Squirrel Shot Placement
- Thread starter SHTF
- Start date
The heart and lung shot works great...I do use it from time to time but I've gotten accustomed to using brain shots almost exclusively. It's a bit easier for me to visualize the location of the brain, regardless of what angle the squirrel presents to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA9nN_IkdfE
The vitals shot does yield a less animated expiration so I get that appeal but another reason I prefer the brain shot is it produces an instantaneous halting of consciousness and I view that as somewhat more humane.
Another thing is I'll often take a .177 cal on gray squirrel hunts and pesting sessions...something in the 10-15fpe range is a beautiful thing for being discreet in a suburban setting, and in the woods it often enables taking multiples back-to-back-to-back. Grays are notoriously tough critters though and this caliber and power level is perfect for brain shots, whereas I've had a few runners when taking vitals shots. I'm perfectly willing to admit that difference may be my fault. In .22 cal and above, I find either shot placement to be equally effective.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA9nN_IkdfE
The vitals shot does yield a less animated expiration so I get that appeal but another reason I prefer the brain shot is it produces an instantaneous halting of consciousness and I view that as somewhat more humane.
Another thing is I'll often take a .177 cal on gray squirrel hunts and pesting sessions...something in the 10-15fpe range is a beautiful thing for being discreet in a suburban setting, and in the woods it often enables taking multiples back-to-back-to-back. Grays are notoriously tough critters though and this caliber and power level is perfect for brain shots, whereas I've had a few runners when taking vitals shots. I'm perfectly willing to admit that difference may be my fault. In .22 cal and above, I find either shot placement to be equally effective.
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of all the critters i’ve taken, the fox squirrel in my mind is the toughest ! i also prefer the shot to the vitals. i guess with all the shot placement of animals ive hunted, the vitals is always the correct spot.
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I've been a head shooter all my life with rimfires, but after loosing a couple airgun kills last year that just collapsed on the limb they were setting on, I am beginning to think shoulder shots are a better choice at times. It sucks to have a dead squirrel stuck in a tree.
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I use two PCPs for shooting squirrels. 177 for close shots off feeder at ~18 yds. “Brain” shots always.
For shots in trees and longer ranges I use a 22 and go for heart lung ( just behind shoulder).
For shots in trees and longer ranges I use a 22 and go for heart lung ( just behind shoulder).
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I take head shots when I can, as they dress out with less mess, and less blood in the body cavity = better taste imho.
But some times you take the shot that's given.
But some times you take the shot that's given.
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I'm a head shooter too, less chance of tearing up what little meat you get of a squirrel...but like SteveV said I take what's given at the time.
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I do both, but find that vitals shot is very effective, humane, and forgiving. If your placement is off by a little on a head shot, you can wound the critter or miss completely. While aiming at shoulder area will almost always get the lungs at minimum.
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Shoulder shots if you have the power to punch through. Over 50+ years shooting Ca. ground squirrels I came to realize years ago shoulder shots were the most effective, given the size of the kill zone compared to a head shot.
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i agree. shoulder shots to even large prairie dogs with jumbo heavies in .25 stops them in their tracks. it gives more margin for error and will still be a kill shot.
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I’m a head shot guy. Rarely take anything else. That’s just me, obviously nothing wrong with a shot to the broiler room
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Head shots for eating and whatever is given for pesting. I prefer a head shot either way tho. https://youtu.be/S11-h-rS5Es
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when I can I always head shoot my target animal with my airguns. I will do body shots if its a must.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoGPKDJZDjc&app=desktop
this is Not about squirrels, but deer anatomy. Skip to 2.45 mins and see just how small and deers brain is. Same goes for squirrels.
this is Not about squirrels, but deer anatomy. Skip to 2.45 mins and see just how small and deers brain is. Same goes for squirrels.
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Not sure where i herd this info, but when i was a young i saw an article about squirrel have a void space below the brain and above the mouth that was slightly larger than a .22 rimfire and there is a chance that a .22 will pass through causing infection and head ache. It was either a MDC or on a hunting show that was prolly 18yrs ago or so. On squirrel its vitals only for me not much it eat in ribs any way.
But thats no joke tree rats are little devils ive seen them run with .22 rimfire holes like they wernt even hit.
But thats no joke tree rats are little devils ive seen them run with .22 rimfire holes like they wernt even hit.
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Head shots for me too, easier to visualise where the brain is and I get twice the price from the game butcher if the meat isn’t blown to pieces and fragments of lead shattered about.
Bb
Bb
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