A few squirrel hunting questions.

[Glock19Fan]

Hello.

The last two weekends me and a few friends have been going squirrel hunting. It is really fun, and pretty relaxing.

Anyway, I have a few questions I was hoping someone could answer.

First, how good is the meat after you shoot the squirrel? A method I use it to let the squirrel stay where it falls so you dont scare away more squirrels. So, take the time I would wait, plus the time for searching, and the time it takes to get it back to the my house for skinning may take an hour or two.

Second, what time of day are they usually active. I have heard right as the sun rises, but I was out as early as 6:30 until about 10:30 and there didnt seem to be a peak in which the squirrels come out. Perhaps it was a bad spot?

And finally, is there any salvagable meat other than the four legs?

Thanks!

 

[glockgod]

Early in the season the hour just after daybreak and before sundown are the most productive. Later on(like now) you can find them out most of the day. But just after daylight is still my favorite! I save 4 legs and the back, ain't enuf on the ribs to fool with. Staying put after shooting a squirrel is a good idea-I've shot as many as 3-4 without moving. Squirrel hunting is a very good way to hone your stillhunting skills for deer season. And yes they make good vittles too!

 

[cajun47]

the four legs, the back and the head. yea i cook the whole scull and eat the brains. i killed 4 huge ones today while scouting for hogs. i pass on the small ones, let them grow.

i have them cooking in a black iron pot with onions as i type. serve with rice.

 

[BIGR]

Early in the morning til about 10 AM or so just like you said. Then later in the evening til about dark. I use to shoot them and carry them for hours, before dressing them at home. I ate the legs and back portion of them. They make real good gravy and some good dumplins too.

 

[chemist308]

First, how good is the meat after you shoot the squirrel? A method I use it to let the squirrel stay where it falls so you dont scare away more squirrels. So, take the time I would wait, plus the time for searching, and the time it takes to get it back to the my house for skinning may take an hour or two.

I've never done that. Once I shoot, it seems they generally know what's going on. What I like to do is wait until two or three are running around then open up on em. After that, the immediate area is pretty much spoiled anyway. I skin and gut right there, then throw in a plastic bag and put in my game pouch. In some areas I'm lucky enough to have a nearby stream or spring to wash my hands, others I have to use my canteen.

Second, what time of day are they usually active. I have heard right as the sun rises, but I was out as early as 6:30 until about 10:30 and there didnt seem to be a peak in which the squirrels come out. Perhaps it was a bad spot?

Most often I find them in the late morning and early afternoon. But I don't know of any real time.

And finally, is there any salvagable meat other than the four legs?

I roll in flour and fry the whole thing. When eating I pick em clean. If deer tasted that good they'd be endangered.

 

[1911 guy]

Morning and evening.

As mentioned, morning an evening are usually best for activity. As far as meat, I usually use a rifle so I get a bit more edible meat. Take it off the bone and cook in a crock with onions and veggies. Makes a good stew when you thicken up the broth.

 

[halvey]

If you want to cut off and eat the legs and meaty parts, you can take the rest (ribs etc) and boil it for a soup base. There's an old Czech soup called Verchmachka. Basically it's evaporated milk, potatoes, bay leaves and whatever extra game meat you have. In the old days, squirrel used to be very popular in that soup as it added a "greasy" (in a good way) addition to the soup.

the four legs, the back and the head. yea i cook the whole scull and eat the brains.

I've never heard of that. How do the brains taste or how are they eaten?

 

[MCgunner]

Ease out into the woods, find yourself a nice tree to lean back against and make sure there's no fire ants near by, LOL, and just wait for good light. The squirrel like to move in the mornings and evenings and often after lunch around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, they'll be barking and squalling and playing. When I was a kid, we lived next to a good squirrel wood that I had permission to hunt. I often would hear 'em squalling all over those woods on a bright, crisp afternoon and I'd grab my rifle for a few stalks. They will move about any time of day, but best time of day is usually first light and afternoons to sundown.

I never clean the little buggars until I get back in. I'll hunt the morning, come in and clean 'em. But, the skin comes off a little easier if they're warm. You could carry some baggies and skin 'em afield, I just prefer to be near water to wash up with afterwards.