What is used to shoot rabbits and squirrels: rifles or shotguns?
November 10th, 2009 by eranio
And how are they carried. What kind of bag or other item do you put them in as you hunt?
Thanks.
Posted in used shotguns
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November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Either of these can be used effectively, with a .22 rimfire being the most common rifle. Since you are asking these questions, I will assume that you are just getting started, so a shotgun may be better. Any shotgun will do, using #4, 5 or 6 shot for these animals. Some people carry small game in a hunting vest or coat with a game bag attached, some hang them from their belts. The best way may be to use a game strap like this one: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=null-cat601054&id=0015697224428a&navCount=0&podId=0015697&parentId=cat601054&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601054&cmCat=netcon&cm_ven=netcon&cm_cat=N/A&cm_pla=N/A&cm_ite=netcon&hasJS=true
It allows you to carry several, and will allow them to cool better than a game bag, thus reducing the chance of spoilage.
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Shotguns are used, and I usually have seen them put in a mesh type of bag.
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Both. We used .22 LR rifles on the farm cause they were cheaper than a shotgun shell, but later on when I was taking my son hunting we used shotguns and took them on the run.
Sarge
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
I wear my shell vest it has a game bag on the back.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0027459942315a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=game+vest&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=game+vest&noImage=0
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Um… never use a .22 when rabbit hunting (spot and stalk) because it’s inhumane I had some dude hunting with me and when we got the rabbit there was eight holes throughout it before it died!!!!
Now I use a shotgun which is allot easier to hit them successfully with and puts them down instantly, use 4 shot.
Carry them in a orange bag or backpack. Allot of times if it’s hot out and you are shooting one or more hundred during the day you should gut them tie in tree off strings under shade so bugs don’t get them and so the meat isn’t spoiled!
Just my 0.02
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Either one is good depending upon your experience level. From the sounds of your question I would say you are a beginner, so a shotgun would probably be your best bet. I use a vest that has a pocket on the back for game.
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
It’s all in how you like to hunt… I use a 22 for both rabbits and squirrels. I am not much into eating lead contaminated meat and unless you are sure you can remove every pellet after blasting something with a shotgun, you going to eat (and possibly break a tooth) on lead shot. The individuals that I hunt squirrels with have a rule, you have to head shoot every squirrel, if you miss the head and hit the body, your done for the day. It builds patience and accuracy, in the case of rabbits, it also builds speed in getting on your target and follow thru on your shooting. Again, it’s all in what your trying to accomplish, it’s just that we don’t feel it takes much skill to balst a little bunny or squirrel with a flippin shotgun…..
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Yes. Either a miniature rifle (22LR being most popular) or a shotgun (usually with #6 shot) is used for hunting rabbits and squirrels, and game bags or vests that include a game bag in the fanny area are popular.
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
I’ve always hunted Rabbits and Squirrels with both a 22 Rifle and a Shotgun. As far as carrying, I like the others, have a hunting vest that has a game pouch built into the back of the vest..Since Rabbits and Squirrels have a tendency to bleed quite a bit, I always carry a rolled up 13 gallon trash can liner and put them in the plastic bag first, then put the plastic bag with the game in the vest pouch on my back. This stops the blood from soaking thru the vest pouch and making a big mess..Been doing it this way for over 40 years..
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
uzi 9mm
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
A 22 long Rifle caliber is a humane caliber to harvest rabbits with.* I use both,because I have an O/U shotgun with 22 on top barrel and 20 gauge on the bottom barrel.* I also hunt them with my Trap, Skeet and Field Grade Ithaca Shotguns.* They are also O/U shotguns.* I use a Hunting vest or coat with a game bag in back.*
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
I used to hunt exclusively with a .22 when hunting either rabbits or squirrels. My reflexes and eyes are not as good as they used to be so now I often cary a shotgun when hunting either of these animals. I still enjoy hunting them from time to time with a rifle but I bring home more animals when I use a shotgun.
I wear a hunting vest when I am afield. The vest has a game pocket in the back that I put the animals that I bag into. They also make a device that hangs on your belt that you can hang the animal in and let them dangle at your side. That is sort of a bother to me and I prefer to use the hunting vest. I have a friend who made himself a bag that has a shoulder strap that goes across his shoulder and the bag hangs on the opposite side sort of like a woman wears a purse with a long strap. He made it of heavy canvas with a flap to close the bag. He swears by it but I found it was less comfortable than my store bought hunting vest.
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Either is good. he .22 has the advantage of having to remove only one prjectile. With a shotgun, you may have many pellets to remove from the game before eating it.
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
I use a 28 ga Remington 1100
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
rifles .22rifles are good to use
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
I have a business for cattle ranched in pest control for squirrels. We shoot them with a .17 cal. It is almost as fast a an M-14 at 2680 fps. Great knockdown power even at 400 yards. We just leave them in the field for the eagles and coyote’s! In one weekend my partner and I killed 1,158 of them!
November 10th, 2009 at 3:28 am
I use a .22 for squirrel & a 20 Ga for rabbit. Used a .22 for both for many years but my eyes/reflexes ain’t what they used to be. A running rabbit with a .22 is a tough target! I use a mesh bag (like a laundry bag) to carry. Lets the game cool out better than a vest or fanny bag.
Hunt safe
Kill clean