I typed squirrel hunting as the original thread title, but then I realized that wasn't quite accurate. :)
I spent my day traipsing through the woods here in the Poconos shooting stumps and trying to shoot squirrels. The stump shooting helped me quite a bit.
But the squirrel shooting was incredibly challenging. I was using a Bear Kodiak Magnum at 50# shooting footed 400 Beman ICS Bowhunters with Judo points. I hit rocks and roots and stumps, the arrows just took it. I used 2 arrows all day and must have shot at least 75-100 times.
Shooting at a moving squirrel was the most challenging thing I've done so far. They're so twitchy they almost always jump the string. Even though I didn't hit any, towards the end I was getting incredibly close which was enough to make me happy.
I have always believed small game is great practice as a hunter, I feel like I grew more as an archer today than in a week of shooting my target.
Anyone have any tricks to shooting squirrels or anything?
I have made contact with a few this season, once I decide I am about to leave my stand, I wait for one to come into range and let fly! Man is this stuff fun!!!!
(http://i.imgur.com/WgoeP.jpg) (http://imgur.com/WgoeP)
I usually connect on at least 1 or so a year more so them then the deer! This year having attempted on fear of spooking the deer, but will before the years up.
(http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy235/jalmay5th/Hero%20Pictures/IMG_6787-2.jpg)
I gave one a soprano voice so far this year, but haven't brought any home.
PLEASE DO NOT drink anything, while watching these videos. I don't want anyone choking, from laughing so much! :biglaugh:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmwIcOz7ZKo
This one is the best part, in my opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqagzoZuD1c&feature=related
Doug Kitteridge wrote, many years ago, that "when I don't do alot of small game hunting, in Mexico and other places, my big game hunting suffers", to an extent!
Squirrels rule! :D
Wait for the perfect shot at your distance (if too close, arrow wobble may miss him). Too far and takes too much accuracy. If you get amidst a bunch of squirrels this time of year, just be ultra patient. Eventually one will present the near perfect shot. With a gun, we shoot them as soon as feasible (never know how close he could appear). Got to pick your spots. This is the most challenging game, from a marksmanship standpoint you may ever go up against.
I always sit at an intersection of downed logs and/or branches that the squirrels use for highways. Most squirrels don't recognize there's a threat until it's too late and most shots are inside 15 yards. :thumbsup:
Bowhunter57