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First Squirrel

Mister Gain

By Mister Gain,
in Airgun Hunting

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Mister Gain

Mister Gain 1,764

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Haven't been out shooting for a while, the bunny population on our orchard permission declined dramatically since mid september, we had been controlling them well, but mixy had put in an appearance.

My mate dropped off a couple of pheasants on saturday and asked if I fancied an afternoon out, probably next wednesday, to which I agreed. I knew the pickings would be slim, but it's worth the effort just for the craic with the other 2, and of course the pheasant vindaloo for dinner.

 

Both my hunting mates have never seen any squirrels on this orchard perm, but I have seen 2 in about 2½ years.

 

I followed my normal hunting route, keeping my eyes peeled for signs of rabbits. A few new scrapings dotted with droppings, but no sight of actual bunnies.

 

I crossed the drainage ditch, turned left and made my way along the hawthorn hedge, keeping in the shadows, when I saw a movement about 60 yards ahead.

Taking my time I inched towards the few larger trees, and in the shadows spotted 2 young squirrels grubbing through the dead leaves, totally unaware of me creeping towards them. Rangefinder out, 40 yards. Tried to go prone, but they saw my movement and off they went. I watched them spiralling up the tree and out of sight, marvellous how they can disappear in a leafless tree.

 

I decided to hang about in the shadows, and my patience was rewarded when I spotted the silhouette of a pair of ears just above a branch. A few minutes later I saw the flicking of a squirrel tail. I moved to my right and saw it was tucked into the fork of 2 branches, not offering any kind of shot. Then it became more confident and moved out about a foot along the branch. I positioned my self and brought the rifle to shoulder, making small movemeents to gain an unobstructed shot through the twigs and branches. I waited until it showed the side of its head and 'thwack', it froze for a second then flicked it's tail and released it's grip of the branch and decsended to mother earth.

Checking my shot, I had got it bang on just behind the eye, the 177 AA Field having passed right through, causing much damage on exit.

 

This was my first squirrel, and the first time I had used the AA S410 I had revamped a couple of months ago... Well pleased :thumbs:

 

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Mister Gain

Mister Gain 1,764

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Nice going. You want to try eating the squirrel too. The little beggars may be hard to get out of their coats. But they do taste nice!

 

I was with 2 others who were shooting pigeons with shotguns over the west of the orchard, whilst I stuck to the east side. One of those took it home as he had never tried it before. Personally I didn't think it had enough meat on it as it was a young one, but he's adamant that he'll get some meat from it.

Driving round with the lamps later was a waste of time, one of the guys was out of the top with 17 rimmy, and he's a good shot, but he only shot 3 bunnies. " good ones for the freezer and the other was left for the foxes, busted guts.

Hope the permission picks up a bit in the spring.

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