Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    
    
     While in Pa I did alot of squirrel hunting they are excellent eatin
    just fried up in butter in a electric skillet the older ones a kinda
    stringy because of the muscle tone but they sure are delicious!!!!
       Squirrel calls; I used to use 2  50 cent pieces worked like a
    charm but on vaca I bought a falks Squirrel call and by damn it
    works just poke along through the woods make some chirps, scolds
    and you can walk right up the buggers.
      I prefer a .22 with a 4 power duplex crosshair highpower rifle
    scope, I shoot a MARLIN model 25 with a WEEAVER K4 scope with this
    set up I can put 5 shots in a quarter in square at 20 yds.
      If you do hunt squirrels shoot at them only when they are on
    the ground or when you can shoot into the tree so you arent sending
    a bullet out through the air to go who knows where. also .22 shorts
    are excelent for squirrels since they are so quit.
    
                                                     GOOD HUNTING
    
                                                          Lee
    
    PS. if you want some chalange hunt em with a bow.....
    
    
    

 I used to hunt them with a slingshot. We had a whole bunch of 'em in the
backyard. I practiced using marbles, but used ball bearings for hunting 
after the first time I hit one with a marble. It was sitting on a branch about
20 yards away. I couldn't help but take a shot at it. The first one went sailing
about two inches above it's head, but didn't hit anything, so it stayed still.
the next shot caught him right in the ribs, knocking the little bugger off the 
limb. It chattered the whole way to the ground ~ 20 ft and the whole way
back up the tree. After that, I used ball bearings for the increased mass.

 The Doctah

    Doctah,
    
      Funny you should mention hunting them with a slingshot. I was
    thinking about carrying my old "wrist-rocket" slingshot with me
    this rifle season, in case I see a squirrel or partridge. I see
    so many of them during rifle season that would be easy shots, but
    who wants to make all the noise that a gun makes while your hunting
    deer, just to shoot at small game. What size ball bearing did you
    use??? Of course, now I'll have to practice this week with the sling-
    shot.
    
      re: shooting squirrels with a bow. Seems like a waste of a good
    arrow to me. You'ld have to really pick your shots, and hope you
    don't ruin your arrow (hit a rock or lose it). Although it would
    be a good challange. However, I had a tough enough time hitting a
    deer with an arrow, I certainly wouldn't attempt to hit a squirrel
    (yet).
    
    -Ron-

    
    
    
    Ron 
      use FLU FLU arrows also use the points with the wire fingers
    (cant remember the name).
    
                                                  Lee
    

    Since Squirrels primarily eat nuts from Oaks, Hickories, etc, you have
    to find where an abundance of those nuts are located. The most
    important part of Squirrel hunting is getting to the area to be hunted.
    The best way is to VERY quietly sneak up on them. Since they are
    usually VERY alert this is difficult. An alternative is to have a
    Group of people walk with you making no attempt to be quiet. When you
    reach the place you want to hunt, sit down and be absolutely still and
    quiet while the group moves on. Since Squirrels can't count they won't
    notice that one of the group is missing. After sitting absolutely
    still for one-half hour, you begin to call. Calling is very easy,
    you simply make a noise like and acorn.
    
    Lowell
    

    
    I've bowhunted in an area that has a very high gray squirrel density.
    Of course they scamper like crazy when I walk into the area, but given
    a good 1/2 hour, they forget completely.  I've had them crawl right up
    the tree I'm in, stopping at my treestand.  When hunting on the ground
    I've had them within 5 ft. on several occasions.  What gets me though,
    is even though I don't move, they still sense me there.  I wonder, I
    know their sense of smell is quite good, can they detect human odor?
    Just a curiosity, they don't use it as a primary defense, but for close
    quarters...
    
    I'd hunt them myself in this spot, but the land owner is
    semi-anti-hunting, she barely gave me permission to bowhunt...of course
    her land isn't posted....I'm still thinking about buying a good airgun
    and letting them have it.
    
    Kevin

 I think the ball bearings I used were between 3/8ths and 1/2 " in diameter.
I found the 3/8 ones easier to shoot. The 1/2 inch ones were too heavy, and 
had a lob-like trajectory. I'd go with 3/8" ones if you can find them.

 The Doctah

    
    
    
                  But, then again, what doesn't?

    RE: .8
    
    McNuggets!!!

As for getting close to the squirrels, act like you're deer hunting.  
That always seems to make them crawl all over me! ;*)

Scott

    I've been wondering about their sense of smell myself. Last year while
    deer hunting I had one jump on my knee while I was sitting on the
    ground at my stand. I don't think the smell bothered him so much as the 
    wool and the warmth. He jumped off pretty quick. He looked kinda
    puzzled but went on about his business. 
    
    I think you can fix squirrel any way you can fix chicken but I've found
    that if you boil them for awhile first that it tenderizes even the
    older ones. 
    
    They taste like the dark meat on a chicken to me too.
    
    Safe huntin,
    John

    The best way that I have found to hunt them, is to stalk them early in
    the morning or late in the afternoon, in your favorite stand of
    nut-bearing hardwood trees.  You have to be very quiet and stalk slowly
    using trees for cover.  They will be on the lower limbs of the trees or
    more often on the ground.
    
    What no one else has covered, is that the skin is attached quite well
    to the little devils.  I have the greatest success by cleaning them as
    soon as I shoot them.  The best target is the head, this wastes the
    least amount of meat.  One of the easyest ways to clean them is to:
    place the animal with its belly to the ground, pull the tail away from
    the anus, cut through the base of the tail( cut through the first layer
    of skin and the bone of the tail, but don't cut the skin after the
    bone), with the tip of the knife make a cut down the back side of each
    back leg(start at the tail), start peeling the skin away from the meat
    along the cuts, once you have peeled about half an inch free along all
    the cuts, stand on the back feet and pull strait up, if everything
    worked right you will take almost all of the skin off, the only piece
    left will extend from the belly area down both legs, just peel the skin
    from the belly down.  From there just gut and clean as normal.
    
    As far as cooking, you should tenderize by par-boiling, baking after
    browning, or any other method you like.
    
    Jon 

    one trick my grandfather taught me was when you had one tree'd,
    they would always scamper to the back side of the tree, and when you 
    went around they scamper back around too...  so he would throw his 
    hat or coat on the other side and get ready for the tree rat to 
    come around to the side he was on, one pop and it was over.
    
    Fra
    

    
    Or.....
    
    One mate stands round one side of the tree,you stand round the other,
    and you bot pepper the dray until they pop out and then you both
    take it out.
    
    Phil.

    re: .4 (or was it .5)
    
    Judo points...flu flu arrows tipped with judo points are standard small
    game archery equip.
    
    
    Guy

    First, is there a squirrel season in Ma.? If so, is it legal to use a
    .22 ca. rifle on them. I know that almost all other firearms are
    illegal for hunting in Ma.
    
    Just curious. 
    
    Cowboy

    
    Cowboy,
           The season on squirrels opened Sept. 10, 1990. .22's are
    allowed west of the eastern boundry of worcester County. Still
    lots of leaves on the trees and the rats are hard to see but it's
    lots of fun going after them. Early morning and late afternoon are
    best times to hunt them, and they taste better in a stew than fried.
                                        
                                        Walt
                                                                        
    

    re.16
    
    Hi Cowboy,
    
    	I beleive that you're statement "I know that almost all other
    	firearms are illegal for hunting in Ma." is incorrect.
    
    	I beleive you can use rifles other than during the Deer season
    	when shotgun only is permitted.
    
    	Prohibited
    	-No Machine guns,fully automatic firearms,any crossbow,any
    	 tracer or incendiary ammunition for hunting.
    	-Rifles chambered to take larger than .22 cal. long rifle rim
    	 fire ammunition,pistols and revolvers larger than .38 cal.
    	 BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 1/2 HOUR AFTER SUNSET AND 1/2 HOUR BEFORE
    	 SUNRISE. Weapons other than shotguns, and bows and arrows are
    	 prohibited on WMA's stocked with pheasant or quail during the
    	 pheasant and quail season.
    
    George

    RE .17 & .18
    
    Thanks for the info. I didn't get my license this year and was just
    wondering. I may get it next year, unless it's not too late for this
    year. I assume that you get an abstract when you get a license in
    this state. I'm originally from Iowa and things are "a little"
    different there.
    
    I have an old Winch. mod. 62 that was left to me by my father and I was
    just wondering if it was legal to use for hunting. Can it be used for
    rabbits too??
    
    I used to hunt squirrel and rabbit with it all the time back home.
    
    I like both animals fried, I've never had them any other way. But that
    doesn't mean I won't try it.
    
    Thanks again.
    
    Cowboy

    Hi again Cowboy,
    
    About your question on can you use rifles for squirrels & rabbits
    I have an old copy (1986) of the Mass. abstracts which state:
    that squirrels can be hunted with rifles in the Western part of the
    state but not in the Eastern part (Worcester County being the 
    dividing line). As for the Bunnies I don't see any restrictions
    on firearms.
    
    Shoot straight,
    George

    
    My culinary experience with squirrel is limited to the few times that
    I hunted them as a boy.  I cooked them on an outdoor grill (I can't 
    remember whether my mom was aware of this, and to this day my wife
    still thinks I'm joking when I mention it).  I do remember that 
    squirrel meat cooked this way was tasty.  I've read that squirrel stew
    is excellent ("Brunswick Stew" I think).
    
    Wow, this sure brings back some good memories!  Gotta dust off my
    Ruger 10/22...
    
    --Geoff
    

                                Kaeng Panaeng 
    
    Penaeng is a traditional Thai curry: this recipe was originally posted
    in the cookery conference as a beef dish. However I can vouch for it as
    a squirrel dish. You should prepare squirrel fillets from as much meat
    as possible, which you cut into thin strips. Any extra meat you
    scavenge from the carcass can be put through a meat grinder and added
    to the mix if you are particularly frugal.


          Ingredients: Panaeng paste

          �        10 dried long red chilies, deseeded and chopped

          �        5 shallots, chopped

          �        2 tablespoons chopped garlic.

          �        2 stalks of lemon grass

          �        1" cube of fresh galangal chopped

          �        1 teaspoon ground coriander seed

          �        1 teaspoon ground cumin

          �        3 coriander roots, chopped

          �        1 teaspoon shrimp paste

          �        2 tablespoons roasted peanuts.


          Method: Panaeng paste

               Using a mortar and pestle, an electric grinder, or
               a food processor, blend all  the ingredients
               together to form a smooth paste.

               You should have about 6 tablespoons of paste.


          Ingredients: Kaeng panaeng

          �        4 fl. oz. coconut cream (plus 1 tablespoon for
                   garnish)

          �        2 tablespoon cooking oil

          �        1 clove of garlic, finely chopped.

          �        1 tablespoon dry curry paste (see above, or
                   bought commercially)

          �        2 tablespoons fish sauce

          �        1 teaspoon sugar

          �        6 oz. squirrel meat

          �        2 [kaffir] lime leaves, chopped very fine

          �        15 [holy] basil leaves.

          �        1 long red chili, "slivered" (ie "julienned")


          Method: Kaeng panaeng

               In a small pan, gently heat the coconut cream
               (coconut milk: don't shake the  tin, and pour off
               the thin "water") but do not let it boil. In a wok
               or skillet heat the oil until it starts to haze
               (just before the point it smokes!), add the  garlic
               and fry until golden brown. Add the curry paste and
               stir-fry for a few  seconds. Add the warmed coconut
               cream (reserving a little for garnish) and stir
               until it curdles and thickens in the oil. Add the
               fish sauce and sugar and stir. Add the meat, stir
               and cook gently for 3-4 minutes. Add the lime
               leaves and stir in then add the basil leaves. Cook
               for 1 minute.

               This is meant to be a dry curry, but add a little
               water during cooking if you feel it is drying too
               much. When the meat is cooked through, turn the
               mixture  onto a serving dish and garnish with the
               reserved coconut cream and slivers of red chili.

               Serve with rice and "chili in fish sauce".


          Serves:  1


    Note: if you can't get fish sauce, use light soy sauce and add a pinch
    of salt.
    
    
    /. Ian .\




























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    Well, I finally got my license and went out last Saturday to Wells
    State park in Sturbridge Ma. I saw 4-5 squirrels all day. I got a shot
    at a couple of them but unfortunately missed. Maybe this weekend.
    Anyway I've got a question for some of the other .22 hunters out there.
    This is also posted in the FIREARMS conference.
    
    
    I have an old Winchester mod 62 that I use for squirrel hunting. It 
    has the old open sights on it and I don't want to "ruin" it
    by tapping it for scope mounts (it has a low, 5 digit, serial no.)
    Soooo I was wondering if one of the "screwless" type scope mounts would
    work on it. The scope would probably have to be mounted forward of the
    pump, I think, which by my estimation is just about where it would be,
    mounted on a handgun and held at arms length. Can this be done or
    should I just look for an inexpensive .22 rifle with scope to use??
    Like a nice Marlin or something.
    
    AdvTHANKSance
    Cowboy

    
    Cowboy, if you're going to hunt tree rats with your .22, you may
    want to check the abstracts first. I beleive it states that during
    pheasent and quail season it is illegal to hunt with a rifle or
    handgun on public grounds where pheasent are stocked. I dont know
    if they stock Wells or not, just thought you might like to know. 
    
    
                                            Walt
    
    

    RE:23
    
    Cowboy,
    
    I too have one of the winchester mod. 62 and I would not to anything
    to damage (read that change) it. I would (did) purchase a ruger 10/22
    with scope for me and my son to use if we needed a scope. Personally
    I prefer the open sights and the little pump 22 shoots exceptionally
    well with them. GOOD HUNTING!!!!!!!!
    
    Harvey
    

This past holiday (July 4) some relatives of mine came down to PRM for a
bar-b-que.  We got to chatting about many things and hunting came up.  They
mentioned that they were on the verge of a squirrel infestation (at least
they think so) and they invited me up to take as many as I wanted.  I like
eating squirrels, there should be quite a few in the backyard, and I'm
considering taking them up on their offer (yes, they have enough property
in a sparsley populated section of town so I have a good backstop and it
would be safe).  My questions (since I don't know New Hampshire law):

	o When are red and gray squirrels in season in New Hampshire?
	o How much is an out of state squirrel hunting license?
	o Since the land owner has a complaint about the squirrels can
	  I take them out of season without a license LEGALLY (something
	  like maybe a farmer and deer)?
	o Can I use any of the following to hunt with there?
	  shotgun, .22 rimfire rifle, bow, sling-shot

Any comments appreciated....

Thanks,
Mike

                RE: Last
    
                Squirrel season in NH usually opens on Oct. 1st and runs
    through Dec. 31.  You cannot hunt them in Carroll or Coos counties
    at all.  Also, you cannot hunt or kill gray squirrels within the
    thickly settled part of any village or city (from the NH F&G book).
                I am not sure whether or not you can hunt them now out
    of season because or infestation.  But I would venture to guess that
    you cannot.  I would check with the state on that one.  
                The cost of a non-resident license:
    
              3-Day small game is  17.50
    
              Full season cost is  36.50   These prices are for SMALL
    game only. 
        (You must show proof of a hunter safety course or hold a previous
    license)
    
    
               Bob

RE: where to find squirrels, how to attract them...

Sure fire way, works 100% of the time: hang a bird feeder!

.6> I'm still thinking about buying a good airgun and letting them have it.

What denotes a good air gun?  Any recomendations?

.27> Also, you cannot hunt or kill gray squirrels within the
.27> thickly settled part of any village or city (from the NH F&G book).

Pardon my ignorance, but would that include hunting with an airgun as well?

Thanks!

..Dan

        A good airgun, in my opinion, is one that costs more than $200, shoots
    pellets (.22 preferred), is a single shot, and is heavy (about 7-10
    lbs.). Oh,  and a rifled bbl is nice. And 700 fps or more is good too.

    And that would take out a squirrel up to and a bit over 25 yards easy
    (especially with a 9x scope and no wind).

    I can personally recommend the RWS model 48/52.