Sitting quietly on a stump, I strained my ears to locate a distant whisper in the dry leaves that littered the forest floor. Something moved in the dawn light, quite possibly the object of my efforts. Staccato footsteps announced that the game was drawing near, close enough to reveal itself soon.
Then it did, a gray stain on the leaves, the twitch of a tail. Slowly, silently, I raised my rifle, took aim, took careful aim, and pulled the trigger. Pop! The sharp crack of my rimfire rifle broke the silence as its tiny projectile barely exceeded the speed of sound before hitting its target, a large male squirrel.
That and many similar scenes happened a long time ago.
Like many young men of the time, I began hunting small game such as rabbits and squirrels. We didn’t have many deer back then and thoughts of hunting them were put aside for later in life. Squirrels were much more abundant, providing ample opportunity to learn, mistake by mistake, the woodworking skills that would one day come in handy when stalking larger, more cautious animals.
Squirrels are still plentiful and the seasons still occur every year, but chasing them has become something of a faded tradition. Great gray squirrels and foxes were once among the most popular game animals in North America with a long history. Naturalist John James Audubon wrote of a hunt he shared with renowned frontiersman Daniel Boone, who demonstrated the art of “barking squirrels.” Instead of trying to hit the squirrel with the projectile from his large-caliber Kentucky long rifle, Boone would hit the bark just below, which would explode with enough concussion to kill the animal.
That legend probably sent a lot of guys trying to recreate the event, and it no doubt rendered some character marks on oak boards that were later sawn for furniture.
Today, most new hunters skip their primary hunting education and graduate directly to big game hunting. Whitetails are much more abundant and popular than they once were, but it seems that those who go directly into deer hunting are missing out on a very important stage of development. Squirrel hunting is a much more informal task. Instead of getting up long before the rooster crows, one can simply wander into the woods in the late afternoon, sit on a stump and wait.
Squirrels are much more numerous, offering ample opportunity to hone aiming and woodworking skills. Failures, mistakes and successes do not mean the end of the day or possibly the season. Lost targets will soon respawn, or be replaced by others, and daily rather than seasonal bag limits ensure the hunt can continue.
While simply sitting or stalking in a forest is effective, there are a few specific tactics that can increase your chances of bringing home some bacon. One is pairing up. Squirrels seem to have the ability to find the other side of a tree when potential predators pass under them. Placing a stationary hunter on one side while their partner turns to the other can sometimes trick them into revealing themselves. Traditionalists who still employ squirrel dogs often use this technique.
Squirrels can even be called outdoors. Some companies still make commercial squirrel calls, but with a little practice, sucking on wet knuckles will sometimes suffice.
Simple stealth and patience remain among the main tactics and skills a young hunter must learn. The constant passage of a human will cause the squirrels to scurry away, but a slow and deliberate stalk will attract less attention and provide more potential opportunities. Sometimes staying still is the best strategy and, without a doubt, the most relaxing. Sitting still on a sunny oak ridge and watching the world around you has its own charm. You can wait for the safest, optimal shooting opportunities and walk away as they present themselves.
And when a successful hunt is complete, you won’t need help lugging your daily bag out of the woods.
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To consistently succeed on public lands under pressure, hunters must go where the deer are and other hunters are not. This flexible style of mobile search can mean moving to a new place every time you feel like it.
But if you’re wearing a climber or pendant every time, it can become a real grind, especially when you’re logging a few significant miles to your next spot. You’ll arrive at the ambush site sweaty, sore, and exhausted before the hunt begins.
Trimming a few ounces here and there from your tree base setup could lighten the load and have a big impact on your overall enjoyment. These simple swaps can make loading, setting up, and tearing down much easier for mobile hunters.
change your seat
Most tree stands come with a bulky, uncomfortable cushion that is noisy and adds unnecessary weight. These seats often freeze in cold weather or become chew toys for squirrels when left outside.
Removing the factory seat and replacing it with a lighter alternative can shed some weight and leave you with a quieter, more comfortable setup. You can easily tie your own mesh, webbing, or netting to create a versatile seat, or purchase a hammock-style seat.
If you do it yourself, you can make this cheap solution for a few dollars. Just make sure the materials you choose are rated for the weight you’ll be placing on them, and use as many tie-down points as possible to ensure your seat is secure.
Attach with AmSteel
If you drag a pendant and climb sticks in the woods every time, chances are you’re messing with heavy straps with noisy hardware. Try swapping these cumbersome materials with easy-to-use AmSteel.
Compact and lightweight, AmSteel has the best strength-to-weight ratio with minimal stretch and maximum wear resistance. Braided Dyneema fibers make AmSteel cable incredibly durable and capable of holding as much as a steel cable at around 15% of the weight.
Some manufacturers sell specific AmSteel designs for tree supports to replace straps, bungees, bow hangers and other components. It is also available by the foot so you can create your own custom AmSteel configuration. Be sure to follow the instructions for proper splicing of AmSteel so that the fibers maintain their integrity.
add helpers
Getting up 20 feet off the ground on a hangout usually requires four or more climbing poles. At a couple of pounds per club, that weight can add up quickly.
But hunters can climb higher with fewer sticks by adding some sort of packable assist device. Constructed of webbing, rope or AmSteel, Climbing Aids can extend the reach of each climbing pole by one or two steps. They can remain attached to a climbing pole, or you can move them with you as you climb the tree. And they weigh a fraction of most climbing poles.
Growing rapidly in popularity among bowhunters, climbing aids are available from various manufacturers, but they’re also easy to make at home with just a few supplies.
Switch to a saddle
Bowhunting from a tree saddle has become the tactic of choice in the last couple of years, but these lightweight systems have been around for decades. Using a series of ropes, climbing tools, a saddle, and a compact platform or ring of tree steps, this elevated style of hunting is ideal for sneaking on public land.
While the average climber or suspended setup could easily top 20 pounds, most saddles weigh in at 1-2 pounds like a feather. Throw in all the necessary accessories and you could still be looking at a setup under 10 pounds.
In addition to significantly reducing weight with the correct setup, arbor mounts also reduce bulk, provide more angle of throw opportunities, and can be much quieter than their all-metal counterparts. If you’re sick of lugging around a heavy tree, consider switching to a saddle.
Stay safe
Taking some weight off your mobile hunting setup might save you some pain and energy, but don’t sacrifice safety to save a few ounces. Make sure your tweaks don’t change the structural stability of your stand and be aware that modifications could void your warranty.
Never overload materials above their weight rating. And just as you monitor the condition of your bracket and steps, regularly check any modifications for signs of wear.
The Missouri Department of Conservation encourages the public to discover nature this summer by hunting squirrels and fishing for largemouth bass. Both seasons open on Saturday, May 22.
SQUIRRELS
The eastern gray squirrel and fox hunting season runs from May 22 to February 15, 2022. Permitted methods include shotguns, rifles, and other legal firearm methods, as well as archery equipment, slingshots, or atlatls . The daily hunt and capture limit is ten and the possession limit is 20. Hunters may hunt squirrels with the following permits: Archery, Daily Small Game, Small Game Hunting and Fishing, and Small Game Hunting.
“Chasing small game is a great way to introduce people to hunting,” said Justin McGuire, MDC education program coordinator. “Because of the long season, liberal daily limits, and abundance of game, squirrel hunting provides many outdoor opportunities during the different seasons in Missouri.”
Squirrels can also be hunted with cage-style traps during hunting season, as long as the hunters have valid permits. Traps must be labeled with the hunter’s full name and address, or Conservation Number, serviced daily, and have an opening of 144 square inches or less.
Learn more about squirrel hunting and trapping in the 2021 Missouri Squirrel Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary at this link.
Have a successful hunt and need recipe suggestions? Explore recipes for squirrels at this link.
BLACK BASS
Anglers can catch and hold Black Bass, such as Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Kentucky/Spotted Bass, from May 22 through February 2022. These fish can be found in most streams south of the Missouri River. Largemouth bass can be legally caught and released year-round anywhere in Missouri, and legal-size bass can be kept year-round away from reservoirs and streams with no closed season. In most state waters, the daily limit for largemouth bass is six. Fish caught in most rivers and streams should be 12 inches long. Additional regulations may apply to specific waters or areas. Anglers must have a valid fishing permit or be exempt.
Find more information on bass fishing in the MDC’s 2021 Missouri Fishing Regulations Summary, available where permits are sold, or online at this link.
Take your permits with you wherever you go in the wild using MDC’s Mo Hunting or Mo Fishing mobile apps. Users can maintain their hunting and fishing permits in the apps, find nearby places to hunt or fish, check area regulations, and more. MO Hunting and MO Fishing apps are available to download for Apple and Android users. Find more information at this link.
Mat Manning offers a few tips for drawing them into your crosshairs…
Come the summer months, when the trees are full of leaves, you’ll likely find shooting squirrels with an airgun considerably more challenging than in winter on bare branches. The dense foliage that covers the canopy of trees can make grays almost invisible.
So what should be done about it? How can you carry out essential pest control when the leaves are full and green? In winter, you can perch near a pheasant feeder and watch the squirrels arrive. Come May and it’s not that simple.
Airguns really excel at shooting squirrels, especially when equipped with a sound moderator.
Squirrel shooting with an air rifle
I decided to create my own squirrel feeding station to attract pests.
The obvious bait seemed to be peanuts. Every once in a while, I get called in to take care of squirrels that are bothering people in their gardens. The offensive bushy-tails are usually concentrated around bird feeders, where they enjoy a free meal of peanuts. In fact, many of the squirrels I’ve shot in my own yard have been killed while raiding hanging nut feeders.
The contents of the wooden hopper spill into a small channel in front of a hole in the base, creating honey trap areas in which squirrels can attack.
taking the bait
My initial attempts at placing shallow wooden trays in trees met with some success, but their limited capacity meant they emptied quickly and constant trips to refill became a nuisance. So, for the last two years, I have been using a wooden hopper. It’s a simple box that, once loaded with peanuts, gradually pours its contents into a small channel in front of a hole in the base, courtesy of gravity. These boxes can be easily set up and moved from tree to tree, and only need to be filled once or twice a week, depending on the number of squirrels in the vicinity. So far they have given excellent results, allowing me to create honey trap areas where I can target squirrels year-round.
configuring
As well as being useful in the summer when shooting squirrels with an air rifle, the feeders also mean I can set up feeding stations in woods that aren’t used by pheasant shoots and where I can’t rely on the lure of grain. of the ranger. . The only drawback is that squirrels tend to chew on the wooden box, so the front needs to be replaced from time to time. I’m trying to persuade a friend to make a metal version to fix the problem.
Squirrels offer the opportunity to combine a variety of weapons and techniques; it all depends on the squirrels, he says…
I try to set up my feeders in areas where squirrels are present in high concentrations, identified by either seeing squirrels or their dreys, or locating the tree species they like best. The feeder is then installed about 5 feet off the ground. This is high enough to keep it out of the way of badgers, but low enough to reload without much difficulty.
Hiding place
Sometimes I go to the trouble of building a hideout, but it’s usually not necessary, as approaching squirrels are more distracted by the need to fill their bellies than by the threat of lurking marksmen. Sit in the shadows with a decent background and you’ll probably go unnoticed. Make sure you have a clear view of the feeder. You need to find a hiding place where you can hunt squirrels at a distance of between 20 and 30 m, depending on your aim, and that has a safe backup. It is worth considering these factors and deciding on a location before attaching the feeder to a tree.
Sit in the shadows with a decent background and you’ll probably go unnoticed
Squirrels are quick to notice changes in their environment and will typically begin visiting peanut feeders within a day or two after they are set up. I have sometimes used monitoring cameras to monitor the number and frequency of visits. I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of wild birds that came by to help themselves to the peanuts. However, you don’t have to do this. Squirrels are pretty messy eaters and their forays are usually indicated by a scattering of nut debris under the hopper.
the grays arrive
During the first few days, small birds such as blue tits, nuthatches and finches are the most frequent visitors, and jays soon join the feast. It’s apparent that the flurry of feathered eaters eventually draws the attention of the resident squirrels, who quickly swoop in on the feast. Squirrels are optimistic about any kind of feeding opportunity and it is amazing how quickly the birds back off once the grays arrive in large numbers. These invasive rodents not only feed on the eggs and young of forest birds, but also starve the adults.
Squirrels deprive adult birds of food
How long should you wait?
Be patient and don’t reach for your airgun yet. The squirrels will attract more of their mates as they scamper back and forth towards the feeder. Usually 6-10 days is about right; if there are no signs of visiting squirrels after a fortnight, the feeder should be moved.
Once the squirrels are enjoying the peanuts, you’ll be on your way to a good bag. Ideally, get into position just before sunrise so you can intercept approaching grays when they venture out for a sunrise binge. The feeder will usually attract a steady trickle of squirrels throughout the day once they get a taste for peanuts – bedheads may need a few more visits to clean squirrels than early birds, but you’ll still get a few shots.
Air guns really shine with this type of pest control, especially when equipped with a sound moderator. The muzzle sound of a silenced pre-charged tire is barely audible, so the squirrels are unlikely to be put off by the sound of your shots. I’ve had up to seven in an hour.
Squirrels won’t be put off by the sound of your gunshots. I’ve had up to seven in an hour.
My experience of all this is that it takes about three or four visits before it’s time to move the feeder and try somewhere else. By then, you should expect to have caught between six and 15 squirrels (best so far is 21 from a single feeder), depending on how many are in the locality.
It is interesting that the birds return to the peanuts after the squirrels have been slaughtered. Which just goes to show how important it is to keep squirrel numbers low.
The air was so cold that my eyes watered. Snow hung heavily from low-lying branches and blanketed the ground, muffling the sound of my footsteps as I made my way through the hardwood trees. Late deer season in Ohio can be pretty quiet, and while I still had a deer tag burning a hole in my backpack, I was zeroing in on the squirrels. After weeks of struggling to even see a deer during gun season, I was thinking of pocketing something.
I saw a flash of gray, a flick of a tail. Just 50 feet away, perched on a branch of hemlock, was a fat gray squirrel. I felt my jacket bunch around my elbow as I drew my bow and nocked an arrow. It hit the target, and the squirrel fell, nearly disappearing into the fluffy snow.
Success. That’s what it was. Going home with something to throw in the Crockpot is always a good feeling. And sometimes, especially when deer season gets tough, it’s nice to just get out there and hunt.
When most big game seasons begin, small game and squirrel seasons keep cabin fever at bay. Don Friday/USFWS
Overlooked hunting opportunity
I grew up hunting squirrels and still enjoy it every year. However, hunting squirrels does not seem to be very popular. Small game in general tends to be overlooked for other larger and more glamorous game. And, in fact, the available data confirms it. According to a 2016 national survey by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, 70% of the 11.5 million hunters in the US in 2016 said they hunted deer. A scant 13 percent, just 1.5 million people, hunted squirrels.
Although squirrels may be grossly underrated, hunting them is just plain fun for beginners and experienced hunters alike. It’s not as difficult, expensive, or time-consuming as big game hunting, and once you find a few honey holes, you’ll find countless opportunities to get out there and shoot some bushy tails.
Here’s why squirrel hunting is actually one of the best hunting opportunities we have.
Squirrel season starts early, runs late, and is a great reason to hit the woods. beka garris
Any method is fine
For starters, most states are pretty lenient on what you can use to hunt squirrels. Shotgun, rifle or bow? Up to you. This also means that most people won’t be limited if they only own one of those. Hunting with a shotgun is probably the easiest option for new people, as it will be a bit harder to miss with one.
Using a rifle chambered in .22LR is not only fun, but also good aiming practice for when new or young hunters move on to bigger game. Also, it makes it easier to take out squirrels with a headshot. This results in less meat being damaged, which is always a good thing since squirrels are small to begin with.
A bow is my weapon of choice, simply because I love bow hunting. It’s a challenge, of course, but it’s worth it, and much calmer. An arrow is less likely to alert nearby squirrels than the crack of a rifle or shotgun blast. Just make sure you bring plenty of arrows though, as I’ve lost a lot of them in the squirrel forest.
it’s affordable
It costs very little to hunt squirrels. A resident small game hunting license is usually a small price to pay and, plus any ammunition you need, you’re good to go. You don’t need any special hunting gear, no expensive camouflage, not even game calls. Wearing the latest and greatest camouflage certainly won’t improve your chances of shooting some squirrels, just like wearing blue jeans and a hoodie won’t hurt them.
You also don’t need a lot of land to successfully hunt squirrels, not even private land. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve hunted squirrels on private land in my 20 years of hunting. Since squirrel hunters are few and far between these days, even a small tract of public land may be your best bet for a successful hunt.
Squirrel seasons are often long, flexible, and perfect for fitting into tight schedules. beka garris
it is flexible
The fact that it doesn’t need much or specialized squirrel hunting gear makes it an ideal candidate for a spontaneous hunt. I rarely plan on squirrel hunting…it just happens. Do you have an extra hour in the middle of the day? Grab your shotgun and go after her.
While the early morning hours and just before dusk are the best times to hunt squirrels, you can still hunt midday and kill your limit. There’s no reason to set your alarm for 4:30am unless you want to, which means it can fit into any hunter’s schedule. Also, the seasons are long, which means you can choose the best days and weather to hunt. Here in Ohio, squirrel season opens on the first of September each year (although in some states squirrel season is open year-round), which means it comes a full month before deer hunters are in the field. forest.
Read next: The ultimate guide to hunting squirrels
Tactics for any style
There are many different methods of hunting squirrels, and there is no single correct way to do it. If you like to stay in one place, you can camp at the base of a tree and wait for the squirrels to call. My brothers and I would often spend an hour or so sitting at the base of a large oak tree, waiting for a squirrel to pop its head out of the trunk and give us a chance. Patience is something you will need in abundance, as will humility, when you learn that a squirrel can wait for you nine times out of ten. Squirrel hunting is also suitable for more restless people and children. If you like to keep moving, walking and stopping to listen from time to time works well.
Also, finding squirrels is not like exploring and modeling deer. A squirrel’s main food source usually consists of some kind of nut, so if you find an area that has hickory, walnut, or oak trees, you’ll find the squirrels.
Walnuts are a good sign that you will find squirrels nearby. beka garris
The odds of success are high
Unlike deer hunting, where a stray or injured animal can feel like a complete failure (or put a novice out of hunting forever), squirrels are low risk for new and young hunters. It’s also a discreet way for experienced hunters to get out into the woods, or have fun during a frustrating deer season, and for older hunters to stay in the game. If you pass or fail one, try again or move on. If you make even one good shot, you’ll have meat to take home.
Read next: A good squirrel hunt will set you up for a lifetime of hunting big game
Develop carpentry skills
Squirrel hunting will help you hone your sense of hearing and tune your eyes to small movements. Being aware of sound and movement is key to being a good hunter, no matter what game you are hunting.
The author’s daughter, carrying a fox squirrel back to the truck. beka garris
It can be social… or not
Squirrel hunting is one of the few types of hunting that I enjoy doing with other people. It’s a great way to introduce new hunters or non-hunters to hunting, and it’s great for all ages. I took my daughter on the squirrel hunt when she was only one year old with excellent success; she even took our lonely squirrel back to the truck.
squirrel meat is great
As if you needed any more reasons to go squirrel hunting, squirrels are extremely good to eat, when cooked properly. Honestly, this is probably my favorite reason to go squirrel hunting, because I enjoy cooking.
Read next: How to Skin and Butcher a Squirrel in 9 Steps
When it comes to preparing squirrels, cooking them low and slow is definitely the way to go. As long as you follow this rule, it doesn’t matter if it’s baked, grilled, smoked, fried, or thrown in the pot. Squirrels tend to be tough, so simply breading them and frying them in hot oil does not usually result in a desirable texture. Take your time though and the end result is absolutely delicious.
The best way to cook squirrel meat is low and slow. beka garris
Recipe: Squirrel Mushroom Bake
2-4 squirrels, quartered
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 white onion, chopped
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/4 cup milk
Salt and pepper
Parmesan
cooking oil
fresh parsley, to decorate
If possible, let your squirrels brine in salt water overnight. Simply fill a container with warm water and add a few teaspoons of salt. Mix until the salt dissolves, then add the squirrel meat and cover. Let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. When you’re ready to make your dish, simply remove the squirrels from the salt water, rinse well, and pat dry with a paper towel. Set aside and continue with the recipe. If you don’t have time, just give the squirrels a good rinse and continue.
Your squirrels should be divided into five sections: both hind legs, both front legs, and the body section. If there are pieces that are too damaged from the shots, simply cut off the damaged part or discard if necessary.
Season the squirrel meat with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, add enough oil to lightly cover the bottom of the pan. Turn the burner on to medium high heat and wait for the oil to heat up.
Add onion, mushrooms and garlic and cook a few minutes until fragrant and mushrooms are cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Add your squirrel pieces to the pan and let them sear until golden brown, turning once. If you need to add a little more oil, feel free to wait for it to heat up before adding the squirrel. Do this in batches if necessary. Don’t worry about cooking the meat, you’re just trying to get a good color on the outside of the meat to add flavor.
Arrange the squirrel, mushrooms, and cooked onion in the bottom of a baking dish. Distribute evenly.
In a large bowl add the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream and milk and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Pour over the squirrel. Sprinkle the top with some Parmesan cheese and cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Cook at 325 degrees for 1 hour. Serve over egg noodles and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
One of the oldest and most popular cartridges of all time, the .30-30 Winchester, was released in 1895 and has been bringing all kinds of games ever since.
The .350 Legend has to catch up if it wants to compete with its 127-year-old predecessor. Released in 2019, the Legend was designed for use in states that restrict deer hunters to straight wall cartridges and was listed as the fastest cartridge currently in production.
Military snipers won’t be adopting either cartridge any time soon, but both enjoy a dedicated following of hunters who appreciate a mid-power option that can get the job done at 250 yards. Which cartridge emerges victorious in this battle between the old school and the new? Read on to find out.
Ballistics
These cartridges are ballistically stacked so closely together that neither can claim to hit harder than the other.
This .350 Legend from Federal, for example, can launch a 160-grain bullet at about 2300 feet per second, while this .30-30 fires a 150-grain bullet at about the same speed. The .350 wins that power matchup, but this 170-grain .30-30 option offers 1,827 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle, while this heavier 180-grain .350 Legend only produces 1,762 ft-lbs.
In most caliber battles, one cartridge clearly offers more power and velocity in a variety of loads and bullet weights. With this matchup, the winner depends on the specific loadouts being compared.
However, as a bottleneck cartridge, the .30-30 has a slight advantage at longer ranges. It’s not a long-range powerhouse by any means, but it can be loaded with more streamlined .30-caliber bullets that offer higher ballistic coefficients (BCs).
Among Federal’s offerings, the highest BC for a .350 Legend is .259 while the highest BC for a .30-30 is .313. (For context, Federal’s highest 6.5 BC Creedmoor clocks in at .607.)
That higher BC allows the .30-30 to maintain a flatter trajectory and resist the wind more effectively. This 170-grain .30-30, for example, drops 7.7 inches at 200 yards and 26.6 inches at 300 yards. In a 10 mph crosswind, the bullet travels 7.4 inches and 17.8 inches at those distances, respectively.
The Legend has more trouble fighting wind and gravity. This 180-grain load from Federal drops 9.4 inches at 200 yards and 34.1 inches at 300 yards. A 10 mph crosswind will move the bullet 8.9 inches and 21.6 inches at those distances.
The .30-30 in this example travels about 5% faster in the muzzle, but drops about 20% less than the .350. That suggests that the difference, at least in part, is due to the bullet.
All of this may sound like hair on end, and it is. These cartridges are remarkably similar ballistically, but the .30-30’s slightly better long-distance performance gives it the edge in this category.
Winner: .30-30 Winchesters
Shooting
We determine the firing capacity of a cartridge considering its cost, availability and recoil energy.
It’s safe to say that your local sporting goods store is more likely to stock the .30-30 Winchester than the .350 Legend. If you expand your search to the World Wide Web, most online dealers offer double the .30-30 options.
Midway USA, for example, which is among the best at keeping ammo in stock, reports 35 varieties of .30-30 while only 15 offerings of .350 Legend. This suggests that in normal times the .30-30 is easier to find.
But these are not normal times. At the time of this writing, five of Midway’s .350 Legend options are in stock, while the company reports that it has no .30-30 cartridges available. It’s a similar story at other online outlets. The .350 Legend is popular enough to warrant continued production, but not popular enough that shelves are empty. Bottom line? It’s a great time to have a rifle chambered in the .350.
Here’s how the cartridges compare, price wise. The .350 Legend costs between $1.15 and $2.30 per round and the .30-30 Winchester between $1.15 and $4.70 per round.
For quality hunting ammunition, expect to pay between $30 and $45 for a box of 20.
Neither cartridge produces a stiff recoil. Upon its release, the Legend was marketed as a light blowback cartridge, and the .30-30 is also known as a good choice for recoil sensitive cartridges. Both register about 9 foot-pounds of energy, about half that of a .308 Winchester.
Competition in this category is as close as ballistics, but at this point, better availability gives the .350 Legend the edge.
Versatility
“Versatility” refers to the range of animals that could realistically be harvested with one cartridge. Both the Legend and the .30-30 feel more comfortable in the medium to large game category, but the .30-30 offers a slightly wider variety of bullet weights and applications.
Federal only offers two bullet weights for the Legend (160 grain and 180 grain). For the .30-30, however, the company offers multiple 150- and 170-grain loads, as well as a 125-grain jacketed hollow point and 170-grain Nosler partition that the company bills as ideal for elk.
Federal does not market any of its .350 Legend options as elk cartridges. This makes sense: the Legend was developed specifically for use in white-tail Midwestern states that require straight-sided cases. The Legend could certainly take down a moose, but “possible” isn’t the same as “ideal.” If you’re looking for a do-it-all cartridge, the .30-30 will likely serve you best.
You’re also more likely to find a rifle in .30-30, especially on the used market. Many companies now offer bolt-action, semi-automatic, and single-shot rifles chambered in the Legend, but the .30-30 can be found in the same variety. There are also thousands more .30-30 pistols floating around on the used market, so if you’re looking to save some change, the older cartridge is the way to go.
Winner: .30-30 Winchesters
And the winner is…
As the winner of two out of three categories, the .30-30 Winchester deserves the mainstream recognition. The .30-30 offers more power at certain loads, better long-range performance, and smooth recoil. The cartridges are (generally) widely available and cost no more than the .350 Legend.
Still, I hope it’s clear how close these cartridges stack. Every competition has a winner, but the truth is that you are unlikely to notice much difference from the white-tailed position.
SOCIAL CIRCLE — Hunters ready to head into the woods don’t have to wait much longer, because squirrel hunting season begins Sunday, according to the Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). from Georgia.
“Many people may think of hunting as just standing still and waiting for your target to come close to you, but squirrel hunting often provides more action, so you may be moving around looking for ole’ bushytail – this creates an opportunity perfect for engaging an energetic youngster or someone new to hunting,” said Alan Isler, WRD Game Management Section Chief.
Squirrel season begins August 15 and lasts through February 28, 2022, and hunters can go after both gray squirrels and foxes.
The maximum daily bag limit is 12 per hunter. However, new this year, some WMAs have a limit on the capture of fox squirrels.
the two species
Both gray squirrels and foxes can be found throughout Georgia.
The gray squirrel, abundant in both rural and urban areas, is the most common species. Although primarily associated with hardwood forests, grays can also be found in mixed pine-hardwood forests. Predominantly gray, with white underparts, gray squirrels appear to have a slimmer body than fox squirrels, weighing between 12 ounces and 1.5 pounds.
Fox squirrels have various color phases, ranging from silvery gray with a predominantly black head, to solid black, to a light beige or brown tinged with reddish yellow. Generally larger than grays, fox squirrels range in weight from 1 pound to almost 3 pounds. They are most closely associated with mature pine and mixed pine/hardwood habitats, and especially in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions.
BLAINE COUNTY, Okla. (TNN) – Oklahoma has one of the longest squirrel seasons in the country, lasting from May to January.
It’s the longest hunting season in the state overall.
And while it’s more of an outdoor hobby these days, 7 News Anchor Makenzie Burk found one of the few remaining squirrel hunters in northwest Oklahoma.
He’s got more on his latest outdoor adventure.
Squirrel hunting is more common in eastern Oklahoma because of the wood, but Chris Ross and his dog Jet are doing their best to keep this dying art alive.
“I’ve been doing it for six years with the dog, but pretty much my whole life,” Ross said.
His dog, Jet, is a trained squirrel fighter.
“They are the smallest dogs, only about 20 pounds,” Ross said. “And they do their job, you know. They just keep track of the squirrels and then catch them. They use all of their senses… sight, hearing, smell, so they’re good at tracking.”
Ross says that he trains them when they are puppies using squirrel tails.
“They become familiar with the smell,” Ross said. “After that it’s just taking it into the woods and really walking. I mean a lot of time and effort put into it.”
Once Jet was looking for a squirrel, the hard part starts trying to find it. With squirrel hunting, you spend a lot of time looking up.
Ross loves it because it’s something the whole family can do. And it’s a great opportunity to teach kids about gun safety.
“Get the kids out and they can be loud, they don’t have to be quiet, you know,” Ross said. “And they can chase their dog or someone else’s dog that you know, and they really enjoy it and they can shoot the .22 or .410 and not have a problem.”
Although the limit per person is 25, Ross says that 10 to 12 is enough for him and his family to eat.
“Oh yeah, they are really tasty, everyone tries to say that everything tastes like chicken. I mean it tastes like squirrel,” Ross said. “It’s similar to chicken, you can do the same recipes or something like that. So there are Jamaican chicken recipes, chicken wing recipes, I mean, there are a lot of things. Or you can cook them and make them into jambalaya, gumbo, anything like that. I mean, like I said, I’ve been eating it my whole life, so it’s good meat.”
For those who want to get started in squirrel hunting, there are several Facebook groups for Oklahoma squirrel hunters. Even though very few people do, he says there are still plenty of people who would be willing to bring someone new with them.
“I promise you, they’ll get you out,” Ross said. “They just want people to enjoy their dogs. They do a lot of training and spend a lot of time with them, you know. We spend a lot of time with our dogs, so it means a lot to us when they go out and can make people happy.”
He hopes more people will take up the hobby, because it’s a tradition he says is worth passing on.
“Enjoy the outdoors,” Ross said. “I mean I really enjoy it. I’m glad my dad took me out to do this kind of stuff, and I can pass it on to my kids, and my kids enjoy it too.”
Copyright 2021 Texoma News Network. All rights reserved.
In 2021, hunters in West Virginia took 42,143 whitetail deer. It’s safe to assume that most of them were taken over by law-abiding white-tailed wackos who worked hard to do everything by the rules.
Unfortunately, a deer, which likely would have been in the top 1% of deer hunted nationwide last year, became the focus of an investigation after the West Virginia Natural Resources Police (WVNRP) received a notice that the deer had been poached rather than legally harvested.
WVNRP Officer 1st Class Jacob Miller responded to the tip and first contacted Ronnie Stumbo II, the alleged violator, to get his story. Stumbo told Miller that he had shot the deer with a rifle in neighboring Lincoln County on Nov. 26, 2021, and left the guts there. But after Miller and Stumbo drove to the field and searched in the dark for half an hour, Stumbo admitted that he actually shot the deer in Mingo County, one of four counties in West Virginia where only handgun shooting is practiced. arc, and then verified it in Lincoln County. . Stumbo then took Miller to the actual poaching location.
“The deer was shot in a church parking lot,” Miller told MeatEater. “[Stumbo] he actually used the church as some sort of cover to get close to the deer. She stood behind the building and shot the deer out of the parking lot, and the deer ran. She fired again, actually towards some houses, and the deer was killed in the creek.”
This wasn’t just any run-of-the-mill white-tailed deer. According to a post on the WVNRP Facebook page, the male would likely have scored in the 180-inch class, with a 19 ¼-inch spread and 14 scoring points. In the pictures, the main beams look thicker than those from a gas station.
“Because we are a bow-only county, the deer have a lot more time to grow and have a better age structure. The genetics are definitely there,” Miller said. “We have a lot of what you call trophy class deer, 160 to 180 deer, some 190. Our state record is in the 190s and it comes from one of those four bow-only counties.”
Stumbo’s case was tried in Mingo County Magistrate’s Court, where he was fined $9,842. The judge found him guilty on six counts, including improper gambling control and providing false information, according to the court clerk. The value of that particular deer was factored into the fine calculation, resulting in a higher price than it might have been if Stumbo had poached a less impressive deer.
But some hunters denounced the nature of the punishment in comments on WVNRP’s Facebook post and elsewhere. Many thought the fine was too small and demanded that the poacher face jail time. West Virginia has dealt with some pretty big poaching cases recently, and the hunting community is understandably frustrated. But Officer Miller offered a slightly different point of view.
“I’ve been in law enforcement for a long time, and I’ve always had that problem with the magistrates and the prosecution, that they don’t want to put anybody in jail,” Miller said. “A lot of magistrates are now taking these cases more seriously, but I think a lot of times, the way they see it, these people are in poverty – they can’t afford to buy groceries, so how are we going to fine? So much for a deer or a turkey? They don’t see it the same way athletes do.”
Clearly, though, you can still feed your family while following the rules of the game. West Virginia regulations allow hunters to hunt multiple deer per season, especially females. At the end of the day, Stumbo was caught because someone had the courage to submit a tip, something Officer Miller asks the rest of the public to feel comfortable doing.
“No one wants to make that call,” Miller said. “It’s very close down here, they’re all friends. There will be a family member or lifelong friend who does this and you will be very reluctant to report it. But that’s the way we catch them. You’re not just helping yourself and the area around you, you’re helping the entire state.”
This hunting season begins with the squirrels from August 21 to February 28. Small game hunting of rabbit, quail and capercaillie will start in November, while falconry will start in September.
As hunting season begins, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife urges people to keep hunting safety in mind. When hunting with a firearm, always keep the gun safe and be aware of where the gun is pointed when not in use.
When in doubt, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife advises people to consult this year’s Kentucky Game and Trap Guide.
“Be sure to check the [hunting and trapping guide] just to see if any regulations have changed because sometimes they change from year to year,” said Conservation Officer Arthur Gayheart. “It’s always good to just go over and make sure you know the regulations for that year.”
For more information on squirrel season regulations or to see when other seasons begin, visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
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