Author Topic: Squirrel hunters: your average shot (Read 1545 times)

Squirrelsaurus Rex · « **on:** June 04, 2004, 05:18:54 AM »

When huntin' tree rats with a .22, what is the average range you normally shoot a squirrel at?

S.S. · « **Reply #1 on:** June 04, 2004, 08:50:56 AM »

Depends on how and where you hunt!
I am not really fond of shooting up in the air, That seems
a little irresponsible to me!
I will sit in a covered deer-stand and pick the Squirrels off
as the run around on the ground.
Average shot is probably no more than 50 paces.
I don't really like the taste of Squirrel so I don't shoot many.
They really annoy the crap out of me when I am deer
hunting so I may go on a Psychotic Squirrel Killing spree
when the season opens this year. I look foreward to my
.17 HMR meeting a few of the Fuzzy little wildlife alarms.
(They warn everything else that you are in the woods)

Lawdog · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2004, 12:05:12 PM »

Squirrelsaurus Rex,

On tree squirrels the range is usually fairly short, say 30-35 yards. Ground squirrels is a different subject. Now the average range for .22lr is more like 70-75 yards. Lately I have been using my air rifles for the taking of tree squirrels due to the safety factor. The range is still the same and my pellet rifles work just fine at those ranges. Small groups and tight lines to you. Lawdog

TNrifleman · « **Reply #3 on:** June 05, 2004, 03:04:08 PM »

I love to hunt gray squirrels with a .22 rifle. My current rig is a Kimber Hunter with a Burris 3X9 AO Rimfire. The average shot for me is probably'25 to 30 yards. I try to take only head shots. I don't kill as many that way, but I actually enjoy the hunting moer. BTW, I like to eat them. I don't waste them.

popplecop · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2004, 03:36:03 PM »

TNrifleman, How do you like the 3x9AO Burris? I've never seen a bad Burris come to think of it. I just ordered the 4x12AO rimfire, may be should have gotten the 3x9 instead. Well we'll see when it gets here, now have to decide which rimfire to put it on.

dukkillr · « **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2004, 07:14:53 PM »

i'd say where i hunt most of the shots are inside of 60 yards. i generally go to an area that i know has a lot of trees and just sit down under one in the evening. early in the fall before bow season you often can't see much farther than 50-60 yards. i use a 4x scope.

S.S. · « **Reply #6 on:** June 07, 2004, 06:07:35 AM »

Air Rifles are getting quite popular for small game
in the area where I live!
It's a shame They aren't Legal!!!!
Many air rifles will shoot every bit as accurate as
.22's inside of about 30 yards with plenty of
punch to "Perforate" a Squirrels head.

glyn_canada · « **Reply #7 on:** June 08, 2004, 07:08:35 AM »

30-50 yards off the back deck, depending on which tree they are currently infesting. We have a bunch of bird feeders up and the little turds like to do the "one legged ninja hang" off the tree to the feeder so you have to be accurate or it's off to Walmart for another feeder.

My wife is a better shot and my 15 year old daughter is the best of the lot.

.22LR Stevens model 87c with open sights

This season it is currently:

Black Squirrelasaurus Rex: 12
Red squirrel: 2
Feeders: 0

I closed the season on reds unless they are being really destructive, but BSR are always fair game.

K2 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 09, 2004, 08:13:05 AM »

One can shoot up responsibly if you put the trunk of the tree behind the animal to stop the bullet. I have never shot a squirel or any other small game animal that the bullet did not pass thru, something all should be aware of. Sometimes that does means no shot, just like a deer standing on a ridge. As things are getting more crowded we need to be more and more aware of the surroundings and our shooting abilities.

Now go knock the snot out of those little noisy critters safely :wink:

Quote from: S.Sumner

Depends on how and where you hunt!
I am not really fond of shooting up in the air, That seems
a little irresponsible to me!
I will sit in a covered deer-stand and pick the Squirrels off
as the run around on the ground.
Average shot is probably no more than 50 paces.
I don't really like the taste of Squirrel so I don't shoot many.
They really annoy the crap out of me when I am deer
hunting so I may go on a Psychotic Squirrel Killing spree
when the season opens this year. I look foreward to my
.17 HMR meeting a few of the Fuzzy little wildlife alarms.
(They warn everything else that you are in the woods)

PAndy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 12, 2004, 02:21:25 AM »

I also fuss about safety of shots in the air. I pass up a lot more squirbels than I shoot at. I am finding that most shots are very close, and I probably very seldom shoot 50 yards. Most are probably closer to 25 yards.

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #10 on:** June 12, 2004, 02:02:50 PM »

I use CB Longs, they are very quiet[about like an air rifle] and are very effective out to about 30 yards.I have rolled many coons out of cedar trees that were after my chickens.Spot them with a light and shoot right between the eyes.Squirels are much less tough.The big advantage is of course, how quiet they are-perfect for hunting where you don't want everybody to hear shots

cattleskinner · « **Reply #11 on:** July 02, 2004, 07:32:33 PM »

I about lost my snuff on that one!!!! Never really thought of it that way, but I know exactly what you mean...the little devils will drive you nuts trying to keep them out of bird feeders. Have a good one.

~~~Cattleskinner

"the little turds like to do the "one legged ninja hang" off the tree to the feeder "

Quote

firstshot · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2004, 04:28:28 PM »

I squirrel hunt with a Marlin 1897 Centruy Limited (basically a 39A). Until recently I had a Marbles Tang sight on it and because my eyes just aren't as good as they used to be I had to "get close". Most shots were in the 25 to 30 yd range.

I just recently put a Burris 4-12X w/AO on and would expect more shots in the 30-50yd range this comming season.

firstshot
-----------------------------
Make your first shot count!

dogngun · « **Reply #13 on:** September 14, 2004, 07:09:12 AM »

Average is 20-30 yards. I shoot 'em in trees because where I hune is DENSE woods, and I always make sure of the backstop before I shoot.
I use a 1969 Mossberg bolt action with a Tasco 4X deer scope on Weaver medium mounts so I can use the sights if necessary. This is an adult-size rifle, and has its share of dents and dings, so I don't worry about one or two more per season. It's still accurate enough for squirrels.

Mark

scruffy · « **Reply #14 on:** September 14, 2004, 08:20:10 AM »

When I'm sitting next to a large oak or walnut tree my shots this year have been from 15 feet to 35 yards with my 22 mag NEF sportster.

When performing feeder detail in my yard from the deck the 22 mag can easily reach out to 125 yards with it's 6-18x50mm target scope and harris br bipod. :wink:

Feeder detail isn't near as much fun as being in the woods hunting, but the squirrels still taste the same.

later,
scruffy

Flash · « **Reply #15 on:** September 17, 2004, 02:49:47 PM »

I hunt a creek bottom for squirrels and take 50 yard shots often. The hillside straddles the creek and it easily allows one to take shots up to 100 yards.