Author Topic: Squirrel Dog, Or Squirrel Call. Which Pays off Better for You? (Read 1874 times)

Dee · « **on:** January 02, 2010, 03:05:38 AM »

I love trampin in woods with my ole Jack Russell "Huff" and he is a squirrel huntin machine. BUT! To be honest about the whole thing I actually get more squirrel with a call. Also the shots are closer, and with less movement. Huff, as any other squirrel dog goes, is lookin for scent and the squirrel is lookin for a hidin place.
With the call, the squirrel is lookin for the invading squirrel to either run it off, or play with it.
Like I said. Closer shots, easier shots, less movement on the squirrel's part, and more in the bag at the end of the day, with the call.
How about you guys? Which is better for you?

Swampman · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2010, 03:12:27 AM »

What brand of call do you use? I haven't had a lot of luck. I want to take my new (to me) old 16 gauge for a walk pretty soon.

Dee · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2010, 03:30:03 AM »

Swampy it's a Buck Gardner "Squirrel Call". I bought it several years ago and I have watched squirrels come to me from close to a hundred yards away. You have to camo up and they pickup pretty quick on movement, but I wait until they are close, and when I can't see them, they can't see me, and that's when I get ready to take the shot. Most of the time, they NEVER see me. Once they get close don't call when they can see you, or they will bust you.
Here is a pic (I hope) of the call, the load I use, and the rifle I use. It's a Model 92 Winchester clone I tuned myself, in 357 mag. loaded with a very light load 38 special cast bullet. The top rifle is the Model 92.
The call comes with a cd, and it is about as basic as you can get.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2010, 03:33:47 AM »

I would rate the dog higher than the call.

For my serious Squirrel hunting, I do neither but choose to still hunt those rats. Nothing like still hunting to get you tuned in for bigger game to include deer. I still hunted through a covey of (wild) quail on one memorable occasion.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2010, 03:58:03 AM »

I still hunt myself, mostly with a .22 rifle but sometimes a pistol or pellet rifle. I may start using my .357 handi loaded way down just for grins.
I don't own a dog but I might try hunting with a call some, I'd like to see how well they work.

Swampman · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2010, 04:01:24 AM »

We can't use a centerfire rifle for squirrels in FL or I'd take my .357 Handi. When I was a kid my buddy had a red haired mutt that would go into the prettiest point you ever saw when it had a squirrel treed.

Dee · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2010, 04:10:49 AM »

Quote from: glanceblamm on January 02, 2010, 03:33:47 AM

I would rate the dog higher than the call.

For my serious Squirrel hunting, I do neither but choose to still hunt those rats. Nothing like still hunting to get you tuned in for bigger game to include deer. I still hunted through a covey of (wild) quail on one memorable occasion.

Why would you rate the dog higher than the call? Is this thru experience or just opinion, and have you ever actually used either? I'm looking for a better way to score. I have also still hunted them for over 50 years, but I'm not too old to learn a better way.

spruce · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2010, 04:38:53 AM »

Never had the pleasure of hunting with a squirrel dog so I can't compare it to calling.

Have had some good results using a "Mr. Squirrel" brand of call. It's shaped like a small disc with a hole in the center. You use it by sucking air thru it and it's supposed to replicate a distress sound a squirrel makes when being attacked by a hawk.

The typical response is a nearby squirrel will run out on a limb trying to locate the source and chatter away like crazy. Then depending on circumstances you can either take the shot or try to stalk within range.

For more sport I used to hunt them a lot with a S&W mod 15 stoked with wadcutters - really "whacks" them hard.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #8 on:** January 02, 2010, 08:10:14 AM »

Quote

Why would you rate the dog higher than the call? Is this thru experience or just opinion, and have you ever actually used either?

The dog was an American Spaniel/mongrel breed that I worked hard with in the intrest of flushing Phesant & Quail. Hardest part is keeping the dog close of course but it worked out well starting with a 50ft leash and whistle signals once she took the slack out. It got to where she would even look back and started responding to hand signals based on which direction that I pointed.

We would work the woods as much as the fields and edges and it was very common for those Squirrels to run to my side of the tree once that dog had passed. My suggestion would to be to try and work the woods in a grid fashion to get the most out of this. Seemed like the Squirrels attention was on the dog for the most part.

Edit: I have a Mr. Squirrel call but I mainly use it for Coyotes blowing on it while shaking a nearby sapling via foot pressure. Sometimes hawks and Owls come in also. Especially the Owls.

Dee · « **Reply #9 on:** January 02, 2010, 09:30:15 AM »

Well it appears that your use of a dog is pretty much the same as mine. I don't work mine on a leash though, all the hand signals I taught in the yard. And yes, the dog will push the squirrel around the tree. The call method however, catches the squirrel totally unaware that he needs to hide, much like calling coyotes.

Mack in N.C. · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2010, 10:06:32 AM »

i have a call that if a squirrel goes into a nest or hole if i call on it about 1/2 the time it will come out.... ,

Dee · « **Reply #11 on:** January 03, 2010, 01:36:25 PM »

Thats' been my experience Mack. As much as I like my squirrel dog, I seem to get more squirrels with a call.

S.S. · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2010, 07:11:12 PM »

Call, hands down.
Dog spooks them and they
disappear. I have a cat that hunts with me
that pounces on them after I shoot them.
He has picked them up and ran with them on occasion.
Kind of a funny scene I would bet.
Guy shoots squirrel, Cat steals squirrel. guy chasing cat
through the woods with stick trying to recover squirrel
from growling cat. I know some one will chime in saying
they would shoot the cat, but I care more for this cat
than I do for most people.

Dee · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2010, 04:15:47 AM »

This is funny.

BGRooster1 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2010, 01:17:45 PM »

That cat story sure was funny,and you added the cat shooting part.Just as I was thinking it.I have known a few good cats.So I do know how you feel.They are one in a million.
I sure like the question that started this.I have never tried the call,but do own one.Just don't get the chance to.Also have not hunted with a dog,but am trying to learn about doing it..Something about hearing a dog work that I like.So,I joined the forum squirreldogcentral.com

Dee · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2010, 03:22:39 PM »

BGRooster1, to really get the max out of a squirrel dog, you have to really ease thru the woods behind him. I have learned that when the squirrel trees he will move to other trees, and if the dog is not very diligent the dog will stay with the first tree.
The call is the lazy man's squirrel hunt. I can set on my but, and try and coax the squirrel to me.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2010, 02:49:43 AM »

Dee, What does that Buck Gardner call sound like? Scold? chuck? whistle?
Thanks

Dee · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2010, 03:36:14 AM »

It's a pretty good imitation of a squirrel bark.

BGRooster1 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2010, 04:30:04 AM »

Somedays that is just what ya need,a lazy day in the squirrel woods.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2010, 04:40:13 AM »

I had a dog that hunted squirrels years ago and enjoyed hunting with him alot . When I hunt now its with a call when needed and that also is fun . Alot of the time the call is not needed as i seem to hit the woods when they are out . My daughter was given a cat that had lost its mother and nursed on a dog . When the dogs were let out to run deer the three cats would go also . When i hunted near the house the cat would follow and sit near me . I learned to watch the cat as he always saw deer first .
He nrver picked one up and run off .

Dee · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2010, 04:42:25 AM »

Doesn't sound like much of a cat SHOOTALL. He obviously has no competitive drive if he doesn't even TRY to run off with the deer. I'd get rid of him.

BGRooster1 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 06, 2010, 04:49:18 AM »

Doesn't sound like he would even be worth a bullet.lol

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #22 on:** January 06, 2010, 07:06:35 AM »

That cat has been gone quite a long time now . Don't think he ever knew he was a cat .

S.S. · « **Reply #23 on:** January 08, 2010, 04:28:45 PM »

Dee,
my call looks pretty much like that one.
it doesn't just bark though. Hold it by the
plastic and give it a good shake. Mine sounds
like a squirrel that is ticked off at another squirrel.
If the woods are quiet, I use it by shaking it.
It normally gets the tree rats talking.

pastorp · « **Reply #24 on:** January 08, 2010, 05:12:49 PM »

Dee, have you ever tried lighter loads & cast bullets in your 30-30 for squirrel hunting?

I've always used a 22 or shotgun myself. But thought If I ever get back home during squirrel season I might try the 30-30.

I've never used a call or dog. Usually just sit for a while until they start moving, then after the shot I'll move a short distance and sit again.

No squirrels where I live now, at least not the eating kind.

Regards,

Dee · « **Reply #25 on:** January 09, 2010, 05:05:58 AM »

pastorp, yes I have. I have loaded my 3030 up and down since I started reloadin in about 1970 or 71. I used a cast 170 with a gas check, and unique power. About 6 to 6.5 grains as I recall. Since I bought a Model 92 in 357 mag I started using it, in 38 special because I can get the round down under a thousand feet per second.

pastorp · « **Reply #26 on:** January 09, 2010, 07:57:21 AM »

Dee, You used the same bullet then, not a lighter one, and just lowered the velocity.

My 30-30 is a marlin marauder mfg in about 1962. It came origional with a 16&1/4" barrell. Sure handy but I've never hunted with it. I've owned it about 5-6 years and because they are getting up there in price (only a little over 5000 made) I shot it but haven't hunted with it. My first 30-30 was a marlin regular carbine I bought when I graduated high school in 1963. I loaded all kinds of bullets & weights for it except cast.

Think I'll try a lyman mould and see what I can get accuracy wise. What diamiter you size yours too. I know I'll need to slug my bore and size them a couple thousands over.

Regards,

Dee · « **Reply #27 on:** January 09, 2010, 11:04:46 AM »

Next time I am out to my shop I'll look at my sizer die. Right now a polar bear would want next to the stove it's so cold.
As far as me changin bullets, I haven't in over 50 years on the jacketed 150, but the cast I have been shootin the same one since only about 1977.

Hillbillybone · « **Reply #28 on:** March 08, 2010, 08:11:45 PM »

Each time I go out squirell hunting I don't take any calls, or dogs. I just sit down beside a tree and let them come to me. Than I take my .17 and plink them off.

plumberroy · « **Reply #29 on:** March 09, 2010, 04:40:00 PM »

Dee : there is a big difference in a dog that will tree a squirrel and a squirrel dog. top squirrel dogs tree by sight follow the squirrel and get to the opossite side of the tree when you get near to run the squirrel around. They are a joy to hunt with, and few and far between. I burried the best one I even had the pleasure of walking the woods with in 1980. She was a mix of mountian cur, treeing fiest and elkhound
her name was Kay and I miss her every time I walk in the woods

I call in as many deer with a barker call as I do squirrel

Roy