Who's going out for small game tomorrow (9/3)?

[Ecestu]

Just curious. All of my Ruger .22s are sighted in, ready to rock and roll. I was going to put a Rattler scope on one (and did), but had a change of heart at the last minute and went with a clip on model instead. I sense Brunswick stew in my near future!

 

[308Scout]

I might if I get the time in the PM. I encountered the biggest tree rat the last two afternoons that I've ever seen. Absolutely massive fox squirrel. It's tail alone had to have been ~20-24" and I'd estimate 16-18" between the quarters. We're talking a BBQ worthy squirrel. I've heard of them getting that big further south, but had never seen one.

 

[Brickman301]

I’ll wait until we get a couple of good frost before I hunt small game. That being said, I plan on hunting doves on Monday with my son, cousin, and possibly my brother.

 

[teratos]

I might if I get the time in the PM. I encountered the biggest tree rat the last two afternoons that I've ever seen. Absolutely massive fox squirrel. It's tail alone had to have been ~20-24" and I'd estimate 16-18" between the quarters. We're talking a BBQ worthy squirrel. I've heard of them getting that big further south, but had never seen one.

Jesus. That’s a squirrel from Chernobyl.

 

[308Scout]

Jesus. That’s a squirrel from Chernobyl.

I was absolutely shocked when I saw it. It completely dwarfed all of the normal gray squirrels that we get in the dogwoods. I may have to get it mounted as proof should my luck break that way. I figure it with a little cowboy hat and a pair of mini six-guns on its hips would be appropriate for squirrel taxidermy.

 

[Uncle Duke]

I was absolutely shocked when I saw it. It completely dwarfed all of the normal gray squirrels that we get in the dogwoods. I may have to get it mounted as proof should my luck break that way. I figure it with a little cowboy hat and a pair of mini six-guns on its hips would be appropriate for squirrel taxidermy.

I'll never forget seeing some of the fox squirrels in WVa for the first time years ago. For someone used to only greys, the damn things looked like cats!

Get that rascal! Good Luck!

 

[Ecestu]

I might if I get the time in the PM. I encountered the biggest tree rat the last two afternoons that I've ever seen. Absolutely massive fox squirrel. It's tail alone had to have been ~20-24" and I'd estimate 16-18" between the quarters. We're talking a BBQ worthy squirrel. I've heard of them getting that big further south, but had never seen one.

Are you sure it wasn't just a smaller gray coyote?

 

[308Scout]

I'll never forget seeing some of the fox squirrels in WVa for the first time years ago. For someone used to only greys, the damn things looked like cats!

Get that rascal! Good Luck!

Thanks! There's a healthy population of fox squirrels here. Mostly they keep to the other side of the ridge line from me. Gamewise, the tend to taste a lot better than grays, IMO. I haven't been out for them in a few years.

Are you sure it wasn't just a smaller gray coyote?

I suppose it could've been a small red fox, if they learned how to climb and gracefully leap between trees about ~15-20' above the ground. Definitely a fox squirrel.

In all seriousness, When I first saw part of it behind partial cover, my first thought was groundhog as I've seen them climb 10-12' up trees occasionally. But tweren't that, either.

 

[Sampson]

I'll never forget seeing some of the fox squirrels in WVa for the first time years ago. For someone used to only greys, the damn things looked like cats!

Get that rascal! Good Luck!

Saw 2 that were cat size down in Dorchester years ago. Actually, thought they were cats because one was an albino and the other was almost all black. It wasn't til they got closer and scurried around the tree that I figured out what they were.

 

[Ecestu]

One down. 5 to go.

 

[Hibs]

I usually don’t go out until rabbit opens too, but honestly I’ve been looking for excuses to shoot my new rimfire suppressor. Target practice on squirrels actually isn’t a bad idea.

 

[Virgil Co.C]

Went out today . It was a hot day , beautiful morning. Not much happening after around 8 . Sat up on field in afternoon looking for some dove , nothing flying . 3 squirrels though I’m content. Still very thick but nice to get out.

 

[Sticky]

We got into the doves today good over on the shore. There is a limit that was already cleaned and bagged before we took a pic.. Dove poppers for lunch tomorrow!!!

 

[teratos]

We got into the doves today good over on the shore. There is a limit that was already cleaned and bagged before we took a pic.. Dove poppers for lunch tomorrow!!!

View attachment 378844

Damn. That’s a good day! Veal of the trees

 

[Sticky]

Damn. That’s a good day! Veal of the trees

I'll try to remember to get a pic before I inhale all the dove poppers tomorrow...

 

[teratos]

I'll try to remember to get a pic before I inhale all the dove poppers tomorrow...

You’ll just make me jealous-er. Lol. Enjoy!!!

 

[Ecestu]

I'll try to remember to get a pic before I inhale all the dove poppers tomorrow...

Recipe?

 

[Slackdaddy]

As my "river trips" have pushed into Mid/late Oct,, small game is now a Jan thing, after I am done with deer.

 

[Ecestu]

As my "river trips" have pushed into Mid/late Oct,, small game is now a Jan thing, after I am done with deer.

I like going before deer season that helps put me back in the hunting frame of mind.

 

[Sticky]

Recipe?

Sorry, didn't see this post.. Really simple.. breast out the doves and remove the breasts from the breastplate. Take a jalapeno and quarter it (lengthwise then crosswise, big ones work better). Make up a cream cheese filling with 1 stick of cream cheese softened and 1 or a little more teaspoons of Tony Catcheres Cajun spice, mix well. Fill the jalapeno with cream cheese mix, don't be sparing, you'll lose a little at the end usually. Add the half dove breast, then wrap with 1/2 slice of bacon and toothpick it together. This will do a limit with one stick of cream cheese mix and about 8 jalapenos, you may need more than 1lb of bacon.

Smoke at 225 for about 1 1/2 - 2 hrs and then put them on the grill to crisp the bacon up, about 15 mins on a hot grill (to your liking). I use hickory, mesquite or cherry, all work well.

Still eating the leftovers.. nuke em in the microwave for a min or so on half power..