So your stuck using a shotgun, why not downsize to one suitable to the game your hunting.A lightweight SxS 20ga is more than enough gun for squirrel hunting.

too bad it's shotgun only. i learned when i first started hunting squirrels about barking them. if you can use a .22 you can shoot right next to their head when they are on the tree and the concussion kills them. i've actually done it. but as you said, you don't always get the ideal shot and good for you for not letting the wounded animal suffer.

So flyer22, would you rather leave an animal to suffer if you don't have a clean second shot? We here at F&S should READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE BEFORE COMMENTING and for the most part everybody else does.

7 1/2's is fine for such size game.The beauty behind the SxS is you can have 2 diffferent choke options, full for headshots on sitting squirrels and mod, for runners

Why not hunt with a pellet gun? head shots only and they don't run off, you still have plenty of range too.

BTW, one thing about this story is that it honestly reports that the two of them got two squirrels grand total. I find there are plenty of hunters who find it unbearable to think they might hunt squirrels and have to admit they only got one or even none. Not macho enough!

That, though, is just hunting. It ain't about filling the game bag all the time. If you are a true outdoorsman you still have a ball.

For a tree critter a good .410 would be plenty its squirrel not a grizz, or as rabbit said a pellet gun. flyer22 I would'nt be to quick to judge unless you want to be judged.

So what would be a good shot size with a 20ga? I haven't hunted in 14 years(deer), and want to get into squirrel/rabbit hunting.

Oh my freaking lord did I read the whole article.

I quote "But I do admit to occasionally having taken close shots purely out of choice—and GREED. After a long day in the field with nothing to show for it, it’s difficult to hold your fire on an animal that appears right in front of your gun, because waiting for it to move farther away may result in your not getting a shot off at all."

THAT WAS THE STATEMENT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.

"...not getting a shot off at all" versus a hasty shot that will simply kill a squirrel and leave little left over.

I am not calling Mr. Toth an irresponsible hunter, of course not. I would never do that due to not knowing the man from Adam, and I am SURE that he is quite the opposite.

So why don't you read a little more into my post and into the last statements in the article before you rush to judgment.

And my "shame on you" statement was a little more sarcastic and playful minded than you give it credit for, my most sincere and heart felt apologies if you deemed it otherwise.

I agree with putting the animal out on the one that his buddy had shot previously....but obviously YOU did not read any further into what he said AFTER that.

so many opinions! I disagree with a lot of the above.

There is no problem using a 12 guage, and I still say the .410 is for experts in its use and not for most of us.

You do *not* tear up game by using #4 or #6 shot. The opposite is true, with #8 or #7&1/2 you get denser shot patterns that tear up the game more at normal range and wimp out at longer range. #4,5, or 6 is correct shot size for squirrel.

As the article mentions, poor shot placement due to the squirrel moving when you shoot is really the problem. You can be pretty close, aim for the head, and get a pretty clean shot [maybe the less meaty front end in general will get too much shot]. But if that dude moves...

why not try a 410? works good for me at close and long range

I agree with mike, I hate it when a wounded animal gets away, especially a quail, if they are wounded in any way they will die.

Squirrels have good red meat,sure glad I can use a .22 in where I live in Idaho.

I have found that no. 4 shot with a full or mod. 20ga. has worked the best for me with squirrels, they have a tough hide and 4 shot has the punch without to much shot damage. i aim for the head/nose and i don't mangle them. I don't use a .22 because i want to be prepared if i run into a grouse (scarce now), bunny, or if in season, a state stocked pheasant along the edge of the woods. Now, one of my favorite spots(fed. refuge) doesn't allow lead for small game (i think silly) so i'll use no. 2 steel and keep my shots a little closer when i am there.

I stand by my first statement. I've had success with #4,#6,#8 and 7-1/2. 2-3/4" Shotshells in 12 ga.
I still think 7-1/2 is a good round and I've never tore up a squirrel usin it or any of the other ones and aimin for the head/chest.
and they All have gone the distance.

What really stinks is that it is shotgun only.

Tough to mangle game with a head shot from a .22 or .17.

To the comment about "mangling game":
How much was usable from the mangled squirrel, who has little meat on it as it is?
Squirrels and rabbit are about the only thing that I hunt well, and even I have come home without an animal because of the lack of a proper shot. Shame on you for killing an animal simply because you didn't want to come home empty handed. We here at F&S should be more responsible than that, and for the most part, are.