Ground Squirrels

[Carl]

    Here’s something that sounds like a lot of fun – shooting ground squirrels (there are other names for these critters, I’m sure).  I think this is mostly an East side adventure and also very popular in Oregon. 

I’m thinking about a weekend trip, anywhere.  I’ll go wherever they are; I’m just not sure where that is.

I’ve heard some farmers are willing to let you shoot them because they destroy banks of irrigation canals, and they’re also a problem in vineyards.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful.  I’m just starting my research on this, so I don’t know yet if there is a best time of year for this or not.

I do have some .22LR bullets saved up for this! 

Thanks,
Carl

[JohnVH]

whistle pigs!  They are FUN!!!

[Heredoggydoggy]

A good place to go is the Enterprise Oregon area.  My buddy and his son (who loves shooting those little rats), and I are talking about a trip down there this month (march).  They start going into hibernation about mid-july, and venture out again at the end of February to forage for food when their stores are starting to run out.  Farmers and Ranchers down there hate them so bad that as long as you are not endangering their stock, they are glad to let you shoot them on their property.

[Carl]

I guess you need an out-of-state license, right? 

[buckfvr]

I dont usually see them til about 65 degrees.....full sun.  It is usually windy early on, so we opt for .22wm.  It is a great time for sure,  I just stocked up on Hornady 30gr v-max.  There are plenty on public land, just have to find right mix of trees and meadows......Other than that, its almost like askin where we hunt deer.   

[Southpole]

Yeah, you may have to wait until some warmer weather in a few months. 

[Carl]

Other than that, its almost like askin where we hunt deer.   

Oh NO!!      I didn't know it rose to that level - please forgive me.  

But seriously, I wouldn’t ask for any spots people put time and money into finding.   

I really didn’t think many people were after these critters.

I’ll study up on what sort of terrain they like and approach it that way.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I guess you need an out-of-state license, right? 

No, at least we never bother getting one... we are always on private property.

[Wanttohuntmore]

How difficult is it to get access to shoot rats?  My dad and I have been talking about going to central Oregon for this, but would only have about 4 days to spend. Don't know how much door knocking would be necessary.  We'd probably use 17hmr and 22's mostly, and a few longer shots with the 223's and 22-250's.  might be fun for my young son to cut his teeth behind the rimfires.   

[buckfvr]

Look for their mounds along field edges and near creek edges, along the roads......heck at times its hard not to run them over as they lay on the roads to warm up early on......One clue........west end of Addy/Gifford road, between the top, and hwy 25.  THis is all private, but I do see some squirrel shooters time to time.  Almost everyone has stock in their pastures, so rimfires would be advisable, and I know in some cases, if you know the land owner, it makes it much easier......I dont hunt there, but I can tell you there is uncountable squirrels there.....the same can be said for virtually anywhere that looks remotely similar.   

[Heredoggydoggy]

How difficult is it to get access to shoot rats?  My dad and I have been talking about going to central Oregon for this, but would only have about 4 days to spend. Don't know how much door knocking would be necessary.  We'd probably use 17hmr and 22's mostly, and a few longer shots with the 223's and 22-250's.  might be fun for my young son to cut his teeth behind the rimfires.   

Just knock on doors and tell them you'd like permission to shoot squirrels.  I doubt that you will ever get turned away unless the farmer has livestock in the field.  But at the same time, you may get info on where you CAN shoot them!

[WaltAlpine]

I don't know anybody in Washington, but in Oregon and Northern CA, we had hay ranchers give us thousands of .22 rounds to go out into the fields and shoot.

[Carl]

I hear a lot of folks talking about Oregon.  Do most people go there, or is WA good too?   

[Carl]

Thanks, Buckfvr. Good advice.

I'll try and find such places. I would love to take some kids (1 at a time) to do this. It would be a great introduction to hunting and offer lots of opportunity to teach them safety.

When my son comes to visit from college, I know he would have a blast.

Thanks again to everyone,
Carl

[Heredoggydoggy]

Central Washington,  alfalfa fields adjacent to rock buttes.

Your'e talking about Rockchucks.  Different animal than Ground Squirrels.