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Post by bushhogg2 on Nov 24, 2009 7:12:07 GMT -5
Ok,
I went out to Gander Mountain and looked at some guns. I talked to Maurice the other evening and he started me off in the right direction. I went in pricing a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500. Due to reliability, durability and flexibility for other species, these two seemed to be the best fit for myself and kids to 'grow into'.
After talking to the store employee there, he asked me if I planned on eating them, or was I just out for the hunt?
I just assumed that if I killed it, I planned on eating it...didn't really give another option a thought.
He told me that there may not be much left of a squirrel after being hit with a 20 or 12 gage shell...even with using small bird shot. He recommended a .22 or a 410 shotgun. My concern with that is that will limit what I can hunt with either of those guns.
Any thoughts from the experts out there?
Mike Myers
bushhog2@sbcglobal.net
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Post by featherduster on Nov 24, 2009 7:40:10 GMT -5
If you want to get the feeling of big game hunting and have a ball doing it then without a doubt use a 22 caliber rifle.Buy a good gun and a quality scope.then spend a lot of time scoping it in and perfecting your shot.Most good squirrel hunters will only take a head shot.
BUT before you start killing a lot of tree rats try eating them to see if you like them.
If you don't care for the taste at least you still have a gun that you can enjoy shooting for less $.
I know some guys that this is the only hunting they do and they put a lot more meat away then some deer hunters and that is because the season is so long allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors.
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Post by turkeyscout on Nov 24, 2009 7:55:25 GMT -5
ok bushhog2, i'm a expert, there is a lot of factors,that you might list, first are you a rookie?! , and they do make a delicious meal, you need to know your trees, so you can spot and stalk,are you a good shot?,do you know anybody that a experience hunter?, the folks at the counter ,may or may not be a hunter that brings in the game,you come to the right site if you want to learn, there is several folks (like decatur and hoosier )that can help you too if you need it ,if you are a rookie , i would start you out with a shotgun ,modified choke and #6 shot, this is just til you get a couple of seasons under your belt, during mid -day the .22 rifle and a good scope comes out to practice with, shoot alot with sand bags and a good rest at 30 yards, you got to have a rifle that will group at least a size of a nickle to go squirrel hunting and (good trigger pull is very important), then you need to be able to shoot off-hand,the best practice on that is a walnut tree (full of green hulls)in a safe enviroment ,and try to hit the middle ,if you can do that pretty regular, than your good to go, you need camo clothes and mosquitoes spray, the squirrels changes there habits through out the season, they do different things in august( more in the tree tops) than november(more on the ground)..so you have to adjust,i like hunting when the squirrels are in the hickory trees early in the season.the list goes on and on ,hope this helps you mike.... and buy the best equipment you can afford....Remington brand is good,shotgun or .22 rifle....back in the dey if we could not afford a gun , we put them in lay-a-way..we need lay-a-way back!!!!  .........this ought to give you some things to consider.......  ...turkey scout |
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Post by Greenedog on Nov 24, 2009 11:53:21 GMT -5
You could go with an H&R single shot .410, then switch to a .22 later down the road, if it's something you really enjoy. I've killed more squirrel and rabbit with my little .410 Topper model than any other gun I own. We also have a 20 gauge Topper that's been used for squirrel, and it's also taken a lot of deer and turkey! |
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Post by jobraun on Nov 24, 2009 14:01:24 GMT -5
There is nothing wrong with using a 20 or 12 to take squirrels with. There have probably been more squirrels killed with a 12 gauge shotgun than all the rest combined. If you are going to use a 410 then you better be a pretty good shot because they can be tough little critters and take more than a couple of pellets to kill cleanly especially this time of year when you don't have those young ones you see in August. I started out as a kid with a 20 gauge remington 1100 and that is what I started my son out with. It will put enough #6s in to kill cleanly and the gas operated system takes out a lot of the recoil for younger shooters. Also you might want to consider a used gun. A squirrel gun is going to get some hunting marks if used much. You can save yourself a few bucks on the front end and them if you decide you want to try something different or that its not for you then you will not get hurt as much on the back end.
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Post by bushhogg2 on Nov 24, 2009 21:55:07 GMT -5
Ok...Here goes... I am a rookie...(41 yr old rookie, but none-the-less a rookie) I've been out shooting clays and have fired the 20 and 12 gage shotguns doing that. My kids (16 and 17) enjoy doing it also. They both want to hunt with me and would be great partners to go out. I would like to go out with someone that is experienced so I can learn more about what to do and not to do, how to stalk and how to clean/dress/butcher...whatever?  the squirrels when I've actually bagged a couple of them. I'm not 'rookie' enough to think hunting squirrels is a walk in the woods and just shoot stuff...Any hands on, real time advise I could get would be well recieved! My dad loved to fish and we went on trips to Canada for summer vacations, but he wasn't much of a hunter, so I wasn't exposed to it as a kid. My kids both love the outdoors and hunting is a natural extension to what we already like to do. As far as liking squirrel, I've had it before. Prepared like pulled pork. It was pretty good. As a rule, I'm pretty cool with eating just about anything that doesn't bite back, so I'm pretty open minded about that sort of thing...(the posts from earlier about eating the brains of squirrel...I'd SOOOOO try that at least once! Why not?!...someone had to do it at some point, and they lived to tell the story...It couldn't have been all that bad...LOL) I would consider myself a better shot than most 'rookies' (as I've been told by some of the guys I go shooting with at the IGC), but honestly, I don't have much to compare my aim to. I can say I am better at bustin' clays that hitting a golf ball that is for sure! I'm not much of a "uni-tasker" type of person. I lean toward spending the $$ on a Remington 870 for several reasons. #1 From what I hear, it is about as reliable as they come #2 For relatively little $$, I can get a different barrell to upgrade to deer in the future if I'd like #3 It is an American made gun that has a market for getting parts much more easily than some of the others #4 I can use it for clays, upland birds, waterfowl, squirrell, turkey or deer #5 The cost is not out of my range If I save up a little more $$, I can move to a semi automatic in the Remington and that might even be a little more fun. I did look at a Winchester that was with the 'clay guns'. It looked like what I thought a shotgun should look like with the engravings on the side and all, but is it worth the extra $$ I just don't know. Benelli's are supposed to be a superior gun, and some of the ones there had a polymer coating that made them pretty clutz proof, but they are a little more expensive...again, is it worth it. Looking at a used gun is fine, I just don't know enough to see a lemon when I've got my hands on one. So, now that you've all fallen asleep...I'll post this note to see what the 'experts' have to say again... Thanks for all the input, trust me, I'm soaking it all in! Mike Myers bushhog2@sbcglobal.net |
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Post by hoosier on Nov 24, 2009 23:36:37 GMT -5
Bushhogg2, it sounds like your heart is set on an 870....nothing wrong with that as they have been terrific guns for a looong time. Your thinking about the versatility the gun may provide is true indeed. I suggest a 12 gauge since you plan on a slug barrel some day and since you are starting out and may chase turkey as well. You may as well have a little extra firepower if needed. That being said, it is easy enough to "download" with some low brass and a more open choke (I suppose the gun will have choke tubes) when needed (as in rabbit hunting, etc). By the way, I think it is great that you are jumping into hunting as a "late bloomer" and thinking about your kids. Good on you!!! After you get your start with the scattergun, I think you may find yourself wanting to test your marksmanship with an accurate 22 rifle for those bushytails. Rifle shot game is much easier to eat in my opinion. Some of my finest days afield have been spent with friends or alone with a rimfire scanning the treetops for "limb bacon". RELAXATION isn't even close to describing the feeling! Later on, you may even be drawn to hunting them with muzzleloaders, both caplocks and flintlocks. This has become one of my passions for years, with my little 36 calibers! I want to say that I am happy to hear that you are thinking about one of the larger gauges and I understand that others mileage may vary with the following, but, it has been my experience.......Squirrel hunting and the .410 should be left to seasoned hunters that know the little gun's limitations. I hate to recall the number of squirrels that I scalded with a .410 as a young guy, but, it happened way to often. Squirrels are tough customers in comparison to a rabbit. Rabbits will fall easily to the .410......squirrels, not so easily. As far as how to hunt.....just hit the woods and the squirrels will teach you better than anyone can instruct you! ;D If you know your tree species, SUPER. If not, the first to learn to identify is the hickories. Beech, walnut and oak are other favorites of squirrels. As Turkeyscout said above, squirrel activities change a lot through the season. They will cut on maple, poplar, cherry, etc, etc at different times of the year as well. Later in the season they will come to the ground (after the mast or nuts have fallen). A couple of suggestions......try to get your hands on a copy of Bill Scifres' 'Indiana Outdoors'. Bill wrote this book years ago. He passed away a few weeks ago and was always an ardent squirrel hunter. The book has a great chapter about squirrel hunting. If possible, start hunting Fox squirrels first, then tackle the craftier greys. Use your ears as much as your eyes! Lastly, never shoot into a squirrel nest....it aint right!  Keep us informed as to your progress and best of luck to you and your boys. Hoosier. P.S.- Save some for the rest of us! |
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Post by hoosier on Nov 24, 2009 23:40:21 GMT -5
Forgot to say that engravings on your guns will not bring more game to your kitchen. Is it worth the extra money? That's a question you will have to answer for yourself. My answer is "nope".
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Post by bushhog2 on Nov 25, 2009 6:48:05 GMT -5
Now that I'm leaning toward the 870 (pump or semi...not sure at this point) Where is a good place to go for an 'unseasoned' hunter? Starting off a new fisherman on bluegills is much better than bass or northern, so where are the squirrels best found for novice(s).
Oh, by the way, my kids.....My son is 16...my daughter is 17. I think she's as excited as I am about getting started...LOL...
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Post by Decatur on Nov 25, 2009 10:21:28 GMT -5
Well, if you are going to buy an 870, it's going to be a pump. Great choice btw! Any woods with mature hardwoods, like hickory, oak, walnut etc, will hold squirrels. Don't forget your hunter orange whicch is required this time of year. Good luck!
P.S.- Rabbit season is also in now, so they are fair game as well.
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Post by TagTeamHunter on Nov 25, 2009 10:43:02 GMT -5
Morgan Monroe State Forest is a good place to start. The DNR hunting regulation books has a section of places to hunt. Pick one up at the local sporting stores or online. www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2343.htm |
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Post by jajwrigh on Nov 26, 2009 10:59:56 GMT -5
I am a big fan of the 20 gauge and my particular gun is a single shot. I like #6s for squirrel and have killed many with it. Anyone who says shotguns "won't leave much left" is likely using too heavy of a load and too tight of a choke. I have shot dozens with a modified choke and have never had one "blown" apart yet. I have shot a lot with a 12 gauge too and they are fine as well. Nothing wrong with a .22, but the 20 gauge allows you to get into birds, rabbits, deer, etc...
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Post by Decatur on Nov 26, 2009 13:30:25 GMT -5
When I used to use shotguns, I always used full choke, knew where my gun shot, and always tried for head shots. I never had to dig much shot out of the meat. I think that people who tell you "there won't be much left", A) Know nothing about hunting, or B) Watch too many movies where shotgun blasts blow car doors off, or C) Are shooting their squirrels at 4 feet. #6's are my shot of choice as well. I have killed a TON of squirrels with my H&R Single-shot full choked .410 with 3" #6's when I was a kid!
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Post by bushhog2 on Nov 26, 2009 13:47:54 GMT -5
Ok...I'm probably going to go with the Remington, 20 gage, it it can be swapped out for deer slugs when I graduate to bigger game. If not, i'm probably gonna be shouldering a 12 gage. Now the question will be pump or semi automatic? Probably the 870 pump is going to be what I go with.
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Post by Decatur on Nov 26, 2009 14:01:36 GMT -5
You can find 870 Express combos reasonably priced. A combo gun comes with a field barrel, for small game, birds etc., and a slug barrel for deer hunting. I would suggest you definately go with the pump.
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Post by parson on Nov 26, 2009 16:16:39 GMT -5
Dick's has a current ad with 870 priced at $239 after a rebate.
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Post by jajwrigh on Nov 26, 2009 17:22:14 GMT -5
Ok...I'm probably going to go with the Remington, 20 gage, it it can be swapped out for deer slugs when I graduate to bigger game. If not, i'm probably gonna be shouldering a 12 gage. Now the question will be pump or semi automatic? Probably the 870 pump is going to be what I go with. I think that you are making a fantastic choice! Enjoy! |
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Post by bushhog2 on Nov 27, 2009 16:04:57 GMT -5
Ok...I've officially made the leap!
I just got back from Dick's and have purchased two Rem 870's. There's no turning back now. The kids and I are stoked to say the least and cannot wait until we can get out and start hunting. My next step is to look into finding the hunter safety course close and as soon as we can get into one so we have that official feather in our caps.
Look out squirrels, we're on our way!
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Post by Decatur on Nov 27, 2009 18:33:10 GMT -5
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Post by Greenedog on Nov 27, 2009 19:58:03 GMT -5
Great choice bushhog2! I bought my 870 Wingmaster when I was 15 at Kmart for $199. 27 years later and I've never had a problem with the gun. Going skeet shooting with it tomorrow in fact! |
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.........this ought to give you some things to consider....... 
...turkey scout
the squirrels when I've actually bagged a couple of them. I'm not 'rookie' enough to think hunting squirrels is a walk in the woods and just shoot stuff...Any hands on, real time advise I could get would be well recieved! My dad loved to fish and we went on trips to Canada for summer vacations, but he wasn't much of a hunter, so I wasn't exposed to it as a kid. My kids both love the outdoors and hunting is a natural extension to what we already like to do.
