Posted: 12/7/2008 6:44:17 PM EDT
|
So is it worth getting a call or am I over thinking this?
This is the first year for me doing any squirrel hunting. On top of that the only places I have to hunt are public/state land. I got 1 squirrel in the last 4 outings. I have tried everything I can think of, and I'm starting to get frustrated. |
| I've tried calls without much success. Look for acorn and nut trees and/or slowly, very slowly, walk the woods. Red squirrels are easier to sneak up on than grays. Sometimes if you see one run and hide, pulling on vines on the tree will spook them into running if you're hunting with a shotgun. Just at dark squirrels will often start barking, making it easier to get in the right area then next morning. Be there before the sun comes up. My wife flours them and browns them in bacon fat. Then she picks the meat off the bone and makes a pot pie with taters and veggies. Good eating. Good luck. |
|
Quoted:
I've never had any luck with them. If you know there are squirrels in the area (you hear them, or see cuttings on the ground) just hang tight and be still. They will forget about you and begin to move again. The above is good advice and is based on experience obviously. With that being said, I have had squirrels respond to a turkey call before, but its not something I would recommend offhand. |
|
what kind of squirrels are you hunting?
I've been hunting ground squirrels since I was a kid. I have no idea how many I have killed in my life but its a lot. I once killed over 100 in a week at a relatives ranch. I just walk through the fields until I see them. If they run for it, they usually stop and turn around to see if your chasing right before they go in the hole. So when they run I just wait till they stop and then get about half a second to shoot. If they go in the hole, I just find some shade and sit and wait, usually within 5 minutes they'll come out or at least stick their head out, thats when I shoot. If you find a good rock pile, you can get half a dozen or more at that spot in a day. I go take out a few, then walk away, go back an hour or so later, take out a few, and continue till their all dead. Most of my shots are within 50 yards due to terrain but occasionally I get to 100 yards or more. I've gotten most of my kills with a 4 powered scoped lever action 22 but have gotten squirrels with 10/22 .22 semi auto pistol 357 magnum snubnose, 110 gr HP is a devastating round Glock 17 Rem 700 in 308 Rem shotgun AR-15 with trijicon 1.25-4 at 180 yards. I lasered it after finding the body. It hit dead center in the chest and turned him inside out with black hills 60 gr soft point Mini 14 Pellet gun |
|
I use one for areas where I know the squirrels are. When I see one hide I take a seat and after a few quiet moments I shake the call. Seems like it's saying something bad about their mother and they'll answer. I keep a sharp eye out for where their answer is coming from. Lots of fun with the call.
Call I use one like this. It's only ten bucks and has worked pretty well. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I usually just find some oaks and a comfortable place to sit. I have the best luck a little after sun up and right before dark. +1, also river bottoms are excellent places to hunt squirrel. But to make it really fun, get yourself a good squirrel dog. excellent advice, I usually find where they are nesting in trees, usually close to some creek bottom land or close to water and sit down against a tree; very still and wait. Usually within 20-30 mins there back out. Got three yesterday with an 870, using steel BB's I've used several types of guns over the years, mostly .22's and shotguns. I've gotten to where I stay away from rifles including .22's. I like shooting safe. I dont like shooting at a squirrel with a rifle where that bullet could go cross-country from a skipping round or a 50 degree or lower angle shot. Just wait them out, if nothing there move up a few hundred yards and start over. I have a caller, I use on Grays but wth mixed results. Its best to simply wait them out. Just find them early in the morning and about a couple of hours or so before sun set and you're ready to go. One thing I have noticed, if it has rained or a wet snowed steady for a a few days straight is a good time to go right after it has stopped. They have been hold up in thier nests and come out hungry as hell. If you know where they are, you should be able to do some shooting. |