Hunting & Fishing Squirrel Hunting Question

eleaf

eleaf

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 12, 2009
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The Bluegrass
www.puregrowthorganics.com
#1
Hey all,
I have read conflicting reports about squirrel hunting.

I have read that squirrels are best hunted early in the morning and/or later in the afternoon/early evening before sundown. I have also read that squirrel hunting during this part of the season is best done around midday because they like to get out and get whatever heat is available.

What time of day is best for hunting squirrels? Will cold weather dictate a change?

Thanks.
 
#2
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

eleaf-
As with most types of hunting it really varies day to day. Current weather conditions, pending weather conditions and moon phases all play a factor in game movement along with lots of other things.
The best advice I can give ya is get in the woods and hunt. Spend as much time in the woods as possible, it will come. If your the type writing a jounal about the experience it could be a benifit. Note the time of day, weather trends etc and you'll start to see patterns.
And just when you think your getting it figgered out, them critters will throw you for a loop.
I know on them lil tree rats around here, if its an excessivley windy day, you might as well be reloading or cleaning rifles.
Hope this helps and good luck to ya.
 
#3
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

eleaf: So your in Ky.. So am I. What county are you in and I might have some advice... I have hunted squirels all around central ky with 22lr and shotgun. It's more fun with 22's though.
 
#4
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mis-guided child</div><div class="ubbcode-body">eleaf-
As with most types of hunting it really varies day to day. Current weather conditions, pending weather conditions and moon phases all play a factor in game movement along with lots of other things.
The best advice I can give ya is get in the woods and hunt. Spend as much time in the woods as possible, it will come. If your the type writing a jounal about the experience it could be a benifit. Note the time of day, weather trends etc and you'll start to see patterns.
And just when you think your getting it figgered out, them critters will throw you for a loop.
I know on them lil tree rats around here, if its an excessivley windy day, you might as well be reloading or cleaning rifles.
Hope this helps and good luck to ya.
</div></div>

Thanks.

Today was overcast and about 50F (15-20 above normal for this time of year in Central KY). No wind or precipitation, though everything was wet and muddy from the snow melt. It was as if they have never been there. Ever. I'm guessing that because it was unseasonably warm, they were in their nests relaxing/eating.

I went "hunting" squirrels on my property last week when it was REALLY COLD (~20F) and bagged 2 during midday. I got another one 2 days ago in warmer, but not yet warm weather.

I'll be going out in the woods again in a couple of days. I'll try very early in the morning (perhaps just after sunrise). I'll be scouting coyote at the same time.
 
#5
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TheSmokeRolls</div><div class="ubbcode-body">eleaf: So your in Ky.. So am I. What county are you in and I might have some advice... I have hunted squirels all around central ky with 22lr and shotgun. It's more fun with 22's though. </div></div>

I'm in Jessamine County (one county South of Lexington), though I was hunting in Miller-Welch Central KY WMA today which is in Madison County.

I'll be going to Dix River WMA on Monday morning which is in Lincoln County (just south of Lancaster). I'll also be scouting coyote there as well.

Thanks
 
#6
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

Dont forget to factor in birds of prey. They know when they are in the area and hold tight. Right now I am seeing them moving between 8:30-11:00am. Not sure if it is mating season or just territory issues but alot of fighting as well. Take a hanfull of whole kernal corn and throw it around and come back the next day. Making it a challenge for me I use a RWS .22 air rifle.
 
#7
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

At home I use a GAMO .177 air rifle which works great (when I can keep that POS BSA scope lined up right), and I could use it in the field, but it is too damn heavy for lugging around the woods.

I use my trusty Marlin 60 with iron sights in the woods, though I haven't had the opportunity to fire it at a squirrel yet.

I'll keep the bids of prey trick in my mind when I go out this week.
 
#9
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

finnwerke757 : Your kinda right. Sometimes you find-em sometimes you don't... Sometimes they are in the mood, sometimes they are in their den gettin some squirrel tail. And when their woman has a fit they go hunt for nutts....hahahaha.....
eleaf : I am very close to you. Boyle co. Grew up in Mercer co. I also hunt in Marion and Lincoln.. Not far from you at all... I wouldn't mind popin a squirrel or two or three out of a tree or on the ground.. I have access to a great farm in Marion co.with more squirrels than the owner wants to have. But still, sometimes you will see a forest full and the next day it looks like the rapture happened and there will be none to find. I have seen a small (Coopers)hawk take a ground squirrel right beneath me while I was hunting dear. It was awesome to see it happen that close (25 feet from me). The little ground squirrel was foraging all around the area and they move like lightning.. And then wooosh........He grabbed him and he was gone....There goes my entertainment.........It was cool to see......SmokeRolls
 
#12
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

i've found morning and evening are the best with midday coming in third.

i think they wake up go pee and poo, find some nuts and head back. then midday cathing the warth of the day on the sunnyside of the trees. head back in to their nests / holes and then come back out to do the same before dark.

i got 2 1st thing in the morning, the other four between 12:30 and 1:30 (our limit is 6 in pa.)
22MAG01-16-2010JPG.jpg


still haven't been able to get my nemesis...
commandosquirrel.jpg
 
#14
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

I prefer mornings and a 22 rimfire. Here is a tip take a crow call with you when you are in range and they are moving around on a limb blow the crow call kind of loud they will freeze for long enough to look around, idealy you will have the rifle already pointed in there direction, thats the time to shoot them in the Noggin like Toppredator does.
 
#15
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

I wouldn't mind stepping into the woods with you sometime either. I'm in Frankfort, PM me if you want to go sometime. It seems like I'm busy a lot, but if I'm not doing anything I love hunting squirrel. I have a new MKII that hasn't tasted blood yet - as soon as I get a good data set on it I would love to bust some rats. Otherwise, I've been shooting them with a 12 gauge since I was a wee one - it's safer with shotguns where I live.

I seem to have the best luck between 8:00 and 10:00 from November through February. After about 10:00, it's rare for me to see a squirrel. I don't generally go in the evenings as I like to clean 'em and throw 'em in the skillet for a late breakfast with biscuits and gravy.
 
#16
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

I went out for a late afternoon hunt in Lincoln County today, and, as per last time, I didn't even see a squirrel. I was upset that the map provided by the state for the WMA didn't show a creek that was uncrossable (chest high water moving fast), so I didn't actually get to where I was wanting to go.

I'm definitely going out in the wee morning hours next time. Perhaps getting to the grounds around sunrise and hanging around for a while.
 
#17
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

I try and find a couple nests in a close area just at dawn. Usually there will be a hickory, oak, walnut, hazelnut, sycamore, or pine tree somewhere nearby. I try and find a decent spot (above if possible) where I can see the nest and any of those trees. As the morning goes on, I move around a bit and try to find more of those trees and a good vantage point on them to catch the little guys running around. Often, after an hour or so of daylight, they'll be running up and down the trunks of these or nearby trees.
 
#19
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I prefer early mornings. But if you use a squirrel call, (one with the little red bulb on the end) you can "bark" them up almost any time of day. </div></div>

I have been using a call, and those little boogers ignored me, or weren't there at all.

I have squirrels frolicking around my house at all times of day, but when I go to the woods, they all hide.

Boogers.

I'll get one soon enough.

That son of a bitch better taste good too.
 
#20
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

My wife pan fries the front and the back legs and uses the back to make gravy. That with scrambled eggs and biscuits are wonderful to me.

With all the cold weather we had a couple of weeks ago, all the wolves, wobbles and other parasites (insert any other word you want to call them) should be gone.

Try sitting on your porch with the call and see if the ones there answer your call.
 
#23
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

I do a lot of squirrel hunting on my own (with a .22) and with falconers. I have found (in Southeast GA) that morning seems to be the best for hunting them then. Falconers take slingshots and marbles with them and shoot the marbles into nests to get the squirrels out when no vines can be found around the tree to pull on. This works really well. If you have someone with you have them try it...I think you would see an increase of meat in your pan.
smile.gif
 
#24
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

Two best times to hunt here in missouri, early summer when mulberries get ripe,squirrels love them late summer focus on hickory nut trees later acorns walnuts and pecan trees
 
#25
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

hunt squirrel the same time you hunt deer good all day long. its location that plays a big factor. your ovbiously not going to have many squirrels if you have no nuts. no pun intended.
 
#26
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

We hit up the pecan groves about anytime of day. Little bastards were getting use to us and started hiding when they saw us, so the .17HMR came out and we have been nailing them from about 200 to 300 with that.
 
#27
Re: Squirrel Hunting Question

As part of The Bayou Boys, we have killed over 1500 squirrels in the last 4 years. That's not a misprint or bragging, just fact.

Squirrels can be on fire all day or hardly at all any time of the day. Sometimes the solunar tables do a good job of indicating activity times. These can always be overruled by weather, other hunters, massive temperature changes, breeding, nesting, etc.

We hunt with dogs so that increases our odds of finding squirrels.

If I had to say when to go, as a general rule, they seem to almost always move just a little before dark. Gray squirrels (what we call cat squirrels) seem to move earlier in the am than fox squirrels do. I am sure in other areas of the country, things may be different.

Don't know if that helped any, but it has been my experience over the years.

We've got some pics on our website if you want to check us out.
 
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