Hunting squirrels during the cold season calls for a switch in tactics.
Hunting squirrels during the harsh winter months is tough.  Early in the season, squirrels seem to be everywhere.  Food supplies are abundant, squirrels are less wary, and leafy branches restrict the game’s vision, allowing for closer, easier stalks.  The solution for bagging squirrels during this time is simple — find a patch of hardwoods and start hunting.

As the season progresses, however, hunting squirrels becomes increasingly difficult.  Hunters have taken a toll on the game, and Mother Nature has claimed the weakest through reduced food supplies, predators and inclement weather.  Survivors are savvy veterans that easily elude casual hunters.

Add to this the fact that during severe weather, squirrels may be almost totally inactive and seldom seen. Leaves have fallen, making the hunter more visible to the game he stalks.  Nuts no longer cling to the branches, so squirrels are moving more on the ground, making them harder to see at a distance.

Despite all these negatives, however, late-season squirrel hunting can be productive and fun.  Winter hunts are more challenging, but squirrels are still available, and the knowledgeable last-minute hunter can enjoy some of the year’s best gunning.

Jerry Seamans of Lake Village, Ark., invented the Mr. Squirrel call with hunting partner Shannon Talkington.  Seamans, an expert squirrel hunter with decades of experience, is in the woods pursuing his favorite game from early September through February.  He notes that his early-season tactics differ greatly from those used during December, January and February.

“There are some major differences in hunting squirrels this time of year,”he says.  “One is the fact that the cover in the trees is gone.  Leaves have fallen, and that can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.  You can see the squirrel easier, but it can see you, too.

“Another thing is, the foods squirrels ate during the early part of the season are mostly on the ground.  For that reason, it’s a good idea to try finding trees that have held their acorns longer.  For example, pin oaks hold their mast a little longer than white oaks.  So they’re likely to draw lots of squirrels up into their branches where they’re easier to spot.”

Seamans prefers solitary hunting, usually stalking the woods or watching den trees.

“If you know the location of some den trees, those are good places to hunt this time of year,” he says.  “Move in as quietly as you can as early as you can, then sit and wait for the squirrels to emerge.

“You can also do some still-hunting, moving very slowly and very quietly, trying to spot a squirrel before it spots you,”he adds.  “I see a lot more squirrels in winter while I’m sitting on a deer stand rather than moving through the woods.  The primary reason is, they can see me when I’m moving.  If you are moving, be sure you’re wearing good camouflage.  I believe in wearing camouflage regardless of when you’re hunting, but it’s especially important when the leaves are off.  Some hunters think you can get away with a little less camo when squirrel hunting, but squirrels have good eyes just like deer, ducks and other wild animals.”

Joe Huggins of Benton, Ark., is Hunter Education Coordinator for the state Game & Fish Commission.  He, too, is an expert hunter, having pursued these bushy-tailed nutshuckers in sweet pecan woods along the lower Arkansas River since childhood.  Trees in these bottoms frequently exceed 100 feet in height.  A motionless squirrel can be hard to spot.

Squirrel hunting becomes increasingly difficult as the season progresses. The animals can easily spot and elude casual hunters.

“That’s why I prefer hunting in December and January,”Huggins says.  “Mast has fallen by then, so squirrels do most of their foraging on the ground where they”re easier for me to spot.  It’s cold at night, too, sometimes down in the 20s or teens.  That means squirrels come out of their nests and dens a little later that time of year.  You don’t have to be out there at the crack of dawn to hunt them.  They’ll wait till it warms a little, around 9 a.m. or so, before they’re out feeding, and you’ll see most of them scratching through leaves on the ground.”

Unlike Seamans who usually hunts solo, Huggins prefers to hunt with a partner in winter.

“As we’re stalking through the woods, we’ll scare up a lot of squirrels on the ground,” he says.  “Usually, they’ll jump on the side of a tree then hit the ground running.  Watch them, and chances are you’ll see them run into a den tree or a tree that’s covered with vines.  You’re pretty much out of luck if they make it to a den hole.  But if they scamper up a tree that has some vines going up it, two hunters can bag them nearly every time.”

One hunter lays his gun down and grabs a vine.  The other backs off where he has a good view of the tree’s crown and trunk and prepares for action.

“The squirrel knows you’re there, so he’s going to be clinging to the bark, moving around the tree to stay out of sight,” Huggins says.  “Sometimes he’ll be laying on top of a limb or in a fork.  When you shake the vine, he’s not likely to take off running.  But he is likely to dart around the side of the tree or branch.  The guy with the gun watches closely for movement, circling the tree if necessary.  When he sees the squirrel, he tells his partner, makes sure he has a safe shot, then tries to make a kill.”

As the worst days of winter take hold toward the end of January, squirrels are more likely to feed then go up on a high limb and lay, soaking up the sun to stay warm.  “They’re like totally different animals then,” says Huggins.  “And because they’re harder to spot, they’re harder to hunt, too.  If you have a choice, hunt before the really frigid weather sets in.”

Like Seamans and Huggins, I also enjoy the challenge of late-season squirrel hunting.  With 30 years of experience under my belt, I’ve learned some tricks that help me bag several dozen squirrels each winter.  Here are a few:

* In country with a mix of small woodlots and big woods, work smaller patches during the late season.  Small tracts often are overlooked by other hunters, and though they may not hold large numbers of squirrels, the restricted environment makes bushytails easier to find.

* Don’t stalk and hunt at the same time.  Concentrate on moving noiselessly with your eyes to the ground, pausing frequently to study your surroundings for game.  Search the woods a couple hundred yards ahead.  If you don’t, squirrels will see you and be hidden before you’re aware of them.

* When you spot a squirrel, move in waltz time.  The slower you go, the better.

* If you have a choice between hunting a ridge and a creek bottom, stick to the creek bottom.  The leaves will be wetter and the going quieter.  You’ll also be keeping a lower profile so squirrels won’t be as likely to spot you.

* If possible, hunt mountains or hilly areas when wind conditions are unfavorable.  Scouting often reveals hollows where calmer conditions prevail and squirrels are more active.

* If what you’ve been doing so far hasn’t produced the desired results, give these tips a try.  Ol’ Bushytail’s brain may not be any bigger than a hickory nut, but he’s got plenty of smarts tucked away inside.  To outwit him, you have to be better at playing his games than he is.

written by Keith Sutton

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Are you a squirrel Hunter? Here are some facts the savvy sportsmen can use to improve the odds for a successful hunt.
If you’re a squirrel hunter, every once in a while it pays to “go back to the basics.” No matter how much you know, or think you know, about squirrel hunting, a thorough review of the fundamentals almost always improves success.

Many thousands of words have been written about basic squirrel hunting techniques, and it’s not my intention to rehash this information in great detail. My goals are, first, to share some basic knowledge that personally has proven successful, and second, to discuss some of the less commonly encountered facts about squirrel behavior, facts the savvy sportsmen can use to improve the odds for a successful hunt.

The Quarry

Fox squirrels and gray squirrels are the two species that absorb most of the hunting pressure. The fox squirrel is found throughout much of the eastern two-thirds of the country, though there are large swaths of territory in this range, most notably in the Northeast, they don’t inhabit.  Grays range from the Atlantic Ocean to Texas and North Dakota, and along the West Coast and part of Arizona.

Grays are agile, streamlined squirrels weighing 3/4 to 1 1/2 pounds.  Fox squirrels are chunky and squat, slower moving, and usually much larger, weighing up to 3 pounds.  Both species may occupy the same areas, but fox squirrels are typically found in more open woods, usually near the forest edge.  Grays prefer dense stands of trees in deeper woods.

The species also differ in activity periods.  Grays are most active at first light; fox squirrels arise a bit later.  Hunters should be in gray squirrel woods at dawn and hunt the first two hours for best results.  The third hour is somewhat productive, but midday usually offers poor hunting.  A little activity can be expected most of the afternoon, but there’s no worthwhile peak.

When hunting strictly for fox squirrels, you can stay in bed an hour later and find best results the second and third hour after sunrise.  The first hour is OK, but again, afternoon activity is minimal.  Top hunting in woods harboring both fox and gray squirrels is during the first three hours of daylight.

Local Hunting Area

You can check with the local wildlife conservation officer or your state wildlife agency for tips on likely squirrel hunting areas, but it’s also easy to discover locations on your own.  Just look for woods with mature nut-bearing trees open to hunting, and you should find squirrels.  The setup is even better if there’s a stream flowing through the area, or maybe a nearby farm pond or cornfield.

Acorns are the most abundant and basic food of squirrels, but you can’t take it for granted that acorns will be abundant every fall.  There are two primary groups of oaks:  white and red.  Except in poor growing years, white oaks produce mast every year.  Red oak acorns require two years to mature, thus their crops are staggered.  Further, white oak acorns are preferred by all wildlife, because they’re sweet.  Red oak acorns are bitter, and though squirrels eat them, if they have a choice they may be found in greater numbers in white oak stands.  Some trees may also get special attention because they produce larger acorns or because their acorns are exceptionally abundant.

What’s all this mean?  Simply this:  Don’t be mislead into thinking squirrels will be found in every patch of oaks.  The astute squirrel hunter doesn’t just hunt squirrels in oaks; he looks for them in or near particular oak varieties, even narrowing it down to specific trees.  Check for acorns and fresh cuttings (fragments of nutshells) on the ground.  Fresh cuttings have brightly colored edges, a sign squirrels have been feeding in the area, and it should be good for hunting.

Walnuts, beechnuts, hickory nuts, pecans, butternuts and other hard mast are all eagerly sought.  Crafty squirrel hunters also keep a lookout for special forage items other hunters may overlook.  Fox squirrels love corn at all stages of its development, thus woods near a cornfield are certain to be a good place to take a stand.  Osage oranges, fruit of the bois d’arc tree, are another relished specialty, and during both winter and spring, squirrels may be found gorging on the buds and flowers of maples, birch, basswood, elms and other trees.  Seasonal fruits like wild cherries, wild grapes, hackberries, mulberries and persimmons are especially important to the hunter, because they often concentrate squirrels in small areas, if only for brief periods.  The hunter who knows what’s top choice on the squirrel menu in his area is most likely to enjoy squirrel stew.

The Weather & Squirrel Hunting

Weather is an important consideration for the squirrel hunter, because weather dictates specific squirrel behavior and hunting methods.

Squirrels, like people, enjoy pleasant weather, and still, sunny mornings and afternoons will find them actively feeding.  If the woods are dry on these days, hunters should listen as much as they look, as squirrels will often be heard before they’re seen.  When woods are dry, it’s also wise to sit while hunting, rather than prowling noisily about.

Wet woods and mist or drizzle change the picture.  If the temperature is mild, squirrel hunting can be superb.  Bushytails don’t mind wet days and are often seen foraging on the ground with tail spread over back and head like an umbrella.  The damp forest floor creates ideal conditions for the quiet stalker.

Approaching fronts, persistent stormy weather and high wind shut off squirrel activity like closing a water tap.  Squirrels den up and stay until the weather changes, drastically reducing your chances for success.  Hunting in leafless, snowy woods in the dead of winter is also difficult.  Squirrels don’t hibernate, but they may remain inactive in their dens for days on end.

You needn’t forgo the pleasures of squirrel hunting just because the weather isn’t perfect.  But knowing how your quarry will react to various weather conditions can help you make the best of your time afield.

Additional Tips

Clothing with bark-pattern camouflage does wonders to conceal you from wary squirrels, but safety aspects should also be considered.  When you’re leaning against a tree, another hunter could mistake any slight movement for a squirrel.  It happens with tragic regularity, and in many states, “victim mistaken for squirrel” is one of the leading causes of hunting accidents.  Be cautious, and wear fluorescent orange clothing whenever appropriate.

2.  Choosing between a rifle and shotgun is a trade-off.  The rifle gives you a better range, but the shotgun offers an advantage on running squirrels — and you’re almost sure to be taking shots at running squirrels when stalking.  The rifle, on the other hand, gives you more opportunities to get off long-range shots before your presence is detected in leaf-bare woods.

It’s best to use a firearm you’re most comfortable shooting.  Whether you shoot a rifle or a shotgun, you’ll win some and lose some.  That’s the joy of hunting, regardless of the quarry.

3.  Keep in mind that stalking is much easier during the early part of the season.  Squirrels are less wary then, and there are plenty of young, foolish ones around.  Leafy branches restrict the squirrel’s vision.  And most nuts are still clinging to the branches, so squirrels will be in the trees where they’re easier to spot.

4.  Never stalk with the sun off either shoulder.  Doing so makes your shadow sweep across the ground perpendicular to your movements, increasing your chances of being seen.  When leaves are still on, stalk into the sun if possible.  It’s easier to spot moving squirrels in leafy branches if they’re outlined against the sun.  Later in the season, when squirrels forage more on the ground, it may be best to hunt with the sun at your back to put the glare in your quarry’s eyes.  Either way, use a tree shadow to hide your own when stalking in for the kill.

5.  During mast-poor years in hilly terrain, center your search for squirrels on north-facing slopes.  The north slopes are more protected from sunlight and tend to retain moisture better.  Consequently, they usually have more hardwoods, better mast crops and more squirrels.

6.  If you locate several squirrels feeding in a small area, mark the location of the first kill, satisfy yourself it’s dead, then stay put.  Within five to 10 minutes, the remaining squirrels are likely to be moving again, and you’ll get another shot.

7.  If possible, hunt mountains or hilly areas when wind conditions are unfavorable.  Scouting will often reveal a few hollows where calmer conditions prevail and squirrels are more active.

8.  Keep your ears tuned.  Rustling leaves can give a squirrel away.  So can the sound of the rodent’s sharp teeth gnawing a nut, or cuttings falling to the forest floor.  Also listen for barking or chattering squirrels.

If you’re a squirrel-hunting fan, be sure to bone up on bushytail basics before your next hunt.  No matter what the weather or time of day, no matter if you hunt by stalking or from a stand, no matter if you hunt alone or with partner, there are always squirrels to be found.  But whether or not you find them depends on how well you play the game.

written by Keith Sutton

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While squirrel hunting is very enjoyable and popular in rural areas, few people realize the benefits of urban area squirrel hunting. Urban hunting is very successful for those few for many reasons. And many people are lucky enough to have the right amount of space to go hunting on as very little is needed.

One of the biggest advantages of urban hunting is that it is easily accessible. It isn’t that far from home which means less money is spent on transportation, and lately that is a huge benefit. Many Missourians spend little time having to travel to a place to hunt because all squirrels need to survive is some trees and a food source, making them easy to find.

Another big advantage is that very few people utilize the urban hunting, and the squirrels are very plentiful, making for many tasty targets.

And yet, a final big advantage to urban hunting is that it is prime for those chatty young mouths. The squirrels are “urbanized” and used to the noise, making them harder to scare away. And yet those youngsters still get to learn about and love the outdoors.

However, if you do plan on hunting in an urban area then you must check into a few things. Such as, while a simple .22 makes the ideal gun for rural squirrel hunting, in many cities it is illegal for them to be shot. But that isn’t much of an issue. A pellet gun is enough fire power to hunt a squirrel and most cities allow the shooting of them, but unless you are sure that even pellet guns are legal you should also check your local laws as not all cities have the same laws.

Also, in order to be safe while hunting, you must make sure that you are in a safe area. While urban hunts bring many advantages, it also brings more dangers of shooting something other than your target. So be safe and happy hunting!

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Squirrels are probably the number one game animal that hunters start there hunting careers out on. Few game animals are so widely available, or accessible and offer lots of action with weapons as simple as a pellet gun. Which species of squirrel is hunted will be determined by where in the country you are. In the midwest it might be the large fox squirrel that are the main target. In the southeast the grey squirrel take the lead. Squirrel hunting provides great training for the beginner hunter to start honing his skills that he might later apply to other types of hunting.

Most states have long squirrel seasons often running from September into February. This provides youngster with plenty of time to hone their skills and learn to love the outdoors. Squirrel hunting isn’t complicated and doesn’t require expensive or elaborate equipment. A hunting license, hunter safety course certificate, a shotgun, .22 or pellet gun is all that is needed to get started.

And unlike most other forms of hunting a squirrel hunter can easily be self taught. The prey is relatively abundant and trial and error servers only to give the young hunter tons of satisfaction as he/she learns what works and what doesn’t. Failures may be the norm but toss in a few successes and that is all that is remembered as the smiles flow freely with each and every squirrel bagged. So while reflecting back on your introduction to hunting, take a little time to introduce a kid to hunting.

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