Squirrel season opens, and there is a swamp rifle that looks the part. This Ruger 10/22 has an 18.5 inch barrel, a ten-round magazine and a wood stock with a gator engraved on it.

The 10/22 is a simple, accurate semi-auto .22 LR, and decades of use have proven it. Light weight and no recoil make it a gentle rifle for new hunters. Wood furniture feels good in the hand, and the engraving adds a personal touch that sets the rifle apart from the common black synthetic model. Wipe it down after wet weather and store it dry, because North Carolina humidity is hard on steel.

Down east, a gator on a stock may remind you of the Carolina swamps, where rimfire rifles take squirrels, rabbits and the occasional nuisance critter. It is also a fine plinker for the range. Ruger's rotary magazine is reliable, and parts are cheap and easy to find.

A rifle like this is a nice gift or a keepsake for the family. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer, where the background check is completed at pickup.