Squirrel hunting

[trky chsr]

I took it up again 3 years ago and really enjoy it. I had a mixed breed (spaniel/lab) that would hunt them. He would go on the far side of the tree and move the squirrel to my side. He would retrieve them as well. I have a friend who hunts them a lot and another who killed 2 this year with his .32 muzzle loader. TC

[sabmgb]

I usually put a few tablespoons of flour in a bag, with salt, pepper and garlic, mix it well then put pieces of squirrel in bag and shake. I will put what I'm going to eat and a few extra piece in salted water in sauce pan, cut up and onion add salt and garlic, bring to boil then simmer for a couple hours. Drain water and onion. put the pieces in the flour bag then place in a frying pan that is mid high heat with melted butter. Cook till browned turn brown other side and then enjoy. I ate almost 2 for lunch today pretty hard to beat. Oh and I soak over night in salted water the night before, this helps remove any blood. I cut the squirrel into 5 pieces as well.

It is fun with the dog almost makes you lazy. Fun to watch the squirrel try to hide from the dog.

[dean.f]

Well, season is done for this year but maybe I will get to try one in the coming season. If my dog wasn't so terrified of gunfire he would be an amazing squirrel hunter. It's almost his full time job at home.

[FishHog]

honestly my favourite type of hunting, and can be way more challenging than people think based on watching the ones run around in your front yard. When they know they are being hunted they can be very tough to hunt.
In my mind the best tasting wild game there is. Fried is hard to beat, but lots of recipes online for different options.

[FishHog]

If my dog wasn't so terrified of gunfire he would be an amazing squirrel hunter. It's almost his full time job at home.

spend the time and train that out of him. Go park a few blocks away from the gun range with him until he gets used to that, then move closer, repeat. In the long run you will both enjoy life more.

[dean.f]

Haha I believe the ship has sailed, he's 9 years old now and the best I could get him is to still venture outside during duck season (the lake is half km away) during the summer he won't leave the house past dusk for fear of fireworks. I've tried a few different methods over his lifetime but I think he was totally traumatized by fireworks as a puppy and I just couldn't get him past it.

[Fenelon]

It’s been years now but i used to do quite a bit of squirrel hunting in my younger days. I used to still hunt them with an Anshutz .22 model 64 single shot that had diopter sights on it. I used Eley Club premium ammo. You did not need a second shot You could put three shots into far less than a dime at 50 meters with the gun. I used a homemade bipod to shoot and would only take head shots. I’d skin and gut them on site as I didnt want to track all the fleas home. They were fine eating. I’d put them on par with cottontail or ruffed grouse. My favourite recipe was 3 or 4 gutted squirrels, rubbed with salt. Add to crockpot then add two cups beef broth and a few shakes of Montreal steak spice. Cook all day on low. Thicken liquid with beef Bisto to make gravy. I’d make buttermilk tea biscuits to eat with it, and usually some basmati rice. Same slow crockpot with mushroom soup was also good. They are also excellent eating if you bone out the hams and backstraps, then dunk in eggwash and roll in Italian breadcrumbs. Pan fry in butter. Omg they are good. Just as good as cottontail if you ask me. I imagine a 17hmr would be a dandy caliber now to use for head shooting them.

[longpointer]

Cook squirrel like you would rabbit, low and slow. Soaking in salt water never hurts either and YES skinning them in the woods helps get rid of the fleas.

[Fisherman]

It’s been years now but i used to do quite a bit of squirrel hunting in my younger days. I used to still hunt them with an Anshutz .22 model 64 single shot that had diopter sights on it. I used Eley Club premium ammo. You did not need a second shot You could put three shots into far less than a dime at 50 meters with the gun. I used a homemade bipod to shoot and would only take head shots. I’d skin and gut them on site as I didnt want to track all the fleas home. They were fine eating. I’d put them on par with cottontail or ruffed grouse. My favourite recipe was 3 or 4 gutted squirrels, rubbed with salt. Add to crockpot then add two cups beef broth and a few shakes of Montreal steak spice. Cook all day on low. Thicken liquid with beef Bisto to make gravy. I’d make buttermilk tea biscuits to eat with it, and usually some basmati rice. Same slow crockpot with mushroom soup was also good. They are also excellent eating if you bone out the hams and backstraps, then dunk in eggwash and roll in Italian breadcrumbs. Pan fry in butter. Omg they are good. Just as good as cottontail if you ask me. I imagine a 17hmr would be a dandy caliber now to use for head shooting them.

That sounds just right delicious.

[Sharon]

Just wondering how many people actively hunt squirrels. I don't mean if one happens by but go out to just squirrel hunt? I have only talked to one other person that hunts squirrel and that was a CO.

I been out 3 times this year and managed 11 in total. I was out yesterday and got my 5. I use a dog as well, so wonder how many people use a dog too?

Never. Only hunted what I wanted to eat - except for coyotes to help out farmers.
Only used a dog for gamebirds and rabbits.