Which Shotgun for squirrel or chipmunk hunting?

Grey's make for better pictures but I can't tell a difference in taste between them and blacks. Are blacks can have various shades or red to brown to bourbon color

I do hunt them for meat. 17mach2 is ideal for fat Ontario squirrels. I use a 22lr for hunting areas with more sparse population due to the noise. 17mh2 for more open areas when the leaves fall and they're on the ground and 410 when in an area with higher population earlier in the season when they're mostly in the canopy. 1/2oz copper plated 6s and a turkey choke kills them clean inside 35 yards
Slow cooked and smoked on a rotisserie they really are tasty. Pain in the ass to skin once the carcass gets cold though
 
When hunting with shotguns, I've mostly used 12 ga for grey squirrels and a few 20 ga guns. I prefer 1 1/8 oz loads of 7.5 shot through a I/M choke & keep the shots inside 30 yds. In BC, grey squirrels are an invasive species, so no bag limit on the bastards.
 
brybenn said:
Grey's make for better pictures but I can't tell a difference in taste between them and blacks. Are blacks can have various shades or red to brown to bourbon color

I do hunt them for meat. 17mach2 is ideal for fat Ontario squirrels. I use a 22lr for hunting areas with more sparse population due to the noise. 17mh2 for more open areas when the leaves fall and they're on the ground and 410 when in an area with higher population earlier in the season when they're mostly in the canopy. 1/2oz copper plated 6s and a turkey choke kills them clean inside 35 yards
Slow cooked and smoked on a rotisserie they really are tasty. Pain in the ass to skin once the carcass gets cold though
Click to expand...

Scientifically speaking, black squirrels are just a colour phase of grey ones. Someone or other took a bus tour of Ontario and the driver announced that they were then crossing "the black squirrel line," so that is or was a thing. Black squirrels used to be considered to be more timid and wary of humans than greys but I believe that was just because the black ones were found out in the dark piney woods where there were few people, and no one feeding them peanuts. Out in the woods here almost every SQ that isn't a PITA chattering red squirrel is a black one but where I live in the 'burbs the two types mingle together and you'll see critters that are blotchy, etc.
 
slinger53 said:
Which shotgun would be great for hunting squirrel and chipmunk? how much does it cost . May be it sound weird to you that i'm going to hunt these mini creatures.

My purpose for this post is not any sort of trap or something else.

I have read some people have eat squirrel as well but there taste is that bad that anyone think. Have anyone else have tasted squirrel meat.

Hopefully i will get the answer. squirrel hunting guide for people click here
Click to expand...

I'm not rreading the whole damn 11 page thread but I have a friend in Duluth MN who shoots and eats (grey) squirrel regularly. She says they are delicious.
 
Big Bad said:
Scientifically speaking, black squirrels are just a colour phase of grey ones. Someone or other took a bus tour of Ontario and the driver announced that they were then crossing "the black squirrel line," so that is or was a thing. Black squirrels used to be considered to be more timid and wary of humans than greys but I believe that was just because the black ones were found out in the dark piney woods where there were few people, and no one feeding them peanuts. Out in the woods here almost every SQ that isn't a PITA chattering red squirrel is a black one but where I live in the 'burbs the two types mingle together and you'll see critters that are blotchy, etc.
Click to expand...

Correct that they're the same however in my area we have fox squirrels and eastern Grey's. Most consider the fox as a true grey squirrel while majority of our eastern Grey's are in fact black to dark maroony brown
I have both in my yard. Both are pests. They can both outrun my 180lb mastiff. I am hopeful my 9 week old mastif puppy will put the fear into them once she gains her speed in a few months. For now she only moves from her bed to the AC vent to the kibble dish
City living. Old ppl feed the damn things so my yard is constantly covered in peanut shells
 
brybenn said:
Correct that they're the same however in my area we have fox squirrels and eastern Grey's. Most consider the fox as a true grey squirrel while majority of our eastern Grey's are in fact black to dark maroony brown
I have both in my yard. Both are pests. They can both outrun my 180lb mastiff. I am hopeful my 9 week old mastif puppy will put the fear into them once she gains her speed in a few months. For now she only moves from her bed to the AC vent to the kibble dish
City living. Old ppl feed the damn things so my yard is constantly covered in peanut shells
Click to expand...

When I moved into my new house a year ago, we were covered in squirrels. Bastards were making a mess in the backyard and digging up my grass.

Take note that everything I just stated is past tense……not many squirrels around anymore…..
 
Actually, squirrel stew (Look up Brunswick Stew on wikipedia) is a traditional and tasty offering, though it takes more than a few to feed a big family. I've never had chipmunk, but I can personally attest that they can be vicious little boogers given the right opportunity.
 
Well Ive shot with OL`Flinter and can attest that the squirrels were apparently healthy and nutritious. Please dont shoot me at the club when we next meet. HE DONT MISS MUCH OUCH.
 
slinger53 said:
Which shotgun would be great for hunting squirrel and chipmunk? how much does it cost . May be it sound weird to you that i'm going to hunt these mini creatures.

My purpose for this post is not any sort of trap or something else.

I have read some people have eat squirrel as well but there taste is that bad that anyone think. Have anyone else have tasted squirrel meat.

Hopefully i will get the answer. squirrel hunting guide for people click here
Click to expand...

I had a cheap little Boyto .410 S x S; perfect. If you can find one, $300 -400 for a nice one (these are a bit rough from the factory, but they really work. Mine had the chokes reamed, and I shot skeet with it with #9 shot. #6 for squirrel.

Red Squirrel are not for eating, small, tough and strong. The larger grey squirrel (they come in all sorts of colours), they are quite meaty and good to eat. It is my favorite wild meat, better than rabbit IMO. I just keep the backs and the hind legs, split them, dip in egg the dredge in buckwheat pancake batter with some salt and pepper added to it, and fry in a bit of lard and butter. Truly a treat!!
 
12 gauge shotgun for squirrel, which somebody says they want to eat, is not a reasonable recommendation. .410 if you have to use a shotgun, .22LR if you're a good shot or PAL-rated air rifle.

I don't think chipmunks are considered small game, are they? And some squirrels are considered fur-bearing, so there's that regulation.
 
Can't we feed him/her/it squirrel-stew?


Maybe he/she/it is a secret-squirrel...
NCsdk7oM_400x400.jpg
 
Grouse Man said:
12 gauge shotgun for squirrel, which somebody says they want to eat, is not a reasonable recommendation. .410 if you have to use a shotgun, .22LR if you're a good shot or PAL-rated air rifle.

I don't think chipmunks are considered small game, are they? And some squirrels are considered fur-bearing, so there's that regulation.
Click to expand...

An open choke 12ga will put just as many pellets Ina squirrel at 25 yards as a full choked 410. Loads and choke make the difference not the headstamp
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom