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1st time going squirrel hunting...

TomcatPC

Junior Member
38
0
Toledo
Hello
First post on here and planning on going squirrel hunting for the first time sometime this week.
I'm Mark, currently living in Toledo.
I grew up with a Dad who had stopped hunting decades prior to my arrival on this planet, so at 44, I'm going it alone. I got the gist, and to be honest doing this is sort of justifying me buying another 16 Ga Shotgun... I figure bringing some extra meat into the house might be a good thing, if I actually get one! Looking forward to it, even if it is just me walking in the wood with a firearm...at least I get out of the city.

I was planning on checking out a place called Maumee State Forest that is here close to Toledo. At least that is the closest to me right now. I think for my first go at it, this will work.
I had planned on checking out the "Milan Area" near the Huron River near Milan and Huron. I grew up in the area as a child and teen prior to going into the Service. Hunting is legal there and would give me a good excuse to take a drive to a place I have not seen since I was a teen.

I had planned on using a 1950's H&R M-48 "Topper" Shotgun in 16 Ga. with number 6 shot. Sound like a good combo?

My Dad had grew up hunting in the Depression and he hunted a bit after coming back from The War, but stopped in the 50's, think The War had a lot to do with that decision? I never bugged him to take me hunting, but he did let me get a rifle and target shoot as a teen.

Anyway, looking forward to this and expect some questions.
Thanks
Mark
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Welcome Mark!

Thank you for your service.

I grew up east of Toledo in the Genoa area. If I was to suggest a public hunting area for tree rats, it would be the Sandusky county parks systems. The areas around Gibsonburg to be exact. They areas seem to get pounded for deer, rabbits, and pheasant…but for some reason the people stay away from the old bushy tails. Maybe because they are kind of a pain to clean? I would look up some youtube videos on cleaning a tree rat. Find a way that seems easy enough for you to do.

If you need further directions on the places I suggested, just send me a PM. As you do need to obtain a parking pass to hunt.

Good luck to you sir!
 

TomcatPC

Junior Member
38
0
Toledo
Gibsonburg area...I go Diving at White Star quite a bit this Summer. I will check into that place, do some online research this week. I think I will end up going to Maumee State Forest first sometime this week, then go from there. I will check out video on cleaning too, that is one of my concerns. I have to get one first LOL.
Thanks, will talk later.
Mark
 

dirtysouth36

Junior Member
Squirrels are fun to hunt. I don't shoot as many as I'd like to. For me anymore it's not the thrill of the kill. It's just enjoying being out in the woods. It's very peaceful. I live inside city limits so getting out of town into the woods is my happy place. Lol. I use a .22 rifle for tree rats tho. Problem with a shot gun is cleaning the shot out of the meat. Good luck tho
 

TomcatPC

Junior Member
38
0
Toledo
Totally agree about getting out of the city limits and into the woods. I'm not too thrilled with living here in Toledo and remember my time when I lived in Alaska...LOL! Even though I did very very little hunting there, it was still great to go backpacking, etc. Since I lived here...I have spent very little time outdoors. Not that there is any actual "wilderness" here where I live, still just getting out of Toledo is worth it LOL!
I'm not in for the thrill of killing either, actually have doubts if I can actually shoot anything? But, I'd like to be able to be self-sufficient in hopes that if I need to be, I can have the experience of knowing how. Plus I heard that squirrel tastes good? Good excuse to fire up the grill and see how they taste with some Jamaican Jerk flavouring?
Mark
 

Dannmann801

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
10,640
191
Springboro
Sounds like a new sportsman is born!:smiley_coolpeace:
Welcome Mark - good luck with your endeavor. And yes, use that public land, that's what it's there for.
Shotgun, rifle, doesn't much matter, it's all good.

But be advised - squirrels are like the marijuana of hunting - a gateway drug that'll get you hooked, then you'll start doing rabbits and birds, next thing you know you'll be tryin' to score some deer and getting the twitches at work, thinking about how to get more woods time......yep.....but you have a support group....

In all seriousness, this is a great place to learn by reading and to get any questions asked/answered.
Welcome again!
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
I was stationed at Elmo from 03-06...went to Broke Back Mtn Home for a year and moved back to LosAnchorage and started/took over a surplus store. Moved to SW Ohio 2.5 years ago.
 

TomcatPC

Junior Member
38
0
Toledo
Been on Elmondorf AFB once... Did not mind living in Anchorage for a few months, but enjoyed Homer better. Much better live music in Homer LOL!!! I had returned to the lower 48 by 2001, so never was there when you were...
Mark
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
They are possibly the hardest animal to clean. This is very close to the method I use. I've got a Gerber that's made to cut the legs off though. This guy made it look easy, lol.

Also you asked about permission slips and public land. You don't need it for most places, but some require you to have a parking pass. White Star is one of those places.
 

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
Squirrels are not as difficult to clean as everyone thinks. Clean em just like you would a rabbit. The biggest problem everyone has is keeping the hair off the meat. I keep a bucket of water next to me when cleaning squirrels. Every time you take a hand off the hide to re-grip, dip that hand in the bucket of water. Don't ever grab the squirrel without first rinsing your hand in the water. This helps cut down on hair immensely.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
Squirrels are not as difficult to clean as everyone thinks. Clean em just like you would a rabbit. The biggest problem everyone has is keeping the hair off the meat. I keep a bucket of water next to me when cleaning squirrels. Every time you take a hand off the hide to re-grip, dip that hand in the bucket of water. Don't ever grab the squirrel without first rinsing your hand in the water. This helps cut down on hair immensely.

Another way is to give the squirrel a bath before skinning. Run it under the hose and rough it up. A wet squirrel puts off far les hair.
 

Jamie

Senior Member
5,691
177
Ohio
none of them are easy to peel when they get cold. clean them while they are still warm if you can. nothing harder to peel than a cold fox squirrel, imo. some people suggest dunking your squirrel in water before skinning to keep the hair problem to a minimum. I don't do it, but it might be worth a try.

when I really f one up and get hair all over it, I take my propane torch to it and burn off the hairs. I do this to deer quarters and backstraps every time after skinning, before boning. does a fantastic job. people get all freaked out over a few hairs on meat. I just don't see the big deal unless you're eating it raw. I usually cook my stuff, at least a little. :)
 

GoetsTalon

Senior Member
Supporting Member
4,293
128
Walbridge oh
Use the green scrubber on a dish sponge to get the hair off the meat also. If you don't care about a little driving you can jump on the turnpike and head west to lake La Su An wildlife area. Would take you more than a few seasons to walk all the land out that way.