Small game opportunities while deer hunting

[Ontario Longbow]

First day I got out for the Ontario 2008 bow season. Literally two minutes in a big doe appears 25 yards out but no shot opportunity. An hour later a beautiful sliver grey raccoon walks down the trail at 6 yards. I decide not to shoot, I'm deer hunting, because I have a fear I may ruin my stand set-up. I draw (practice) at 6 yards and flinch the release, my brain is fighting with itself, I'm not going to shoot but almost do. As it turns out no other deer show up tonight and now I'm second guessing not taking that great pelt. In the past I've passed raccoons, skunks, rabbits and grouse because of my reluctance to cause a disturbance on the stand site. What do you guys do in similar situations,,

Thanks,,Frank

[Broken Arrow 1]

I do the same thing I do not want to spook any deer so I do not shoot and sometimes kick myself for it

[ironrhino]

Shoot them!!! I shot a Squirrel one time... and it ran just out of bow range, only to be promptly picked up by a fox about an hour later!!! Still saw deer... Besides the majority of us hunt because we love the outdoors and want to enjoy Gods creation!!! I've had stillhunts turn into stump shoots, and squirrel hunts turn into deer drags!

Life is short and few of us hunt as much as we would like! If you NEED the meat, Grab a Rifle and hold out for a deer. Otherwise, Have fun... and let the stuffy ones get their shorts in a knot over a dead raccon while "on a DEER hunt"

[Rick P]

Well I shoot just about any legal game I encounter because my family needs the meat. I never leave the house thinking "I'm off to hunt moose" in my mind it's "lets see what can I legally harvest right now". Frankly we can't afford to pass on a ptarmigan or bear in the hope a moose will come along, you cant eat a hope!

I also shot small game while on post for deer when I lived in Michigan never stopped me from having a successful year. I have harvested squirrel, grouse and deer all in the same day from the same post.

PS love and hope to visit again some day the area around the pancake river and Batchawana bay! Used to be great Bear hunting and speck fishing.

[jonsimoneau]

I used to shoot a lot of squirells out of my deer stands but frankly, I don't like to eat the meat.  I pretty much stopped shooting them....but every once in awhile one tempts me a little too much.

[Rick P]

Originally posted by jonsimoneau:
I used to shoot a lot of squirells out of my deer stands but frankly, I don't like to eat the meat.  I pretty much stopped shooting them....but every once in awhile one tempts me a little too much.

Stew them or put them in a crock pot with BBQ sauce and let them sit till fork tender....you'll be running a shaft through them again in no time!

[killinstuff]

Go ahead and shoot them. I shot a grouse last night and two sqirells the night before. It's still hunting isn't it and it really helps at the moment of truth when something big comes along. Besides if you shoot yourself a deer this early in the season are you still going out hunting? Make the season last.

[John3]

I agree, hunt any legal animal... I will not shoot squirrel or rabbits; but will not hesitate to kill a fox, coyote or racoon.

That being said I will not shoot any bobcats. I hunted for 15 years before ever seeing one. They are just "too neat" to shoot. I've seen at least one cat within 15 steps or closer the past three years straight. Just awesome...

Good shooting to all.

John III

[always89s boy]

i just shot a squirrel yesterday while deer hunting and that didnt mess me up, but the dogs did.

[adeeden]

I just can't seem to resist squirrels!

[buckeye_hunter]

I have declared this entire season for squirrel hunting! I Figure if the quarry is squirrel and I get a deer that is just icing on the cake!

One problem, sometimes I just like to watch the squirrels play!

The racoon likely would have gone in the pot, especially if it was a big old fat one! I usually let the babies walk.

-Charlie

[twosheds]

I have a real problem letting tree rats make their way in and out of bow range without at least scaring them with an arrow. I think it's a real problem.

[koger]

I used to shoot at small game, but one season I shot a squirrel and was about blasted out of my stand by a bg 8 point behind me about 20 yds, who promptly blew snorted and stomped up the hill alerting every deer in the area. If you are on deer, and seriously deer hunting, then that is what, then deer hunt is what I do. If you are open to anything, then let'em fly by all means, but dont be disapointed if you scare deer away. As far as messing up your area, I wouldnt worry about the blood, etc. I have had deer come in and smell of a bloodtrail and a gutpile the same day or next, nevery get excited, just curious.

[crossstickspro]

I always leave em alone, in a tight spot those little guys can help you spot a big un, deer or pig. They'll head for high ground till they know for sure whats coming in. But if it's gettin late and I want fresh meat I'll shoot till I run out of arrows,or game.

[allanburden]

If it comes in range, and is edible, I shoot.  My wife refuses to eat squirrel when she knows I'm cooking it, but she loved my "bar-b-q" last week.  Squirrels make up the majority of game I harvest, because there's just so dang many, and I echo an above statement, we just plain need the meat.