Spring Squirrel Hunt'n

The 23rd of May is the opening of the Missouri Spring Squirrel season; is anyone planning on being in the woods? I've already got my license and waiting for the sun to rise on the 23rd. I believe the Ozark Mountains is home to some of the best squirrel hunting available.

I'll be in the woods before daylight -- with a Ruger Mark III that's been embellished by Volquartsen. We've got lots of squirrels here as I've seen plenty during turkey season. Squirrel hunting has always been a favorite. Good luck

I've NEVER heard of a spring squirrel season!!! Never knew such a thing existed!!

Mark, good luck to you, as well. Opening morning, I'll probably have my M97 22lr in hand. I'll have a MK III 22/45 Lite with suppressor and a T/C Contender standing by for their turn in the rotation.

Come on to Missouri; plenty of squirrels!

Dude, I haven't squirrel hunted since my teens and it was a common past time of my youth. Many fond memories.

Unfortunately, my current local doesn't have a viable population worthy of hunting. I would love to hunt them again.

Mark, I've been green with envy over this ever since you first told me years ago about your squirrel season starting in May. Ours starts in mid October. Best wishes to you.
Ken

Tennessee has a spring squirrel season, but I can't remember when it starts. May have to visit my granddad and borrow his scoped 22 Ruger.

I used to go squirrel hunting a lot when I was younger. To me, there wasn't any fun in shooting them with a shotgun, so I quit going. Now, if I had a 22 scoped handgun, I think I might have to get started again.

A quick check of my regulations shows me that Tennessee's season started Saturday and ends June 14th. Yep, going to go talk to my granddad this week.

Ken, As a kid growing up, dad would take me squirrel hunting and I felt like it was the greatest opportunity. Today I realize it actually was the greatest opportunity -- and I cherish those early morning outings more than ever. Most of the time I can't decide which handgun to take along. If your travels take you this way -- stop in.

Ours opens May 15th..... As a n 'aside' Dad, Grandpa and/or Uncle Leonard started taking me when I was 4 or 5.

No spring season in NY. Our squirrel season is September 1 through February 28

You cant get much better squirrel hunting than right here in Missouri. Me and my grandson are going to camp opening weekend at one of our favorite hunting spots. Went and did some scouting last week end and man are they thick, I must have counted twenty of them just on the drive in. will probably use .22 rifles on the first morning and revolvers the next day.

Have to wait till sept 1st here in Ohio
Still shopping for a small game rig.

My granddad let me borrow his Ruger Mark II Target topped with a 4x Leupold. It's now sighted in at 25 yards and ready to go. Can't wait to get it after some tree rats.

Skwerrills beware!

I had forgotten about Tennessee's spring hunt. That'll give me and my boys something to get into. They are young, so a rifle for them and a revolver for me. At least that's how my Dad got me into handgun hunting. What son don't want to be like Dad? When they get a little older maybe short guns all around.

Especially that big fox squirrel I've been seeing. I swear, if I get him as my first ever handgun kill, I might have to get him mounted.

Spring squirrel season:

That is interesting. I have to wait until September to hunt them in Connecticut.

Sept thru Feb, in Ga also...although our population would certainly support a spring season.

I didn't get any pictures but I did go two for two on a couple of problem squirrels yesterday morning. They had deciding to jump on my roof from a oak near my house. I thought season open so as they jumped off I took them with my .410 contender. Not as challenging as a rim fire but it was a handgun.

I think I saw that fox squirrel I was talking about this afternoon. He didn't hang around long enough for a shot.

Going to go out with my tauras 17hmr.

I'm jealous lol. I just moved from Missouri 2 years in October and really miss the squirrel hunting. I don't have that luxury here in Utah. I am trying to find a place to hunt Jack Rabbits though.

Opening morning in MO didn't produce much meat for a squirrel cooking, but I had an enjoyable hunt. Winds were a little uncooperative and the skirls weren't very mobile, but I did see four and managed to settle the crosshairs of my Bushnell Elite, that sits on the FA M97, on this one.....



All the turkeys gobbling took my mind away from the poor skirl sightings. I heard 8 different birds that were being very vocal and two gobbled to nearly 0900. It was good morning.

This AM lead to high winds and scattered thunder storms, so I climbed back in bed.

The wind's been blowing nonstop here. Maybe this afternoon, or tomorrow.

It would also help if I could see them through the foliage. Of course, that's where the challenge comes in.

One is a whole lot better than none, Kim.

No doubt it's much more filling

Posting this pic for Mark Hampton, he'll chime in on the details.
Great morning hunt, congrats!

Thanks Kim! Got those bushy-tails first morning with a Volquartsen embellished Ruger Mark III topped with HD-Micro Ultradot. Squirrel hunting is great fun with a rimfire handgun.

Memorial Day turned out to be a good morning. Saw several squirrels and was able to get a few.



This morning I used my Ruger MK III Lite with a 2.5x8 Nikon and Gemtec suppressor. Turkeys were gobbling again this morning, which just added to the enjoyment of the hunt.

Good shooting. It rained here again this morning, so I didn't get out.

This mornings winds and drizzling rain made for some tough hunting. I managed to get the crosshairs on a couple tree rats, so I'm about ready to have a squirrel cooking!



I think I may have created another handgun hunter. I introduce someone to squirrel hunting with my T/C Contender this morning. Although he didn't get one, he came back with a grin on his face.

Kim, you are to skirlz, what James is to pigs.

Good on ya!

LOL...I just like handgun hunting; whatever's legal and open; I'm game!

Please, tell me you barked him with that cannon?
Steve

No, it was a neck shot; no need to bark'em with a 22 lr.

Went for a quick hunt yesterday evening with a friend. I let him use my T/C Contender to get a taste of the handgun hunting bug. He got his first handgun kill and came out with a squirrel and a smile.....



I managed to get one myself....



I think I may have converted another.....and we will be having a good ole fashion squirrel cooking tomorrow.

How do you like to cook 'em?

Great job introducing him, KRal!

I will be frying these; mainly due to it being the easiest with what means I have available. I like them in gravy, fried and my favorite is smoked.

Good for you Kral. I've been noticing quite a few squirrels lately and I've been itching to get after them. Thanks for the encouragement. Always enjoy following your posts.

Only seen one this morning...



But it was nice to here the "Th-whack" when the bullet met his noggin.

Kim you are def a knife building squirrel killing machine!

Got a few more for the pot this weekend. Hunting is a little tough this year in the Ozarks. The area I'm hunting doesn't have any hickory nuts this year and it looks to be due to worms. Still managing to get a few....

nice shooting and great pics

I may have posted this before, cant remember but here is a site for you die-hard squirrel hunters.
http://www.squirrelsunlimited.com/

Glad you saw some. I haven't been seeing any. Of course, since season's over, they'll probably come out in droves.

WTG and congrats on your success Kral!

I grew up in SW MO and as a kid I couldn't wait till the spring season opened every year. One of these days I'd sure like to make it back there to do some hunting