Early Season Squirrel Hunting Tips

[Lochlainn]

Hi Folks,

I had a question for all of you expert gray squirrel hunters out there. I myself am new to hunting Grays. I used to hunt red squirrels all the time back when I was a kid living in northern Vermont, but we didn't have hardly any gray squirrels where I lived. Now I am living in Southern New Hampshire which has plenty of Gray Squirrel. I went out last night (opening day) and also tonight but was having a hard time locating them. I snuck up on a porcupine and a 4 point buck but no squirrels lol. I am pretty good at stalking and taking my time. I will move a few steps being careful not to break any branches then stand and wait 10-15 min or so...then another few steps. Sometimes I find a nice spot and just sit there for a while. I found about 4 squirrel nests tonight in the woodline next to a cornfield and thought I'd see some action. But 45 min to an hour later I had not seen once flicker. I did manage to locate some by sound. I was pretty close but they just would not give up their location. They kept calling from some hidden spot. It was really hot today, low 90's, so I am assuming they are just being really lethargic and lazy, just hanging out in the tops of the trees laying across a branch or something.

I also have a Hunter's Specialties squirrel call which imitates that bark, chatter and has a portion on the bottom which produces a high pitched squeal which is supposed to replicate the sound of a baby squirrel in distress. Usually I will use the bark and chatter sparingly for a while to see if I can get some responses. I have gotten a few. I will also take a few branches with foliage on them and swat my thigh while blowing the distress call. Supposed to sound like the wings of a hawk taking a baby squirrel to the ground.

I had a great time the past few nights just getting out into the woods. It's amazing the things you notice when you are moving at a snail pace and begin to blend into the surroundings.Anyways, I figured I'd start a thread to collect the communities early season squirrel hunting tips. I would love to hear everyone's advice, experiences and tips. Thanks ahead of time and here's wishing all of you a safe and memorable season!

Regards,
Lochalinn

[longislandhunter]

Hi Lochalinn,,

Sounds to me like you're doing everything right.  I would concentrate most of my hunting efforts very early in the morning, starting right at sunrise and then again very late in the day.  I've found that in extremely hot weather the nutters seem to be more active during those time.  Other than that I would say just keep doing what you're doing, I'm sure you'll get your share of nutters.  I'll be looking forward to you posting the story and pics when you nail some. 

Jeff

[only1harry]

They don't hang out too long when it's hot out.  The Eastern Gray squirrel prefers the cooler weather.  You will have a lot more chances of seeing them and getting a shot off very early in the morning.  If you can get out where you spotted those dens around 6-6:30am and settle down somewhere, you will see them and hear them and the nuts falling all around you.  

I wouldn't even use the call.  That can agitate them and alert them making them hang out very close to their den or hole in the tree when you make sounds of a hawk or a squirrel in distress.  That is from my personal experience anyaway.  They see those as "threatening sounds".  I use a call only as the very last resort when I can't locate them.  Get out there early and keep your eyes at the tree tops (higher than mid-way up) and on the ground, and you will see them feeding or running on the ground to get from one tree to another.  They all come out early between 6:30am and 10am.  Some of them are so hungry and busy feeding, that don't even pay attention to you, even though they know you are there, especially when they are 50ft up or 30yds out.  They feel safe when they are farther out, but only until you miss your first or 2nd shot

It should be getting cooler in the next few days with the Hurricane coming and it's supposed to be in the low 70's most of next week, so you will have a lot more success then, even in the evening.  Don't go out too late.  They 'll be there between 4 and 6pm when the temps drop in a couple of days.  What gun are you using anyway?  
Looking forward to your posts!  

[Atchman2]

I'm with these guys.  I've never found it fruitful to hunt in the late afternoon or evening this time of year.  It is still too hot in TN! 

While I have a squirrel call, I've hardly ever used it.  I'm sure it will work in the right application.  I'd stay away from distress calls like they said, though a squirrel distress might bring in a fox or coyote.

[Lochlainn]

Thanks for the replies I appreciate the encouragement and I will definitely have to get out there early in the morning. I just have been working all this week and haven't been able to schedule an early morning hunt, but I wanted to at least make an appearance out there on the opening days of the season. I have Sun. and Mon. off so I plan on getting up early to check out those spots again.

You know I had a feeling about that squirrel call. I tend to like to use it as last resort and rely on stealth instead of cunning. I have not had very many responses with it, and the ones I have had I suspect were out of fear of the unknown...warning others squirrels that something weird was around.

It will be interesting to see what happens when I get out early in the morning this weekend. I am looking forward to checking out those nests that I found. Do you know if Grays use the same nests year after year or do they tend to make new ones each season ? I know the life expectancy of a squirrel is not very long due to illness and predators so I wonder if they tend to make new nests quite a bit. Any tips on determining the age of the nest ? I was looking for fresh signs of acorn and pine cone material near the base of the tree. Do they tend to eat in their nests or just sleep there ? Thanks

[Lochlainn]

They don't hang out too long when it's hot out.  The Eastern Gray squirrel prefers the cooler weather.  You will have a lot more chances of seeing them and getting a shot off very early in the morning.  If you can get out where you spotted those dens around 6-6:30am and settle down somewhere you will see them and hear them and the nuts falling all around you. 

I wouldn't even use the call.  That can agitate them and alert them and they tend to hang out very close to their den or hole in the tree when you make sounds of a hawk or a squirrel in distress.  That is from my personal experience away.  I see those as "threatening sounds".  I use a call only as the very last resort when I can't locate them.  Get out there early and keep your eyes at the tree tops (higher than mid-way up) and on the ground, and you will see them feeding or running on the ground to get from one tree to another.  They all come out early between 6:30am and 10am.  Some of them are so hungry and busy feeding, that don't even pay attention to you, even though they know you are there, especially when they are 50ft up or 30yds out.  They feel safe when they are farther out, but only until you miss your first or 2nd shot

It should be getting cooler in the next few days with the Hurricane coming and it's supposed to be in the low 70's most of next week, so you will have a lot more success then, even in the evening.  Don't go out too late.  They 'll be there between 4 and 6pm when the temps drop in a couple of days.  What gun are you using anyway? 
Looking forward to your posts! 

Oh and I am using a new Benjamin Trail NP .22 cal that I just picked up

[Atchman2]

Oh I forgot my other early season hint-It is a LOT easier to get them early season with a 20 gauge and some #5 shot! 

[Progun]

Hello Lochlainn, man ain't it great to get out in the woods where the squirrels live. Seeing all the different kinds of wildlife just adds to the enjoyment. And since you're in the New England area the woods ought to be gorgeous real soon. Real good advice you've gotten so far about the early morn hunts. Greys are for sure early risers but late afternoons can be very productive too. The still hunting technique you described (stop, look,listen, take a step or two or three and repeat) is how you find them. The important element is the food source. Find the food, find the squirrels. What kind of mast producing trees do you have in your area? Beech, Hickory, and white Oak are all preferred by squirrels at least in my area and I suspect if you have these in your neck of the woods you will be in the right kind of place.  If you can locate Hickory trees they are about the first to produce ready to eat mast. In my area of the country(Tennessee) that's ALL I have to concern myself with until about the third week of Sept when everything else gets added to the menu. Since you are in S.New Hampshire your woods may be finishing their mast growing season well ahead of the southern tier.Normally in your forays I would look for "cuttings" on the ground near the base of mast producers. When you find the evidence, take a seat and wait. It shouldn't take long especially if the temp is below 70 deg. Like Harry suggested, I'd lay off using distress calls until late morning or mid-day when the breakfast run is over and the squirrels are napping. Again it's one of those "if all else fails" tricks in the bag that only sometimes actually works in my experience.About those nests. If you see this years leaves in the nest then it's recent manufacture. Old nests look old. Naaah, they don't eat there, they just use it for a bedroom. I commend you for being a squirrel hunter. It's the best way I know to learn to hunt anything.

[only1harry]

Good point about the acorns.  Try and find an area with acorns.  If you can find them on the ground, you are guaranteed to shoot many squirrels in the area.  I would use the late afternoons or evenings to scount the area and find those spots with squirrel food, ie: nuts.  Look for any cracked open or empty nut shells on the ground or acorns, and that's where the squirrels will be.

Squirrels definitely move around and make a new den, especially when older  ones die out or fall prey to predators.  However they will not move much if the food source in the area is plentiful and they have a good den to sleep in at night.  They will also fight others to take over their territory and move into it if they think it has more food and it's a better spot than theirs.  Grays are very territorial, buyt they are compelled to move where the better food source is, and where the good dens are.  
They prefer natural crevices and holes in the trees over a regular den they have to built on top of trees out of leaves and small branches.  They don't want to be exposed to the elements, and where a hawk, owl, or raccoon might get to them at night.  So they will fight for those hollow trees or holes in a tree which provide better protection.  There is a a big tall tree at the edge of my property which branches out into 2 big trunks and there is good size hole in one of them, about 5" in diameter.  It's a squirrel magnet.  At least 40 squirrels have moved into it in the last 3-4yrs.  As I shoot the resident squirrel of that den, a new squirrel always moves in within a couple of days.  It is usually a mature full-size male.  I have also seen a couple of younger ones getting kicked out by bigger squirrels.  The ones that moves into this natural den, will fiercly defend it several times (before I shoot him) from other squirrels throughout its stay.  

I don't know if you are new to hunting with airguns, but I would advise you to also practice shooting up at different angles to simulate hunting squirrels on trees.  Airguns shoot differently when shooting up or down, than when you shoot straight at a target from a bench rest.  The point of impact (POI) should not shift to the left or right, but will shift up or down depending on the distance and velocity/power of the gun.  I usually pick a couple of spots on a tree, one at 30deg. and one at 45deg (my gun relative to the ground).  These spots usually are a grain or a small crack, something that sticks out and can be seen clearly through the scope, and shoot at them to see where the pellet strikes.  The longer the distance they more the POI changes.  I don't necessarily adjust my scope and zero in to accomodate shooting up at an angle, because squirrels also frequent the ground when they foreage, but I estimate how far up or down the pellet strikes, and adjust my point of aim (POA) when I hunt shooting up at a squirrel.  A mil-dot scope is very useful for this.  What I do is get closer or farther until the pellet strikes the tree where the crosshairs are (up high, 30, 40 or 50ft, I try different heights).  I make note of the distance (look at the A/O on your scope or use a range finder) and angle my gun points up at, so I know when the crosshairs are "dead on" shooting up at a 30-35 or 40deg. angle.  I then go 10yds closer and shoot at the spot again, and 10yds farther out and test again to see where the pellet strikes.  These are all estimates and nothing really scientific, but it has helped me shoot more accurately when aiming up at a squirrel 40 to 60ft high.  So basically practice the way you are going to shoot while you hunt.
Good luck!
PS. Progun posted some of what I said, before I could post mine, but I 'm too tired to edit my reply

[shadow]

Our fellow hunters have given you some fine tip's and as mentioned get out early and then again in the evening. Unlike those city Squirrel's the wild nutters are real skittish and anything out of the norm moving around in the wood's alarms them. I scout out all the possible hot spot's before a hunt and also a place to snipe them from. Each day I'll hold up in each of these spot's and 80% of the time I'll get a harvest. Ed

[timegoat]

I second the acorns. We have a couple of oaks on our 1.21 acres and the acorns on the ground are all chewed up. There's also a spot or two on the ground near the acorns where we can tell something small has been digging... disturbing the forest floor is probably a more accurate description. I wasn't sure what was doing that till I saw a gray squirrel spending a lot of time there. I went back to check it out and the digging was fresher and had expanded a bit.

I'm assuming it was hiding it's food there... dunno if they understand it's gonna snow one day.

[jonnnyboy]

One more thing, what are you wearing?  I've found that squirrels seem to have a keener eyesight than almost any other animals except maybe a turkey.  While deer hunting with a bow, I've noticed that squirrels can sometimes pick me out when other animals, especially deer don't seem to see me.  I think I read somewhere that deer are colorblind and so the orange thing works for them but squirrels are not.  I try to camo up for squirrel hunting just like I would when bowhunting for deer.  Also, I try to wear a "boonie" hat with a floppy brim because I believe the squirrel sometimes spots my shining face when looking up!  

Otherwise, hunt the food and the squirrels will come to you.  It may be too early in your parts for them to start ganging up but they will sooner or later.  When they do, being in the right place with the right (quiet) airgun will get you quite a few.

blessings on your hunt, bro
joe

[dk1677]

Excellent hearing too! Last year I went to take a shot on one at about 25 yards with the 850 and as I squeezed the trigger I found I had forgotten to take the safety off, I slowly pushed it and just a small click sent him running.

[Lochlainn]

Thank you all for your replies. Very helpful!

One more thing, what are you wearing?  I've found that squirrels seem to have a keener eyesight than almost any other animals except maybe a turkey.  While deer hunting with a bow, I've noticed that squirrels can sometimes pick me out when other animals, especially deer don't seem to see me.  I think I read somewhere that deer are colorblind and so the orange thing works for them but squirrels are not.  I try to camo up for squirrel hunting just like I would when bowhunting for deer.  Also, I try to wear a "boonie" hat with a floppy brim because I believe the squirrel sometimes spots my shining face when looking up!  

Otherwise, hunt the food and the squirrels will come to you.  It may be too early in your parts for them to start ganging up but they will sooner or later.  When they do, being in the right place with the right (quiet) airgun will get you quite a few.

blessings on your hunt, bro
joe

I am wearing a realtree camo/blaze orange hat, an upland hunting shirt with blaze orange and a sling backpack that also has blaze orange. I would like to go full camo but there are way too many hunters down in this part of NH. When I used to live in Vermont we had 20 acres of land surrounded by thousands of other acres. I would hardly ever see another hunter so I didn't mind wearing all camo but I am very nervous to go full camo down here. Not as much land to hunt on and A LOT more hunters in the same woods.

Does anyone else here hunt squirrels while wearing hunter orange ? Am I pretty much guaranteed a failed hunt if I wear orange ?

[Lochlainn]

Hmm I was found this thread on another forum that I visit regarding the use of orange blaze and hunting squirrels. Seems like it could go either way.

http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/powder-keg/40430-squirrel-hunting-camo-blaze-orange.html

[Jonesin]

I don't wear blaze until the law requires me to (bow season for deer) but I have harvested squirrels in jeans and a flannel. I prefer to not take chances now.

[shadow]

I hunt private lands and am the only one on it so full camo 24-7. Ed

[redsoxvw]

Oh and I am using a new Benjamin Trail NP .22 cal that I just picked up

Dont worry youll do just fine heres an exit wound from a nutter using my Trail NP

[Froghunter]

I went back in to the squirrel woods this afternoon to check out the status of the area I plan to hunt in two weeks. The squirrel are still cutting the Hickory nuts in my part of the world. They will be eating the Hickory nuts until about the first week in October and then change to the acorns from the Oak trees. From around mid November to the end of the season (End of Febuary) I find them on the ground looking for nuts.



There is alot of cutting in this area. The area has four Hickory trees in a circle of under 30 yards. It's mowed around the trees and there is a hide location close. Acouple of days before the season I will go in before dawn to get a ideal of the direction the squirrels are coming from. This area is an area you have to let the squirrels coming in. I say about four or five use these trees. Once you have a number of them you mark their location and start queitly sniping them.




This area is worked by a couple of squirrels, it has a concentration of cut hickory nut hulls at the base of the tree. If a hunter sits in a hide about 15-20 yards away from this spot facing the tree he will harvest squirrel after squirrel for a day or day and then move to another location.

Squirrel Hunters enjoy, becuase I will shortly!

Froghunter

[only1harry]

Froghunter:  I am jealous!  I need to move where they have Hickory trees!