2024/2025 Squirrel Hunting Thread...........

[yellowhammer]

Back to squirrel guns; question for you guys with Crocketts: is there a cleanout screw on the snail?

After looking at the factory finished guns, I may just get a kit. I might want to shape the fore end to look more Vincent-like, and the lock panels need trimming back (I'm cursed with detail perfectionism). Thoughts?

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Back to squirrel guns; question for you guys with Crocketts: is there a cleanout screw on the snail?

After looking at the factory finished guns, I may just get a kit. I might want to shape the fore end to look more Vincent-like, and the lock panels need trimming back (I'm cursed with detail perfectionism). Thoughts?

Yes, there is screw on the snail, plus one more on opposite side of barrel, just past breech plug.

As far as the kit, I too was going to get a kit, after read some reviews, and reaching out to some folks on the forum I decided to go with a completed rifle. Not trying to discourage you on building one, or knocking the kit itself.

It may have been the individuals or the kit. I can't say either way.

 

[ETipp]

After hearing about several Traditions kits that had issues, I decided that I do not want one. I purchased a factory built one instead. As Fred stated, it may or may not have been the cause of the builder.

Good luck on your decision, Yellowhammaer.

 

[ETipp]

So, yesterday I spent most of the day up in that thicket from hell. Took my ATV, chainsaw and weedeater with a blade on it. This accomplished several things. First off, it proved to me that my knee is up to the task. Minimal swelling last night with light pain. A bit stiff this morning but I can deal with that. I'm very surprised I have now gotten to this point. I thought for sure I'd be paying a heavy price for yesterday. Considering the entire thicket is uphill, I am very happy now.

Secondly, I was able to open up paths through two old and grown up log roads. My goal is to build a box blind up there for deer hunting. After today, I should be able to ride my ATV all the way to the location I want to build that box blind.

Third, it also opened up some paths for squirrel hunting. Not many trees in there, and its thicker than thick, but I've done okay overall in that thicket. Last year I could see squirrels in several places in there but I simply could not make my way over to them. I reckon it will take several more trips up in there to open up all the paths I want for squirrel hunting.

I'm getting ready to head back over there today. Hopefully, I'll be able to open up at least a couple more different paths for the upcoming spring squirrel season. Definitely not my favorite place to squirrel hunt, and it is very challenging, but its, well, something that has to be experienced to understand it. Perhaps no one would understand it regardless because I've been known to be about as weird as a football bat when it comes to certain things.

Yesterday, those darn blackberry bushes ate me alive. Many of those evil things are way over my head high. Then they grow together making it very difficult to cut down without getting sliced all up. After cutting them, they often fall back on top of me. They stick to the clothing making it worse yet. I definitely said a few colorful metaphors.

 

[yellowhammer]

...Yesterday, those darn blackberry bushes ate me alive...

Ed, Yeah, they've got a sharp-edged defense mechanism, but in return for the scratches and punctures [ETA: and chigger bites] they give you back a wonderful treat!

I swear every time I read something in this thread I have a nostalgia meltdown - now y'all did it to me again LOL:

My grandmother would give me a mason jar with a crayon mark on it and say "Stanley, go pick some blackberries and fill up to this mark and I'll make you a cobbler." She would make me one of these with the cross-hatch:

The wonderful smell of that thing cooking in her kitchen could drive a person insane. I'd just about eat the whole thing at one sitting.

 

[longcruise]

Ed, Yeah, they've got a sharp-edged defense mechanism, but in return for the scratches and punctures [ETA: and chigger bites] they give you back a wonderful treat!

I swear every time I read something in this thread I have a nostalgia meltdown - now y'all did it to me again LOL:

My grandmother would give me a mason jar with a crayon mark on it and say "Stanley, go pick some blackberries and fill up to this mark and I'll make you a cobbler." She would make me one of these with the cross-hatch:

View attachment 310991

The wonderful smell of that thing cooking in her kitchen could drive a person insane. I'd just about eat the whole thing at one sitting.

My grandma did that when the blueberries were in. And, Grandpa would add some to the pancakes he made every morning.

From the time I was seven years old until age 16 I lived with my grandparents for two months every summer. They lived a couple miles out of a town of about 500 people. I was a bit overactive as a kid and I think my parents thought I'd be better off and safer in that situation. They were right!

 

[ETipp]

My grandma did that when the blueberries were in. And, Grandpa would add some to the pancakes he made every morning.

From the time I was seven years old until age 16 I lived with my grandparents for two months every summer. They lived a couple miles out of a town of about 500 people. I was a bit overactive as a kid and I think my parents thought I'd be better off and safer in that situation. They were right!

A bit overactive…….that’s a good term. I like it.

After yesterday I was a bit under active today. Went back to the dreadful thicket. Only made it about an hour until I flamed out. As of now, it looks like I’ll be a little under active for a couple of days. Even my eyelashes are hurting today.

But I did make progress and have big, big plans for in there.

Now that I can see farther in there, I spied a few more somewhat larger trees that have drays in them. Also found a few more places that looks promising. On my next trip in there my plans are to open up a bunch of new places so I can put the sneak on some squirrels this year.

However, the brush, briars and trees are coming on fast. After I located a place for my box blind, I noticed there’s much cutting to be done. I told myself “ better do it soon, ETipp”

Yep, I still talk to myself a lot when in the woods.

 

[ETipp]

Double. I swear, my phone hates me!!!

 

[ETipp]

I have seen black squirrels here in SE CT. There is a local population of them where 3 out of five squirrels are black. On the other hand, I have only seen one white squirrel. Don't know if it was an albino, but it was entirely white.

Grimord, if you can ever bag a black squirrel you might want to get in contact with Jim K. He does good taxi work. Lawdy, how I’d love to have one of those on my wall.

 

[snakebit]

Anyone finish reading the book yet? You did a great job on it Ed. When do you think part 2 will be ready?

 

[ETipp]

Anyone finish reading the book yet? You did a great job on it Ed. When do you think part 2 will be ready?

Thanks, Tom. I'm glad you like the book.

Not so sure there will be a part two, but ya never know.

 

[snakebit]

Thanks, Tom.

Not so sure there will be a part two, but ya never know.

 

[snakebit]

The last sentence had me cracking up. I like those same things too

 

[ETipp]

The last sentence had me cracking up. I like those same things too

LOL. Thought you might like that.

BTW, I really meant what I stated. Gotta love all of that, bro.

 

[snakebit]

Had a late night visitor. Dang bear got not just one, but both of my squirrel feeders. Pi$$es me off. I guess they have to eat too. In PA, they are like socialist libs and have all the rights. If I took the plug out of my 12 gauge pump and loaded it with Fosters, and waited for revenge, I'd be under the jail.

 

[Chmachin]

I just got my book this morning. Thanks for putting it in a zip lock bag, we have had a monsoon going on here for the last couple of days. It definitely needed the extra protection. I cant wait to start it tonight!

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

I think a novel.
"The Adventures of ETipp and His Mighty Crockett Rifle"

 

[snakebit]

LOL. Thought you might like that.

BTW, I really meant what I stated. Gotta love all of that, bro.

What's not to like?!

 

[ETipp]

Had a late night visitor. Dang bear got not just one, but both of my squirrel feeders. Pi$$es me off. I guess they have to eat too. In PA, they are like socialist libs and have all the rights. If I took the plug out of my 12 gauge pump and loaded it with Fosters, and waited for revenge, I'd be under the jail.

Electrons, bro. Quiet and effective. I mean, we are supposed to go electric, eh?

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Had a late night visitor. Dang bear got not just one, but both of my squirrel feeders. Pi$$es me off. I guess they have to eat too. In PA, they are like socialist libs and have all the rights. If I took the plug out of my 12 gauge pump and loaded it with Fosters, and waited for revenge, I'd be under the jail.

Down here in Florida the Governor recently signed a bill into Law...
We have a stand your grounds right VS the bears rights...

They are bad down here.