Your Squirrel Hunting Techniques

[Roadkill]

I wish we had them in huntable numbers here in NV.  We have plenty on our farms in KY, but I get there too seldom

Now rabbits!  We have  4 varieties and I live to hunt them.  Agree, slow down an remember there is a difference between looking and seeing.  

Good topic

[Red Beastmaster]

We used to get 3 or 4 hunters and slowly still hunt an area until someone puts up a squirrel. That means launching an arrow at it and getting it to stay put up in the tree.

Then whistle to your buddies to come. Once everyone gets in position around the tree the fun part comes next. TARGET SATURATION!!!! Fill every square inch of space with a missle!

One time 4 of us had 80 flu-flus between us. We had a squirrel WAY up a tree so long we about croaked from fatigue and from laughing so hard. We shot arrows at that thing for 1-1/2 hours! You had to keep an eye out because the arrows from your buddy on the other side of the tree were raining down around you! So you just picked them up and fired them back! We estimated that we each got 150-200 shots. We took turns taking breaks for a swig of water or to shed clothes. What a workout!

Eventually, the squirrel tired of toying with us and came down part way and into a hole. We all collapsed in the leaves. To this day that was probably the most fun thing I ever did.

[Slickhead]

try right before a storm front comes in. They scurry looking for food prior to a storm.
You'll see a lot.

[RedShaft]

Idk when your season go from or to. But just a tip here in the north squirrels mate/breed around January- beginning of February.
I have seen them almost rut like deer. I have seen 5 chasing a hot female bushy tail. You will see them crawling logs and trees with there noses to the ground like a buck n follow a hot females like a buck. If you never experienced it, be in the woods ESP on a warm up in january or early February. Obviously u need to be in a squirrel area

[bofish-IL]

[the rifleman]

Now is a really good time to hunt them-- they are on the ground a lot and starting to breed-- shoot for the squirrel that is chasing --that's the buck, let the does go to produce.  Years ago I bought a Mr Squirrel call.  It looks like a little disc w a hole in it.  You put it to your lips and breath in-- it makes a shrill distress whistle.  My experience has been that in some woods it works great-- I've called them out of holes and had them come right on in-- very cool.  Other woods and I get no response and wonder if it doesn't spook those squirrels.  I usually wait until I've been in a spot for awhile before using for this reason.

[fujimo]

does anybody from up north here hunt these little buggers- seems that they are a lot smaller than the ones you have-- the body may only be 5 or 6" long., and they seem to have a more greenish hue to them.
lots around, i am sure they will be good eating!
cheers
wayne

[fujimo]

just did some quick research seems that they are a "red " squirrel.
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus lanuginosus

dont look very red to me      
they do seem a lot smaller than the ones i see on here!

[RedShaft]

We have reds(call em piney squirrels), greys, some fox and very occasionally in my area someone see or shoots a black or a black/fox combo. I never have been that lucky.

Anyone got a good recipe that even a wife would like haven never eating squirrels?   I'd like to make some.

[the rifleman]

Favorite recipe. Cut up squirrel. Pat dry and coat w smoked paprika, salt, fresh ground black pepper.  Brown quickly in very hot bacon grease or oil.  Once brown remove squirrel, discard grease and deglaze pan by adding cup of chicken stock ( I use bullion in hot water) scrape all the goodies off bottom of pan for flavor.  Put squirrel back in pan w the chicken stock cover and cook on low for 2 hours.  Then add potatoes and carrots and cook until tender.  Now I add frozen peas. Really good this way.  You can also add home made dumpling dough to the pot for last 20 mins.  I do this in pressure cooker too all in about 50 mins.

[Huntrdfk]

I am going to have to try some of these techniques in my attic


David

[kill shot]

too cold for squirrels today. needs to warm up a bit for them to be active.

[Krex1010]

Redshaft.....cut the squirrel into 5 pieces, 4 leg quarters and the back. Make a simple brine with a little vinegar, soak the squirrels for a a couple hours if possible. Then simmer covered in beer until fork tender but not falling off the bone. Take the squirrel out and let cool for a bit. Then either grill it for a few minutes to mark it up and hit it with some BBQ sauce or fry it up and toss in your fav wing sauce. Trust me, you will have zero leftovers.

[RedShaft]

Thanks guys!

[TealCoin]

I think I'm catching a cold and need to start the weekend early by taking a stroll through the timber for some squirrels.  

Can't wait to get back out there.  MLK day earlier this week I went out for our annual Martin Luther King day crow hunt and saw an abundance of squirrels in the corn fields feeding.  Be great fun to walk the edge of timberline and sling a few sticks.  Tough little targets on the run, but heck: a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and again!

[overbo]

We had a wicked hard last winter on the squirrel population in my part of Va. We had tons of them in years past and was becoming my favorite animal to hunt. This season I saw one squirrel!
 As mentioned before, slow down and when you think you are still hunting slow enough, slow down some more.