Squirrel hunting experience and knowledge

Jump to latest Follow Reply
D

drsquall

Member
Jul 22, 2022
1,461
1,399
OK
Happy New Year!
I was curious on what my fellow tree squirrel hunters regard how best to hunt squirrels in the winter? Time of day, sunny/cloudy, wind/no wind, temps, etc. Now this is not baiting them but just going out to hunt them. I have nothing against baiting I just don't hunt them that way. I usually just hunt creeks and patches a tall timber. I have a shot plenty while deer hunting over corn(because I always carry an air rifle with me-lol). I'm talking about just going squirrel hunting only and when you decide to go and why.

Thanks
Jon
 
Good day and happy New Year to you too.
I prefer to get to my squirrel hunting spot right around sun rise. It's been my experience that squirrels are most active from day break to around 10 AM. If hunting later in the afternoon get to your spot by around 3:30 in the afternoon because they get more active around that time before heading back to their nests for the night.
I prefer it to be cloudy so I can pick any position to wait for them without having the sun in my eyes. The less wind the better so I can hear better. Also on a windy day wild game does not move around as much so you have less chance of seeing them.
For temperature I prefer it between being in the 30s in the morning to no higher than the mid 50s in the afternoon. Not to hot or cold. Squirrels are active in colder temperatures but I don't like to freeze.
I don't bait either but some times at the end of the season I'll dump a bag of bird seed out at one of my favorite hunting spots just to help the little buggers out.
I've found the best spots are near a tree line by the edge of field. Near a crop field is even better, at least this is what works for me.
Normally I don't move around much and only go to one of two spots in the course of a day. I bring a portable hunting stool along with my day pack. But this time of year with all the leaves off the trees I sometimes will just walk through the woods and try to spot them as I'm moving along. This is best done when the ground is damp so your not crunching leaves.
I hope some of this will help you. Best of luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nutcracker, JimD, Contndr35BB and 3 others
Upvote 0
Moog said:
Good day and happy New Year to you too.
I prefer to get to my squirrel hunting spot right around sun rise. It's been my experience that squirrels are most active from day break to around 10 AM. If hunting later in the afternoon get to your spot by around 3:30 in the afternoon because they get more active around that time before heading back to their nests for the night.
I prefer it to be cloudy so I can pick any position to wait for them without having the sun in my eyes. The less wind the better so I can hear better. Also on a windy day wild game does not move around as much so you have less chance of seeing them.
For temperature I prefer it between being in the 30s in the morning to no higher than the mid 50s in the afternoon. Not to hot or cold. Squirrels are active in colder temperatures but I don't like to freeze.
I don't bait either but some times at the end of the season I'll dump a bag of bird seed out at one of my favorite hunting spots just to help the little buggers out.
I've found the best spots are near a tree line by the edge of field. Near a crop field is even better, at least this is what works for me.
Normally I don't move around much and only go to one of two spots in the course of a day. I bring a portable hunting stool along with my day pack. But this time of year with all the leaves off the trees I sometimes will just walk through the woods and try to spot them as I'm moving along. This is best done when the ground is damp so your not crunching leaves.
I hope some of this will help you. Best of luck.
Click to expand...
Thanks that's how I pretty much do it as well. In fact I just got back from setting for about an hour on a creek butting up to one of the wheat fields. I got 2 fox squirrels with the 30 cricket. I have a great evening
 
  • Like
Reactions: beerthief, Contndr35BB and Moog
Upvote 0
First few hours of daylight and last few hours of daylight as noted above. Hunt near oaks and the other mast bearing trees, especially those near field edges and transition lines. Even though they aren't still dropping, the squirrels often have their dreys setup close by and have acorns buried all around those areas so the activity nearby stays high even in late season.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nutcracker, JimD, Contndr35BB and 1 other person
Upvote 0
Spartan said:
First few hours of daylight and last few hours of daylight as noted above. Hunt near oaks and the other mast bearing trees, especially those near field edges and transition lines. Even though they aren't still dropping, the squirrels often have their dreys setup close by and have acorns buried all around those areas so the activity nearby stays high even in late season.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I wish I had oaks or good mast trees around here. Mostly blackjacks, cedars, elms and cottonwoods.
 
Upvote 0
Find out where they eat, what they eat, and when they eat. Then be there, conceal yourself, and wait if you're in the woods. I've seen them active at different times of day during the fall and winter. They don't seem to like moderate to heavy rain or moderate to high wind. I've hunted them in light snow and light rain. Fox squirrels behave differently than grey squirrels. It is important to watch animals and learn their habits.
 
  • Like
Reactions: maxtrouble, Nutcracker, beerthief and 2 others
Upvote 0
No harm in wearing camo, I do sometimes, but squirrels are like us, they spot movement. I've had buck deer walk within 10 yards of me when I was not in camo and not in a blind but I was sitting still. I agree early and late are best but I've killed them in the middle of the day too. Rain is not good, they seem less active but I've killed them in light rain too. Squirrels seem to prefer the kind of weather we do but when it gets colder they need to eat more.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nutcracker and drsquall
Upvote 0
I definitely see the most between the 1/2 before and the 1/2hr after sunrise, after that it seems they're all on their own nap/eat schedule and are out and about randomly.
They definitely lay low on windy days, they'll go out, you just won't see any running through the treetops.
They also might wait for the sun to rise if it's really cold before venturing out.
All that being said I'll hunt them any chance I get but I prefer cool calm mornings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: drsquall
Upvote 0
AmosBurton said:
I definitely see the most between the 1/2 before and the 1/2hr after sunrise, after that it seems they're all on their own nap/eat schedule and are out and about randomly.
They definitely lay low on windy days, they'll go out, you just won't see any running through the treetops.
They also might wait for the sun to rise if it's really cold before venturing out.
All that being said I'll hunt them any chance I get but I prefer cool calm mornings.
Click to expand...
I agree but like tomorrow I'm going it's going to be sunny, low winds but 26 at daylight so I'm debating to go a little later after the sun gets things a little warmer probably around 8
 
Upvote 0
drsquall said:
I agree but like tomorrow I'm going it's going to be sunny, low winds but 26 at daylight so I'm debating to go a little later after the sun gets things a little warmer probably around 8
Click to expand...
Don't wait too long. Every time I'm sitting in my deer blind watching squirrel it seems like they are all out and suddenly they are nowhere to be found.
Good luck! I hope you get the limit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nutcracker and drsquall
Upvote 0
drsquall said:
I agree but like tomorrow I'm going it's going to be sunny, low winds but 26 at daylight so I'm debating to go a little later after the sun gets things a little warmer probably around 8
Click to expand...
Same here it's been about 26 all week when the sun comes up. Sunday and Monday is supposed to be a bit warmer. I'll probably give it a go then.
 
  • Like
Reactions: drsquall
Upvote 0
Moog said:
Same here it's been about 26 all week when the sun comes up. Sunday and Monday is supposed to be a bit warmer. I'll probably give it a go then.
Click to expand...
Tomorrow is my last day off before I go back to work for 8 straight so I'm going to bundle up and give it a go. It's a new spot I've never hunted before so it will be learning experience. I'll give 4 hrs or so and see what happens. Tomorrow I'm bringing the RTI prophet 1 in the 22lr barrel shooting the 25s at 945. Checked it today dead on at 40yds.
Jon
 
  • Like
Reactions: Moog
Upvote 0
I want to start squirrel hunting myself, but there is a little challenge for me. I'm in a wheelchair and would have limited mobility in my trees. I do have a great transition spot though, field/tree line that would let be get right to that line. I appreciate the info that spot hunting (don't know if that makes sense) is a viable hunting method. I really doubt my ability to stalk in a wheelchair. I am thinking, if legal, I might resort to baiting, to increase the likelyhood of spoting them. Just got this property so the woods are all filled with obstacles, but I plan on slowly clearing that over time. I have a creek that runs through them that would poetically offer another ideal location. I take hunters safety in early February so after that squirrels beware!!! Question for you all, what do you all do with your take? Eat, stuff, skin...?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nutcracker
Upvote 0
gfhickman said:
I want to start squirrel hunting myself, but there is a little challenge for me... Just got this property so the woods are all filled with obstacles, but I plan on slowly clearing that over time. I have a creek that runs through them that would poetically offer another ideal location. I take hunters safety in early February so after that squirrels beware!!! Question for you all, what do you all do with your take? Eat, stuff, skin...?
Click to expand...
I eat the healthy looking squirrels.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ThirdPlace and Nutcracker
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu