Any respectable hunter is aware that delivering a good kill shot is not just humane and ethical but it should be something all of us make an effort to do regularly. Squirrel hunters are no exception but we are confronted with an issue that other hunters do not; smaller targets. This is why it's important for squirrel hunters to be proficient with their firearms and consider ever shot they take.
Nobody can make a perfect shot 100% of the time however, when you are faced with an injured animal (due to a not-so-accurate shot) what should you do? The very first thing you should consider about ethical hunting is an accurate shot. You might use a shooting stick to boost your accuracy, be familiar with how your firearm shoots, know a bullets path and more importantly, know the best places to hit your target. The most productive and humane shot a squirrel hunter can take is a head shot. It goes without saying that it is the hardest shot to make because of the size of the targets head, however this shot will deliver an immediate death and will bring no suffering to your prey.
The second, and often most utilized, shot is the neck/chest shot. You are given a rather larger place to hit and the death of the animal is close to instant, minimizing the suffering it may face. If you are not able to make a head shot, move your aim down a bit and go for the neck (severing the spine) or aim for the chest. A solid chest shot will most likely hit a vital organ or two and the animal with die quickly, with little suffering.
One last factor to weigh is what to do should you hit a squirrel and it isn't a fatal shot? There's several factors to consider here. First, can you take a second shot and put it out of its misery safely? If so, go for it. If you can't take a secondary safe shot use a knife to end its suffering BUT.. and I can't stress this enough.. MAKE SURE YOU CAN DO SO WITHOUT ENDANGERING YOURSELF!
Use caution when approaching an injured animal. If you can get close enough to see that it cannot hurt you, go ahead and finish it off. If you are unsure, try moving to position to take a second shot at it. You can also consider hitting it in the head with a long stick to help you maintain a safe distance. DO NOT use the butt of your gun! MISFIRES CAN AND WILL HAPPEN if you neglect your firearm and using it as a "club" could create a very dangerous outcome.
Be considerate when you're hunting and strive to always make clean and humane kill shots but don't forget that your safety is more valuable.
Nobody can make a perfect shot 100% of the time however, when you are faced with an injured animal (due to a not-so-accurate shot) what should you do? The very first thing you should consider about ethical hunting is an accurate shot. You might use a shooting stick to boost your accuracy, be familiar with how your firearm shoots, know a bullets path and more importantly, know the best places to hit your target. The most productive and humane shot a squirrel hunter can take is a head shot. It goes without saying that it is the hardest shot to make because of the size of the targets head, however this shot will deliver an immediate death and will bring no suffering to your prey.
The second, and often most utilized, shot is the neck/chest shot. You are given a rather larger place to hit and the death of the animal is close to instant, minimizing the suffering it may face. If you are not able to make a head shot, move your aim down a bit and go for the neck (severing the spine) or aim for the chest. A solid chest shot will most likely hit a vital organ or two and the animal with die quickly, with little suffering.
One last factor to weigh is what to do should you hit a squirrel and it isn't a fatal shot? There's several factors to consider here. First, can you take a second shot and put it out of its misery safely? If so, go for it. If you can't take a secondary safe shot use a knife to end its suffering BUT.. and I can't stress this enough.. MAKE SURE YOU CAN DO SO WITHOUT ENDANGERING YOURSELF!
Use caution when approaching an injured animal. If you can get close enough to see that it cannot hurt you, go ahead and finish it off. If you are unsure, try moving to position to take a second shot at it. You can also consider hitting it in the head with a long stick to help you maintain a safe distance. DO NOT use the butt of your gun! MISFIRES CAN AND WILL HAPPEN if you neglect your firearm and using it as a "club" could create a very dangerous outcome.
Be considerate when you're hunting and strive to always make clean and humane kill shots but don't forget that your safety is more valuable.
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