Four Tips for Fall Squirrel Hunting

Sitting at the base of an old, shagbark hickory tree waiting for the skies to gray. My grandpa’s single-shot .410 draped across my lap. A mosquito buzzes passed my ear, a not-so-pleasant reminder to fire up the Thermacell. Every minute it seems the treetops become more visible. A faint thrashing sound catches my attention, a limb bounces on the shag bark hickory rooted five yards in front of me. Pieces of a hickory nut begin to pitter-patter leaves on the way down. My eyes follow the trail of descending shavings to find a fox squirrel having breakfast in the fork of some branches. I stand up, pull back the hammer and take aim. BOOM!

Squirrel hunting is the perfect activity to kick off the fall hunting season. Here are some tips and tricks that can make or break your opening day hunt.

Preparation

It’s August and it’s hot, so you won’t need to worry about layers of clothes. You do have to worry about ticks, mosquitos and Ceratopogonidae, commonly known as no-see-ums. A few days before the hunt, spray your clothes with permethrin to help defend against ticks, mosquitos and chiggers. Pack a thermacell to use during the hunt. You don’t have to miss the hunt because of these pests.

Cover your skin as best as possible despite warm temperatures. Wear a light pair of gloves to combat the no-see-ums. Waterproof boots are important if you have to walk through long grass or weeds to get to your hunting area. The dew is heavy on the ground in the morning, you don’t want your feet getting wet. Wet feet and walking can lead to blisters and that will ruin your hunt.

A game vest is always handy to have on a squirrel hunt. You can store shotgun shells in pockets and store empties in another pocket after shots. After harvesting squirrels, you can slide them into the game bag and continue hunting. You will also be able to carry a water bottle somewhere in your vest. Make sure to take plenty of H2O.

Weapons and Calls

The woods are thick and wooly during this time of the year. It may be best to take a 12-gauge or 20-gauge with No. 5 or 6 shot. Squirrels can be way up in the treetops 40 to 50 yards off the ground. If you are a good shot and want a challenge, a .410 will do the trick. A .410 is quieter and could allow the area to settle down after shots a little faster than using louder guns.

Squirrel whistle calls can be fun and effective. The squirrel whistle mimics the sound of a young squirrel in distress. Squirrel whistles can make squirrels bark and bounce around giving away their location. In some cases, a squirrel just might come to you.

Believe it or not, take two newer quarters to the woods with you. That’s right 50 cents. A quarter has little grooves on its outer edge. If you are familiar with the sound of a squirrel cutting on a nut, you can reproduce that sound by rubbing or scraping the outer edges of two quarters together. It sounds exactly like a squirrel cutting. This fools squirrels into thinking there is another squirrel eating in the area and they will come in to investigate. This tactic has also worked to help calm squirrels down after a shot. If multiple squirrels are in the area and you shoot one, start scraping those quarters together. Other squirrels will hear it and relax. They will go back to eating, giving you a chance to reload.

When and Where to Hunt

Squirrels tend to be most active early in the morning in August. They are also active in the evening just before dark. 

Find the hickory nuts, find the squirrels. If you’ve been able to scout before the season, hopefully you’ve looked under hickory nut trees to look for fresh shavings on the ground. If you found a spot like this, you know where to set up on opening morning. If you have not scouted, all is not lost. Get in the woods before daylight, when you’re able to start seeing details in the woods look for the shag bark. Chances are if you move slow a squirrel will lead you to the tree.

Walnuts are a secondary food source that bushytails might enjoying. Keep an eye out for walnut trees, observe if walnuts are present. Check under the tree for shell shavings.

Whether its under a hickory tree or walnut tree, if you find a slew of cutting sign just relax and wait. The squirrels will come to you.

Have Fun

Squirrel hunting is so much fun. Great opportunity to fine-tune your stalking skills. Take a kid hunting. Show them how to identify hickory trees, ask them to help listen for crashing in the trees and look for squirrels. Relieve beautiful memories from the past. Stand in awe of God’s creation. Get out and squirrel hunt this fall!