Daughter wanted to go hunting for a Fox Squirrel this morning. Around 10 a.m. we spotted this one 100 yards away, and spent the next 30 minutes stalking him. She had her 22 and I had a 12 ga in case we needed it.
Squirrel was Waaaaay up in the top of a big Pine, and she couldn’t get the angle on him for the 22…so she used the 12ga. Took 5 shots to bring it down, 2 of which were misses. She has never fired high brass loads before, and those 5 high brass #4s put a hurting on her shoulder since she was shooting just about straight up. Squirrel had to be 100 feet up in that tree.
That’s nice! but… Fox squirrels are a bit on the rare side. I’d personally let them have a pass to live. I’ve taken a few in my youth and they eat much better than an old cat squirrel. but… They sure are beautiful living and giving grace to us all.
I pass them up when hunting Grey Squirrels, and wouldn’t shoot them just to eat. I have taken people to hunt one ( one only ) for a mount though many times.
Fox Squirrels aren’t as rare as you may think though, since I see many in the areas I hunt. They tend to be most active between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
We saw another later in the day that would have been easy for her to take, but it was the same color as the one she got, so we passed him up.
It’s pretty common to see 3 or 4 at once in some of the spots I sit in trees Deer hunting.
I agree with Fred on this one. If they’re so abundant, why is Clemson and the State trying to rebuild the population? If they were as prolific as grey’s, I would help you fill the bed of a pickup.
You get caught shooting one on my place, and the 81 year old boss, ( my mother) finds out, don’t plan on coming back.
Nice squirrel,we had a lot of them on the islands down near Beaufort.Mostly silver ones,some black and rarely you’d see one with a lot of red on him.That will make a pretty mount and I agree,there are more out there than you think.Plenty enough for taxidermy purposes.
They are apparently abundant enough that DNR no longer restricts hunting them on some WMA now…that was restricted to - NO Fox Squirrel Hunting - last year.
Like I said…they are common to see in the places I hunt.
If one squirrel that a little girl kills sends them to extinction I’m ok with that. It’s ok to get on here and give each other a hard time and I’ll be the first one to give a grown man a hard time for killing 4pts but kids killing a squirrel is taking it to a whole new level.
If one squirrel that a little girl kills sends them to extinction I’m ok with that. It’s ok to get on here and give each other a hard time and I’ll be the first one to give a grown man a hard time for killing 4pts but kids killing a squirrel is taking it to a whole new level.
whoa Salty, in now way was I taking anything to a whole new level! Not sure how you got that? I don’t know Stlhunr from any other source than his Wonderful posts. He’s got one special relationship with his daughter and I thank him many times over for sharing photo’s with us!!
Sure I could take you to Pon Pon plantation’s big house and show you at least 15 at any given time. I can show you two on my place that have been around for 10 years. I’m glad some are saying they are making a come back! I spend most of my week in and around our low country woods, and I must say my experience is that they are still rare in most areas.
Mr Stlhunr answered me very cordially and explained his desire to mount one for his daughter. Good for them both!! In no way did I mean any disrespect and it seems Mr. Stlhunr knows our resources and those in the areas he hunts. Again, wonderful photo he shared with us all.
Sorry, I am very partial to Fox Squirrels. Cat squirrels, I’m on my 22nd this year. destructive little bastards and my neighbor loves em.
I’d shoot a 100 4pts to one fox squirrel. Our deer are way overpopulated. That said I seldom shoot bucks unless asked to. Two or three does a year is all I need and lately they are given to me.
When a man is too scared to speak his mind, he is no longer a man. We will never all agree on all issues. Open discussion and an open mind is essential to understanding each other. Heck even Polly and I came together on thi
Wow, lengthy response! Didn’t mean to emotionally highjack you.You questioned a man on why his kid shot a legal game animal. And even poly will agree shooting 4pts does nothing to help with a population problem.
Wow, lengthy response! Didn’t mean to emotionally highjack you.You questioned a man on why his kid shot a legal game animal. And even poly will agree shooting 4pts does nothing to help with a population problem.
Emotionally highjack? Man you are grasping.
a 4pt deer is a legal game animal. I believe Polly will agree that shooting excess 4pts and the like are necessary in certain aspects of hunting.
If you are over burdened with excess young bucks some need to be taken… even if they don’t fit your “trophy” horn thing.
Yes I am very familiar with QDMA. Probably more then you can ever know.
You are right…. probably too lengthy… was waiting on the wife.
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Yes lengthy, but so be it. I’ll never let my grands take an animal to extinction like you suggested and I’ll wager neither would Sthunr and his daughter. that was over the top.
Fox squirrel update: just seen a couple this week in a high end neighborhood getting fat for the winter. Appears to be no pressure from kids with BB guns taking aim at them. So for those of you concerned if extinction will take place by the barrel of a hunter…doubtful! I feel it will be due to casualties endured by road rage with golf carts!!!
“If you can’t fix a woman, chase some tail with fins and fur!!!”
2008 Sea Pro 1900cc w/115
(2) Daughters that make the boys cry
(1) wife that makes her husband take the kids outdoors to chase their dreams!
Fox squirrel update: just seen a couple this week in a high end neighborhood getting fat for the winter. Appears to be no pressure from kids with BB guns taking aim at them. So for those of you concerned if extinction will take place by the barrel of a hunter…doubtful! I feel it will be due to casualties endured by road rage with golf carts!!!
“If you can’t fix a woman, chase some tail with fins and fur!!!”
2008 Sea Pro 1900cc w/115
Back when I was a teenager, there was a large tract of Pine woods a mile and a half from my home…that had a large population of Fox Squirrels. A country club housing development/golf course, and my Daughter’s school resides there now. There are still Fox Squirrels there too.
Daughter said a few weeks ago a big Fox Squirrel ran across the common area at school where the kids spend break time. Her friends were " freaking out " because they didn’t know what it was. She had to tell them it was just a Fox Squirrel and it wasn’t going to attack anyone…
Congrats to your daughter, glad to see a gal enjoying the outdoors!
Got a road kill black squirrel mount & have seen some white ones scampering. When in Md. the Fox Squirrel was protected, saw a road kill, called DNR for permission to retrieve & mount & was told no possession, only granted to educational facilities.
Not too long ago there was a story about a service animal squirrel on a commercial flight that caused a stir.
My memories of squirrel hunting seem to focus on how hard they were to skin. Grandfather taught me to make cut near the anus, step on tail & pull while holding back legs. That was OK unless the tail pulled off. The best technique I used was pinching the back skin enough to put in a vice, make a cut & pull. Tasty little critters when fried like chicken. Granny Clampett liked them in gravy.
quote:Originally posted by Fred67
I'll never let my grands take an animal to extinction like you suggested and I'll wager neither would Sthunr and his daughter. that was over the top.
I have not built a fire in a few years.Used to spend a lot of time out there but with internet and all the stuff on tv nowadays I don’t do as much as I’d like.haha
I went scouting today, looking for spots for Deer hunting this coming season. Was looking in an area I have never hunted before, 1.25 miles from where my Daughter got her Squirrel, and found some more of those rare Fox Squirrels. Watched a BIG salt & pepper one go into a big nest in a Pine. Was clearing out the pine needles under another Pine in shotgun range of the nest ( to take a friend to hunt it one morning, since he has never shot one )and as I was about to leave I spotted a Solid black one. Made a stalk on it, and took it home.
Haven’t ever had the chance at a black one before, and always wanted one, so done. I won’t ever shoot another…unless maybe I find a pure silver one.
