My First Successful Hunting Trip

[jthrelf]

Went to Evansburg State Park today with the 12 gauge to hunt squirrel. Previously this season I went to French Creek State Park a couple times with the 10/22 and barely spotted any squirrels, did see the ass end of a doe though.

Not even 1 minutes into the woods along the Skippack Creek Loop I saw two of them, but couldn't get a shot. I walked about a quarter mile and hiked halfway up a ridge and sat on a downed tree. Not even 5 minutes later I see three crawling up an old oak. I blasted one with a good shot, and then got another a few seconds later. Both dropped and died instantly and I was happy for clean kills and no suffering. I used a full choke with #6 high brass, making the shots from about 30 yards away.

I retrieved and dressed them. Perhaps a little slow but learning a few things during my first time. I decided two was enough for my first trip and headed home. I think I could have bagged the limit today because the woods were crawling near the creek! On my way out I saw quite a few more. And then something I thought was pretty special...

Across the creek two 8 point bucks and a doe ran by me! The way the sunlight was hitting them was awesome. Not a bad sighting for a quick trip.

Came home and cooked them up in the crock pot. I hope my deer friends I saw today are still there later on this year .

[eatmydust]

The harvest is always bonus time, the experience of spending time in the woods doing what we love and building lasting memories is the meat and potatoes.

[gghbi]

Went to Evansburg State Park today with the 12 gauge to hunt squirrel. Previously this season I went to French Creek State Park a couple times with the 10/22 and barely spotted any squirrels, did see the ass end of a doe though.

Not even 1 minutes into the woods along the Skippack Creek Loop I saw two of them, but couldn't get a shot. I walked about a quarter mile and hiked halfway up a ridge and sat on a downed tree. Not even 5 minutes later I see three crawling up an old oak. I blasted one with a good shot, and then got another a few seconds later. Both dropped and died instantly and I was happy for clean kills and no suffering. I used a full choke with #6 high brass, making the shots from about 30 yards away.

I retrieved and dressed them. Perhaps a little slow but learning a few things during my first time. I decided two was enough for my first trip and headed home. I think I could have bagged the limit today because the woods were crawling near the creek! On my way out I saw quite a few more. And then something I thought was pretty special...

Across the creek two 8 point bucks and a doe ran by me! The way the sunlight was hitting them was awesome. Not a bad sighting for a quick trip.

Came home and cooked them up in the crock pot. I hope my deer friends I saw today are still there later on this year .

And that is the best part of being in the woods! It's the kind of thing that will get you hooked on hunting. I used to work with a guy that brought squirrel pot pie in and shared it, so there is something to google for a recipe. It was very very tasty.

[bamboomaster]

Way to go! Thanks for posting your "day in the woods". Sounds like a Henry David Thoreau moment...

[Qtrborecrazy]

Squirrel taste like chicken on the grill.

[mpan72]

My friend bagged his first and the first of our group a couple weeks ago in probably the same spot. Three of us all split one squirrel. I like them so i can continue to hunt them. I hope to get a few myself net trip.

[ar15jules]

Sounds like you had a great day afield. We have many opportunities here in PA to get out into the woods. Enjoy and be safe.

[wis bang]

Five min of sitting still seems to repair the 'rip' your presence made to the spot, if they are around, they will start to move.

I still remember my first one, across the road from the cabin about 50 years ago. I was 12 or 13 eastern arms single shot 12ga, external hammer.

[10ring1]

Went to Evansburg State Park today with the 12 gauge to hunt squirrel. Previously this season I went to French Creek State Park a couple times with the 10/22 and barely spotted any squirrels, did see the ass end of a doe though.

Not even 1 minutes into the woods along the Skippack Creek Loop I saw two of them, but couldn't get a shot. I walked about a quarter mile and hiked halfway up a ridge and sat on a downed tree. Not even 5 minutes later I see three crawling up an old oak. I blasted one with a good shot, and then got another a few seconds later. Both dropped and died instantly and I was happy for clean kills and no suffering. I used a full choke with #6 high brass, making the shots from about 30 yards away.

I retrieved and dressed them. Perhaps a little slow but learning a few things during my first time. I decided two was enough for my first trip and headed home. I think I could have bagged the limit today because the woods were crawling near the creek! On my way out I saw quite a few more. And then something I thought was pretty special...

Across the creek two 8 point bucks and a doe ran by me! The way the sunlight was hitting them was awesome. Not a bad sighting for a quick trip.

Came home and cooked them up in the crock pot. I hope my deer friends I saw today are still there later on this year .

Congrats! May u enjoy a lifetime of the outdoors and sportsmanship. It is so rewarding.