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Looking For Middle TN Small Game Hunting Buddy/Mentor

PSU Cosmic

PSU Cosmic

Active Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2024
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Location
Clarksville, TN
Hey everyone, as the title implies, I'm looking for someone to hit up some public land with me for squirrels and rabbits. I'm sure that I could find success on my own by still hunting, sticking to hardwood areas, looking for chewed nuts, and being patient (from what I've researched), but I'd love to get out of the house and meet up with someone who could show me some tricks of the trade or just have a good hunt with. I've never really hunted before, but small game provides an opportunity for me to scout out my local WMAs (I've got my eye on Shelton Ferry WMA and Cheatham WMA, for the following reason, but I'm open to other nearby locations as well) for deer sign to map out so I can go into my first deer season next year with some intel, as well as to work on my woodsmanship.

I should be free on the first weekend of January (or any other weekend, barring this upcoming one). If anyone is interested in taking a newbie in under their wing, I'd greatly appreciate it! The sooner you hit me up, the better, since I'll have to coordinate with my wife. If not, I'll still make my way out there solo, so no worries. In any case, any other tips would be greatly appreciated!

Figured I might as well ask, since closed mouths don't get fed. I'm here humbly to learn. Hope to hear from someone soon!
 
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This is about what you will find. Sorry mane!!
 
MUP said:
That's a tough order. Between you having to coordinate with your wife to get permission, and the other party involved having to coordinate with their wife to get permission, this mission may be aborted before it gets going even. 😁 Good luck in your endeavor! 👍🏼
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Haha, yeah I figured I may not get any bites, but I certainly wouldn't without asking. Regardless, I'll be heading out by myself, so it is what it is. Thanks, I appreciate it!
 
It just dawned on me that I've got this Wednesday off work, so I'll be up bright and early to make my way out to Cheatham WMA! onX shows lots of mixed oaks there, so I'm hoping squirrels will be all over the place, but we'll see. This will be my first time hunting as an adult, so I'm really excited to get the ball rolling! Wish me luck, y'all!

Will be using my new Gamo Swarm Maxxim .22.

Edit: If anyone has any tips for me, feel free to share!
 
Here are the tips I'd give...
  • Find a likely spot
  • Move slowly...watching and listening more than walking
  • Shoot straight
  • Carry some snacks / coffee or water
  • Have a knife, water and a cooler with some zip lock bags at the car for cleaning / quartering the squirrels
  • Enjoy your morning in the woods
  • Make squirrel and dumplings whenever you want to enjoy them.
Does your PSU stand for Penn State? One of the regulars on here (tnrifleman) is a Penn State Alum....and an all around good dude....

Good luck,
David
 
david k. said:
Does your PSU stand for Penn State? One of the regulars on here (tnrifleman) is a Penn State Alum....and an all around good dude....

Good luck,
David
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Thanks for the tips, David! Yup, you are correct! I'm doing their World Campus (online) program alongside my full-time job. Figured I might as well use my Post-9/11 GI Bill and collect that sweet housing allowance from Uncle Sam! I'm aiming for a BS in Accounting, but that trajectory may change to a Business degree with a focus in Accounting, we'll see.

Squirrel dumplings seem to be a favorite among this community, so that will definitely be my first recipe! I see that the bag limit is 10/day. Would you say that 5 in a full day is pretty doable? I'd love to bag out, but have no idea what to expect (besides complete failure, haha).
 
PSU Cosmic said:
I see that the bag limit is 10/day. Would you say that 5 in a full day is pretty doable? I'd love to bag out, but have no idea what to expect (besides complete failure, haha).
Click to expand...
There is no way to know except to get up and go...all hunting is like that....

As an old guy, I think about quality vs quantity anymore...just go and have fun.
 
Well, I went out yesterday morning and arrived at Cheatham WMA around 7:30, so kind of late. Anyway, I got in range of 3 squirrels, but I couldn't get a clear shot on two of them. One actually jumped to a tree that I was based under and then ran straight down it towards me (on the other side, but I could see his head)! 😂

For the third squirrel, I caught it running along a downed tree. It stopped and I took a shot at it's head but missed. I've shot about 300 pellets through my Gamo Swarm Maxxim .22 and my groupings haven't been the best. I've noticed that the groupings are getting tighter, but I still have some flyers from time to time. I've also only used the Crosman Premier Hollow Point pellets, and I've heard that air rifles can be quite picky. I have 250 H&N Sport Field Target Trophy pellets on standby that I'll be testing out at some point, but I'm waiting to fire off at least 500 of the 1,000 Crosmans that I have on hand first to break my barrel in since they're significantly cheaper. I'm also using the stock scope that it came with, so that may be an issue as well. I did blue loctite the mount screws at least though.

It was a sad day, haha.

Overall, I had a great time in the outdoors! I did break a cardinal rule though - I forgot the coffee! I nearly passed out sitting against a tree trunk. In any case, it was certainly better than any day spent cooped up working from the house!

My biggest takeaway is to get there earlier, probably an hour or so before legal sunrise, and just stay nice and still. Looking forward to going back to that same spot this weekend! It was a bit dense but at least I know for certain that there was some activity in that particular area.
 
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