Trying again on my first squirrel hunt as an adolescent, searching the piney woods of Southeast LA, I used to be about as inexperienced as they arrive. I’m amazed how I used to be in a position to kill a single squirrel. However that’s the way you be taught on this sport – one mistake at a time, one lesson at a time. After years of stumbling via the timber, lacking simple pictures, and spooking extra squirrels than I care to rely, I’ve discovered what works and what doesn’t. These 5 suggestions aren’t fancy theories – they’re battle-tested techniques that can put extra squirrel meat in your freezer. They’ll assist you skip the trial-and-error that took me years to work via and get you searching smarter, not tougher. Listed below are our 5 squirrel searching tricks to get you off and operating in the direction of success.
Squirrel Searching Tip #1: Select the Proper All-Round Gun
In case you’re in search of one gun that’ll serve you nicely all through your entire squirrel season, seize a high quality .22 rifle. It’s gentle sufficient to hold all day at simply 5 kilos, correct sufficient for exact headshots at 50 yards, and dependable sufficient to work whenever you want it. Prime it with first rate glass, and also you’ve bought a rig that’ll deal with every part from early season treetop pictures to late winter ground-feeding alternatives.
What makes the ten/22 stand out is its versatility. The semi-auto motion provides you fast follow-up pictures when wanted, but it surely’s nonetheless a lot correct for these precision headshots that maintain your meat clear. The usual 10-round journal is ideal for a morning within the woods, and the gun handles each customary and high-velocity masses with out flinching.
Certain, you might go together with one thing fancier like a bolt-action or step as much as a flat-shooting .17 HMR. However for an all-around gun that received’t break the financial institution and can nonetheless be placing squirrels in your sport bag 20 years from now, it’s exhausting to beat a ten/22 with good glass. Simply bear in mind – any .22 is barely nearly as good because the shooter behind it.
Squirrel Searching Tip #2: Discover the Meals, Discover the Squirrels
Discovering squirrels isn’t rocket science – it’s about following their abdomen. These tree rats are creatures of behavior, and their habits revolve round meals. Your first transfer is to find the appropriate timber. Hickory, white oak, and pecan are prime targets. Beech, purple oak, and pine will work too, however they’re second-tier meals for squirrels.
The secret’s discovering lively feeding zones. Search for “cuttings” on the bottom – these shredded nut hulls and half-eaten morsels squirrels drop whereas feeding. Recent cuttings imply squirrels are working that space proper now. In case you discover a spot the place pine cone bits litter the bottom close to some nut-dropping hardwoods, you’ve hit the jackpot.
Don’t overlook journey routes both. Squirrels aren’t silly – they know hawks and owls are watching. Search for thick vine progress or low-hanging branches connecting feed timber. These are their highways, protecting them secure from aerial assault whereas staying out of attain of floor predators.
Squirrel Searching Tip #3: Double Your Odds with a Associate
These outdated bushytails may be good, however they’ll’t outsmart two hunters working collectively. Having a associate doesn’t simply offer you an additional set of eyes – it helps you to outmaneuver squirrels which were taking part in hide-and-seek with hunters their entire lives.
Right here’s tips on how to work it: House yourselves about 20 yards aside when strolling. The lead hunter naturally attracts the squirrel’s consideration, whereas the trailing hunter usually will get the shot when it tries to slide across the bottom of the tree. It’s a easy trick, but it surely works.
Received a squirrel pinned in a tree? One hunter stays put whereas the opposite circles. Squirrels will attempt to maintain the tree between them and the shifting hunter – and that’s precisely what you need. They’ll shimmy proper into the stationary hunter’s sights.
Wish to actually stack the percentages? Have one hunter carry a shotgun for these fast pictures at shifting targets, whereas the opposite packs a scoped .22 for precision work. You’re prepared for regardless of the woods throw at you
Squirrel Searching Tip #4: Take Benefit of the Rut
If you wish to see squirrels appearing loopy, hit the woods in the course of the breeding season. Similar to deer, squirrels throw warning to the wind when love is within the air. These usually cautious bushytails will probably be operating up and down timber, chasing one another via the cover, and providing you with shot alternatives you received’t see some other time of 12 months.
December is prime time for this motion. On a sunny winter day, you’ll see boar squirrels chasing sows all around the woods. They’re so caught up of their breeding routine that they’ll generally run proper previous your boot tracks. That is when you possibly can actually rack up these clear head pictures – the squirrels are too busy chasing tail to fret about hunters.
However right here’s the important thing: it is advisable be affected person. These breeding squirrels provides you with loads of shot alternatives, however dashing issues will nonetheless ship them into hiding. Put up up with view of a number of timber and look forward to the present to start out. After they’re rutting, you received’t have to attend lengthy.
Squirrel Searching Tip #5: Use Your Ears
Most hunters spend an excessive amount of time scanning treetops and never sufficient time utilizing their ears. Good squirrel hunters know that listening is commonly more practical than trying. These bushytails make all types of noise – you simply have to be taught their language.
That crunching sound up excessive? That’s a squirrel chopping nuts. The rain of hulls hitting leaves under tells you precisely the place to look. Hear that indignant chatter coming from a den tree? That’s doubtless a sow operating a boar out of her territory. Even the sound of claws on bark can level you to a squirrel making an attempt to slide away quietly.
Wish to actually up your sport? Strive working with squirrel calls. The essential bark name works, however right here’s a trick that’ll fill your restrict quicker: Hunt with a buddy and double-bark. House yourselves about 75 yards aside and take turns calling. When one hunter barks and the opposite solutions, it sounds pure to the squirrels – they usually can’t resist becoming a member of the dialog. The closest hunter takes the shot, you then transfer 50 yards and begin once more.
Whether or not you’re utilizing calls or simply listening, keep in mind that early morning and night are prime time for squirrel sounds. They’re most vocal after they’re most lively
Last Ideas
Squirrel searching isn’t sophisticated, but it surely calls for your full consideration. These rodents have survived numerous seasons of hunters and predators searching them down. They’re taking part in protection with their lives on the road. The hunters who persistently tag out are those who keep sharp and use each benefit they’ll get. Put these tricks to work, and also you’ll begin pondering like a squirrel as a substitute of simply hoping to see one. That’s when the true searching begins – and that’s when your sport bag begins getting heavier.
