Tips on Hunting Ground Squirrels

[wyshadow]

How do you guys hunt ground squirrels? Hunting them is still new to me and I'm still learning. I have only been able to go out in the evenings and haven't seen if it is better to hunt them in the mornings. I have been mostly shooting out my vehicle and a few times I have walked around the pecan orchids. I have noticed it has been easier to just drive in one area and sit and wait. I went out this evening after it had rained but i didn't see one squirrel. I guess they don't like the wet ground or should I have stayed a little bit longer? Do squirrels come out in the wind or will they stay under ground if its windy like rabbits and prairie dogs. I noticed rabbits will come out in any weather except if it really windy or if its raining but they will come out right after it stops raining. Do squirrels give warning calls like prairie dogs? When a prairie dog gives a warning bark, that tells me I have a few minutes before every dog in 200 yards hide. I usually would try to locate the dog that is giving the warning calls and take him out. I'm not to sure if I should try baiting them because I don't want to attract more squirrels to the orchid. Are they color blind? From hunting coyotes, I noticed coyotes will see movement and not notice what color you are wearing. Will a hunting blind help or is it too much trouble? Are their sense of smell good where I need to use oder blockers and setup down wind?

 

[JohnL57]

Ah-grasshopper, welcome to my world!
First and foremost-if you don't want to send a lot of time hunting them, get a trap! I enjoy the waiting and time in the outdoors so it's all good as far as I'm concerned.
Keep safety foremost, if there's any doubt don't shoot!
Ground squirrels are most active in the morning and late afternoon depending on weather. They like t-shirt weather, not too hot or cold. It's best to be set up before they emerge from their burrows rather than walk up on them. You can get your timing by observing what time of day they're out and active. If they see you set up, be prepared to wait 20-30 minutes (well past the time your butt goes numb, lol) for them to re-emerge. The more adventurous juveniles are usually the first out and will often give you a second shot if you miss. The grumpy old adults will take some patience to dispatch. 
I've never used a blind but I think it would work very well as long as you can get into it without being seen or are set up before they emerge. A parked vehicle makes an excellent hide to shoot from, they don't seem to see it as threat. Most adults spook at around 50 yards so if you can hit at 50-75 yards you'll get lots of shots. The first few times you shoot an area are precious as they wise up very quickly so make sure you're zeroed and have your dope and a rangefinder, every miss is an education for the squirrels and they learn fast for "dumb animals". A pair of compact binoculars will help you spot the heads as they peek from cover. As in all airgun hunting, shot placement is key, practice a lot and if the squirrels are not out yet take some shots near the burrow to see what effect the wind has.
I do think they can smell you, but they operate more by sight and their vision is very keen.




Warning -the "crack" sound of solid head shot can be highly addictive!
Good shooting,
John
PS-yes they give warning calls and will come out in the wind, at least in my area. I think camo is a good idea and if you want to wear a mask and gloves that would probably help, though I've never tried it myself.

 

[Alan]

I don't hunt squirrels much, but I do shoot a lot of pigeons. Both have good eyesight so you need to hide. So, I bought a small two-man hunting blind from Amazon for $100. The one man ones are less money, but you have very little room to move, especially when you need to refill your airgun. It takes about 10 minutes to set it up, as it isn't much more than a tent. Using it has improved my kill ratio by at least triple. 

 

[bill_dd97]

Like John said, early morning and late afternoon is best. They'll start going underground about 2hrs before sunset. Due to the sage and tall grasses on my area I hunt them on foot and shoot them at the farthest distance I can get a clear shot. I've killed more than a hundred of them so far this year off a few properties at ranges from 10ft to 130 yards. When you see one, be quick on your shot, as they don't tend to stay still for long. I haven't noticed camp giving me any advantage either. I just avoid wearing bright colors when I go hunting them and attempt to stay down wind.

 

[Gshadow177]

Interesting... I have always had best of luck mid day the early afternoon. I hardly see anything in the late afternoon. Occasionally one early in the morning. Must be the different climate we got going on here.

 

[bill_dd97]

I'm in western Wyoming.

 

[Jnewood]