Winter Squirrel Hunting

[jrbarnes]

Any tips for squirrel this time of year? I've been struggling to get within 100 yards of them before they go up in a hole !

 

[D55]

Bait them they are driven by their belly. Corn will work as will birdseed. I saw 3-7 squirrels at a time every day during regular gun and ml season in Ohio hunting from a climber. Maybe put a blind out and a pile or two of feed. If it is legal in your state. I don't hunt deer directly over bait but somewhere near, just do it to get them into the area, it is very hit and miss as to drawing the deer but squirrel are all over it.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

In my experience skwirls are rarely out when its snowing, amost always out if the sun is shining, can not resist the black sunflower seeds but theyve gotta get used to finding the bait where ever you leave it, bait them regularly, camo up and move slowly and quietly into an area and be prepared to wait a while for them to come back out, try a skwirl call sometimes they will respond well to it if they arent scared off first.

 

[HC]

After the leaves are fallen, use a squirrel tree dog.

 

[snapbang]

I have a squirrel/bird feeder by my deer hunting stand. (corn) When I have time I go out and sit with my .177 Prowler pellet gun. I usually sit for an hour or so. Got up to 4 in an hour with the fifth staying just out of range. The pellet gun is quiet enough so you dont scare them away like you do with a .22LR or shotgun.

 

[jrbarnes]

Thanks for the replies. Ill try those out.

 

[pjsoden]

It’s tough right now. The females are denned up now while the little ones grow. But birdseed is your best bet, and locating some denning trees.

 

[Sandhillshunter]

At least I'm not the only one that squirrel hunts. Most people look at me like I am crazy. I will have to try the bird feeder.

 

[deermanok]

A couple of my buddies like to squirrel hunt when the weather is good, back in Connecticut. They use pellet guns, Gamo, I think. Always get one or two per outing.

 

[snapbang]

They use pellet guns, Gamo, I think. Always get one or two per outing.

I bought one for $110 from Wally World. Did a trigger job, swapped the scope, broke it in, and its some of the best money I ever spent. A good hit takes out a squirrel. He may run 20 yards but he will tip over.

 

[JimA]

I'll second the vote for a pellet gun. I use a Hatsan QE supressed PCP in .22 caliber. It works just as well as a regular .22 with much less noise. Head shots are easy at 30 yards and chest shots drop them right there too.

 

[snapbang]

I use a Hatsan QE supressed PCP in .22 caliber.

Thats a fine pellet gun. I was amazed at how much power the Prowler in .177 had. It goes through 4 sides of a Campbells soup can at 30 yards. Soup cans aren't cheap tin like beer or soda cans. I saw a .22 version of it and almost bought it. But I like the .177. Gets the job done.

 

[ported45]

Just hunt. I got 59 between August 15th to October 1st and Christmas to January 31st this season.

 

[snapbang]

what gun/shells you use ported45???
Do you set up a feeder?????
stalk????

You eat them????

 

[ported45]

what gun/shells you use ported45???
Do you set up a feeder?????
stalk????

You eat them????

Fall hunting is with Umarex Gauntlet .177, Marlin 881 with Remington Subsonics, or Marlin 17HM2 with CCI ammo.

Winter hunting is with the 17HM2 or a Marlin 17HMR with CCI hollowpoints or Hornady VMax.

Purely stalk the squirrels.

My daughter and I eat all of my squirrels a couple months before the next season rolls around.

This is the 17 Mach 2.

 

[eekjellander]

Fall hunting is with Umarex Gauntlet .177, Marlin 881 with Remington Subsonics, or Marlin 17HM2 with CCI ammo.

Winter hunting is with the 17HM2 or a Marlin 17HMR with CCI hollowpoints or Hornady VMax.

Purely stalk the squirrels.

My daughter and I eat all of my squirrels a couple months before the next season rolls around.

This is the 17 Mach 2.
View attachment 13679

That is some serious shooting and the squirrel population is in rapid decline !

 

[snapbang]

Great way to hone your hunting/shooting skills.

I take the lazy approach and sit in the deer blind. I like to read and make plans for food plots, blind improvements, do some cleaning out, what ever. Just need to get outside.

 

[toytruck]

Squirrel meat is the best eating there is in the woods! If prepared right I like it over venison.
I pressure cook two at a time, then pull apart roll in wheat flour or almond flour, fry in oil till golden brown. Yum!!

 

[JimA]

Squirrel meat is the best eating there is in the woods! If prepared right I like it over venison.
I pressure cook two at a time, then pull apart roll in wheat flour or almond flour, fry in oil till golden brown. Yum!!

Pressure cooker is definitely required on the big fox squirrels I get. Some of them suckers are tough!

 

[Ninering62]

Pressure cooker is definitely required on the big fox squirrels I get. Some of them suckers are tough!

Where do you live that shooting the fox squirrels is legal? I'm from md. & the Delmarva fox squirrels in that area have always been illegal to hunt. Same in Wva. Now I'm in north central Fl where we have big beautiful fox squirrels everywhere & they are illegal to hunt as well.
My fam has always cooked squirrel in flour S&P & fried in bacon grease then white country pan gravy with taters - mashed or fried with onions.
I've raised 5 grey squirrels from the size of mice as pets. I don't hunt them anymore, but I'll still belly up to the table in a flash if someone else kills & cooks them tho.