:56 PM	#18
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,778 Trader Rating: (0)	well in my case i always go for the head but then yet i use a 12 gauge so it just makes sense lol __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

03-23-2008, 06:00 PM	#19
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978 Trader Rating: (0)	I don't shoot 'em. My wife and I feed them all winter, along with the birds. We used about 160 pounds of seed this winter. They're fat and happy! __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ