With deer season finished, hunters still have many opportunities to continue activities afield in the pursuit of one of Michigan’s under-utilized natural resources: small game. If the pounds are piling up, maybe it’s time to consider a meal of wild rabbit or squirrel.
If you are at all like most deer hunters, you may see plenty of squirrels in the hardwoods, while on stand, but wouldn’t think of shooting them for fear of spoiling any hope of taking a whitetail deer. But, with deer season over, we have until March 1st to put a few nutcrackers in the pot.
With youngsters in the family, who are breaking into the hunting fraternity, small game hunting is just the ticket to excitement and honing outdoor skills. The basics of marksmanship and stalking game are crucial to success and lessons learned can be utilized in the years to come no matter the quarry.
It’s economical, too. Many firearms manufacturers produce inexpensive scaled-down, youth-model guns for youngsters that fit better than full-size models. As an option, .22-caliber rimfire rifles, which are plentiful in the used market, can be adapted by cutting the stocks down and older single-shot or bolt-action rimfires can be purchased for $100 or so. Sure the youngsters will outgrow them eventually, but modified starter guns can be passed down to others or sold outright without fear of losing a great sum of money. Make sure to find one without a cracked stock and one without heavy pitting on the barrel, unless cosmetics are not important.
If you are at all handy, you may want to re-blue the steel and refinish the wood, which is typically fine black walnut and not as common on today’s production guns.
Mossberg Model 152
In fact, the entire process of modification and restoration can be another opportunity to get a child involved in a hands-on experience they’ll be proud of for years to come.
The actual wood refinishing is a rather simple process, although it can consume a fair amount of time. With the stock removed, begin sanding with heavy grit paper to remove deep scratches and end the process with fine paper, always sanding with the grain of the wood. Preparation is always the hard part.
Then wipe it clean or use a tack rag and hang it by a wire for spray finishing. Aerosol spray cans of polyurethane produce surprisingly good results but take many applications to fill the grain. Just follow the instructions provided on the can and make sure to use an exterior grade product, because the gun will most likely be subjected to the elements.
Mossberg Model 151M
Rimfire ammunition wont’ break the bank, either. Pick up a couple of variations to determine what the gun likes best, dial it in, and get out there. Hunting with the kids sure beat hunting for them, but don’t let their steady nerves and sharp eyes humble you too much in the process.
