Squirrel Hunting Tips

Squirrels torment deer hunters each season, moving over the leaves as if they’re imitating a big buck sneaking through the woods. Each winter, as deer season closes out and cabin fever begins to set in, taking to the woods to hunt squirrels is a great way to wind down your season while still getting in some shooting practice. Squirrels are fun to hunt, delicious to eat, and are found in hardwoods all over the country. Knowing how to hunt squirrels effectively will reward hunters who spend time looking for this savvy small game. Here’s how you can bring home more squirrels this winter.

Where to Start: Choosing a Weapon

Small gauge shotguns or small-caliber rifles are great choices for putting squirrels on the ground, however, it comes with a cost. Squirrels are small, and it doesn't take much to ruin most of the meat, even with a small shot pattern or small caliber bullet. Depending upon rules and regulations in your state, a variety of firearms, as well as archery equipment, can all be legal methods of taking. Here are three types of firearms with three different calibers along with the option of bowhunting: .410 Shotgun: Easy to use, shoot, and carry through the woods, the .410 is the smallest caliber of shotgun shell commonly available and is great for small game hunting. .22 Long Rifle: For squirrel hunting, 22s don't get much more reliable, and when fitted with a heavy aftermarket barrel, they're incredibly accurate. The 22 is spot-on, well-liked by hunters, and pretty much universally seen as a winner. 17 HMR Rifle: A little heavier than the .410 and .22, the accuracy of this gun on small game sets it apart. The 17 HMR is a bolt action that helps with shooting from a longer range. Bowhunting: Hunters aren’t limited to firearms when it comes to bagging squirrels. However, be prepared for a test of your aim and accuracy, as squirrels are less than a foot long and are frequently on the move. Use a broadhead that is specifically designed for small game, as larger broadheads will obliterate the meat.

When and Where to Hunt Squirrels

Squirrels are not simple-minded animals. The challenge of hunting bushy tails can help any type of hunter hone in, improve, and refine their overall hunting skills. Across the globe, there are nearly 200 species of squirrel. In the United States, only 10 species are found. Most common are the red squirrel, fox squirrel, black squirrel, and grey squirrel. Between these species, there are habitat preferences. Fox squirrels prefer slightly more open woodlands while grays can be found anywhere and everywhere, but populations overlap. Largely, the best time of year for squirrel hunting is early to mid-fall as they begin to stockpile food for the winter. However, similar to late-season deer hunting, late-season squirrel hunting can be an exciting challenge. Early in the season, it might seem like squirrels are running everywhere throughout the woods. But once winter comes, patterns shift. In the fall, squirrels are most active early in the day as they scavenge for food, with a lull in activity during the warmest part of the day. As winter blows in, squirrels become late risers with activity peaking during the warmest hours. In the winter, food sources dwindle and squirrel populations become more concentrated. Though most squirrels don’t hibernate all winter, they do stash stores of food and spend more time in their nests during the coldest months. The hottest squirrel spots are traditionally oak trees. Squirrels prefer white oak acorns, but they’ll eat the nuts from a variety of other oak species as well. Hickory nuts and black walnuts are staples. Squirrels are messy eaters and leave ample sign in the areas they frequent. Along with feeding sign, you can scan tree limbs for nests and check out hollowed standing timber as well. Later in the year, when the limbs are bare, squirrels are even noisier as they scamper through crunchy leaf litter. They’re more visible as well, but you are, too.

Tracking and Stalking: Techniques and Tips

There are two primary techniques for hunting squirrels: passive and active hunting. Passive hunting involves finding a location and waiting for your prey to come to you while active hunting involves stalking squirrels through the woods. Both methods are equally effective for bagging squirrels, but, to increase your chances of success, there are a few tips to follow. Wear Camouflage Clothing: Although you don’t need camouflage clothing for squirrels, neutral or camouflage gear can help make you less noticeable to your prey, giving you the element of surprise. However, be aware that some parks require squirrel hunters to wear high visibility orange vests for safety. Go Slower: Most of us hunt too fast. Study the trees above you and scan the ground ahead. Squirrels have a relatively short attention span when spooked. If they don’t leave the area entirely, they’ll be back to business after 10-30 minutes. Wait for the closest squirrels to settle, and the ones off in the distance will go back to shuffling through the leaves, giving away their location. An effective hunter spends far more time glassing and listening than moving. Move Quietly: Squirrels are skittish by nature, and loud noises send them scurrying back to their nests. Tread carefully so as not to step on sticks and make too much noise. Use Binoculars: no other item is more valuable than a pair of binoculars, besides your gun or bow. Binoculars will help you identify that suspicious-looking bump on a limb, and a squirrel call. Also, binoculars allow you to scan the distant forest floor for movement and they give you a close-up view of the treetops. Take Advantage of the Sun’s Position: Keep the sun to your back to make it more difficult for the squirrel to spot you. Sit or stand against a tree with the sun behind your shoulders. This also makes it easier for you to place an accurate shot without the sun in your eyes.

How to Use HuntWise for Squirrel Hunting