squirrel tackle

[toddster]

Yesterday had a conversation with some younger hunters, as they asked me some whitetail hunting questions.  I mentioned to them about getting out in the woods and hunting squirrel's and it was like, "You hunt squirrels, with a bow?".  I explained the fun and value of getting out in the woods, before season and taking a few with them, which led to me explaining what tackle I use.  After words, it hit me as I have been using the same tackle for so long, that maybe be fun to discuss what everyone uses on pigmy grizzlies.  I use the same arrow shaft I use for hunting anything, but I put a "few spiral" feathers on for a flu-flu, and the point is the mighty Judo.  What all does everyone else use?

[Pine]

I prefer Hex blunts, I think they hit harder and hold up better than Judo points.
I will add, my favorite way to hunt tree rats is to still hunt.  You can move a little faster than deer hunting but don't go to fast.
Most shots are on the ground or low on a tree trunk.

 

[Possum Head]

Flu Flus are great where elevated shots are concerned however I stick to shooting them low and mostly grounded. Two blade durable and sharp Broadheads are preferred as I've had too many take my arrows up trees with them using Judos and blunts. Love shooting them bushy critters!

[LookMomNoSights]

i just use the same ole arrow i use for anything else but with a no frills flat blunt.  Simple.  I don't use flu flus cuz I swear those rats can duck em more easily cuz they hear them coming better than the regular shields or parabolic.  I use the simple flat blunt,  because I find those hex blunts (at least on rabbits) leave a pretty nasty hole.  I've shot straight through with them a time to two also.  Might be cuz of that sharp edge on the hex.  This set up and I try not to miss.  Fun either way though.

[Gdpolk]

I use the same shafts with the same overall point weights (355gr up front overall) for EVERYTHING.  My squirrel arrows all have fluorescent pink fletching for visibility.  Treed shots get RFA Talon points.  Grounded shots get Talons or Judos.  If I'm 99% sure I'll be searching for an arrow after the shot, I grab a Talon tipped flu-flu that's got 6x "tall shield" type fletches on it which are heavily spiraled and it performs almost like halfway between flu-flu and normal arrows but most importantly reduces them dodging the arrow while also giving a TON of visibility after the shot.

Then to skin them, I've been partial to my squirrel inlaid bird and trout knife that I cobbled together in my garage...

[Squirrel Hunter]

Medium to heavy wood arrows with rubber blunts, weighted .357 cases, or hex blunts, but never judos. Judos sometimes penetrate well enough to dissipate the shock but not well enough to kill by organ damage.

[Gib]

Very nice squirrel knife!! Awesome job

[Longrifleman]

Whatever bow I've decided to use in that season, 500 spine GT traditional arrows with a glow nock & AAE trad vanes, and I have some old 3 blade woodsman broadheads that I don't mind digging out of the dirt & re-sharpening.

I only shoot 'em when they're on the ground.

[Terry Green]

WW modified small gamers...

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