tree rat hunting - The Firearms Forum

old semperfi · 08-04-2010, 08:56 PM

i live in southern indiana and tree rat season is a couple of weeks away.i have for years only used a 22 bolt marlin.i have discovered that if i use cb caps i can get more shots in an area without waiting for the crack to be forgotten.i also found out that a well placed head shot tends to knock squirrels 5 or 6 feet out of the tree.it seems that the 22 cb only travels about 450 fps and all the energy is absorbed instead of going thru. old semperfi

jack404 · 08-04-2010, 09:11 PM

similar to bunnies here under 75 yards

Infidel · 08-04-2010, 09:12 PM

I'll second that. My tree rat gun is an old Ithaca model-49, lever action single shot. I shoot CB shorts out of it(longs are louder and less accurate for some reason). Sounds like an air rifle, and has a better kill'em ratio that my newer marlin semi-auto. Those subs take em out good.

I had a ground hog that had been messing up my garden for about a month. A few days ago he stopped to look up after crossing under my fence. Bad move, head shot at 50 yds. He never took another step. I love that little old gun!

whip · 08-04-2010, 10:09 PM

I used CBs for shooting muskrats in order to cut down on skips off the water. Shot one once and netted him into the boat set him in the bottom of the boat was lining up on another one when the muskrat came alive biting and crawling right up my neopreme waders towards my face. It was big old male and it was spring of the year when they mate and he was mad. That CB had bounced right off his head and temporarily rendered him unconscious and really upsetting him. It came down to hand to teeth and I ended up winning but it was intense for moment.

carver · 08-05-2010, 06:03 AM

I've been hunting these little critters all my life. I started out with the old .22 short, at age 9, but soon found that the long rifle worked best for me, and the way I hunt. Now, I always start off the season with my trusty 12 gauge to get some meat in the freezer, then switch to the .22. One year, when I was only 12, a friend of mine at school and a couple of others started a contest to see who could bag the most in one season. I can in second with a total of 148.

zb338 · 08-05-2010, 07:16 AM

I like to use a bazooka. One shot and the noise makes them all fall
out of the trees knocked out. All I have to do is walk around and
pick them off of the ground.

Zeke

Bubblehead · 08-05-2010, 07:45 AM

Bazookas are dangerous. Try using "flash bangs".

jim summers · 08-05-2010, 11:35 AM

nothing like a good mess of limb rats no matter what kind of weapon you use,i love to squirrel hunt.

jack404 · 08-05-2010, 11:38 AM

Bazooka!!!!! you got muslim squirrels? jihadist ones at that???

catmantoo · 08-05-2010, 05:02 PM

What about tree rat problem?
I have a few problems with them. They are trying to eat my deck, furntiure and all. I trap a few, kill a few and there's still to many to deal with.
later catman

Zane71464 · 08-06-2010, 01:09 AM

That's some bad stuff there catman and I can relate to that!

I use the same shotgun I used when I was a kid, a Winchester single 12ga. That's my squirrel gun. Just love the good old bang that it makes and the echos thru the woods as it just gets light!

Roadkil · 08-06-2010, 07:40 AM

I love tree rat's. I look forward to the 1st of Sept. every year. Never hunted with a 22, always used a shotgun. My favorite shotgun to use is my New England Firearms 12 ga. single shot.

Took my last two tree rats out of the freezer from last year today. Going to fry them up and make some gravey and corn bread.

firelegs22 · 08-06-2010, 12:27 PM

i like to use a 30-06. i shoot so close to their nose that the low pressure from the stirred up air sucks the air from their lungs so they sufficate.

old semperfi · 08-06-2010, 08:11 PM

that would be cool,what do you do when the round penetrates a six year olds head two miles away thats playing in his yard. old semperfi

firelegs22 · 08-06-2010, 10:14 PM

nothing, because i was joking and would never do that for that very reason.

Zane71464 · 08-07-2010, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firelegs22

nothing, because i was joking and would never do that for that very reason.

When I fisrt saw 30-, I was thinking...Oh Boy! LOL

carver · 08-07-2010, 08:13 AM

I have killed severl squirrels, and rabits with a 30-06. Each time though I was in a tree stand, and they were on the ground. Head or neck, meat in the pot!

carver · 08-07-2010, 08:14 AM

For those of you that use a shot gun for squirrels, what size shot do you use? I like the #4 because it's eaiser to get the shot out of the squirrel, that is what doesn't go all the way thru.

Zane71464 · 08-07-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carver

For those of you that use a shot gun for squirrels, what size shot do you use? I like the #4 because it's eaiser to get the shot out of the squirrel, that is what doesn't go all the way thru.

+1 on that here. I use the #4 shot as well.
I have used 5 and even 6, but I agree with you there on the #4 shot.
IMO, it's the best shot as carver described.

Roadkil · 08-09-2010, 07:25 AM

High brass #4 shot here.

old semperfi · 08-13-2010, 09:56 PM

i know ill catch he.. for this,but to me using a shotgun for treerats is like using dynamite for fishing.wheres the sport..............old semperfi

Infidel · 08-13-2010, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old semperfi

i know ill catch he.. for this,but to me using a shotgun for treerats is like using dynamite for fishing.wheres the sport..............old semperfi

I'll catch it with ya', same here.

Zane71464 · 08-14-2010, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old semperfi

i know ill catch he.. for this,but to me using a shotgun for treerats is like using dynamite for fishing.wheres the sport..............old semperfi

Nothing wrong with that at all old semperfi! Ive hunted with the .22, and still do from time to time, but useing that old 12ga. and hearing the "roar" from way back in the hills as the daylight breaks...just something about that with me.
Here a couple of years ago, I had to use the .22 around the house here as they were all over in the trees directly overtop my house, nut's falling non-stop on my roof, at all hours...12ga shells was getting a bit expensive..had to and wanted to resort to the .22!

EDIT: Not to mention I had to take some well placed shots for the fact I didnt want them falling right on my roof or decks! lol

Zane71464 · 08-14-2010, 04:43 AM

I'm going to get the old Savage .22mag/20ga out this year and see how she does for the fact Ive never taken her hunting before since ive owned her.

jack404 · 08-14-2010, 06:20 AM

Zane , thats a very popular gun here, that and the 12G version. Folks like to hunt the edge of the ranges as you get Roo, Pigs and goats and rabbits along there and its right down the eastern seaboard .

20G solid is a great boar stopper and the .22 mag will drop roo's and goaties for a good 200 meters no worries!, enjoy !

08-04-2010, 08:56 PM	#1
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	tree rat hunting i live in southern indiana and tree rat season is a couple of weeks away.i have for years only used a 22 bolt marlin.i have discovered that if i use cb caps i can get more shots in an area without waiting for the crack to be forgotten.i also found out that a well placed head shot tends to knock squirrels 5 or 6 feet out of the tree.it seems that the 22 cb only travels about 450 fps and all the energy is absorbed instead of going thru. old semperfi -->

08-04-2010, 09:11 PM	#2
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: tree rat hunting similar to bunnies here under 75 yards

08-04-2010, 09:12 PM	#3
Infidel V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 209	Re: tree rat hunting I'll second that. My tree rat gun is an old Ithaca model-49, lever action single shot. I shoot CB shorts out of it(longs are louder and less accurate for some reason). Sounds like an air rifle, and has a better kill'em ratio that my newer marlin semi-auto. Those subs take em out good. I had a ground hog that had been messing up my garden for about a month. A few days ago he stopped to look up after crossing under my fence. Bad move, head shot at 50 yds. He never took another step. I love that little old gun!

08-05-2010, 06:03 AM	#5
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,280	Re: tree rat hunting I've been hunting these little critters all my life. I started out with the old .22 short, at age 9, but soon found that the long rifle worked best for me, and the way I hunt. Now, I always start off the season with my trusty 12 gauge to get some meat in the freezer, then switch to the .22. One year, when I was only 12, a friend of mine at school and a couple of others started a contest to see who could bag the most in one season. I can in second with a total of 148. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

08-05-2010, 07:16 AM	#6
zb338 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Recently moved to Pennsylvania. Posts: 286	Re: tree rat hunting I like to use a bazooka. One shot and the noise makes them all fall out of the trees knocked out. All I have to do is walk around and pick them off of the ground. Zeke

08-04-2010, 10:09 PM	#4
whip V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wyoming Posts: 238	Re: tree rat hunting I used CBs for shooting muskrats in order to cut down on skips off the water. Shot one once and netted him into the boat set him in the bottom of the boat was lining up on another one when the muskrat came alive biting and crawling right up my neopreme waders towards my face. It was big old male and it was spring of the year when they mate and he was mad. That CB had bounced right off his head and temporarily rendered him unconscious and really upsetting him. It came down to hand to teeth and I ended up winning but it was intense for moment.

08-05-2010, 07:45 AM	#7
Bubblehead V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pioneer, CA Posts: 480	Re: tree rat hunting Bazookas are dangerous. Try using "flash bangs". __________________ There are only two types of ships: Submarines and Targets.

08-05-2010, 11:35 AM	#8
jim summers Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: I reside in southern Indiana, you can almost step out of my back door and be setting on Patoka Lake Posts: 1,056	Re: tree rat hunting nothing like a good mess of limb rats no matter what kind of weapon you use,i love to squirrel hunt. __________________ To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Required.

08-05-2010, 11:38 AM	#9
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: tree rat hunting Bazooka!!!!! you got muslim squirrels? jihadist ones at that???

08-05-2010, 05:02 PM	#10
catmantoo Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Upstate South Carolina... Posts: 21	Re: tree rat hunting What about tree rat problem? I have a few problems with them. They are trying to eat my deck, furntiure and all. I trap a few, kill a few and there's still to many to deal with. later catman Attached Images __________________ The sign should read. "CAUTION"

08-06-2010, 01:09 AM	#11
Zane71464 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio NRA Member Contributor Posts: 5,368	Re: tree rat hunting That's some bad stuff there catman and I can relate to that! I use the same shotgun I used when I was a kid, a Winchester single 12ga. That's my squirrel gun. Just love the good old bang that it makes and the echos thru the woods as it just gets light! Attached Images __________________ Two Words; "Simple Man", song by Charlie Daniels sums up my thoughts on a "few things"!

08-06-2010, 07:40 AM	#12
Roadkil V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 184	Re: tree rat hunting I love tree rat's. I look forward to the 1st of Sept. every year. Never hunted with a 22, always used a shotgun. My favorite shotgun to use is my New England Firearms 12 ga. single shot. Took my last two tree rats out of the freezer from last year today. Going to fry them up and make some gravey and corn bread.

08-06-2010, 12:27 PM	#13
firelegs22 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: georgia Posts: 225	Re: tree rat hunting i like to use a 30-06. i shoot so close to their nose that the low pressure from the stirred up air sucks the air from their lungs so they sufficate.

08-06-2010, 08:11 PM	#14
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: tree rat hunting that would be cool,what do you do when the round penetrates a six year olds head two miles away thats playing in his yard. old semperfi

08-06-2010, 10:14 PM	#15
firelegs22 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: georgia Posts: 225	Re: tree rat hunting nothing, because i was joking and would never do that for that very reason.

08-07-2010, 08:13 AM	#17
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,280	Re: tree rat hunting I have killed severl squirrels, and rabits with a 30-06. Each time though I was in a tree stand, and they were on the ground. Head or neck, meat in the pot! __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

08-07-2010, 08:14 AM	#18
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,280	Re: tree rat hunting For those of you that use a shot gun for squirrels, what size shot do you use? I like the #4 because it's eaiser to get the shot out of the squirrel, that is what doesn't go all the way thru. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

08-09-2010, 07:25 AM	#20
Roadkil V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 184	Re: tree rat hunting High brass #4 shot here.

08-13-2010, 09:56 PM	#21
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: tree rat hunting i know ill catch he.. for this,but to me using a shotgun for treerats is like using dynamite for fishing.wheres the sport..............old semperfi

08-14-2010, 04:43 AM	#24
Zane71464 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio NRA Member Contributor Posts: 5,368	Re: tree rat hunting I'm going to get the old Savage .22mag/20ga out this year and see how she does for the fact Ive never taken her hunting before since ive owned her. Attached Images __________________ Two Words; "Simple Man", song by Charlie Daniels sums up my thoughts on a "few things"!

08-14-2010, 06:20 AM	#25
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: tree rat hunting Zane , thats a very popular gun here, that and the 12G version. Folks like to hunt the edge of the ranges as you get Roo, Pigs and goats and rabbits along there and its right down the eastern seaboard . 20G solid is a great boar stopper and the .22 mag will drop roo's and goaties for a good 200 meters no worries!, enjoy !