I still can't believe I'm going to do it, but tomorrow before the sun comes up I'm going to drive 100 miles due west of me for the chance at picking off a limit of 5 squirrels. I could do that 100 feet from my house in the ravine off my neighbors deck with a couple of air rifles I have, but where's the challenge in that? Besides, I've been told the wild life around the house are pets. I can't shoot the pets. Except for the raccoons.

I've been wanting to get out there to do this for about 7 years now. I get to use a .22. I happen to have an old Savage .22/410 over under that is perfect for squirrels. Plus I'll have my 20 gauge in the car in case I really suck with the .22. Normally I'm very good, but it's been awhile since I've shot it. Iron sights, no scope. I like the challenge.

Rockwood Morrison State Park. Lake Carlton.

Once a long time ago the idea was to hit as much public hunting land as possible to show guys how easy it was to do. Okay, not so much easy, but do-able if you make the effort. I just started hunting around 2000 and was trying to figure it all out myself. Like my fishing reports, I wanted to show that even in your 40s you can figure this stuff out and do well if you try. That project got shelved in 2005. Before that I did hit Iroquios, Kankakee, Des Plaines, Marseilles and Silver Spring before stopping. Iroquois and Kankakee quite a bit. Pheasant with no dogs and squirrel. Occasional dove. Plus goose at Kankakee, where I got one, and the Fox, where I got the opportunity to get ducks but blew it when I realized I called them in, was all proud of myself and my shotgun was sitting 7 feet away on the other side of the blind.

Of course I also have all my fishing gear in the car. There's the lake and a little creek of course named Rock Creek that runs through it. We'll see how tired I get.

How did you do?

Question, when eating squirrel do you find yourself talking like a redneck for a couple hours after ?

MattC wrote:Question, when eating squirrel do you find yourself talking like a redneck for a couple hours after ?

Actually, through the whole process of getting ready, doing it, cleaning up afterward and then eventually cooking them.

Hit 6, but 3 disappeared after they hit the ground. I hate when that happens. Can't be good for them.
3 are in the freezer waiting for my daughter to come home from U of I.
She likes them as much as I do.

Have you eaten any of those black squirrels? I have been seeing more of those around lately in dupage and have seen a bunch in northwest illinois.

MattC wrote:Have you eaten any of those black squirrels? I have been seeing more of those around lately in dupage and have seen a bunch in northwest illinois.

That I probably wouldn't do. Too unique of a critter yet. When all you see is black squirrels, then I'll do it.

Would make them much easier to see after a snowfall. I like to hunt then, you get to track them.