SmellyShooter
New member
I'm basically a brand new hunter and I have never attempted squirrel hunting. I plan on using a shotgun and I'm curious about techniques. Would it be better to still hunt or to roam the woods slowly and watch the trees?
Squirrel Hunting Techniques
- Thread starter SmellyShooter
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SmellyShooter
New member
Have you ever shot one and then the sound of the shot flushes out more?
Great fun and eating
The two replies so far, are fundamental and spot on. I would add the following;
1) Get familiar with your woods and trails. You are now, in their neighborhood.
2) Looks for nut trees and nests. Don't shoot the nests. …
3) While sitting, listen to the sounds and scan the trees..
4) Wear camo; my squirrels always look forward to seeing my new patterns.
5) If there has not been much hunting pressure, you have a slight advantage.
6) Learn how to properly dress and cook them. Midwest Squirrels they are good eating.
Have fun and;
Be Safe !!!
The two replies so far, are fundamental and spot on. I would add the following;
1) Get familiar with your woods and trails. You are now, in their neighborhood.
2) Looks for nut trees and nests. Don't shoot the nests. …
3) While sitting, listen to the sounds and scan the trees..
4) Wear camo; my squirrels always look forward to seeing my new patterns.
5) If there has not been much hunting pressure, you have a slight advantage.
6) Learn how to properly dress and cook them. Midwest Squirrels they are good eating.
Have fun and;
Be Safe !!!
Main thing is to hunt where there is feed. Squirrels have an order that they cut the different
nuts. Different areas have different nut crops, learn these in your area. In my area the first
thing they cut that is common are hickories, they last is black walnuts. Watch the ground under the trees if squirrel are present you will see the cuttings from whatever they are eating. You can tell if they are fresh by edges of cuttings. When they are into it the cuttings sound like rain coming down through the leaves. I like to slide around slowly and quietly rather than sit. I always hunt early to about 10am or go out about 5pm and hunt till dark.
Always do better on overcast days too.
nuts. Different areas have different nut crops, learn these in your area. In my area the first
thing they cut that is common are hickories, they last is black walnuts. Watch the ground under the trees if squirrel are present you will see the cuttings from whatever they are eating. You can tell if they are fresh by edges of cuttings. When they are into it the cuttings sound like rain coming down through the leaves. I like to slide around slowly and quietly rather than sit. I always hunt early to about 10am or go out about 5pm and hunt till dark.
Always do better on overcast days too.
Challenging and fun .....
I use to be in my woods before daylight, park my butt under a nut tree and wait for the sun and squirrels to show. They always did and would watch them stretch and yawn. Then around 9 start my stalk and sit, following my defined route. ..
This trick will work as well as a number of other tricks you can use. Sometimes I sit away from a nut tree and using a plastic spoon. Flick small pebbles and Hickory shells into the leaves of the Hickory tree. The dumber the squirrel, the more fun you can have with them. …..
Be Safe !!!
I use to be in my woods before daylight, park my butt under a nut tree and wait for the sun and squirrels to show. They always did and would watch them stretch and yawn. Then around 9 start my stalk and sit, following my defined route. ..
This trick will work as well as a number of other tricks you can use. Sometimes I sit away from a nut tree and using a plastic spoon. Flick small pebbles and Hickory shells into the leaves of the Hickory tree. The dumber the squirrel, the more fun you can have with them. …..
Be Safe !!!
stephen426
New member
What do you guys think about using high powered air rifles instead of shotguns? It is a lot quieter and you won't be picking a bunch of pellets out of your dinner. The range and power of more powerful air rifles will easily dispatch a squirrel. Pre-charged pneumatic guns are the best since they have the least recoil and allow faster follow-up shots. I have a Benjamin Marauder in .25 and it is a great gun. It has plenty of power and is very quiet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmYEp7Cs3qc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmYEp7Cs3qc
A PCP would be as good as anything, I suppose. To me, what is used to dispatch the critters isn't near as important as just being out in the sticks and enjoying the moment. Heck, if I thought I was good enough, I'd try a slingshot or a dart gun- may come home empty handed, but I still would've had a great experience.
To steal a line from fishermen- "A bad day hunting is still better than a good day working."
To steal a line from fishermen- "A bad day hunting is still better than a good day working."
SmellyShooter
New member
What's a good rimfire scope? I have a 10/22 already so I'd just have to stick a scope on it and I'll be ready to go.
603Country
New member
My Grandpa was a pro at squirrel hunting. I think the Great Depression helped hone his technique. What I learned:
- Hunt where the acorns are
- Hunt preferably on low wind days, so you can see distant squirrels causing limbs to move as they go to acorns or move from tree to tree.
- Move to where the squirrel was. He’ll see you and hide.
- sit quietly and get comfortable, and don’t move much.
- the squirrels, having seen you, will normally wait till you move away. They’ll know this when other squirrels start eating and dropping acorn shell bits. My Grandpa always had a pocket full of pebbles, corn, or acorns. After being still for 5 minutes, he’d start flicking pebbles or corn into the dry leaves. The squirrels would then come out of hiding to eat, thinking the coast was clear.
- And when the squirrel is on the other side of the tree, the tossed stick works pretty well. Even better is having the grandson (me) just walk on the other side of the tree.
I loved hunting with my Grandpa.
- Hunt where the acorns are
- Hunt preferably on low wind days, so you can see distant squirrels causing limbs to move as they go to acorns or move from tree to tree.
- Move to where the squirrel was. He’ll see you and hide.
- sit quietly and get comfortable, and don’t move much.
- the squirrels, having seen you, will normally wait till you move away. They’ll know this when other squirrels start eating and dropping acorn shell bits. My Grandpa always had a pocket full of pebbles, corn, or acorns. After being still for 5 minutes, he’d start flicking pebbles or corn into the dry leaves. The squirrels would then come out of hiding to eat, thinking the coast was clear.
- And when the squirrel is on the other side of the tree, the tossed stick works pretty well. Even better is having the grandson (me) just walk on the other side of the tree.
I loved hunting with my Grandpa.
When I used to hunt, I took a ball of string. When you find a good spot and the squirrels play now you see me now you don't, around the trunk, I'd walk past the trunk and tie the sgring to a bush on the other side, retrace your steps, find a comfortable spot and sit down. Wait a minute, then pull the string to shake the bush. Mr. Chatter box will come around to your side.
603Country
New member
Oooo, that string tip is great. Thanks.
the possum
New member
We mainly moved around and stalked them when I was growing up, but I had friends who were taught to just sit on a log and wait. You can have success with both methods. If you're under a big nut tree full of leaves, and just can't see them up in the branches, then have a seat. But if I can see movement or hear them cutting a short distance away, I lose patience and move closer to them.
"...better to still hunt or to roam the woods..." Still hunting is roaming the woods. Stand hunting is sitting under a tree(best nap I've ever had was while doing that. Buy one of those foam Heat-A-Seat cushions.). However, which method is used depends on the type of trees in your bush, the weather and how much local hunting pressure there is.
When still hunting you're not looking for the whole tree rat. You might just get a wee tiny flicker of tail fur on the edge of a branch joint moved by the wind. Or one of 'em laying flat on a high branch in the sun. It's not like a city park.
As mentioned, you need to know exactly what's behind the rat and be very careful of angles if using a rifle and shooting up. A .22 bullet can travel several miles.
When still hunting you're not looking for the whole tree rat. You might just get a wee tiny flicker of tail fur on the edge of a branch joint moved by the wind. Or one of 'em laying flat on a high branch in the sun. It's not like a city park.
As mentioned, you need to know exactly what's behind the rat and be very careful of angles if using a rifle and shooting up. A .22 bullet can travel several miles.
kilotanker22
New member
I prefer to find a good spot and still hunt. The guy that taught me to hunt always carried a piece of candy or some Acorns in his pocket for throwing...... I always had good luck just sitting still and waiting and usually they would come around. The best squirrel hunting I have ever had was out of my second story apartment bathroom window. We had about a dozen walnut trees about 20 yards from the house. I killed my limit in Squirrels on more than one occasion from that window.
Yummy little critters IMO. I like to fix them a bunch of ways, but My favorite is cleaning them up and smoking the whole skinned and cleaned squirrel till she is done. Seasoned of course.
Yummy little critters IMO. I like to fix them a bunch of ways, but My favorite is cleaning them up and smoking the whole skinned and cleaned squirrel till she is done. Seasoned of course.