7 Squirrel Hunting Tips To Help You Bring Home The Bacon

1. Decide what type of squirrel you want to hunt

There are two main types of squirrels in North America: tree squirrels and ground squirrels. The type of squirrel you want to hunt will determine the best hunting method to use.

Tree squirrels include fox squirrels, eastern gray squirrels, and western gray squirrels. These squirrels live in trees and are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. Ground squirrels include woodchucks, chipmunks, and prairie dogs. These squirrels live in burrows underground and are most active in the mid-morning and early evening.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get a mess of squirrels, then consider using one of these 7 squirrel hunting tips!

2. Find the right hunting ground

When it comes to successful squirrel hunting, you need to be in the right spot at the right time. Squirrels are generally found near trees, logs, rocks, or brush piles that provide cover, food, and safety.

To find the best hunting ground, start scouting your area beforehand, look for trees that show signs of squirrels, and identify the ground they prefer. If you’re hunting during the summer, find a ground with lots of acorns, nuts, and other food sources.

During the early spring, look for a ground that offers ideal shelter and protection, such as a thick brush and a low tree canopy. A few weeks before your hunt, find out what type of food sources the squirrels are targeting.

Finally, you should also pay special attention to water sources. Squirrels need access to water just like any other wildlife species. If you find a spot with lots of food, shelter, and water, you’ll likely find a lot of squirrels too.

3. Get the right equipment

When it comes to squirrel hunting, the right equipment makes all the difference. Although guns are the go-to hunting tools, they aren’t always necessary.

Invest in good quality binoculars and hearing protection, as these will help you make more precise shots with less guesswork. A good pair of boots will also keep you stealthy, as well as safe when hunting squirrels.

When it comes to guns, rifles with either rimfire or centerfire cartridges are your best bet. Rimfire rounds are small, lightweight, and usually accurate enough to shoot squirrels. They also have less recoil and make less noise.

Centerfire rounds provide more accuracy and range and are more powerful. However, they do have more recoil and can be a bit noisy.

Finally, it’s important to choose the right ammunition for your firearm. High-velocity rounds provide an increased range and shallow penetration. For greater accuracy and colder weather, heavier rounds that penetrate deeper and expand more on impact are ideal.

4. Learn the hunting skills

Hunting skills are essential if you want to get a mess of squirrels. To be an effective and successful hunter of squirrels, you need to understand their behavior and how to move around the woods without being noticed.

Here are some of the most important skills to consider:

1. Moving Silently: To catch a squirrel unawares, you must be able to move stealthily. Learn to walk slowly, be mindful of where your feet are stepping, and wear clothing that doesn’t rustle or make noise.

2. Efficient Tracking: Being able to track and locate a squirrel by its scat, tracks, and other signs is important. Learn to read the signs of their activity in the woods so that you can anticipate where the squirrel might be.

3. Predicting Behavior: You must be able to assess the environment and predict a squirrel’s behavior to get close to them without being noticed. Look for things like tree structure, wind direction, and how frequently they feed in an area.

4. Patience: While you can use calling, rattling, and other methods to attract squirrels, patience is key. Don’t rush your movements or spend too much time in one spot; you’ll alert the squirrel and spook them away.

5. Bait your squirrel trap

When hunting for squirrels, setting a trap can be an effective way to increase your success rate. But baiting a squirrel trap isn't quite as simple as it sounds. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your squirrel trapping experience:

1. Choose an Appropriate Bait: It is best to choose a bait that is attractive to squirrels. Living insects, such as crickets, are an excellent choice. Nuts and seeds make great baits as well. Avoid using food scraps, as they can attract animals other than you do not want in your trap.

2. Set the Trap: Once you have chosen the bait, place it in the center of the trap. Make sure the bait is away from the sides and edges of the trap. Doing so will decrease the chances of a squirrel being able to steal the bait without being caught.

3. Check the Trap Regularly: As with any type of trapping, it is important to check the trap regularly to ensure that it is still in good working order and that the bait is still fresh. Even if you catch a squirrel, it is a good idea to check the trap again after a couple of days to make sure nothing else has snuck in.

4. Change the Bait: Squirrels can be picky about their food, and the same bait may not attract them for an extended period. To increase your chances of catching a squirrel,

6. Monitor your trap

Once you have properly set your trap and have chosen an appropriate bait, it is time to monitor it. Here are a few tips for monitoring your trap:

1. Choose the Right Place: When monitoring your trap, it is important to choose the right place. Look for areas that squirrel frequent, such as trees and stumps. This will help increase your chances of catching a squirrel.

2. Use a Blind: It is a good idea to set up a blind when monitoring your trap. A blind will hide your movements from any nearby squirrels, thus increasing your chances of catching one.

3. Be Patient: Patience is an important part of trapping, and that includes squirrel trapping. It may take a while before you catch a squirrel, so be sure to remain patient during the process.

4. Listen for Noises: When monitoring your trap, it is important to pay close attention to your surroundings. Listen for noises that may indicate the presence of a squirrel, such as rustling leaves or scratching noises.

5. Change Monitoring Locations: If you don't catch a squirrel after a day or two of monitoring, it is a good idea to change locations. This will help keep the squirrels from becoming accustomed to your trap and increase your chances of success.

7. Be patient

Patience is essential when squirrel hunting. It is not uncommon to set out after a squirrel and come back empty-handed. For this reason, it is important to be patient during your hunt and stay in the area until you catch your target.

Sometimes, even when you have been patient and stayed in the area for a while, you still won’t catch a squirrel. In these cases, it’s important to remain diligent and change your approach. You can try setting up a different type of trap, using a different bait, or even moving to a new area.

One of the most important things to remember when squirrel hunting is to remain patient, stay diligent, and try different tactics. With these tips in mind, you should be able to get a mess of squirrels.