Squirrel Hunt and World Champion Squirrel Cook-off

Squirrel hunting may offer one of the best opportunities for the beginning hunter. For others, it's a reminder of their earliest hunting memories. And at the World Champion Squirrel Cook-off in Bentonville, squirrel cuisine is reaching new culinary heights.

[@doughesson]

A good squirrel hunter is also a good deer hunter.

[@raymoore9300]

Nothing finer to dine upon then fried squirrel, corn, mashed tators, and of course the whole dish smothered in squirrel gravy on top. You aint lived till you have had good squirrel gravy!

[@luckykeythesquirrelcleanin6751]

You got that right Ray More.

[@efvangilder2642]

I started as a squirrel hunter and I'll end as a squirrel hunter. We have a family tradition of fried squirrels and gravy for Christmas breakfast.

[@pwn3426]

Due to the lack of people hunting them now compared to 20 years ago, Squirrel here in KY are so abundant that I'd dare say they are over populated. I hunt them with a dedicated 22lr AR-15 platform with a 10 round mag topped off with a 3-12x40 optic.

[@doughesson]

I've used a single shot .410,a20 gauge shotgun & various .22s. My current small game rifle is a 1962 vintage Remington Nylon 66.

[@justin81011776]

I’ve watched this video many times and it’s very entertaining! I especially enjoy the two characters at the beginning... Both the rifle and the shotgunning for squirrel are well represented and then the cooking... This is how hunting should be portrayed and carried on, not that stuff they show on the outdoor channel.

[@johnbircher5412]

Had no idea there was such a thing. Love it. Squirrel hunter from Ohio. Andrew.

[@Broxty]

"Nuts up, don't shoot!" Bahahahaha sickest T-shirt ever!!!

[@kevinb314]

I love this video! Excellent entertainment and makes some great points. Wayyy too many hunters want to be put in a stand, told what time the buck is going to come out, blast him and call themselves a pro. I love small game hunting and think its supremely underrated. I wish they had an event like that near me! Great job guys!

[@luckykeythesquirrelcleanin6751]

This is hunting, not waiting in ambush.

[@SmokinJoesPitBBQ]

Freaking awesome! I bet hunting squirrels is a ton of fun. 👍🏼

[@pawcrawlowens8730]

When I was a kid, squirrel season was better than Christmas

[@greenmountainwoodsmen2820]

You gotta love a good day in the woods squirrel hunting

[@kansaspatriot2051]

We still do a lot of squirrel hunting here in Kansas. All of my kids started their time in the woods chasing bushy-tails!

[@unionrdr]

I wish we had as many squirrels up this way in NE Ohio. Hard to find a stand of shell bark hickory or a beech tree these days. The squirrels got the hickory nuts, I got them & the bark that curls up & falls off for the bbq pit. And I haven't seen a beech tree in years. Too many money grubbin' fools cuttin' all the nut trees down for fancy, expensive furniture & not replanting! And they got the nerve or ignorance to berate us hunters? Seriously? You respect me, & I'll respect you, it's simple folks.

[@mikehubbard5493]

Yea, I love going squirrel hunting. I miss the days when I could hunt the farm lands. We use to get giant grey squirrels. Once I got one, and the head was as big as a baseball.

[@jimmycarter2492]

A dieing breed squirrel hunters , love deer hunting , but I miss squirrel hunting. Checked the zero on my 22s. Back in the groove. Take a child hunting , need to protect hunting.

[@TrueFloridian813]

I love squirrel hunting.. Nothing like good ole squirrel stew

[@TrueFloridian813]

Alex Smirnov I only kill what I intend on eating. I hunt legally in the state of Florida, and it is not a crime. I was squirrel hunting yesterday in fact. I appreciate your concern on my freedom, but I am not going to be arrested for my hunting. Thank you very much.

[@TrueFloridian813]

Alex Smirnov Listen buddy I understand where you are coming from, and I respect it. However, I eat meat. You speak of god like I will be punished for eating meat. I have been raised in a Christian church, and I'm quite certain everyone in the congregation eats meat. I do not kill for fun, and every life I take is respected. Whether its a deer or squirrel I always thank the animal, and thank god. I use as much of each animal as I can so nothing goes to waste, and I am ok with that. I'm sure my god is too. I'm sorry if this kind of video upsets you. Maybe you shouldn't watch it. It's on youtube, but no one is making you watch it. All I'm saying is I respect you, but I also eat meat. And instead of buying all of my meat from the grocery store where its packed with steroids and growth hormones I'd rather get my meat myself. I hope you can understand. And if not I hope you can understand that we are all different, and although I eat meat it does not make me a bad person. P.S. I love animals, and I am all for conservation, but a big part of conservation is management. Like I said I love animals, and my dog is like my son. God Bless you Alex. Have a great day

[@antonybrown432]

I love the challenge of squirrel hunting placing the shot and don't forget the gravy and biscuits St Louis in the house

[@judgeholden849]

coincidentally just tried squirrel for the first night in my neighbors stew, and its fire, I could eat it on the reg

[@paulmoss7940]

Noticed my man had great equipment. Shannon outdoors BugTamer jacket, look like a big leupold topping that maggie. Head shots. Thats the way to do it. .22mags are underrated,I love 'em.

[@BEZ1X1920]

2:42 man i love the passion of that dude :D

[@simplysouthern5725]

I like the guy with the bolt action 22 he's got some skill, good for him.

[@echo2003]

Love it’s a .22 mag too.

[@davidspencer2663]

Simply southern I think he's shooting a Cooper Jackson squirrel rifle too.

[@MrThfknsamurai]

I literally bought a 22 bolt action for this purpose. Squirrel sniper

[@ohshoot444]

Really nice rifle and probably a $450 scope too. You can tell the dude loves it.

[@clintjohnson7023]

Fried squirrel red eye gravy and cat head biscuits. Best meal ever.

[@RobertSmith-ub6tk]

I love squirrel hunting my granny introduced me to squirrel hunting in Kentucky as a kid I'm 50 years old and I still love going squirrel hunting

[@aircommando505]

Some of the most fun in the woods. All the aspects of hunting are found in squirrel hunting. Plus good eating afterwards.

[@robertmintz63]

Wonderful thing to do, we need more of this! Back to our roots & never mind the negative libs

[@johnnygunz2300]

What is really wild is that dude's goatee. I'm a slob too so no judgement (just teasen a bit). Great video by both you guys. Great luck to both of you and all the other squirrel hunters. Happy hunting!

[@johnwsutton9467]

I enjoy small game hunting much rather do that than deer hunt

[@bl4ze600]

Same

[@umbuibui1]

Great first shot , nice 22 mag!

[@pyrofful]

Squirrels are much.....much more abundant than white tails in the woods I hunt so it is much more fun because I usually get a few. If I would only deer hunt I would probably get discouraged after a few years and stop hunting. When I would deer hunt I would be lucky to see one or possible two deer the whole gun deer season. Squirrel hunting I usually see one squirrel a day or every other day. Great for kids that are new and you want to keep the morale up and there aren't many deer. I defiantly remember my first squirrel hunt!

[@ronkay1573]

Nice quality rifle. My favorite for squirrel hunting is my Anschutz 1710 D KL sporter in 22LR using subsonic HP’s.

[@pawcrawlowens8730]

That's a nice 22 magnum, back in the early 70's I couldn't sleep October 14

[@ronkay1573]

Squirrel hunting with a 22 rifle is my favorite.

[@cabotbluegill]

great vid guys for sure

[@zSotelo1147]

Oh how I miss NWA, the hunting scene in Arizona is much different! Miss the Midwest

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

I know the feeling too. Really miss Pa. hunting seasons. Yes, I have the means and time to go Bach for a few months however most of my old hunting partners are gone and my sons live in cities and pretty much gave it up. Now age is catching me but, I would still be able to set and squirrel hunt.

[@jonathangill9081]

Going to this Saturday can't wait

[@shortcut579]

Arkansas is a beutiful state

[@doughesson]

I agree. And I'm from Tennessee.

[@andrewsmith941]

I agree about shooting in a back yard and sure us some pretty woods could stay in there awhile

[@chaseoutdoors1436]

Love me some squrill Hunting

[@chanelcurry313]

Great video

[@backwoodsman4854]

22 magnum Jackson Squirrel Rifle with a Leupold 50mm scope, wow, serious equipment!!

[@joereck2001]

I have a question , u with the mag. I seen ur ammo holder on ur hip. where did u get that.

[@vinnyha5793]

Wow...honestly i’m from vietnam, been in USA for 35 yrs, never eat squirrels... guys... plant on hunting this August coming up... learn how to cook and how it taste.... lol....

[@doughesson]

It takes the taste of whatever you season it with. The meat is smooth & velvety in texture, so use it however you'd cook chicken. Enjoy.

[@michaelwalter7214]

It's better than RABBIT in my opinion.

[@clintjohnson7023]

1st animal I ever hunted. And I'm frome loneoke.county arkansas I know hazen.loneoke.cabot and Beebe and Jacksonville areas well as well as Searcy I'm 50 now have hunted everything the u.s.a has to offer but squirrel hunting is still my favorite

[@ptownrat3811]

Clifton should have been the first black president.

[@Baboon4215]

I remember the first time I ever ate squirrel meat when I was younger....some of the best meat I've ever eaten to say the least.

[@Tomatohater64]

+Michael Bishop Yummy. Squirrel and rabbit are delicious. Probably the best tasting small game there is.

[@hunter100t]

+Stephen Pruszenski I can agree with that, also wood pigeon breast, very tasty straight from the pan !

[@cobra03pcphunter8]

+hunter100t you are a 100% right . Dove meat is super delicious. One of the best one..

[@tjkhamphavongsa]

Michael Bishop [_

[@robertvanderhoof6082]

This is great

[@kayang9658]

Dam that looks fun.

[@horizanadventures]

Good job : )

[@Dutch1722]

If you can hunt squirrels, you can hunt anything.

[@randolphtolbert3825]

Dutch1722 amen Brother

[@555Trout]

I've got an issue with firing a ..22 into the air. That bullet if misses is gonna come down somewhere. I love to hunt squirrels but only ground shots for bullets. How about a 20g shotgun for the upward shots?

[@bacwoodsgospel6879]

I 100% agree

[@allisonwright1622]

Thick canopy and know the area, also I bet he made sure there was a back stop before shooting

[@robertmintz63]

How about a over/under -- 410 shotgun / 22 long rifle

[@bakugosrage8976]

I don't know how or when but one day I will go to that festival. Might try to enter it with Buffalo Squirrel "Wing".lol

[@independentthinker8930]

We wait till after first frost here in Alabama, helps get rid of parasites. Do it using muzzle loaders, adds a ton o fun to it

[@AlphaQHard]

It doesnt help. The parasites stick close to or inside the body, so they dont die with the frost.

[@clayton203]

Yep,,daddy raised me on squirrels and rabbits,,a deer here and there,,and that’s it,,we grew up using shotguns hunting squirrels in these small patches of woods,,mostly fox squirrels,,hell you mite not see but 4 or 5,,then I started hunting around the river,,heck there would b a limit of greys in one tree,,so I changed to a 22,,just to make it a challenge,,then I went to a single shot Mach 2,,head shot only,,made it a little more interesting,,first time out with that gun killed my limit of fox and grey squirrels mixed,,down on the river,,killed one at 72 steps,,all in the head,,which daddy loved squirrel brains and eggs,,I didn’t just haft to have that ,,so I continue to tear them heads up,,

[@MrRagweed]

I love northwest Arkansas. When is the next one?

[@carlosmarco8262]

hello!.. it's sound awesome, could somebody tell me where that's place at, please?

[@BlackAnvil47]

Try squirrel hunting from a ground blind, I came by this deer hunting. Why hunting deer I've seen tons of squirrels while in my ground blind.

[@jeremyblackwater439]

I too hunt squirrels here in Virginia but I usually use a high power air rifle. .177 .22 or .25

[@LaytonEstates]

Great video, love shooting some squirrels. We use to get them for their tails and sell them to Mepps haha NOT WORTH IT!

[@garyteague9555]

love a 22 mag but i was thinking it was to much power for a squirrel but i guess i was wrong , he’s getting head shots and dropping them

[@echo2003]

Love a .22 mag myself. I use the CCI FMJs so if you happen to take a shoulder shot it doesn’t mess them up like a hollow point would.

[@slappy1234567]

This video is PETA approved.

[@erickgarcia9327]

Do they still hold this event?

[@peternelson9865]

Chicken of the tree

[@minnesotanature]

It's the eating - floured , fried on cast iron, salt and pepper to taste. The put the whole pan in the oven !

[@attorneydad]

Where can I get one of those Natural-Gear-dipped H&Rs?

[@trapperlee1946]

Mr jackson no disrespect but might need some blaze orange folks crazy and around here shoot bushes thinking they seen a monster buck js great video too btw im in South Carolina

[@rockfieldlangley1955]

That's one pretty .22.

[@divinosnipercoariense6363]

very good

[@thesuccessfulbarber]

i live squirrel hunting, skinning and eating.

[@cedarpoplar7443]

You know. First thing that came to mind when seeing the title of this one video was:. Slingshots. Yes. Plain and simple. Slingshots. Come on! You going against 'squirrels'! Give em a chance to run. You fools.... I better shut up.

[@jimmygangster]

People on youtube: Shoot a squirrel with a loud shotgun, a second squirrel is seen immediately calmly trotting along the trees nice and slow. Me: Shoots a squirrel with a loud shotgun and every single animal and insect within a 5 mile radius just disappears into thin air.

[@taylorharbin3948]

Yep, been there, lol.

[@derekrush3116]

Shot my first squirrel with a recurve bow. Cooked him over the fire with some beans. Good times

[@aircommando505]

I use .22 bolt rifles with scopes. But I just got a 17 hmr and going to use 20 grn solid bullets. Should make it interesting.

[@echo2003]

Great choice for the 17… I started using the 20g solids in my Marlin after the first time I made a shoulder shot with a 17g vmax. That bullet basically blew it in half. As a bonus my particular Marlin shoots the 20 grains better.

[@williammccaslin8527]

That .22mag is flat shootin aint it,I use one for hog huntin in the swamp, 40 gr FMJ 's an a dime size group at a 100 yds, whats not to like, an the rifles 40 yrs old now.

[@allnerfedup8303]

is hunting squirrel with a bow a good idea? or would a spear be better?

[@pyrofful]

Better be able to hit a quarter or 50 cent piece regularly if you want to get a humane quick kill with a bow.

[@paulmoss7940]

slingshot

[@greenmountainwoodsmen2820]

Nice shootin

[@m1garandm155]

camouflage clothes with a red cap... holymakaroni !

[@doughesson]

Even if it's not required for the season at hand, it can be a good idea. Some of the best hunters I've known never bothered with camouflage.

[@stephencorleymississippili4007]

The best squirrel hunting is with a dog

[@doughesson]

I hunt with my Dachshunds & only have problems getting them to stop looking for squirrels.

[@sonjiaj1156]

Anyone know if Clifton Jackson have a KZbin channel for hunting?

[@northofdetroitoutdoors7404]

Good question! I’d watch him for sure!

[@blaze-mh9eg]

I like squirrel better than deer hunting

[@travishorton8290]

So there's no license required for squirrel hunting? NICEEE Wish deer and fishing was like that too.

[@frankspivey3920]

Clifton Jackson must be overpaid. Custom bolt action with a leupold scope for squirrels. He's serious about it

[@clintjohnson7023]

Omg pea.ridge

[@alansinclair9786]

Go DAWGS!!!

[@dalegreenleegreenlee8085]

try to do it with a felf made bow and arrow

[@pyrofful]

There so simple to season to. I heard on youtube of just sprinkling with seasoning salt and boy they are great. clean them, spray with oil, sprinkle with seasoning salt, bake and enjoy healthy lean meat!

[@uptonsavoie]

Where are the dogs?

[@sawmillcountry]

I see a lot of people wasting the backs and the brains. You’re really missing out. The liver and heart ain’t too bad either, but I usually save them for catfish bait.

[@bacwoodsgospel6879]

wheres your orange cliff

[@thirdlantern]

It takes a rifleman to hunt small game.

[@loganhockenberry5026]

ThirdLantern lol I use a 12 gauge because I am far from a rifleman

[@tomcatt1824]

Or someone good with a pistol 🔫

[@doughesson]

Well, my nearest WMA in Tennessee only recently allowed rimfire rifles for small game. I grew up shotgunning for squirrel & rabbit b/c of that. I use my 20 gauge or my .410 b/c I've always felt that a 12 gauge was kind of a heavy trip for a squirrel.

[@thendofspace]

Where your black lab @

[@swamppappy7745]

Go Dawgs! Clifton!

[@mrwatercup]

That is the bravest black guy I have ever seen. Going into the woods with a white dude and a gun.

[@northofdetroitoutdoors7404]

No bravery required. I do it all the time with my white and black friends with no fear at all. In fact, we go to the woods to get away from all that “us vs them” stuff and just enjoy a challenging hunt together in the beauty of God’s creation. There’s something about hunting shoulder to shoulder with someone that just creates a special bond between people.

[@remingtonwiningham5592]

I killed my first squirll yestardy 2with a410

[@chaseoutdoors1436]

Remington Winingham congrats man

[@chaseoutdoors1436]

Remington Winingham congratulations

[@billyoung3828]

Would be a lot more fun with a good to decent cur dog treeing them

[@SheldonBeldon]

How dare they kill these poor defenseless squirrels and have the festival in AK, too far away from me to visit and eat all of it.

[@h.aritchie7717]

Those poor tree rats. May need to look up there eatting habits. They do eat meat. They dont have killing skill for bigger game.

[@stephengraydog3988]

TREE RATS, meat.

[@osi2484]

Shooting .22s up in the air, dangerous thing to do. They have to come down some where.

[@ljubisamilisavljevic973]

Šeki

[@semco72057]

I use to hunt squirrels and deer years ago, but gave it all up after shooting a deer on our property. While standing over it I cried like a child and said then that I would never shoot another animal and to this day have not shot another one. The bad part was I was not hungry and had plenty of food at home. My guns are now used for self defense only at home.

[@h.aritchie7717]

Not a opinion one bad shot not worth human life. Small issue for me gun safety shooting. Rule 4 .....know your target and beyond.. 22.cal and Gun Safety. Gos out the wondow for hearing. Shots hitting trees near you. Young guys shooting at birds. Was on. Hill above them. Rain 4 12 gauge. Number 4 shots to say hey your not alone. i get it they had no clue was there . i do hunt. Some days people forget gun owner is responsible party . So dam easy to slip at times.

[@keithfiredive]

Herbert A Ritchie I don’t have hunting experience, but I got my lifetime license and want to get into it. I have been practicing a lot plinking my marlin 60. I really want to try squirrel. So many people use the 22lr for squirrels up in trees. I’ve been looking it up a lot lately, because I get a bad feeling about shooting into the air too. It’s pretty crazy how many people don’t understand the physics of it. It will be faster than terminal velocity unless you shoot it perfectly straight up. I’ve seen comments. “It won’t be any worse than an acorn falling off your roof”. Wrong. Others think it’ll come down as fast as it went up. Wrong as well. Others say, “I always know the path is clear, you’re good if there are no houses within a mile and a half”. No way someone knows the path is clear. I want to practice safety. Realistically everything comes with a little risk. Lightning, car crash, etc. Where does 22lr into the trees factor in on the risk scale?