Neat article; I was just thinking about getting the .22 out and having some squirrel and dumplings this weekend now that it's gotten cooler.

https://m.chron.com/sports/outdoors/article/Squirrel-hunting-not-as-popular-as-it-used-to-be-13334697.php

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October has for generations been a most welcomed, if busy, month for hunters who pursue their recreation in the forests and fields of eastern Texas.

But the focus of their interest and enthusiasm has taken a dramatic, continuing and transformative shift over the past four decades. Most of those hunters have moved away from the quarry their ancestors and many of their younger selves saw as their primary game of choice - small game; squirrels, particularly, but rabbits, too - to white-tailed deer, a big-game species that dominates an increasing percentage of the nation's hunters' interest.

This shift has seen a large segment of the hunting community abandon or simply skip what long has been the foundational activity on which the region's hunters built their skills, woods-craft as well as cementing connections to the land, its wildlife and their cultural and social history.

Participation in hunting small game - specifically, squirrels and rabbits - has plummeted in Texas (and nationally) over the past four decades. The numbers are startling and reflect a long-term shift in hunter demographics in Texas and the nation.

The number of hunters pursuing squirrels in Texas in 1981 was estimated at almost a quarter-million - 231,000, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's annual small-game survey from that year. Almost all of those hunters were in eastern Texas, with the majority in heavily forested, squirrel-rich Pineywoods ecological region in the far eastern portion of the state and a smaller number in the adjacent Post Oak Savanna.

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My dad talks a lot about all the squirrel hunting they did growing up in Lee county.
I've never been though, I feel like this is something I should look into -- thanks for the reminder

Taking my 9 year old for the first time in a couple of weeks.

Grew up hunting cat squirrels in the Sabine River bottoms, but haven't been in years

Opening weekend every year with my brothers in Cass County.

The scatter gun brings home a lot more squirrels than the 22.

Sidebar:

I have a neighbor who really really hates the squirrels digging up his lawn, potted plants, patio seat cushions. Is there CO2 or other pellet gun that he may use to take skillet shots at these pesky tree rats? He lives in the city and wants to make this as inconspicuous as possible. Thoughts? Recommendations?

Squirrel hunting has always been my favorite.

Did a lot growing up, but not so much now. My grandmother made a great squirrel mulligan.

Loved hunting them with friends in NC growing up but hated skinning those damn tree rats.

Probably has a lot to do with how much more free time folks had back in the day compared to now.

Some of my favorite type of hunting, and I always wish I could do it more often. And they are some of my favorite critters to eat. Listening to the Meateater podcasts and watching the show when he's hunting with Kevin Murphy, really makes me want to get a couple squirrel dogs.

Before they sold my grandmother's land I used to go as often as I could. Now, I can't figure out where I can go squirrel hunting. I have two new rifles that I haven't even hunted with yet.

CanyonLakeAg said:

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Probably has a lot to do with how much more free time folks had back in the day compared to now.

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I think it has a lot more to do with the cultural change we are going through. Hunting isn't the right of passage it was 100 years ago, land ownership has dwindled (or at least there are a lot less places to go to actually hunt, probably a better way of saying it). We have more food than we know what to do with at our local grocery store, and the less common game animals like squirrel, rabbit, beaver, etc. that were once a staple of diets because not everybody could go buy a prime ribeye are simply not as popular as they were and have given way to more mainstream meats (beef, pork, chicken). Even things like lamb and goat are less common as standard fare today than they were years ago.

I used to sit on our back deck with my Marlin 39A loaded with CB's and pick off squirrels - we had more of them in our area due to the undeveloped land behind our house than you could shake a stick at. One day dad and I were outside frying up our Thanksgiving turkey and we quit counting at 40 - there were that many. Made for great targets, and they had little in the way of predators. The occasional hawk would take up residence and pick a few off, but by in large they reproduced unchecked.

Ya, b/c no one wants to eat a tree rat.

I like to shoot 'em with a daisy red rider... just enough to stun 'em and knock them out of my pecan trees in the back yard and then watch the Wirehair Fox Terrier and the Bloodhound pup rip them apart in a glorious tug-o-war.

That, my friend, is the end of life tree rats deserve and have earned for a myriad of issues they cause to property and for being the all around, general nuisance they are.

Ok. Better now.

_89

I shoot about 2 squirrels a week in my back yard.

Don't forget to check the law applicable to your county.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/regs/animals/squirrel

Planning on taking out the old Model 24 next weekend!

Been about 5 years since it's put one in the pot, but I feel like dusting it off.

FincAg said:

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Sidebar:

I have a neighbor who really really hates the squirrels digging up his lawn, potted plants, patio seat cushions. Is there CO2 or other pellet gun that he may use to take skillet shots at these pesky tree rats? He lives in the city and wants to make this as inconspicuous as possible. Thoughts? Recommendations?

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He better be a damn good shot with a pellet. The most opportune time to shoot them is in a branch or fence top when they are scouting. In this day and age, a pellet hitting a next door window, etc, will be legal y painful.

Done my share of squirrel hunting.

It is how I learned to be still, quiet and attentive during a hunt.

texag_89 said:

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Ya, b/c no one wants to eat a tree rat.

I like to shoot 'em with a daisy red rider... just enough to stun 'em and knock them out of my pecan trees in the back yard and then watch the Wirehair Fox Terrier and the Bloodhound pup rip them apart in a glorious tug-o-war.

That, my friend, is the end of life tree rats deserve and have earned for a myriad of issues they cause to property and for being the all around, general nuisance they are.

Ok. Better now.

_89

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Especially since:

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Squirrels start damaging pecans as they are sizing in late July/early August and throughout harvest. They can damage half a pound of pecans per day.

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Tree rats and crows can devastate a pecan operation.

FincAg said:

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Sidebar:

I have a neighbor who really really hates the squirrels digging up his lawn, potted plants, patio seat cushions. Is there CO2 or other pellet gun that he may use to take skillet shots at these pesky tree rats? He lives in the city and wants to make this as inconspicuous as possible. Thoughts? Recommendations?

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Many squirrels met their maker at the hands of my old Benjamin .22 pellet rifle. You have to bring them in somewhat close, but inside of about 30 yards a .22 cal pellet at 700fps will kill them dead.

Good to know. He has been looking at the Hatson Model 95 .117, Gamo Varmint .117 and the Ruger Blackhawk .117 all of which are around 1000 to 1200 fps. His worry is pellet holes through his cedar fence, but with the proper angle I assume he could avoid that.

Yet squirrel punting is as popular as ever

The triggering wire might be too low on this model but perhaps he makes a version that will work for squirrels.



Tree Rats have killed more people with their attacks on our electrical grid than Russian or Chinese hackers.

AZAG08 said:

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My dad talks a lot about all the squirrel hunting they did growing up in Lee county.
I've never been though, I feel like this is something I should look into -- thanks for the reminder

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My father grew up in Lee county as well and had a very similar stories. Hell we are probably related.

My first hunting trips were for squirrel.

My dad, in his 70's, claims that squirrel meat is better than beef.

I cannot confirm or deny this.

goatchze said:

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Opening weekend every year with my brothers in Cass County.

The scatter gun brings home a lot more squirrels than the 22.

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A shotgun is also a far safer choice. Not many places these days where you can fire a .22 up in the air at a 45 degree or higher angle and not be in danger of the bullet coming down within range of people.

Ok, since Tree Rats only exist within urban/suburban West Texas, this fetish with "hunting" and eating vermin - and the subsequent love affair - must be an "East of I-35", East Texas thing.

Man, you guys are stepping ever so close to a Coon-A$$ like way of life with all this Tree Rat talk.

What's next, Nutria, Coons..... Possums?? What about Carp... want to fry up a big batch of Carp??

Have at it, I guess.

Agree! Used to love squirrel hunting as a kid. Just never take the time anymore.

Coon isn't bad grilled with BBQ sauce. Can't confirm the others though.

Strongweasel97 said:

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FincAg said:

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Sidebar:

I have a neighbor who really really hates the squirrels digging up his lawn, potted plants, patio seat cushions. Is there CO2 or other pellet gun that he may use to take skillet shots at these pesky tree rats? He lives in the city and wants to make this as inconspicuous as possible. Thoughts? Recommendations?

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He better be a damn good shot with a pellet. The most opportune time to shoot them is in a branch or fence top when they are scouting. In this day and age, a pellet hitting a next door window, etc, will be legal y painful.

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My 3x neighbor was shooting squirrels with the pellet gun
Old lady behind him called the cops
Instead of a warning he got to spend the night in jail bc had a warrant out for a ticket

Miss that dumb sip lover

Tx95Ag said:

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Coon isn't bad grilled with BBQ sauce. Can't confirm the others though.

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Now, there are plenty of coons in WT and I have treed and shot many in my life - using Lacys to Redbones to Treeing Walkers - but only for the hides.

Old man - '62 - said in Burnet county when he was a kid growing up on the ranch at the Lake, the Cedar Chopper families would take all the coon carcasses my dad and his brothers would give them during Coon Season.

But, even Cedar Choppers would not eat squirrel. .

Head shots with a .22 to save the meat ftw.

texag_89 said:

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Ok, since Tree Rats only exist within urban/suburban West Texas, this fetish with "hunting" and eating vermin - and the subsequent love affair - must be an "East of I-45", East Texas thing.

Man, you guys are stepping ever so close to a Coon-A$$ like way of life with all this Tree Rat talk.

What's next, Nutria, Coons..... Possums?? What about Carp... want to fry up a big batch of Carp??

Have at it, I guess.

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FIFY