Short Squirrel Hunt

[longislandhunter]

Had to sit home most of the day waiting for a heating oil delivery but as soon as the guy arrived and the tank was filled I grabbed the B26-2 .177 and headed for the duck farm.  It was almost 2:30 when I parked the truck at the farm and looking around all I saw were starlings perched in every tree in sight.  I could hardly wait to load a pellet and find a good sniping location, however starling hunting was not meant to be today  :(      The birds were so skiddish that it was impossible to get close enough to get a shot.  I tried hiding behind an old oil tank that was within 20 yards of a favorite roosting tree, but the birds just wouldn't land.  Giving up on the birds I decided to still hunt the woods that border the farm and try and find a tree rat or two.  

I worked my way around almost the entire farm without spotting any tree rats.   As I entered a section of woods that borders a large lake at the south end of the farm I spotted a small flock of ducks in the shallows near the shore.  I had no intention of shooting any ducks, especially since it would be illegal, but I decided to see how close I could get to the ducks before they spotted me so I started a slow determined stalk through the thin woods.  I was about 20 yards from the ducks when all of a  sudden my attention was drawn to  the middle of a large tree on the bank of the lake,,, something was moving up there.  

I scanned the tree and it didn't take long to spot a good sized squirrel feeding on something half way up the tree.  My attention immediately switched from the ducks to the squirrel.  He was sitting on a limb and I had a good clear shot, but as I brought the gun up he spotted the movement and raced 10 feet higher into the tree and disappeared inside a hole in the trunk.    I pulled my camo folding seat of my back and sat down behind a tree large enough to give some cover.  I figured I'd just sit tight for 10 or 15 minutes and wait him out.  Sure enough, after about 10 minutes I see his nose emerge, then his head, then he crawls completely out and takes a nice sitting position on a large branch near the hole.  Just the pose I was looking for  :)

Placed the crosshairs of the golden antler on his noggin and sent a GAMO Tomahawk speeding his way.  The pellet hit home with that lovely "POP" and the tree rate simply rolled off the branch  and fell to the ground hitting with a loud "thump".  The small flock of ducks erupted into flight as the squirrel slammed into the ground.  Picked up my trophy and hunted my way back towards the truck.   Made sure I took a couple of pics for my GTA huntin buddies...  

Jeff

[Gene_SC]

Great account Jeff and your B-26-2 still looks like it came out of the box...:) And that squirrel is a big one as well.. How far do you think he was from you when you let the tomahawk go?

Gene

[shadow]

Right in the sweetspot buddy, great shot and the 26-2 look's fantastic sitting there next to her trophy.:) I pull mine out at times just to wipe her down and look at the great lines on her. Super pic's buddy and great hunt story. Ed

[Big_Bill]

Great shootin Jeff,

Beautiful baby and trophy also, your B-26 looks better than new !

Your a patient manJeff !

Thanks for sharing your hunt with us.

Bill

[longislandhunter]

Thanks guys,,,,

Gene,,, range to the "noggin"  was just a tad over 30 yards.

Bill,, it was easy to wait this guy out,,,,, the spot I was sitting in was a beautiful section of woods bordering a large pond with a multitude of ducks and geese swimming all over.  It was such a peaceful and beautiful spot I could've sat there until dark.  

As for the rifle,,,,,, yeah, she's still lookin sweet  :)

I pamper all of my rifles, am as careful as I can be with them while still using them for their intended purpose which is hunting,, and before and after each use they all get a nice rub down with a treated cloth and are gingerly put away in the gun safe.  

Jeff

[only1harry]

Good shooting as usual Jeff.  Nice pics too!  That's a good looking B26.  We 've had some unusually nice weather for hunting in NY.  I 'm glad you took advantage of it.  I tried to get out to the woods but work kept calling me.  I spent all the nice 50 & 60deg. days indoors (arghh@#%)!