Tennessee Deer Talk: New to squirrel

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#2924341 - 08/29/12 06:33 AM

Re: New to squirrel [Re: Tman7]

bigtex
8 Point

Registered: 06/06/04
Posts: 1323
Loc: Brush Creek

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I always find what the prefered food is first. Last year they were eating acorns as there were no hickory nuts in my area. This year they are eating the heck out of the hickorys. If you know where there are a bunch or hickorys try to slip in as quietly as possible and just sit for a few min. It wont be long before you should hear the soft sound of nut shells hitting the leaves and the sound of the squirrel chewing into the nut. If you can't spot him right off just be patient till he finishes that nut and goes for another.
A shotgun is more effective for sure, especially if they are on the run. But I prefer my .22, you just have to be a little more patient for a squirrell to setttle down for a good shot.

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"It is not through knowledge, but through experience of the world that we are brought into relation with it."
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#2925596 - 08/29/12 08:55 PM

Re: New to squirrel [Re: Tman7]

Hickory Nut
4 Point

Registered: 10/06/07
Posts: 129
Loc: Middle Tennessee

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Tman7...Squirrels are in just about any patch of hardwoods over a couple of acres. Even if there is not a lot of mast, there will likely be one or two moving through. If you get into a good size area of hardwoods, you'll find more squirrels. Move slowly. Take three of four steps and pause for a minute. Watch the canopy and you'll pick up the movement, hear the rustling of branches or the sound of little claws on tree bark. Keep moving slowly through the woodlot and you'll most likely come upon feeding squirrel. If the squirrels are cutting, you'll hear the dropped nut hulls. If you can find a tree with a lot of fresh cuttings underneath, find a hidden seat closeby and wait quietly for 10 or 15 minutes. There were likely a couple in the tree when you walked up and more may show up any time. In my opinion, squirrel hunting (without a dog) is about quiet and stealth. These are not like those city squirrels. If these guys see or hear you, you're likely not to see them again. Later in the fall, when the mast starts to drop, you'll see as many squirrels on the ground as you will in the canopy. Thats the time your likely to have one come down the very tree your leaning against.

After you've spent a couple of seasons hunting, you'll discover some hot spots and have a better idea where you can connect. I have good luck at a WMA near me, Laurel Hill (chiggers and seed ticks are bad there so use repellent). I hardly ever see anyone squirrel hunting there and it has a good population of bushytails. Tennessee has a great list of wildlife management areas and other public hunting. The squirrel hunters have it all to themselves (until deer season opens).

As far as the gun to use, I agree with the post above that recommends starting with a shotgun. After you bag a few squirrels and learn about their habits, try a .22. You can bring home more squirrels with a shotgun, but using a .22 and only taking head shots makes it much more of a hunt for me. I've hit too many squirrels with a shotgun and had them die slowly and have to chase after some or take a second shot before they crawl into thick brush or up a back side of a tree. I much prefer how the head shot with a .22 "turns them off". They drop like a stone and dead when they hit the ground. I think it is a much more humane way of taking the animal.

Good luck on your next hunt.

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#2925657 - 08/29/12 09:22 PM

Re: New to squirrel [Re: Hickory Nut]

FOX FIRE
6 Point

Registered: 08/01/11
Posts: 793
Loc: Mt. Eagle

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This thread tells me just how much people liek to hunt squirrels, very good insight & experience offered up, good stuff ya'll.

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When I was just a baby, my mama told me son, always be a good boy, dont ever play with guns.

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#2925658 - 08/29/12 09:22 PM

Re: New to squirrel [Re: Hickory Nut]

Tman7
4 Point

Registered: 10/25/11
Posts: 108
Loc: Murfreesboro TN

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Great advice everyone thanks!!!

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#2925966 - 08/30/12 08:01 AM

Re: New to squirrel [Re: Tman7]

RecurveShooter
6 Point

Registered: 03/16/07
Posts: 632
Loc: Henderson County

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For shotgunning squirrels, I always use a high brass load of #6. It just seems to bring them down better than a dove load.

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#2927063 - 08/30/12 09:43 PM

Re: New to squirrel [Re: RecurveShooter]

Tman7
4 Point

Registered: 10/25/11
Posts: 108
Loc: Murfreesboro TN

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Do you have to wear orange while squirrel hunting?

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#2927086 - 08/30/12 09:53 PM

Re: New to squirrel [Re: Tman7]

Andy S.
TnDeer Old Timer
12 Point

Registered: 07/26/99
Posts: 7203
Loc: Atoka, TN

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Originally Posted By: Tman7

Do you have to wear orange while squirrel hunting?

No. Most squirrel hunters I have met and hunted with dressed in full camouflage for the most part. With that said, it may not be a bad idea if you are squirrel hunting during deer season, particularly muzzleloader and gun season, and especially if you are squirrel hunting on public land amongst others who you have no feel for when it comes to safety and their concern for and awareness of others.

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