CHARLESTON, W.:Va. — I put out a question on social media the other day asking which do you prefer for squirrel hunting, shotgun or rifle? As expected, I got a mixed bag of answers.
The anecdotal survey revealed everything from the .410 up to .12 gauge. As I expected, most who used a rifle would use a .22. There were a few who mentioned .17 in their response. Some offered reasons as to why they prefer one over the other. Most of those fell along the lines of a greater challenge or lessening damage to the meat.
There really isn’t a right or wrong answer. All of them are acceptable. But personally, I still use a shotgun. I killed my first squirrel when I was in fifth grade with my great grandpa’s .12 gauge shotgun. A year later, my dad bought me my own .12 gauge and it was the only gun I owned for many years. During those days I used it out of necessity. Many squirrels and rabbits graced our dinner table growing up courtesy of the old Ithaca SuperSingle.
Over the course of time, I started to hunt with a .22 on occasion. I was a big fan of Daniel Boone when I was a youngster. I once read a story about Boone “barking” a squirrel when I was in elementary school. The process involved catching the critter sitting on a limb. Instead of aiming for the squirrel’s body or head, you aimed for the tree limb. The object was to cause your bullet, or in Boone’s case the musket ball, to hit right at the surface of the tree limb or trunk, causing the bark to fly up in the air within close proximity to the squirrel’s head. The squirrel would be killed by the shock and concussion and possibly shrapnel rather than a direct hit.
I tried this many times as a teenager. I could never successfully “bark” a squirrel. My aim was always just a hair off. I practiced religiously and always thought I was a pretty good shot, but was never able to pull it off on purpose. I once barked one on the side of a tree–but I was actually aiming for his body and missed. It was a lucky break.
I gave up on the idea though for one simple reason. I started to think it was a dangerous practice. During hunter education students are taught to be aware of their target and what’s beyond it. When I shot up into the air, I could never be sure of that last part. A .22 caliber bullet will travel a couple of miles. I started to recognize by shooting at some angles, there was a chance for the bullet to clear the tree and head into the wild blue yonder. Where it came down was anybody’s guess.
Perhaps I’m over thinking things. Maybe I worry too much. I don’t begrudge those who hunt squirrels with a rifle and don’t advocate outlawing the practice. Mine is s personal preference and I’m sharing the reason. I bring it to your attention so the next time you are hunting with a rifle, you’ll keep it in mind.