Holy Cow!! The Squeaks Are Out!!!

jdscholer · February 21, 2010, 10:48 PM

I was out and about yesterday and saw that the ground squirrels (we call them squeaks around here) were out.

I got up this morning and assembled a shooting contraption from a tripod that I got at a yard sale for a few bucks. Loaded up the 222, shells, bags, and binocs and headed out to a good spot a couple miles from the house.

The squirrels were many and very aggressive,

but my 40 gr. V-Max's taught them a hard lesson. After nearly 100 rounds I figure my tally at around 30 or 40 squeaks. Most shots were from 50 to 150 yards, and my tripod worked well. I'm thinking of a few improvements.

Here's a few pics
jd

Fat White Boy · February 22, 2010, 12:17 AM

Yeah- I played golf today and they were everywhere. They should feel lucky I was in town or they would be gone...

MosinM38 · February 22, 2010, 08:43 AM

We call em gophers here

None out yet, it was really nice for a few days, but winter's back now

Was really hoping to get a few out to start shooting with .22s.

jdscholer · February 22, 2010, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Yeah- I played golf today and they were everywhere

Golf.--- Isn't that one of those sports where ya walk around and try to hit a distant target with a small projectile? How weird is that. jd

rattletrap1970 · February 22, 2010, 09:37 AM

I thought you oiled your guns, never heard of a squirrel called a "squeak". We call 'em tree rats in Connecticut.

Scorch · February 22, 2010, 01:36 PM

Quote:

We call 'em tree rats in Connecticut.

Easterners . . .

I really miss springtime in CA, grass turning green, wildflowers stretching their roots in the incredibly fertile soil, peeking up through the new growth to enjoy the sunshine, the ground squirrels popping their cute little faces up out of their holes, playing and laughing in the warm sunshine (Walt Disney-ish

), and catching a 55 grainer at 3,900 fps and making the soil fertile. One of nature's little-understood mysteries, I guess.

Wish I was there with you. Think of me as you send them a little "present", will you?

waterfowler · February 22, 2010, 05:47 PM

Nice job. We call them Gophers were I'm at.

Lavid2002 · February 22, 2010, 06:07 PM

Wow...thats a lot of squeaks!
I just got a new whistle pig I'd love to go to town on those motha's

Regolith · February 22, 2010, 10:59 PM

Gophers and tree squirrels are different species than ground squirrels.

Ground squirrels are more closely related to prairie dogs, though are usually a bit smaller.

jdscholer · February 22, 2010, 11:01 PM

When it warms up a bit and the new grass and alfalfa begins to sprout, it gets pretty bizarre around here. The squeaks, (Belding's Ground Squirrels I believe they are called) don't like to take time out from gorging on the greenery even when the lead is flying. On more than one occasion I have killed more than one with a single shot as well as hit them with a ricochet.

There have been days when I killed so many that I felt positively dirty.

jd

Dave R · February 22, 2010, 11:45 PM

We call 'em whistle pigs here. Hunting them will make you a better shooter.

jcjr3020 · February 23, 2010, 01:03 AM

I dont know about some of you, but we just all them squirrels.

LateNightFlight · February 23, 2010, 01:57 AM

I like your tripod set up. And I have to admit, that snowless, mudless, sunny landscape looks damn nice about now! I used to hunt an area called Harvey Valley in Lassen with that same beautiful landscape. Lots of badgers in that area.

Knock em dead! Looks like fun.

Uncle Buck · February 23, 2010, 08:52 AM

In New England, where I grew up, we had wood chucks, which we called whistle pigs. If they happened to see you and scooted down a hole, you could go to the hole, lay down and be quiet for a moment and then whistle. When they stuck their heads up to see what the noise was you got them.

(An Aside: The Town of Hopkinton, RI use to have a bounty on them. I think it was .15 cents a nose. We would pack the noises in salt and then get a ride to the town hall and collect our money. We found out that if we left them on the counter, the town clerk would give us an extra .15 cents to take them out and throw them away.

Then it was off to Kenyon's Store (where the post office is now) to buy the candy and soda.)

Gray Squirrels where referred to as tree rats.

A_Gamehog · February 23, 2010, 09:04 AM

The high pitch squeak they make in communicating amongst each other also tells us where they are, hence the word SQUEAKS (Belding's ground squirrels). On a good day you can get out in a field, setup your table and bench rest, and shoot 3-5 hrs. in one spot without moving. Much more fun than Prairie Dog Shooting. That's because the shooting is non-stop. The only problem is your rifle gets hot and you need to switch guns. Because they are breeding right now they don't hear your guns reguardless of the calibur. Where you see the ground moving with squirrels when you drive up that signals a good day.

K-Falls, Or. and Cedarville Ca. are good places to shoot.

jdscholer · February 23, 2010, 09:08 AM

That landscape behind my tripod is about a mile from our house and the little town where we live. I called several coyotes "right there" this winter, and spent many happy hours flinging lead at the quail which hang around the fringe areas. (even hit a few) There are some pretty nice bucks around, but I've not killed any yet. A lot of the land is BLM with pretty good access, and I have permission on several private places. When I here some of ya talk about trying to find places to hunt/shoot, I realize I've got it pretty good. jd

HAMMER1DOWN · March 9, 2010, 02:19 PM

I have already got my .17, .22, and .223 out and whacked 74 already, I got one of those little counters and hang it from my rearview mirror and am keeping count, I think they are called Richardsons ground squirells around these parts but they get names like.....gophers, whistle pigs, Bas**rds, and on and on it don't matter what you call em' as long as they wind up dead I guess...

cheff · March 19, 2010, 06:46 PM

I leave on the 27th for a week in Idaho BLM killing as many Whistle pigs as I can hit. I got 10k rounds of 22lr and 3k of .223. My son will be using the 10-22 and will be his first trip to kill squeaks. I will be using my Encore and will be my first trip with a pistol for squeaks.

MAN I CANT WAIT!!!!

grubbylabs · March 19, 2010, 07:20 PM

That is a nice tripod set up, wish I had time to go set some.

cheff, where are you going when you get here?

cheff · March 22, 2010, 01:54 PM

I will be there on the 28th or really early on the 29th. Going to hit the BLM land east of Payette for a few days. Then I am headed to Baker city Oregon to visit my brother and kill some squeaks out there.

Dave R · March 22, 2010, 05:43 PM

Quote:

I leave on the 27th for a week in Idaho BLM killing as many Whistle pigs as I can hit. I got 10k rounds of 22lr and 3k of .223. My son will be using the 10-22 and will be his first trip to kill squeaks. I will be using my Encore and will be my first trip with a pistol for squeaks.

MAN I CANT WAIT!!!!

Cheff, we could use a hunting report after you get back. I LOVE a good hunting report.

HAMMER1DOWN · March 25, 2010, 02:42 PM

I have now gotten 182 of those little vermin, I have used mainly my .17HMR but have used my .22, .223 AR, 7x57 mauser, and my .44 mag.

jdscholer · March 26, 2010, 09:33 AM

I headed out the other day to this same spot, leaving the tripod and modern guns at home; instead took the .45 TC Hawken percussion.

After getting my "open sight eyes" adjusted, I started busting them pretty regularly. I ended with nine confirmed kills, and yes the 45 was enough gun.

jd

February 22, 2010, 05:47 PM	#7
waterfowler Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2010 Posts: 115	Nice job. We call them Gophers were I'm at. __________________ If guns are outlawed, only the outlaws will have guns

February 22, 2010, 06:07 PM	#8
Lavid2002 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2007 Posts: 2,568	Wow...thats a lot of squeaks! I just got a new whistle pig I'd love to go to town on those motha's __________________ Math>Grammar

February 22, 2010, 11:01 PM	#10
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	When it warms up a bit and the new grass and alfalfa begins to sprout, it gets pretty bizarre around here. The squeaks, (Belding's Ground Squirrels I believe they are called) don't like to take time out from gorging on the greenery even when the lead is flying. On more than one occasion I have killed more than one with a single shot as well as hit them with a ricochet. There have been days when I killed so many that I felt positively dirty. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

February 22, 2010, 11:45 PM	#11
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	We call 'em whistle pigs here. Hunting them will make you a better shooter. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

February 23, 2010, 01:03 AM	#12
jcjr3020 Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2008 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 127	I dont know about some of you, but we just all them squirrels. __________________ “Talk low, talk slow and don't say too much.” -John Wayne- FEAR NONE - - RESPECT ALL

February 22, 2010, 12:17 AM	#2
Fat White Boy Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Posts: 1,276	Yeah- I played golf today and they were everywhere. They should feel lucky I was in town or they would be gone...

February 22, 2010, 08:43 AM	#3
MosinM38 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2007 Posts: 1,030	We call em gophers here None out yet, it was really nice for a few days, but winter's back now Was really hoping to get a few out to start shooting with .22s.

February 22, 2010, 09:37 AM	#5
rattletrap1970 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: Torrington, CT. USA Posts: 299	I thought you oiled your guns, never heard of a squirrel called a "squeak". We call 'em tree rats in Connecticut.

February 22, 2010, 10:59 PM	#9
Regolith Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 400	Gophers and tree squirrels are different species than ground squirrels. Ground squirrels are more closely related to prairie dogs, though are usually a bit smaller.

February 23, 2010, 01:57 AM	#13
LateNightFlight Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2007 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 552	I like your tripod set up. And I have to admit, that snowless, mudless, sunny landscape looks damn nice about now! I used to hunt an area called Harvey Valley in Lassen with that same beautiful landscape. Lots of badgers in that area. Knock em dead! Looks like fun.

February 23, 2010, 08:52 AM	#14
Uncle Buck Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 2,592	In New England, where I grew up, we had wood chucks, which we called whistle pigs. If they happened to see you and scooted down a hole, you could go to the hole, lay down and be quiet for a moment and then whistle. When they stuck their heads up to see what the noise was you got them. (An Aside: The Town of Hopkinton, RI use to have a bounty on them. I think it was .15 cents a nose. We would pack the noises in salt and then get a ride to the town hall and collect our money. We found out that if we left them on the counter, the town clerk would give us an extra .15 cents to take them out and throw them away. Then it was off to Kenyon's Store (where the post office is now) to buy the candy and soda.) Gray Squirrels where referred to as tree rats. __________________ Inside Every Bright Idea Is The 50% Probability Of A Disaster Waiting To Happen.

February 23, 2010, 09:04 AM	#15
A_Gamehog Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2009 Location: Central Oregun Posts: 563	The high pitch squeak they make in communicating amongst each other also tells us where they are, hence the word SQUEAKS (Belding's ground squirrels). On a good day you can get out in a field, setup your table and bench rest, and shoot 3-5 hrs. in one spot without moving. Much more fun than Prairie Dog Shooting. That's because the shooting is non-stop. The only problem is your rifle gets hot and you need to switch guns. Because they are breeding right now they don't hear your guns reguardless of the calibur. Where you see the ground moving with squirrels when you drive up that signals a good day. K-Falls, Or. and Cedarville Ca. are good places to shoot. __________________ "Happiness is knowing the Barred Owl is Eating the Spotted Owl and environmentalists are watching Nature take it's course"

February 23, 2010, 09:08 AM	#16
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	That landscape behind my tripod is about a mile from our house and the little town where we live. I called several coyotes "right there" this winter, and spent many happy hours flinging lead at the quail which hang around the fringe areas. (even hit a few) There are some pretty nice bucks around, but I've not killed any yet. A lot of the land is BLM with pretty good access, and I have permission on several private places. When I here some of ya talk about trying to find places to hunt/shoot, I realize I've got it pretty good. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

March 9, 2010, 02:19 PM	#17
HAMMER1DOWN Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: Close Enough to Canada to say "EH!!"... MT Posts: 418	I have already got my .17, .22, and .223 out and whacked 74 already, I got one of those little counters and hang it from my rearview mirror and am keeping count, I think they are called Richardsons ground squirells around these parts but they get names like.....gophers, whistle pigs, Bas**rds, and on and on it don't matter what you call em' as long as they wind up dead I guess... __________________ "Worthy is Freedom to only those who are prepared to stand behind their rifles and fight for their rights" -Robert W. Hambley....A.K.A. Myself-

March 19, 2010, 06:46 PM	#18
cheff Member Join Date: June 4, 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 25	I leave on the 27th for a week in Idaho BLM killing as many Whistle pigs as I can hit. I got 10k rounds of 22lr and 3k of .223. My son will be using the 10-22 and will be his first trip to kill squeaks. I will be using my Encore and will be my first trip with a pistol for squeaks. MAN I CANT WAIT!!!!

March 19, 2010, 07:20 PM	#19
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,465	That is a nice tripod set up, wish I had time to go set some. cheff, where are you going when you get here? __________________ * (Swinging club) Whack! whack! whack! * Nope, the old nag's still dead . (Capt Charlie)

March 22, 2010, 01:54 PM	#20
cheff Member Join Date: June 4, 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 25	I will be there on the 28th or really early on the 29th. Going to hit the BLM land east of Payette for a few days. Then I am headed to Baker city Oregon to visit my brother and kill some squeaks out there.

March 25, 2010, 02:42 PM	#22
HAMMER1DOWN Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2008 Location: Close Enough to Canada to say "EH!!"... MT Posts: 418	I have now gotten 182 of those little vermin, I have used mainly my .17HMR but have used my .22, .223 AR, 7x57 mauser, and my .44 mag. __________________ "Worthy is Freedom to only those who are prepared to stand behind their rifles and fight for their rights" -Robert W. Hambley....A.K.A. Myself-

March 26, 2010, 09:33 AM	#23
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	I headed out the other day to this same spot, leaving the tripod and modern guns at home; instead took the .45 TC Hawken percussion. After getting my "open sight eyes" adjusted, I started busting them pretty regularly. I ended with nine confirmed kills, and yes the 45 was enough gun. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher