very interesting hunt today! i went out on some georgia wma land during a small game hunt armed with a .22 planning on taking out some squirrels that we all constantly see while deer hunting. i actually sit in a stand just like deer hunting since theres a lot of pig rooting in the area too and am mostly there for hogs. as im walking in i hear a bunch of snorting right near my normal tree and didnt feel like being chased a night with a .22 so i just set up in a random tree along the aisle i walk down to get to my spot about 50 yards from normal but right near 2 oak trees i still see tons of squirrels in. didnt hear much but a couple grunts the hour it was still dark and i sat waiting but sure enough i start to see a couple squirrels move around once reasonable light is available. as im watching one waiting for a good shot i hear the brush thrash at maybe 7am i see a pig come out at 20 yards and take the head shot. it started thrashing and then dropped and then made it off about 25 yards. i give it a bit not hearing anything else so i get down to recover it. as i approach the hog it gets up and isnt too happy either. i manage to put another round in it that takes is toll but still doesnt completely drop it and the hog tries to hobble off but nowhere fast at all. not the smartest thing ive ever done but i chase after it and it now turns towards me but isnt exactly charging ether. ive done guided dog hunts before but im not chancing it any more than i already have with a wounded angry hog with no guide or dogs. georgia is an open carry state so .22 was set against a tree and the .44 magnum quite forcefully told it to sit down at close range. thats one critter recovery i wont soon forget and ill be back in the woods for more pork again shortly this one was about 120lbs and although it was a boar didnt have cutters on it.
NIce! Can’t go wrong with a .22 for squirrel, but since your stand hunting why not give a .17 a go. No wind and 100yd head shots are very do able. Don’t take a body shot… no squirrel to eat. carry a pad with you and plot where squirrels fall and don’t leave the stand until your through shooting. I’ve even had squirrels investigate other dead ones.
Is your privacy fence to keep the neighbors from seeing all the fun your having!
edit: another method for squirrel hunting if you have a buddy is walking and looking for nests in smaller trees. Look for a vine running up the tree and pull like crazy. I’ve had as many as four squirrels come out of one nest also a possum or coon from time to time. IF no vines look for another small tree nest to and shake/ slap the nest with it. Brother and I bought home a lot that way for Grandma to cook up years ago. Leaves dropping quick and Mr no leggs slowing down, getting to be a good time for it.
ha the fence was there before i even rented the house but it is a plus when im carving up game animals (neighbor knows i do it and still doesnt care). honestly when im out there during a “small game hunt” im there for hogs anyways with either bow or muzzleloader, but decided to take the .22 to clean up squirrels as i almost always see about 10 of them within 30 yards in a single morning. if i remember right you have to use either .17, .22 or size 2 or smaller shot in south carolina during small game wma hunts, but in georgia you can use either archery or muzzleloader to hunt hogs during small game or turkey seasons on wmas. normally when i squirrel hunt ill sit on the ground in an area i know theyre at and slowly walk around when i see them to make whatever adjustments i need for a good shot and have pretty good luck with that, but again most mornings i see no less than a good 10 squirrels in easy .22 range as long as im deer hunting, but when i have a 120lb boar hog walk out…thats way more meat than id get with a limit of bushy tails add on the delicious nuisance animal factor and ive already eaten most of the first one i got this fall yup im shooting the hog.
this one was about 120lbs and although it was a boar didnt have cutters on it.
add on the delicious nuisance animal factor and ive already eaten most of the first one i got this fall yup im shooting the hog.