Squirrel Hunting Tips

[MWenzel]

I love to hunt and have recently started squirrel hunting. I would say that I am a succesful hunter. I am used to getting something most of the time, but I can't seem to find any squirrels. I am always pacient but none ever seem to be out when I am hunting. I know they are out there. I need some tips for bringing the squirrels in.

 

[MWenzel]

And another thing, I have heard rubbing two quarters together works good as a squirrel call. I was wondering if anyone else had heard of this.

 

['Card]

Squirrels don't hibernate mid-winter the way some animals do, but they will hole up and stay in to conserve energy during periods of especially cold weather - sometimes for several days. When they do go out to forage for food, they seem to prefer two times of the day: between 8 and 9 in the morning after it warms up, and between 3 and 4 in the afternoon before it starts to cool down.

They tend to spend more time on the ground during the winter than they do in the summer. Partially I think that's because the lack of ground vegetation allows them to see better and farther. The other big factor being that their primary diet consists of nuts they buried and hid back in the fall. Of course, as soon as something spooks them, they head for the treetops.

So I guess the best advice I could give you would be to look for areas with a lot of squirrel's nests in the trees (easy to spot now with no leaves on the trees), be out at the right time of the day, find yourself a good spot, and wait patiently.

 

[SDC]

If they get this big, bring someone along for backup.

 

[glockgod]

In my experience the first 2 hours and last 2 hours of daylight are the most productive. Squirrels follow the food- early fall look for them in hickory or beech trees. Later in the season watch the oaks and walnut trees. When the leaves are off and the nuts have fallen to earth look for them on the ground. Look with your ears as much as your eyes, you will locate as many or more squirrels by sound than by sight. Still hunting is my favorite method but if the leaves are dry and noisy I'll sit down and wait em out. Camo isn't mandatory but it doesn't hurt to wear it. Been hunting squirrels for almost 40 years and it is still as exciting now as it was when I was 10 years old!

 

[glockgod]

P.S.- I've heard of using 2 quarters to mimic the sound of a squirrel cutting a nut. I have found that a 3/8 bolt and a washer make a more realistic imitation. Squirrels calls help too, they usually don't come in but they will answer. Then you can slip up on them.

 

[marksman13]

My favorite way to squirrel hunt is with a dog. Rat terriers and fiests make some of the bests. I've got a friend with a rat terrier that never had to be trained. He is just a natural hunter. I've done alot of still hunting and stalking too. If you can find a semi dry creek bed with over hanging limbs (quite common here in Mississippi) that would be the place to start. It's easy to see the buggers moving across the limbs over the water.

 

[sm]

And another thing, I have heard rubbing two quarters together works good as a squirrel call. I was wondering if anyone else had heard of this.

Yep, and it works.
Drill hole, piece of rawhide lace through both. Hang over weak hand little finger. Squirrel won't "turn" ( come around to your side of tree) rub quarters.
Squirrel "turn" let quarters hang from little finger by rawhide lace and shoot.

Handgun, shotgun, .22 rifle - all works with this method.
I like using a .22 handgun and seeing how close I can stalk for the shot.

How raised - what you do.

Stve

 

[Cosmoline]

I find they like to give territorial calls shortly after rain storms when the sun breaks through. Once you learn an area of forest, you can figure out about how big their territorial claims are. So if you hear one chitter in the distance, don't just run after it, wait perfectly still until the one close to you decides to call. Even if he suspects you're there, he will still have to call out eventually or risk losing his territory. These buggers are HIGHLY territorial. One morning I shot a series of six squirrels from my cabin door as one after another came running in to claim the territory of the one I just shot. I couldn't believe it. They were too excited about the new space opening up to figure out why the squirrel just fell dead.

But then again there are other times where I swear they're playing games with me.

 

[redneck2]

Also...if it's been real cold and then warms up, particularly if it's sunny, they can really move around. I saw three the other day moving over the snow after we'd had sub zero temps for days on end.

 

[MCgunner]

They love crisp, sunny afternoons with low wind. I like to get out before sun up and find a tree to lean against, stay still, listen, and watch and blend with the trees. Upon sun up, they'll usually start coming out. If nothing is directly near, you can hear 'em rustling or barking and squalling as they play/fight, whatever they're doing and if it's very far away and nothing's moving nearby, I may get up and move quietly toward the sounds to get in range. I do the very same thing in the afternoons. Sitting and blending with the scenery and staying quiet is how to find them. If you're moving about and obvious, you'll likely never know they are there.

 

[308win]

Three tips to getting your squirrels - find what they are eating, find what they are eating, find what they are eating - think nuts first hickory, pecans, acorns, walnuts. You will know when you have found a feeding area, hull cuttings, shells everywhere just be sure the cuttings are fresh. Squirrels will also work the edges of corn fields - especially fox squirrels. Also, look for black cherry trees early in season especially in fence rows. Persimmons, paw paws can also be good. Their sense of hearing is phenomenal so they aren't as active when it is windy. When they become aware that you are around they may take off - in which case you will hear them - or they may go immobile in which case you will walk right passed them. Crows and jays will harass squirrels also and you will be hard pressed to miss the commotion. Squirrels can be easily located early in season by slipping into a feeding area and sitting still; they may hear you come in and go quiet but in a few minutes of quiet they will start feeding again and you will be able to hear them cutting (sounds like rubbing two quarters together ) and moving. Then you can let them come to you or slip up on them.

 

[gm]

I always went just before sunup and found my tree and waited.Youll hear the stuff falling from the trees as they eat.Listen for the branches and the stuff falling.


I sometimes took an old dog squeaky toy and it brought them in quickly.The coin trick is to get the vocal "chir" squirrels give off to scold other squirrels out of their terratory.


They love to eat peanut butter spread on the side of a tree.

 

[Oldnamvet]

When hunting alone, my father taught me to always take along some string. Once you had found a squirrel in a tree, tie the string to a bush on one side of the tree. Move to the other side holding the string, sit down and be very quiet for several minutes. Then give the string a tug shaking the bush. The squirrel with quickly move to your side of the tree to get away from the bush movement. Always seems to work. If you have two people, one stays quiet while the other slowly circles the tree. The squirrel will keep the tree between them and the moving person. Moves to your side and .............

 

['Card]

...give the string a tug shaking the bush. The squirrel with quickly move to your side of the tree to get away from the bush movement.

*chuckle*

That's pretty good. Never thought of using a string for that. I've always just used a rock, to be honest with you. Pitch it so it lands on the opposite side of the tree and rolls through the leaves a bit and makes some noise. The squirrel will roll around the tree trunk to your side to get away from the noise and motion.

I used to have a little mutt... no idea what breed it was. Ugly little thing, anyway - but smart. She'd sit quietly right next to me until I gave her the word, then she'd run to the other side of the tree and scare the squirrel around. Must have killed a 55-gallon drum full of squirrels with that little dog - she'd even pick them up and bring them back to me.

 

[Picknlittle]

If you're in an area where you see lots of evidence of squirrels, I've never found anything more effective than silence for getting them out.

Pick a comfortable spot, sit quietly, close your eyes and listen.

The reason I say close your eyes is that if your eyes are open you can't help but search with your eyes. If your eyes are moving, most likely, so is your head.

This reminds me of a really funny fox squirrel story for another time

 

[308win]

If you are stalking or still hunting another tip to spot squirrels is to look for the tail hanging off of a limb (squirrel like to lay flat on a limb to sun themselves) and look for the sun shining off of their fur. Also, squirrel like to sit or lay where the limb meets the trunk. Spotting them is like spotting any other type of game. It takes practice to train your eye to what you are looking for then you will be surprised how many of the critters are around.

 

[jmorris]

Squirrels like to hang out by both bird and deer feeders. They seem to move around the most before a drastic weather change.

 

[308win]

They seem to move around the most before a drastic weather change.

True of all animals I have ever hunted or fished for.

 

[koja48]

No season in WA State, but my Jack Russell is a natural . . . chased one up a tree one day & now thinks there's one up every tree . . .

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

ive had the best luck hunting with someone else. we hunt about 50 m or so apart and walk through the woods. The squirrels like to circle around the tree and hide and you got a better chance of seeing one. Ive also noticed if you think one is in a tree have one person stand still while the other one circles. The squirrel will forget and walk right into you. also if you have any dead trees try to knock them over or shake them. youll be surprised what runs out of dead trees sometimes. squirrel hunting certainly is alot of fun and you dont need to me camoed from head to do it.

 

[Sunray]

Tree rats can sit very still and quietly. When still hunting, stop regularly and look for a tiny bit of tail moving in the wind. Look in crotches of trees and for a black or grey spot on a branch that doesn't belong there.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Squirrel populations go through wide swings. Bad years can dramatically reduce their numbers.

The key is, squirrels need food and water -- in dry years you will find them mostly in river bottoms and creek bottoms. Food varies throughout the years, but large, mature stands of oak and hickory are almost always hosting a squirrel population. In early spring, they will feed on "soft mast" -- buds and so on. So look for trees that and budding. Later on they will eat berries and other food. They will cut pine cones a bit later in the year -- in fact, scraps of pine cones are a sure indicator of squirrels. They will also often perch on stumps to eat nuts and other food -- so inspect stumps for sign.

Once you have found where they might be, go there early. I like to take a folding stool and sit quietly for a couple of hours before dawn, and watch the woods come alive. In reasonable weather, you will spot squirrels in the early morning hours.

You may be able to shoot one or more from your perch. In any case, once
you are ready to move, move slowly and quietly. Use both ears and eyes -- you will see and hear them moving.

Practice shooting fast -- squirrels move, and once you have the crosshairs on the little devil, break the shot! A novice squirrel hunter may be better served with a shotgun until he learns to stalk properly.

 

[MrDig]

Mostly we just still hunt them. find a place to sit and sit quiet. wait for one to come into range and pop it. sit quiet for a little longer and sure enough another will come around pop it too. Repeat as necessary.

 

[sm]

Pretend you are hunting deer, turkey and game besides squirrels.

I cannot prove it, still I am convinced Critters get hunting calendars, hunting regs and would not be surprised if there is not a Internet site that Critters post on a forum.

Do not believe me, then how come when one is squirrel hunting, they see deer and turkey tracks, might even see, or darn near get run over by deer and turkey?

Sitting in a deer stand, being real still and quiet. and after a bit you get real darn tired of the squirrels making all that racket and dropping acorns, nuts on your head from above.

I am not the only one that has been fishing and had a nice buck show up and what I am going to do with a cane pole and red worm on my line?

I do not go "squirrel hunting" ( any kind of hunting) per se' - instead I go "woods walking" , granted I have firearm and ammunition , and what-not, still I am just some dumb guy out in the woods.

I like these "woods walking events" where I can fell squirrels, wabbits, ducks, quail , fish...

Smorgasboard.

"Look Rocky, that fellow has a cane pole , he won't bother us"
Bang
"Rocky...where'd Rocky go?"