So here's the deal: I grew up in Texas chasing deer and varmints with a rifle. Then I got married, moved north, and somehow managed to sit on the bench for the last 15 years. My camo probably smells more like mothballs than mesquite at this point.

Now I live just outside of Chicago, and my 4-year-old son has decided he's obsessed with hunting. He's not ready to pull a trigger yet, but he is ready to act as my "assistant/guide/official game startler." Basically, I'll be the one doing the shooting, and he'll be the one scaring off everything within 100 yards.

I figure squirrels are a good place to start: low stakes, plenty of action, and something even I can (hopefully) hit after all these years. Problem is, here in the Land of Lincoln, it's mostly shotguns only… and I've never owned one. Zero clue where to even begin.

So what should I be looking for? Gauge, action, models that won't beat me up but also won't leave me chasing squirrels into the next county? I'd love to get us off on the right foot so this turns into a lifelong habit instead of "that one time Dad missed everything and the kid lost interest."

Appreciate any guidance you guys can give!

Can't go wrong with a Remington 870 pump. 20 gauge is great for squirrels, if you anticipate larger game go with a 12 gauge.

20ga Remington 870 will kill everything you want. Then when he gets to be about 11 or 12 or 13 you can hand it to him for his first shotgun.

I have a Yildiz O/U youth 20 gauge I will sell you for $250. Great starter shotgun and only shot about 50 times.

Alright I'll have to check out 870s. Thanks for the recommendations!

Oh wow thanks so much for the offer! What length is the barrel? Think it'd be something I'd (6'1") be able to comfortably shoot?

anthroAg said:

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Oh wow thanks so much for the offer! What length is the barrel? Think it'd be something I'd (6'1") be able to comfortably shoot?

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I used it several times without thinking it was uncomfortable, but I am 5'11".

i have a matching full size Yildiz 20 gauge that I would also sell you for $250.

I know this isnt popular in TexAgs, but a grown man's first shotgun should be a gas operated 12ga. The Berreta Outlander is one of the most reliable actions ever built. If you want to shoot squirrel find lighter loads, lots of companies make 3/4oz loads for 12ga, which is the same load as most 20ga rounds.

Wow thanks so much for the offer. Let me do a little research but I'll let you know ASAP!

I'm listening. A buddy suggested a 12ga, too. What're the upsides, in your opinion, Gunslinger? I like the idea of being able to hunt ducks or even deer.

Where are you located? Been looking for a youth shotgun.

Hope you have your FOID card - the Communist Republic of IL will want to track you as a gun owner on every firearm and ammunition purchase you make.

20ga is just deadly on deer and ducks. If you have ever shot slugs for deer you will grab anything but a 12ga.

anthroAg said:

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I'm listening. A buddy suggested a 12ga, too. What're the upsides, in your opinion, Gunslinger? I like the idea of being able to hunt ducks or even deer.

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The advantage is that it is never not enough gun, and I want a first gun to do as much as possible with as little recoil as possible. Its a bigger gun, with a gas recoil system, so the recoil reduced. Living in IL you will have plenty of opportunity to goose hunt, and when hunting more pellets are better.

There are a lot of advantages to a sub-gauge gun. They are lighter and easier to carry into the field, most point really well since they are on smaller frames. I shoot 20ga and quite a bit of 28ga and really like them both. But for a first gun that can more easily kill anything just by picking the right ammo, I recommend a 12ga.

Thats my .02 and it probably isnt worth that.

My favorite squirrel gun is a lever action 410.

Be sure to aim ahead of them, to mostly hit them in the head.

steven2007 said:

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Where are you located? Been looking for a youth shotgun.

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Houston

Depending on where you are located in the Chicagoland area, I live 2-3 hours away in SW Michigan. Small game season starts soon here and out of state permits are inexpensive. Lots of state land to hunt, too. I have a few guns you could try out, to see pros and cons of each type. Let me know if you're interested in connecting, and we can figure out a way to meet up.

I don't know much at all about IL, I avoid it like the plague, but IN and MI are pretty hunter friendly. I think WI and IA are both worlds better than IL.

To your original question--You can go into dang near any gun shop in the Midwest and find a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 in 12 or 20 gauge. These are inexpensive guns that, most importantly, allow for inexpensive barrel swaps between slugger and smooth bore. A rifled slug barrel with cantilevered scope mount is pretty devastating for deer out to 150 yards or more. DO NOT buy the combo that doesn't include the cantilevered scope mount, as that requires re-mounting a scope and re-zeroing every time you change barrels. Its up to you whether you go 12 or 20, but I admit that zeroing a modern 12 ga sabot slug is a punishing experience. There are a few more options for slugs in 12 ga, but deer will be just as dead with either.

AggieGunslinger said:

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anthroAg said:

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I'm listening. A buddy suggested a 12ga, too. What're the upsides, in your opinion, Gunslinger? I like the idea of being able to hunt ducks or even deer.

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The advantage is that it is never not enough gun, and I want a first gun to do as much as possible with as little recoil as possible. Its a bigger gun, with a gas recoil system, so the recoil reduced. Living in IL you will have plenty of opportunity to goose hunt, and when hunting more pellets are better.

There are a lot of advantages to a sub-gauge gun. They are lighter and easier to carry into the field, most point really well since they are on smaller frames. I shoot 20ga and quite a bit of 28ga and really like them both. But for a first gun that can more easily kill anything just by picking the right ammo, I recommend a 12ga.

Thats my .02 and it probably isnt worth that.

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Deer and squirrels won't care whether its 12 or 20, but lots more ammo choices for chasing larger birds--waterfowl and turkey.

Oh man, for squirrels, I LOVED my .22lr bolt-action. Lining up the shot. The stalk. Getting ready. Iron Sights. You get one shot, and have to make it count.

So we are all going to just gloss over the fact he is using his 4 yo to flush game for him?

Be sure to put an orange vest on him first.

Champion of Fireball said:

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So we are all going to just gloss over the fact he is using his 4 yo to flush game for him?

Be sure to put an orange vest on him first.

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I took it to mean his son would be alerting game to their presence by not being able to sit still or sit quietly.

Bradley.Kohr.II said:

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My favorite squirrel gun is a lever action 410.

Be sure to aim ahead of them, to mostly hit them in the head.

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As someone who grew up squirrel hunting with various .410s, I think recommending one is terrible advice. Better for squirrels than birds, but they're an expert's shotgun.

That said, I killed innumerable squirrels with an old Savage .410 with a box magazine and a site welded on a full choke barrel, but that's about the least optimal setup to bring down a squirrel humanely.

Now I have that, plus various pump and lever action .410s I may pull out of the safe occasionally to take to the woods, but it's about the worst recommendation I could make to someone else.

? What problems did you have with it?

Interested, I live in South Houston area. Unable to send a DM, are you able to send one to me for details?

steven2007 said:

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Interested, I live in South Houston area. Unable to send a DM, are you able to send one to me for details?

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I am in Norman unloading children. I will send details and picks when i get back to Houston this weekend.

So much good info in this thread! Thanks to all who replied. A few notes:
I've got my FOIDI've got guns, just no shotguns. Good ol' IL…
I'm not using the kid to (intentionally) flush game. He's just far from stealthy.
Enjoying all the perspectives!

Oh wow. Really appreciate the offer to connect as well as the input. We lived in MI for a few years. Love it there!

We're west of Chicago but SW MI isn't a bad trek at all.