I was bow hunting yesterday evening and while I was sitting in the tree stand I was surrounded by squirrels. There was also one awsome fox squirrel running around. I was drooling wanting my .22 pistol, but I know there is a good buck in the area. Should I keep bow hunting and then handgun hunt for the buck or tip my hat and go in with a .22 for some handgun fun? It is not legal in Alabama to carry both a bow and firearm, no matter what caliber during bow season.

What should I do, stick to the woods goats or go after the tree rats?

One of the things I love about bow hunting is that I can take small game without worrying about scaring off he big game. Why not get the squirrel with a well placed Judo?

well...i wait all year to deer hunt,and id hate to fire a 22 and send a nice buck bounding away...jim257

have some fun with the 22 handgun n squacks. heck.....you got lottsa deer, and season to take em in alabama eh?
when does yer rut come in? mr big will be kinnda crazy then anyway

Shoot it with the bow!! thats what i do
or at least try to do

i always bring an old alum arrow with me for that very reason.
its great practice!

john

Keep the bow and get the Buck -- can you use a bow and some claymore mines?

The rut in Alabama isn't even close. Doesn't come in until the second or third week in January. Yes that is correct, except for a few counties along the GA border where it runs like deer in the rest of the country.

LOL With a season so long, what the heck, I going in for the tree rats. I can shoot woods goats any day. The buck may get spooked and bug out for a few days, but it is his home area, he will be back. Heck there are more deer hit by cars that I will ever wack in a season on this place.

Horns are nice, don't get me wrong, but a nice tender doe backstrap sure tastes better.

OK, for the squirrel get yourself a class 3 license & go get a Ruger .22 auto & stick a silencer on it ....

I agree with Vance. Providing the option is available. Years ago, when I was a young fella, silencers were legal in two of our States. Nothing better than quietly popping the odd bunny, especially when all the others can't figure out what happened.
If its not an available option, then ask yourself, are you after deer or sqirrels? When I'm after deer, nothing else exists. (not that I get that many )

Grab the pistol, pop a few squirrels, preferable in a hunting area away from you stand area. Take them home, fill them full of stuffing wrap with bacon and slow cook in the oven til the meat falls off the bone. YUM!!

Then the next day when you are bow hunting and the squirrels are running around driving you nuts,you have the satisfaction of knowing that thier neighbors were last nights supper.