[Rancher]

It’s been probably 30 years since I’ve hunted squirrel as a kid. We always hunted deer or rabbit and now we just hunt deer.
I’m trying to expand my 2 boys interest in small game hunting.

I’ve taken them out a few times and each have killed but I’m trying to figure out best times (morning or evening) and what part of season is best to hunt squirrel. Also is it best to hunt them on ridge tops or creeks (or does that even matter)?

Mostly will be in big woods setting (national forest) and some timber company land.

Any tips are appreciated! Thanks!

 

[buckedup]

find the food trees, its easier said than done, but they usually like some trees more than others. Find the thicker cover where you can hide and sneek, the open woods make it more difficult. My experience shows that the pretty woods are not always the best.

Most of all, move slowly and quietly if possible. If its dry you may be better off sitting rather than walking on corn flake leaves.

 

[MsH]

It’s been probably 30 years since I’ve hunted squirrel as a kid. We always hunted deer or rabbit and now we just hunt deer.
I’m trying to expand my 2 boys interest in small game hunting.

I’ve taken them out a few times and each have killed but I’m trying to figure out best times (morning or evening) and what part of season is best to hunt squirrel. Also is it best to hunt them on ridge tops or creeks (or does that even matter)?

Mostly will be in big woods setting (national forest) and some timber company land.

Any tips are appreciated! Thanks!

Take them with some squirrel dogs. It's much more action packed for kids and now is the perfect time - the leaves are off and the squirrels will be rutting. The MDWFP does a squirrel dog event for kids every year but there are plenty of dog folks willing to introduce others to the sport, especially if you have places to hunt that aren't overrun with deer hunters.

In my opinion, early season is better for still hunting, later season is better for dog hunting. Remember you have to wear orange right now, and squirrels can see it well. Squirrels will be cutting pine cones and hickory nuts in early season, then acorns later on. Best movement is the last 15 minutes of daylight, and also early morning if it's not too cold (they don't seem to like heavy frost). The first 30 minutes after a rain is usually good too. Waterways are often good but ridges can be if the food is there. Good luck!

 

[iflyfish]

I try to find hard woods. Look for some sign that their around (digging around in the leaves, chewed nuts or cones, nests, sounds). I usually set next to a tree and wait when I find a promising spot. Bring binoculars. They can be rite there in plain view but you won’t see them without them. Using your rifle scope only shows a small window and requires more movement. If it gets too boring, I’ll move (slow) from tree to tree. Look for any unusual movement in the trees, some leaves moving or a tail flickering. Listen for them move around in the underbrush. If you hear them barking you can move towards them. They are always CLOSER than they sound!

Technically you don’t have to wear orange. But no squirrel is worth getting shot, especially your kids. The regulations read “when hunting deer” you must wear unbroken orange. I wear an orange vest with lite grey camouflage over printed on it. It is just as visible to friends when we hunt together. Seems to help a little compared to solid orange, but it’s most likely in my head.

 

[DoyleAlley]

Find good woods and sit in a deer stand. You'll usually see more squirrels than deer.

 

[randywallace]

If you aren't going with dogs, find some pecan trees and sit down. Look for bigger trees with horizontal limbs and dens. I always do better sitting down than walking up on them, but walking slowly from tree to tree can be productive before the leaves come off. Once all the leaves are off, its dang hard to sneak up on them. Going the morning after a rain helps so the woods don't sound like walking on doritos. They also travel edge habitat, so trees above old fence lines in the woods are productive as are areas where hardwoods meet a pine stand or field edge.

 

[Rancher]

Thanks for all the replies! Gonna try some of these tactics with the boys next week while they off of school.

 

[rt8]

...you have to wear orange right now...

Where, and why?

Generally speaking, deer hunters are the only ones required to wear orange.

 

[DoyleAlley]

Where, and why?

Generally speaking, deer hunters are the only ones required to wear orange.

I certainly wouldn't be walking around in the woods right now without orange on. Way too many yahoos who will shoot at any sound behind a bush.

 

[Rancher]

The boys wear an orange lined vest with the back pouch and I wear an orange hat when we go just to be in the safe side. Especially in public land.

 

[rt8]

I get Wanting to wear it. But he said "have to" like it's a law or rule.

 

[Rancher]

The boys have killed a couple squirrel back in December. We are headed back out to camp Friday and they are wanting to shoot something Saturday morning so we’ll go walk the woods and see if we can shoot a squirrel or 2.

While they will be looking up in the trees I’ll be looking down for deer sign!

 

[rt8]

This time of year, especially with multiple folks, Shake some vines.

 

[Rancher]

This time of year, especially with multiple folks, Shake some vines.

Yes sir will do!