Anyone hunt around Bloomington?

[NateIU10]

I've been toying with the idea of going some sort of bird hunting, and was wondering if anyone down this way goes. Not even sure what's down here or what I'd want to hunt, but I think it could be fun and teach me some useful skills. Haven't shot a shotgun since I was 12 though, so I'd definitely need to get some practice in. Been hunting once in my life when I was 13 or so up in PA, and that is the extent of it.

[Soundslikejosh]

Squirrel in any of the local State Forests or the Hoosier National Forrest. Man Date?

[NateIU10]

Originally Posted by Soundslikejosh

Squirrel in any of the local State Forests or the Hoosier National Forrest. Man Date?

Never had squirrel, could be interesting lol. Where abouts have you gone before? I've never skinned/gutted anything besides fish too. What do you use to get em? Could give me an excuse to pick up a cheapie .22, been looking to get a little Marlin 60

[Soundslikejosh]

I have never hunted squirrel in southern Indiana but I have hunted them up north. Squirrel aren't especially meaty, so you wouldn't feed the whole family on your bag limit. Finding fox squirrels helps, as they are noticeably larger than the common gray species. Not sure if there is a population of the fox species down south.

The state law regarding equipment for squirrels is either 2 or 3 paragraphs long. Short paragraphs at that. Slingshot up to .458 Win Mag. I have used a 20 ga. for squirrel. I know a guy who used a 16 ga, and have heard of people using 12 ga. I suppose with a relatively tight choke and a light shot charge, either might be fine. If anyone has any comments about the use of shotguns on squirrel, please speak up.

Of course the .22 is a fine choice and you don't have to pick lead shot out of your meal. I am sure that I could dig out an extra squirrel gun if you don't own a suitable one. Something about taking tree rats with an EBR seems a little.... unfair.

[NateIU10]

Yeah, I just can't picture myself stalking squirrel with my AR lol. .22 is a bit cheaper than .223 too lol, wee bit of a big hole also

I have never seen a gray squirrel around here, only the giant red ones. Last couple times I was in the HNF, I didn't see any either, but wasn't really looking all that hard.

[Soundslikejosh]

Talking to a ranger can be a big help, particularly if they cover a "smaller" property. Finding a grove of nut trees is an obvious plan, and a ranger back home steered me to a great little area.

[NateIU10]

Originally Posted by Soundslikejosh

Talking to a ranger can be a big help, particularly if they cover a "smaller" property. Finding a grove of nut trees is an obvious plan, and a ranger back home steered me to a great little area.

Sounds good to me. I'm gonna swing by MCSports and a pawn shop tomorrow to see what kind of 22s they have in stock

ETA: Does Walmart here sell rifles?

[bwframe]

Most guys down here pass up the fox squirrels in favor of the more tender greys. The greys normally favor the deeper woods with the reds hanging to the edges and lone trees in the open.

I call myself a hunter much more than I have been for the past few years. Been busy with work, family, other interests and such. (Lately some damned Internet forum has been sucking the life out of my work time.)

I'm completely swamped 'til after Labor Day. After that, if you young educated fellows could tolerate a middle-aged, simple minded guy, I'd love to put my freshly acquired Appleseed skills to use.

[haldir]

I used to go out to Hoosier National when I was a student down there. Greys are not only further into the woods, they are more difficult to hunt. They tend to stir earlier in the morning than fox squirrels. A lot of the old guys would actually scout out a woods in the evening to see where the squirrels were cutting (look for pieces of fresh nut shells on the ground).Then get out there before daylight in the morning.

Almost forgot. I also did some grouse hunting down in the same woods back in those day. They should still have some out there.

[NateIU10]

Originally Posted by haldir

I used to go out to Hoosier National when I was a student down there. Greys are not only further into the woods, they are more difficult to hunt. They tend to stir earlier in the morning than fox squirrels. A lot of the old guys would actually scout out a woods in the evening to see where the squirrels were cutting (look for pieces of fresh nut shells on the ground).Then get out there before daylight in the morning.

Almost forgot. I also did some grouse hunting down in the same woods back in those day. They should still have some out there.

Where abouts in the HNF if you don't mind. I've only ever been to a part about 14 miles south on 446.