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Post by drfleck on Jan 4, 2024 11:34:50 GMT -5
What are your longest squirrel kills with the .17?
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Post by drfleck on Jan 4, 2024 9:41:10 GMT -5
What bullets do you fellas prefer when using the .17 for squirrels? I'm pondering a long range squirrel rig that I can also shoot groundhogs with. Of course I'm mainly considering the .22mag and 17hmr. 17HMR: CCi TNT's are the most accurate in my rifle, but they got scarce at one point and I bought Hornady VMax and they are almost as good. Last year I scored two more bricks of the TNT's. 22 Mag: In the Marlin I had, it would shoot CCI 40 grain hollowpoints or FMJ the same out to 100 yards. FMJ for squirrels and hp's for groundhogs. I did try the 17HMR CCI FMJ about 3 or 4 years ago, but they just didn't group real well out of my rifle. I also had a few "runners" when they weren't head shots. Luckily, I use the HMR after all the leaves have dropped and I could see where the squirrels were running and then tipped over. Also had a few that would head up the tree after a hit and then fall out when they finally expired. I ended up taking the rest of that 50 round box to the shooting range just to run through it. Thanks. For my uses, would you recommend the .17 if I had to pick just one?
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Post by drfleck on Jan 4, 2024 8:13:58 GMT -5
What bullets do you fellas prefer when using the .17 for squirrels? I'm pondering a long range squirrel rig that I can also shoot groundhogs with. Of course I'm mainly considering the .22mag and 17hmr.
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Post by drfleck on Dec 31, 2023 13:49:17 GMT -5
I took the wrong weapon today as I was hoping for a mixed bag. No rabbits but saw a handful of squirrels. However, I couldn't get within improved cylinder range before they took off. Then the cold rain started and the squirrel sightings stopped. I plan to go back to the same spot tomorrow with the .22.
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Post by drfleck on Dec 30, 2023 19:52:36 GMT -5
Please add 1 to team 4. Got in the woods at my FIL's farm at two this afternoon. Pretty cold and windy. Squirrel activity was minimal but I did see one. A young male fox squirrel. After an hour and a half I walked back to my truck, dropped off my .22, and grabbed my shotgun. Walked field edges and managed to go two for two on rabbits. I will head back to public land tomorrow looking for more squirrels and maybe a bonus rabbit.
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Post by drfleck on Dec 27, 2023 16:41:50 GMT -5
Do you suppose they will still be active by this coming weekend? How long does this usually last? Several sites say that a sow can come in heat anywhere from December to February and then again before summer. Thanks. I'm sure the warmer temps the last few days didn't hurt either. Looking forward to this coming weekend.
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Post by drfleck on Dec 27, 2023 7:11:42 GMT -5
Do you suppose they will still be active by this coming weekend? How long does this usually last?
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Post by drfleck on Dec 26, 2023 17:08:48 GMT -5
Great pic Buckert!
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Post by drfleck on Dec 26, 2023 14:00:26 GMT -5
Please add three for team 4. Most of my squirrel spots are strictly fox squirrels. Except for this place which is mostly greys. I did see two fox squirrels today but they saw me and took off. I assume these black squirrels I've been getting are a black color phase grey? Also, between yesterday and today all seven squirrels have been males. What do you make of that? Just coincidence?
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Post by drfleck on Dec 25, 2023 13:33:36 GMT -5
Please add four for team 4. Went out looking for a Christmas rabbit today but had no luck. Squirrels were very active. They were chasing each other running around on the ground so it was kind of like rabbit hunting. Fun was had.
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Post by drfleck on Dec 25, 2023 13:29:50 GMT -5
I'm thinking of taking my muzzleloader scope and putting it on my .22 to help with accuracy. Of course I would need to sight it in. Anyone else think this is a good idea? The little rectangle open sight on this gun has always been hard for me to aim properly, so I figured that the scope would help If it was me and I could afford it I would get a second scope and leave the one on the muzzeloader. Two reasons. First my eye sight is not good any more and I pretty much need a scope to shoot accurately any more. Second is if you decide to put scope back on muzzeloader the cost of amo to re sight it in could get expensive along with if you decide to hunt with the muzzeloader you have to allow time to transfer scope and resist in. A scope for a 22 can be had cheap as they donot have the recoil of a larger gun. Onebentarrow I agree with onebentarrow. I use an inexpensive Simmons scope on my squirrel gun. It gets the job done and has for many years. It's a fixed four power and I think it will set you back less than fifty bucks.
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Post by drfleck on Dec 25, 2023 9:37:02 GMT -5
Merry Christmas, hope you are all having a great holiday!
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Post by drfleck on Dec 23, 2023 14:16:10 GMT -5
Happy Festivus
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Post by drfleck on Dec 23, 2023 13:03:38 GMT -5
Sometimes, ya just gotta improvise! My grandson and I got out this morning and we got drenched the first hour. I forgot to bring some tape to cover the muzzles. But, I always carry some extra earplugs: Skunked again! But we saw 3 turkey, a coon, possum, coyote, bobcat and we could've limited on squirrels in the first half hour of daylight! The best part, My grandson had never hunted in the dark morning rain and he was elated just sitting there! WAY COOL!!! Good thinking. Plus the earwax will help the next shot load easier.
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Post by drfleck on Dec 20, 2023 16:33:27 GMT -5
Sorry to hear this. I hope that this negative situation somehow turns into a positive for you and everything works out for the best.
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Post by drfleck on Dec 12, 2023 17:51:36 GMT -5
I have a pretty large flock of house sparrows hitting my feeders regularly. A couple of cardinals here and there. Thanksgiving weekend I had my first dark eyed juncos show up. I hadn't seen any juncos for a few days but yesterday I had two at the feeder, or rather on the ground below the feeders.
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Post by drfleck on Dec 9, 2023 8:26:13 GMT -5
I have bought them at Rural King in the past and was always happy with the price and quality. I have also purchased a few deep cycle batteries from Costco and have been pleased with them. They have lasted several seasons and the price was right. They are interstate branded. If you have a membership it would be worth looking at their batteries.
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Post by drfleck on Dec 6, 2023 17:32:12 GMT -5
Looks good. I like the idea of making different burger varieties. I'm gonna ask Santa for one of those burger presses, looks like it makes them pretty uniform.
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Post by drfleck on Dec 5, 2023 17:58:16 GMT -5
I see that the ingredients for that marinade include lime juice and citric acid. I've heard that marinating meat for extended periods of time in citrus can cause a mushy texture. I think the citrus actually begins to "cook" the meat. Like ceviche. Im sure that 2-4 hours would be plenty. Sounds tasty btw.
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Post by drfleck on Nov 28, 2023 21:48:23 GMT -5
Congratulations! Great deer
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