Dealing with tree rats

[vintage hunter]

I don't know Jim, I've seen crows shot with them that were still alive when recovered and armadillos just scurry off to it's hole like nothing happened. My Jack Russell caught one before it disappeared so we did an autopsy and found the bullet had penetrated the shell and caused a large superficial wound in the flesh, didn't even break the shoulder bone. IMO, the 17 is too destructive for squirrels if one intends on eating them but not enough for anything else. I'll stick with the .22 LR and if that don't do the job I have a .22 Magnum. Would'nt mind giving the 5mm a try though.

[browningautorifle]

I know that with .22 hi vel, like a yellow jacket or stinger...raccoons don't do well at all. You have to head shoot them though. When we were kids taking them for pelt, we had to shoot them right between the eyes and they gave no more trouble. Squirrels just get a CB long and providing I hit them right, they go down. Otherwise they have to get a second one. No shock value there because of low speed...

[catman]

No worries cat. Maybe you need a bigger gun. BTW, what are you shooting them with, a 17?

I use a 22 LR. Some of them I have shot 4-5 times and they still wont die. I don't know how they are up north by you, but down here, they get around 30 lbs or so, very mean, sometimes with rabies and are almost impossible to kill without using a much larger gun, however, I can't do that "here".
I have heard that they are good eating, but I can't chance getting diseases from one. Besides-- I'm not really a meat eater, which is why I'm not a hunter. Don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against people who like to hunt, as long as they are eating it all, and not just using the head as a trophy, like many "hunters" do down here. I always find dead deer on my property (in N.Fl) that have been poached, only to take the head and leave the rest, so I have an issue with that.
Speaking of hunting property, I've got 23.5 acres of forest/hunting property for sale in N. Fl. should anyone be looking to buy property in N. Fl. and 2 acres in the N.Ga. mountains too.
Thanks,
Chuck

[browningautorifle]

Yes, 30 plus is a normal up here too. I had one big enough she couldn't fit in the big trap for raccoon...she'd go in and hit the treadle but her butt was still sticking out...I'd have wanted an AR for that one...or buckshot. The rest fit in the trap like it was a house for them.

[catman]

The things are real smart too. I watched them, 2 different times, stick their paw around the door and pull the drop bar back up and then push the door open and get out.
I've even had 1 unzip my tent to come inside, I wacked his hand with my flash light and he took off running, I couldn't stop laughing, my girlfriend didn't think it was so funny.
Still laughing,
Chuck

[WarPig1976]

[QUOTE=catman;281980] I've got 23.5 acres of forest/hunting property for sale in N. Fl. should anyone be looking to buy property [ /QUOTE]

Oh boy.!! A Florida land deal,,,watch out.!!...

Tough little buggers them coons.!

[catman]

[QUOTE=WarPig1976;281987]

I've got 23.5 acres of forest/hunting property for sale in N. Fl. should anyone be looking to buy property [ /QUOTE]

Oh boy.!! A Florida land deal,,,watch out.!!...

Tough little buggers them coons.!

Yeah, but it doesn't have any bridges on it, but loaded with game.

[vintage hunter]

I know all about the ''hunters'' from down there cause right now they all up here.
Yep, coons are smart critters. My dad used to jokingly say if left alone long enough they could figure out how to open a combination lock.

[jmoore]

I don't think I've ever had such a fat laden squirrel as one of the few I bagged today. Pine nut fat. Ought to be interesting seeing if it adds anything. Nice light fluffy fat. Mini bacon???

[WarPig1976]

Does anyone care to share his recipe for tree rat??