My introductory ground squirrel hunting primer-
California ground squirrel hunting basics
So you’ve got your rifle sighted in, plenty of pellets, and your chiropractor on speed dial- You’re ready to go hunting!
Look for an area with lots of burrows and squirrel activity. Find a good spot within a realistic range for you, preferably out of view of your neighbors the vegetarian PETA charter members. Get into a nice comfortable position and maybe fire off a ranging shot or two since the squirrels all disappeared once you got within ten yards of the longest shot you’re capable of making. Now wait a while (usually 10-15 minutes past the time your butt goes numb) until the squirrels settle and start to peek out at you. Often while you’re looking at the target area through your scope one will run out right in front of you maybe 5 yards out and freeze while you frantically calculate the holdover on such a near shot. The nanosecond before you squeeze the trigger, it will duck as the pellet zooms harmlessly overhead and then dive down a burrow, spooking all his buddies. Wait another 15-20 minutes longer and look! There’s one within range! Carefully line up….. (breathe)---- squeeeeeeze---OOPS! What the? Oh, heh, heh, safety’s still on! The tiny snick of the safety sends him and all his buddies back into hiding for the rest of the day. Ain’t this fun? Now’s the time to make that chiropractor appointment- hopefully you can still walk well enough to get there!
Good hunting, John
