Late winter squirrels

[diamond hunter]

OK,yesterday I went squirrel hunting,usually see about 20 or so it seems deer hunting but saw 2 total yesterday.What are your winter tactics? Sit,stalk,food?

 

[diamond hunter]

Maybe it was just a bad day

 

[AllOutdoors]

Last year the family and i went after deer season...never heard or saw a squirrel, there were plenty seen during deer season. This year, once deer season was done, the family is having fun! Plenty of squirrels to go around!

Sent from this smart thingamajig using tapatalk.

 

[MidTennFisher]

They typically aren't around as much in the later season. I've done some reading about this and read that while in the earlier season you're more likely to see them in the morning and before sunset, on a really cold morning you're more likely to see them between 10am-3pm so sleep in! I've also read that using a call helps. I have one on the way to try out this weekend.

 

[cruff10]

My opinion,

What I think squirrels do. Squirrels has 2-3 litters a year, the Ruts are in late November- December(deer season), April-May, and if plenty of food they have a third around July-early August, but not always. This year was a July Rut as female squirrels were killed on opening day with unborn little ones. I have also killed more small yearlings in December than ever before. During the rut you may see up to 5 males or more following a in heat female, they will travel far from dens to get to her. Just like a deer rut.

So, this explains all the sightings of squirrels in Deer season, the squirrels are either in rut or gathering nuts for the winter. This is also prime time to train a squirrel dog. Lots of scent lots of lots of movement.

Lets go back to this time of year, At the end of December to the first 2-3 weeks in January the females are now breed and in their dens either giving birth or about to give birth to little ones. The only time they come out is to get a nut and go right back to the nest to nurse. You will mostly only see male squirrels out but also not far from dens if food is plentiful. On super cold days 20 degrees or less squirrels can go into an hibernation mode, some say they can stay in den for 5 days without getting out. When temps are in 30+ degrees on a sunny day, squirrels will get out and "layup" in the tree tops for hours getting warm in the sun. Most of the time they are not far from a den or food, they are just hanging out. At this time if you can find a south facing ridge with full sun mid day is a great spot to hit on a cold day.

On a warm day such as the past few days 50+ degrees, they are running everywhere. Finding food and running around.

Now when cold sets in they do move less and less until February. The last two weeks is awesome. When the squirrels have been in the cold then an warm day comes up, they do stir all day.

 

[Atchman2]

I always see them early morning until around 10ish. After that its time for a nap

 

[bigtex]

My opinion,

What I think squirrels do. Squirrels has 2-3 litters a year, the Ruts are in late November- December(deer season), April-May, and if plenty of food they have a third around July-early August, but not always. This year was a July Rut as female squirrels were killed on opening day with unborn little ones. I have also killed more small yearlings in December than ever before. During the rut you may see up to 5 males or more following a in heat female, they will travel far from dens to get to her. Just like a deer rut.

So, this explains all the sightings of squirrels in Deer season, the squirrels are either in rut or gathering nuts for the winter. This is also prime time to train a squirrel dog. Lots of scent lots of lots of movement.

Lets go back to this time of year, At the end of December to the first 2-3 weeks in January the females are now breed and in their dens either giving birth or about to give birth to little ones. The only time they come out is to get a nut and go right back to the nest to nurse. You will mostly only see male squirrels out but also not far from dens if food is plentiful. On super cold days 20 degrees or less squirrels can go into an hibernation mode, some say they can stay in den for 5 days without getting out. When temps are in 30+ degrees on a sunny day, squirrels will get out and "layup" in the tree tops for hours getting warm in the sun. Most of the time they are not far from a den or food, they are just hanging out. At this time if you can find a south facing ridge with full sun mid day is a great spot to hit on a cold day.

On a warm day such as the past few days 50+ degrees, they are running everywhere. Finding food and running around.

Now when cold sets in they do move less and less
until February. The last two weeks is awesome. When the squirrels have been in the cold then an warm day comes up, they do stir all day.

Excellent post cruff10!!
I've hunted squirrels for over 50 years and you just taught me a few things. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Rollo]

I agree with cruff and also food supply. This years nut crop was bumper compared to the past couple of years. So squirrels don't have to travel far from the den to eat on cold nasty days, if they get out at all. I've see LOTS of nut shells just outside entrances of stone dens, like they've been doing some house cleaning. Last week when the sun was out and it warmed up, they were very active around my place. Now it's chilled down and the front moved in, went on lockdown. Usually I'll find a few trying to rob the bird feeder but nothing the past few days. The sunshine might bring them out this weekend though...

 

[MidTennFisher]

I went Saturday afternoon about 2-dark. Didn't see anything until about 4:15 when I saw two running down a tree behind me. From then on until about 5:30 I was covered up in squirrels. Even after I'd shoot, with a shotgun, they'd be back out 15-20 minutes afterward. I figured with the nasty weather and cold rain/snow mix Friday night into Saturday morning my best bet was to hunt the afternoon when it wasn't quite as nasty and I was right.

 

[Sucarnochee]

Thank for info big tex. Been after them for 48 years and just learned something also!!