where do you aim when hunting a squirrel?

Answer 1

The smart aleck answer is "It depends on where the squirrel is." But--if you're serious...


If you shoot it in the head, you don't damage any meat.

Answer 2

In the trees using a 20 gauge with about #4 or #6 shot for best results. In some areas I use a 22 if I can get clear shots in the fall, otherwise to knock the tree rats the shotgun method yields the best result. #4 or #6 is one hell of a lot easier to pick out of flesh then 7-1/2 or 8.. Just a thought.

Answer 3

Boy! I like most of these! I was going to also say in the head also...

The point about the number of pellets you gotta dig - or spit out - for sizes #4 and #6 versus #7.5 and #8 is a very good one. I use #6 for almost everything. It's nearer the same price as 7.5 or 8, whereas #4 is often a bit higher. (1)

Also, they are tough bastards - I've had them move quite aways after a body shot with a 22 (well, one especially persistent one).

The idea of shooting the tree next to them is good. I might have a problem with that, as I usually shoot them out of the same trees.
Eventually, the tree can die of lead poisoning (and because it has 50 holes in/through it, so move your targets around occasionally).

I should have thought about it, because I use the same technique for frogs (well - except for the "tree" part). I shoot slightly under them with a 22LR.
That knocks them out from the concussion - which I like because I mainly use the small-medium ones for catfish bait. Also, it introduces the "high-jump" as an additional event for the frogs - in addition to the the broad-jump.



* 4 seems to run significantly higher than the other 3 - and since I'm retired disabilty - cost matters.
However, I know another guy who, as a boy, had to split the shot out of a shell, put 1/2 in an old case and use a strike anywhere match-head for a primer. That way he could (often) get 2 for the price of one shell.

I think #4 runs a little higher, as.
A. It's not used as much.
B. It's mainly used for turkeys here - since it's the largest legal shot size (also that means that there's more magnum and 3" loads - which also costs more).
However, the turkey loads with 2 oz. of shot are amazing! I knocked a large dog (not mine, on my land, and growling at me) over from about 100' with one. He got right back back up, but I still thought that was pretty amazing.
C. The other main use is on waterfowl. In which case, you can't use lead, so it's not on sale as often and you can get stuck buying steel.

7.5 is usually the cheapest as it's the most common used trap load (followed by #8). You can get it in cartons of 100-150 at Wally World and other fine retailers. Usually it's about $15-$17 for a carton of 100.

Answer 4

The head. We only use scoped 22lr. We generally sit out back in our deer stands. We spend so much time in them during deer season. We know where to look for squirrel.

I had a medlesome squirrel in the same tree with me this morning. I had to resist the urge to quiet him with a 12 guage slug. After an hour or so. I viewed him as an aid to my cover. Deer are used to seeing squirrels. I saw a lot of deer today.

None seen me, thanks in part to the squirrel.

Answer 5

If it is on a tree and you have a shotgun, aim for the area between the squirrel's head and the trunk of the tree. Most of the shot will hit the tree trunk and the concussion of the bark blowing off will knock the squirrel out or kill it with minimal damage to the meat.

Answer 6

I've never shot a squirrell
- anywhere but in the head
- with anything but a .22.

in other words - .22 headshots

Answer 7

do not issue about the bead. in simple terms seem down the barrel. in the experience that your head is the way it ought to nicely be on the gun, then you definitely can in simple terms move the gun barrel, and each and every thing ought to line up. With turkey, you target rather lower than the pinnacle, for squirrel, you element on the total squirrel, or maximum of it. shop both eyes open. Your not capturing a rifle. capturing a rifle and a shotgun- both are different.

Answer 8

I use a .22 lever action with open sights,so I like to aim center mass.If you're using a shotgun(I've not been to keen on using one for tree rats) listen to the other folks.

Answer 9

Scatter gun or .22: Aim for the area where the skull meets the neck.

Answer 10

Head.