Late Winter Squirrel Hunting

I remember as a child trudging through the woods, behind my father and grandfather in the early autumn chasing after squirrels. The array of the forest is still fresh in my mind. Eventually, I was able to venture into the woods on my own in hopes of harvesting a squirrel for supper that evening. Fried squirrel with biscuits and gravy is still one of my favorite meals. I even remember it being one of my grandpa’s favorite breakfast dishes. I was so proud of each squirrel I brought home as I still am today. 

Gray and fox squirrels are the two species that we can hunt here in the Midwest. They both are equally challenging to hunt, and both offer great table fare. The only difference I have noticed between the two is their size difference. The fox squirrel is about twice as big as that of the gray squirrel.

The opening day of squirrel season can prove to be tougher than you might think. With the trees still full of leaves it can be hard to spot the squirrels. Not to mention having to contend with the sweltering heat of September that is possible, the mosquitoes looking for a quick meal and the sticky cobwebs that seem to jump out of nowhere and paste to your face as you navigate your way through the dense woods. All of these things are almost enough to make some hunters wait another month or so before venturing out on a squirrel hunt.  But the hunter who waits is missing on out some great hunting action.

Ask five hunters what gun they prefer to use when pursuing squirrels and you are likely to get five different answers. Some hunters enjoy the challenge of using a scoped .22 caliber rifle. With a rifle a headshot is the most sought after shot. The squirrel quickly dies, and no meat is damaged. When it comes to shotguns the 410 and 20 gauges are the most widely used. The twelve gauge will work fine, but all of that firepower is not required.  My weapon of choice is a 20-guage pump with either No. 8 or No. 6 shot size. Again try to aim for the head for the animal when using a scattergun, but some shot will unavoidably still reach the body.  I prefer the shotgun because not all shots will be at a stationary target, and I like knowing that I can harvest a squirrel as it leaps from one tree to the next.

When it comes to the action of the shotgun decision is up to the individual hunter’s preference. A semi-automatic is fine, but not necessary. I use a pump action just because that is what I am used to carrying while deer and upland bird hunting. Very seldom will a hunter need more than one shot. After the first shot most squirrels in the area will take to cover for the next few minutes waiting for the danger to pass by. For that reason, a lot of hunters are comfortable to carry nothing more than a lightweight single shot with them.

Wearing camouflage clothing is up to the individual hunter. When I am squirrel hunting, I normally wear camouflage pants, shirt, and hat. I do not see the need to wear camo gloves or a facemask like I do when bow hunting deer. More times than I can remember while gun hunting for whitetails, I have had squirrels come within a couple of feet of me. Close enough that I was a little anxious that a mad squirrel might attack me. This all happened while wearing a blaze orange vest and hat. I believe a hunter that remains still stands the best chance to harvest his limit of squirrels, but I do not chance it. I still wear my camouflage.

Squirrels will be busy gathering food and storing it for winter. In just a short period of time the ground will be covered with snow and the critters will want to have their fare share of food stockpiled in various locations throughout the woods in preparation for the upcoming winter.

Slowly walking through the woods, stopping frequently to listen and watch will often give the location of squirrels away. The sound of a squirrel breaking a hickory-nut is hard to miss.

Even when snow covers the ground squirrels will still have to get out of their nest. There will always be the need for food and water. Do not put your gun up just because the temperatures have dipped, and snow blankets the ground. This type of hunting might be just what you need to break the cabin fever.

Captions

1. Squirrel hunting is a great way to beat the cabin blues this winter.