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A new way to get a stiff neck...
October 17th, 2006 08:08 pmBrian took me squirrel hunting for the first time today. I had been having mixed emotions about whether or not I actually wanted to kill squirrels as I don't really plan on eating them. (Even thought Brian says I will like his squirrel gravy.) After learning that Brian plans on either preparing them himself or giving them away to someone who enjoys squirrel, I can accept this as a valid reason to go squirrel hunting. Killing things for mere sport is not my thing.
So off we go into the woods behind our house, two camo-clad squirrel hunters. Brian is using his .17 caliber rifle that he bought specifically for this purpose, with me carrying my .22 Marlin rifle that I bought to target shoot with. Once upon a time I was pretty good with the Marlin, but I certainly don't target shoot like I used to.
Spotting squirrels when you are not hunting them is really easy. They are everywhere. Wear some camo & carry a gun & they seem to be scarce! Brian, of course, has a much better eye for squirrels in treetops than I do & it was not long before he saw one. we settled down on a log & waited for it come in closer. Brian allowed me to try first & that is when I learned that squirrel hunting is way harder than it appears.
First, you need to lock in on the squirrel's location, then you get your gun up & now you have to find the squirrel through your scope. Do you think the squirrel is sitting still this whole time just waiting for you? Heck no! After several times of almost being ready to shoot & having the squirrel hop out of my view, I told Brian to go ahead & take the shot. As I am contemplating how difficult this is, Brian puts his gun up, squeezes the trigger & the squirrel falls to the ground.
Good Goddess! He makes it look easy.
While I sit there in amazement, Brian notices another squirrel who seems to coming to the very same tree. Once the squirrel is in range, Brian again offers me the chance to shoot first, but after what seems to be an eternity of me "chasing" the squirrel with my scope & the rifle feeling like it weighs 100 pounds, I again concede to Brian's expertise. This squirrel ends up jumping to other trees further away & although Brian follows him, does not get a shot. I feel bad that I wasted what would have been an easy shot for Brian but am really grateful that he let me try.
As we make our way through the woods, Brian spots another squirrel but does not have a clear shot at it. On the way back towards the house, Brian stops me because he sees one very close to us. It's a long shot that we can re-group & still have a shot, but luck is with us & Brian drops the squirrel quickly. I must say that my husband has impressed me with his shooting skill.
I can't wait to try again, although I think the Marlin may need a better scope for this sort of hunting ... Oh Santa?
So off we go into the woods behind our house, two camo-clad squirrel hunters. Brian is using his .17 caliber rifle that he bought specifically for this purpose, with me carrying my .22 Marlin rifle that I bought to target shoot with. Once upon a time I was pretty good with the Marlin, but I certainly don't target shoot like I used to.
Spotting squirrels when you are not hunting them is really easy. They are everywhere. Wear some camo & carry a gun & they seem to be scarce! Brian, of course, has a much better eye for squirrels in treetops than I do & it was not long before he saw one. we settled down on a log & waited for it come in closer. Brian allowed me to try first & that is when I learned that squirrel hunting is way harder than it appears.
First, you need to lock in on the squirrel's location, then you get your gun up & now you have to find the squirrel through your scope. Do you think the squirrel is sitting still this whole time just waiting for you? Heck no! After several times of almost being ready to shoot & having the squirrel hop out of my view, I told Brian to go ahead & take the shot. As I am contemplating how difficult this is, Brian puts his gun up, squeezes the trigger & the squirrel falls to the ground.
Good Goddess! He makes it look easy.
While I sit there in amazement, Brian notices another squirrel who seems to coming to the very same tree. Once the squirrel is in range, Brian again offers me the chance to shoot first, but after what seems to be an eternity of me "chasing" the squirrel with my scope & the rifle feeling like it weighs 100 pounds, I again concede to Brian's expertise. This squirrel ends up jumping to other trees further away & although Brian follows him, does not get a shot. I feel bad that I wasted what would have been an easy shot for Brian but am really grateful that he let me try.
As we make our way through the woods, Brian spots another squirrel but does not have a clear shot at it. On the way back towards the house, Brian stops me because he sees one very close to us. It's a long shot that we can re-group & still have a shot, but luck is with us & Brian drops the squirrel quickly. I must say that my husband has impressed me with his shooting skill.
I can't wait to try again, although I think the Marlin may need a better scope for this sort of hunting ... Oh Santa?
