You can spark a lively debate among veteran squirrel hunters as to whether a shotgun is a better tool than a .22 rifle. Yet even the most impassioned debaters may well change their stance with the seasons.

Conventional wisdom dictates that the smoothbore is the preferred tool during the early fall, when vegetation is still relatively thick and squirrels are on the move. Once the full weight of winter settles in, bringing bare-branch vistas and noisy walking conditions, the rifle is often the choice.

At least, that's what conventional wisdom says. But as history often shows, "conventional wisdom" may just be an oxymoron.

As a general rule, the early season shotgun and the late season rifle philosophy has some merit. Still, it is not carved in stone, because it fails to take into account the individual style of the squirrel hunter who is toting the gun. Even in a leafy environment, an accurate .22 rifle can still be an effective tool. It just depends upon the hunting philosophy of the individual carrying it.

Given the lush vegetation and relatively quiet footing with a lot of squirrels active on the ground, walking up on bushytails is a lot easier in October than it is in January. Shots here can be relatively short. When a startled squirrel scampers through the greenery towards its favorite tree, it can be a difficult target. The smoothbore is the ideal tool for this action, since you do not to be very precise with your shots.

Virtually any shotgun, from the diminutive .410 to the 12 gauge, can be a perfect choice. In the larger gauges, no more than an ounce of shot is needed, and a modified choke can work as well as a full in any gauge but the .410. When it comes to shot size, most agree that No. 4 is a bit much and No. 8 a bit light. That leaves size No. 6 as ideal.

If a quick pace is your idea of the perfect squirrel tactic, the smoothbore should be your tool of choice during the early season.