Squirrel Hunting Tips, Tricks & Secrets

Photo courtesy MDC

Hunting squirrels is exciting, challenging and fun all rolled into one.  The pursuit of these critters is a surefire way to hone in on your shooting skills and will provide you with an excellent meal.  Because I hunt mostly on public land I typically hunt squirrels with a shotgun or a high powered air rifle, but the .22 caliber is also a fine choice for taking them.

When using my shotgun I have #6 shot to be a great choice to get the job done.  When using a high powered air rifle I typically use my .22 caliber break barrel in combination a pointed pellet and have found this to be a lethal combination.  When shooting squirrels with an air rifle the best shot placement is just below the ear.  This shot will almost always cause the squirrel to be unable to run away and hide before you find it.

Because of the distance a bullet will travel I typically shy away from shooting a .22 long rifle on public land.  I am confident in my shooting abilities; however, I prefer not to take any chances with the safety of other hunters who may be in the area if I do happen to miss.  If you choose to use a .22, be sure to take shots when the squirrel is positioned so that you will hit the tree should your shot be off.  This will ensure that the bullet is unable to travel a long distance and hit some unknown object.

Because squirrels are capable of easily spotting their predators wearing camouflage while hunting them will go a long way in helping you get your limit.  Be sure to wear a face cover as well as gloves to gain the biggest advantage.  If a squirrel does happen to see you and darts to the back side of the tree, simply tossing a small rock past the tree is often enough to convince them that they should head back to the side you are on.  If you can find a spot to hide out near a field along a stand of oak trees the squirrels will probably not be too far away.

I typically head into the woods and find a comfortable place to sit waiting twenty to thirty minutes before deciding to move to another location.  This gives the squirrels plenty of time to show themselves before I give up on them.  An alternative to this method is to stalk them by slowly and quietly walking through the woods stopping every few steps and waiting for a couple of minutes before moving on.  

Whichever way you decide to hunt them, be sure to watch the treetops for any movement.  As you gain experience hunting squirrels you will quickly learn to spot them by listening for the rustling of leaves in the canopy of trees.  You will also want to listen for the sound of squirrels "cutting" or gnawing a nut out of the shell.  This sound will inform the other squirrels in the area that it is safe to come out and partake in a meal.

- Any day in the outdoors is a good day