- Joined
- Jun 4, 2004
- Messages
- 1,163
I took my two oldest boys out today. The oldest has his license, the other was along for the walk.
hadn't been to the range in a few weeks, so we went Sunday afternoon, to make sure all was well. My new to me 3 screw single six was dead on at 25 yards, and the 10/22 was a bit off, but we zeroed with no trouble. My 14 year old really shoots that much better than the old Mossberg 142A, even though the trigger is way better than the Ruger. i was impressed with how quickly he fired good groups at the range. The 10 year old did well with his Chipmunk at 25, off hand, no less!
I tried my Bess with some shot. but didn't like the pattern. No time to tinker, so it would be the Stevens single barrel 16 gauge that would provide treetop duty for the morning.
As usual, i got up late. Long talk last night with my wife; we have family and friends with many troubles, so lots to talk about.
WE arrive at the wilderness area around 8:20. We walk up the trail, then see some movement in the tress off to the side. We start in. We try to walk, stop, listen, look, walk some more. We get in some tight cover, looking for a place to sit where the 10/22 can have room to maneuver. I take the lead with the 16 gauge unlimbered, just in case. We hear a ruckus above, and I get ready. Two grey squirrels explode around the base of a large tree. I wait for a good shoot, one stops for a second, but I only see tail. They move around opposite me, and the chance is missed.
We decide to move off a bit, and then sit. After about 20 minutes, my 14 year old makes a signal. he has seen 4 squirrels up in the tress in a slightLy different direction. I hand him the shotgun, and take the Ruger. he moves in, and waits. After another 20 minutes, we decide to move on again. I ask, what did you see? " I saw one squirrel stick out his head, but didn't shoot.". I explain that with a shotgun, any exposed kill area is worth a try. maybe next time.
before moving on, we decide to head out to the main trail, so we can find a landmark, or someway to find this spot again without needing to walk into the treeline on the approach. We find a nice, gnarly old tree right by the side of the trail, and we should be able to find the spot again, and set up early.
We head further down the treeline, and find another deer trail. We start into the trees again. The barrier that the vegation presents from the outside disappears once you get into it. we are in an area that is more open under the trees. better hopes for a ground shot with the Ruger. Sure enough, after a while, we spot a squirrel on the ground. I spot him, but don't shoot, as I am carrying the shotgun. i want my son to try a shot with his rifle As he moves into position, the squirrel hops off a few feet. Like a game of tag, the squirrel is safe! He reached "base", as he was now over the line of a posted boundary . My younger son says later, " we could have shot him, but we couldn't have gotten him after." Alas! A little further down the trail, we hear and see movement again. This time, it appears to be a small black squirrel, moving from cover to cover. My son sees him, and knows he is hiding behind a log. i try to move around, to get a better view. The squirrel hops a few times. no good clear shot presents itself to either of us. The squirrel eventually moves off.
We like this area, so we head up hill towards the main trail again. We see another little critter, maybe a red squirrel, or a large chipmunk. never get a good look/shot.
We find the trail, take note of the trees and the bearing down to where we were hunting, and head back to the car, after scouting around a bit more.
The terrain looks much different than last winter, when we first hunted here. Almost like starting over. Now, however, we have some idea of where to start next time. we had a great time, did some real hunting, and just enjoyed the outdoors together.
Take care,
Tom
hadn't been to the range in a few weeks, so we went Sunday afternoon, to make sure all was well. My new to me 3 screw single six was dead on at 25 yards, and the 10/22 was a bit off, but we zeroed with no trouble. My 14 year old really shoots that much better than the old Mossberg 142A, even though the trigger is way better than the Ruger. i was impressed with how quickly he fired good groups at the range. The 10 year old did well with his Chipmunk at 25, off hand, no less!
I tried my Bess with some shot. but didn't like the pattern. No time to tinker, so it would be the Stevens single barrel 16 gauge that would provide treetop duty for the morning.
As usual, i got up late. Long talk last night with my wife; we have family and friends with many troubles, so lots to talk about.
WE arrive at the wilderness area around 8:20. We walk up the trail, then see some movement in the tress off to the side. We start in. We try to walk, stop, listen, look, walk some more. We get in some tight cover, looking for a place to sit where the 10/22 can have room to maneuver. I take the lead with the 16 gauge unlimbered, just in case. We hear a ruckus above, and I get ready. Two grey squirrels explode around the base of a large tree. I wait for a good shoot, one stops for a second, but I only see tail. They move around opposite me, and the chance is missed.
We decide to move off a bit, and then sit. After about 20 minutes, my 14 year old makes a signal. he has seen 4 squirrels up in the tress in a slightLy different direction. I hand him the shotgun, and take the Ruger. he moves in, and waits. After another 20 minutes, we decide to move on again. I ask, what did you see? " I saw one squirrel stick out his head, but didn't shoot.". I explain that with a shotgun, any exposed kill area is worth a try. maybe next time.
before moving on, we decide to head out to the main trail, so we can find a landmark, or someway to find this spot again without needing to walk into the treeline on the approach. We find a nice, gnarly old tree right by the side of the trail, and we should be able to find the spot again, and set up early.
We head further down the treeline, and find another deer trail. We start into the trees again. The barrier that the vegation presents from the outside disappears once you get into it. we are in an area that is more open under the trees. better hopes for a ground shot with the Ruger. Sure enough, after a while, we spot a squirrel on the ground. I spot him, but don't shoot, as I am carrying the shotgun. i want my son to try a shot with his rifle As he moves into position, the squirrel hops off a few feet. Like a game of tag, the squirrel is safe! He reached "base", as he was now over the line of a posted boundary . My younger son says later, " we could have shot him, but we couldn't have gotten him after." Alas! A little further down the trail, we hear and see movement again. This time, it appears to be a small black squirrel, moving from cover to cover. My son sees him, and knows he is hiding behind a log. i try to move around, to get a better view. The squirrel hops a few times. no good clear shot presents itself to either of us. The squirrel eventually moves off.
We like this area, so we head up hill towards the main trail again. We see another little critter, maybe a red squirrel, or a large chipmunk. never get a good look/shot.
We find the trail, take note of the trees and the bearing down to where we were hunting, and head back to the car, after scouting around a bit more.
The terrain looks much different than last winter, when we first hunted here. Almost like starting over. Now, however, we have some idea of where to start next time. we had a great time, did some real hunting, and just enjoyed the outdoors together.
Take care,
Tom
