Types of Squirrel Species to Hunt
Fox squirrels and gray squirrels are the two species that absorb most of the hunting pressure. The fox squirrel is found throughout much of the eastern two-thirds of the country, though there are large swaths of territory in this range, most notably in the Northeast, they don’t inhabit. Grays range from the Atlantic Ocean to Texas and North Dakota, and along the West Coast and part of Arizona.
Grays are agile, streamlined squirrels weighing 3/4 to 1 1/2 pounds. Fox squirrels are chunky and squat, slower moving, and usually much larger, weighing up to 3 pounds. Both species may occupy the same areas, but fox squirrels are typically found in more open woods, usually near the forest edge. Grays prefer dense stands of trees in deeper woods.
The species also differ in activity periods. Grays are most active at first light; fox squirrels arise a bit later. Hunters should be in gray squirrel woods at dawn and hunt the first two hours for best results. The third Squirrel – grayhour is somewhat productive, but midday usually offers poor hunting. A little activity can be expected most of the afternoon, but there’s no worthwhile peak.
When hunting strictly for fox squirrels, you can stay in bed an hour later and find best results the second and third hour after sunrise. The first hour is OK, but again, afternoon activity is minimal. Top hunting in woods harboring both fox and gray squirrels is during the first three hours of daylight.
Squirrel Hunting Methods
One of the best things about squirrel hunting is it is relatively simple to do and it doesn’t require a lot of equipment to get started. Knowing where to go and what to look for is half of the battle, and having a few simple items can help keep you comfortable and in the game this squirrel season.
The first thing that you need to know is that there are really two main ways to effectively hunt squirrels.
Passive Squirrel Hunting – You can passively hunt them, which typically involves going to an area that has plenty of food and plenty of nest trees and sitting in wait for the squirrels to show themselves. Passively hunting squirrels is very similar to sitting on stand in wait of that big buck. It can be very relaxing and productive if you are in the right location. Often, when passively hunting squirrels utilizing a squirrel call, like Knight and Hale’s 4 in 1 is very effective and can help draw the squirrels out into view or trigger a call back and give you an opportunity to make a move. Passively hunting squirrels during the early summer months can be very effective, just be sure to have your Thermacell close by to keep the early season bugs off of you.
Active Squirrel Hunting – The second and probably more common way to hunt squirrels is to actively hunt them. This tactic involves getting out and actively searching for squirrels. This is a great tactic to get youngsters out and involved in the hunt. Noise is not really a factor when actively pursuing squirrels, though you don’t want to be downright loud, you don’t necessarily need to be quite, which makes this method a great way to involve kids in the sport. Its low risk and high reward! Just be sure you and whoever you are hunting with have some solid hunting boots before entering the woods.
Squirrel Hunting Basics: Best Tactics and Guns
Many hunters start out by chasing squirrels, only to be lured away by larger and more glamorous game. However, as the leaves begin to change and the temperature drops, squirrels seem to appear in the limbs and crotches of every tree, reminding us how much we used to enjoy hunting them.
1. The Restless Hand
Squirrels have a natural inclination to remain still when predators approach. If you find yourself sitting in an area that should be productive–namely, beneath an oak tree–drop your hand into the litter and stir the leaves at random intervals, repeating in a broken pattern. The sound of your hand moving in the leaves imitates the sound of a squirrel that has started feeding, encouraging all the other squirrels in the area follow suit.
2. Up a Creek
You’ll often find abundant, unpressured squirrels along creeks and streams bordered by hardwoods, particularly oak, hickory, sycamores, and ash trees. If you minimize movement in your canoe or kayak and keep your eyes open, you can have fast shooting on squirrels that don’t expect danger to come from the water. If you are with a buddy, mandate that only one of you shoots at a time, and only from a sitting position.
3. Spot and Stalk
Squirrels are most active during daylight hours, and a morning or evening stalk through the woods can prove very productive. The first step is to scout areas where squirrels are likely to be found, which is anywhere the mast crops they eat—mainly acorns, beech, and hickory nuts—are present. With the sun at your back, practice walking very slowly, taking two or three steps at a time. Keep your eyes peeled and be ready to pick off the squirrels that didn’t hear your approach.
4. The Right Dog
Allen Franklin’s mountain cur squirrel dogs hunt by sight and scent, treeing squirrels and then sounding the location with a series of short “chop” barks until the hunter arrives. Squirrels instinctively flare to the side of the tree opposite a predator, and a circling dog encourages the squirrel to move around the trunk and branches, offering the hunter a shot. Additionally, dogs catch wounded squirrels that fall from the tree, preventing lost or wounded animals.
GETTING STARTED
Squirrel hunting is convenient, with a long season, abundant opportunities, and easy access to public lands from nearly any community in Missouri. If you’re a seasoned hunter, but haven’t hunted squirrels in years, grab a beginning hunter and become a mentor.
To find public lands open to squirrel hunting near you, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/ZNc or contact your local outdoor education specialist.
Missouri is home to three species of tree squirrels:
- the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
- the eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger)
- the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys Volans)
Of the three species, only the gray and fox squirrels are legal to hunt.
Squirrel behavior and activity change throughout the year as they respond to weather patterns and food availability. For example, a mulberry tree full of fruit could be a hotspot in June, but by October, squirrels feed on nuts and acorns. Popular squirrel foods include:
Spring: tree buds, mushrooms, seeds of elms, maples, and oaks
Summer and fall: mulberries, hickory nuts, pecans, acorns, corn, walnuts, wild grapes, and hedgeapples
Winter: nuts, acorns, bark, corn, and buds
How to Hunt Squirrel with These Tips
I learned squirrel hunting early and as a boy, it was the first animal I ever hunted. Naturally, a small-caliber rifle like the .22 was ideal for my size.
It made little noise and had very little recoil. My father and grandfather also wanted to teach me the basics of hunting.
There was no better way than to hunt squirrels. One of the best aspects of squirrel hunting is the needed skill.
Your aim has to be accurate to hit a squirrel’s head from 20 to 30 yards. The accuracy becomes even more important when you use open sights.
Squirrel hunting also taught me stealth and how to clean an animal after the kill. Overall, it was an excellent foundation for the other animals I would hunt over the years.
Breaking: American Gun Association Elects New Chairman Tim Larkin.
Squirrel hunting is not just for boys or those learning to hunt. I still do it several times each year. Unlike hunting other animals, you need to know some scouting.
There are several public hunting areas near my home fine for firing squirrels. The squirrel hunting season is long, and we are always looking for ways to put more meat in the freezer.