Squirrel Hunting in winter (no dog)

[trentthenoob]

Looking for some advice here - I'm a new hunter and am just learning as I go. I never hunted growing up so now in my late 30s and decided to teach myself.

I've been out squirrel hunting a good number of times, most times I don't see any squirrels, but I've killed a handful. Spent a lot of time deer hunting this past season and on multiple occasions saw 20+ squirrels while deer hunting.

What I'm wondering is whether the squirrels are even that active this time of year. I know they are from time to time, and have kind of keyed in on the fact they are more likely to move on days with low wind. But I wonder if it gets better in spring or fall.

I've gone out to places where I saw squirrels in deer season, and sat still but seems like I never see the same type of activity when I'm actually hunting them.

Anyone who hunts squirrels without a dog have any advice? I think the only difference in the way I was deer hunting when I'd see a lot of squirrels and when I go out squirrel hunting is that for deer I'd get in the woods before first light and sit in the same spot for a long time, and when I'm squirrel hunting I don't go as early or sit as long. Could be that I need to go earlier but I'm definitely doing something wrong.

Any advice would be appreciated. I really enjoy it even when I don't get any shots but it would be a lot more fun if I could take some shots and come home with something.

 

[MickThompson]

I don't have a squirrel dog either and I hang it up by mid January. The females are bred and the food is lean- not much reason for a squirrel to be out. They don't seem to much care for heavy snow or frozen ground. I wouldn't either if that's where I got my groceries. If you insist on going, first light and last light are your best times.

 

[Crappieaddict]

It's been many years since I squirrel hunted, but that's never stopped me from giving my opinion. During deer season a lot of the nuts were still on the trees. Hickory, Oaks, Beech, etc. Now they have fallen, so pay attention to movement on the ground. Listen for them in the leaves…sounds kinda like a 300 lb. woman walking through Walmart in flip flops. In my walks, I'm seeing them midday. Of course, that may be because that is when I take my walks. This advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

 

[trentthenoob]

I don't have a squirrel dog either and I hang it up by mid January. The females are bred and the food is lean- not much reason for a squirrel to be out. They don't seem to much care for heavy snow or frozen ground. I wouldn't either if that's where I got my groceries. If you insist on going, first light and last light are your best times.

That makes sense. I'll probably take it easy til spring squirrel opens and try again. Though I may just go out to walk around and scout for deer and keep my .22 on my just in case

 

[trentthenoob]

It's been many years since I squirrel hunted, but that's never stopped me from giving my opinion. During deer season a lot of the nuts were still on the trees. Hickory, Oaks, Beech, etc. Now they have fallen, so pay attention to movement on the ground. Listen for them in the leaves…sounds kinda like a 300 lb. woman walking through Walmart in flip flops. In my walks, I'm seeing them midday. Of course, that may be because that is when I take my walks. This advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

I don't think I needed that mental image but now I'm imagining an oversized lady waddling through walmart. thanks for that lol

They do make quite a ruckus, during deer season I kept hearing squirrels and thinking they were deer, but I think the squirrels are louder. Maybe I'll be able to tell them apart someday

 

[CritterGitter]

Squirrels literally dissappear if you're looking for them . One of the astonishing works of mother nature

 

[trentthenoob]

Squirrels literally dissappear if you're looking for them . One of the astonishing works of mother nature

My thoughts exactly. They're everywhere when i'm not looking for them. Maybe I have to go out and look for something else and they'll magically start appearing

 

[CritterGitter]

My thoughts exactly. They're everywhere when i'm not looking for them. Maybe I have to go out and look for something else and they'll magically start appearing

Looks like you're in middle tn . Ive always thought how amazing it'd be to live in middle tn for the hunting opportunities. Im in southwest tn fayette county

 

[trentthenoob]

Looks like you're in middle tn . Ive always thought how amazing it'd be to live in middle tn for the hunting opportunities. Im in southwest tn fayette county

I've been hunting for a year and a half so all I've hunted is around here, but have enjoyed it and appreciate the public land I have access to. Is there better hunting here than your area?

 

[Iglow]

Late afternoons always are better dog hunting in the late winter, would be the same without dogs.

 

[timberjack86]

Mid to late afternoon but it's not uncommon to see them anytime of the day when the sun is shining.

 

[SSlater]

Dress for deer hunting, act like your deer hunting, tell yourself you're deer hunting, take a deer rifle, you'll see nothing but squirrels.

 

[Chiflyguy]

Dress for deer hunting, act like your deer hunting, tell yourself you're deer hunting, take a deer rifle, you'll see nothing but squirrels.

100% truth
Last year I was deer hunting during muzzleloader and counted 14 different squirrels

 

[ronnie77]

Since all of the leaves are off of the trees, the squirrels can see you just as well as you can see them so stealth is key and try to keep moving around at a minimum. To increase your success, I'd try hunting with a 410 since you won't see them sitting still as often as you would earlier in the season. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Lt.Dan]

I was out in the woods a couple days ago. Had a squirrel in my treestand. I saw several other squirrels but morning and evening are the best times to sit for them this time of year.

 

[WTM]

pretty much when its cold theyll go into sleep mode in a drey. its almost like hibernation but not really. when it warms in afternoons theyll come back out and search for food.

 

[6.5swede]

Warmer day, afternoon, little to no wind in my experience.

 

[BlkMtHntr]

Just joined this site, so I'll try to help! Ive hunted squirrels since the mid 60's, at 6-7 yesterday old, following my dad, and uncle's, all lifelong squirrel hunters here in biggest mountains of SE Ky! But a squirrel is just what he is wherever he's at, that's the good news, Rule #1!
Rule #2 is the best news, in that especially since your wanting wintertime tactics? A gray squirrel, anyways, which is 99% all we have here, is basically effected by weather very similar to us humans! In other words, if its a good feel day & time to get into woods, they're likely to be stirring more or a lot, at least just as the sun is breaking the cold, and especially mid-late afternoon!
The Golden Rule# hunt them on the ground, under the feed trees where they was concentrated in Aug-Oct! Mostly Hickory, Walnut, Oaks, and especially a bonus, Beech! Beech make the best Den Trees by far, although not as important as a food tree as the others, but yes sometimes they just set into cutting benches, and in all these years, I still can't predict that when very well, but it just happens!
But if the prior season was a good year for Huckory Mast, sit your butt down a good shot distance from the FAVORED HICKORY'S, and you will see ground activity! Afternoon is yes most probable, but ive been surprised many times right as sun is breaking thru, squirrels working fast to stay warm with heavy frost! Then you go back same conditions, they dont show till afternoon! In other words, there's no scientific rule, only exceptions, that they decide upon! Last Feb, I was in squirrels working under oaks, it was unreal the activity, but the weather had begun to break, and warm decently!
Once you learn favored den trees, and feed trees nearby, you're there! It's hunting, and squirrels are very unscientific most the time!
Hunting this time year you'll learn, by time I n the woods, they have favored travel routes, actual trails. A big long fallen tree that's mostly just rotted to nothing but a log, they'll travel it like a highway! Learned these places near Den-Feed trees, you'll know where to sit to get good shots! This is just one example, but it holds true anywhere!
Learn your Den trees, just by seeing squirrels there very early or late, regardless of weather! But cold, windy, raining steady, you dont feel like hunting? They likely aren't stirring anyway! But a calm, cloudy day after rain, they'll likely be in high gear!
Fox Squirrels? My experience is they're mostly lot more lazy! Stirring latter, and slower, but rules resemble the grays! They love the walnuts, but hickory n oak jyst the same!
Confident time in woods with these general rules are a definite start! But you gotta get to a Confident spot, sit down, move little. And eventually see a lot!

 

[BlkMtHntr]

First try posting a pic on here. But exactly how I killed these last winter. All three sitting in one spot, two shot off a big fallen log. I know this log in a good oak n hickory woods, it an every year thing.

 

[trentthenoob]

Just joined this site, so I'll try to help! Ive hunted squirrels since the mid 60's, at 6-7 yesterday old, following my dad, and uncle's, all lifelong squirrel hunters here in biggest mountains of SE Ky! But a squirrel is just what he is wherever he's at, that's the good news, Rule #1!
Rule #2 is the best news, in that especially since your wanting wintertime tactics? A gray squirrel, anyways, which is 99% all we have here, is basically effected by weather very similar to us humans! In other words, if its a good feel day & time to get into woods, they're likely to be stirring more or a lot, at least just as the sun is breaking the cold, and especially mid-late afternoon!
The Golden Rule# hunt them on the ground, under the feed trees where they was concentrated in Aug-Oct! Mostly Hickory, Walnut, Oaks, and especially a bonus, Beech! Beech make the best Den Trees by far, although not as important as a food tree as the others, but yes sometimes they just set into cutting benches, and in all these years, I still can't predict that when very well, but it just happens!
But if the prior season was a good year for Huckory Mast, sit your butt down a good shot distance from the FAVORED HICKORY'S, and you will see ground activity! Afternoon is yes most probable, but ive been surprised many times right as sun is breaking thru, squirrels working fast to stay warm with heavy frost! Then you go back same conditions, they dont show till afternoon! In other words, there's no scientific rule, only exceptions, that they decide upon! Last Feb, I was in squirrels working under oaks, it was unreal the activity, but the weather had begun to break, and warm decently!
Once you learn favored den trees, and feed trees nearby, you're there! It's hunting, and squirrels are very unscientific most the time!
Hunting this time year you'll learn, by time I n the woods, they have favored travel routes, actual trails. A big long fallen tree that's mostly just rotted to nothing but a log, they'll travel it like a highway! Learned these places near Den-Feed trees, you'll know where to sit to get good shots! This is just one example, but it holds true anywhere!
Learn your Den trees, just by seeing squirrels there very early or late, regardless of weather! But cold, windy, raining steady, you dont feel like hunting? They likely aren't stirring anyway! But a calm, cloudy day after rain, they'll likely be in high gear!
Fox Squirrels? My experience is they're mostly lot more lazy! Stirring latter, and slower, but rules resemble the grays! They love the walnuts, but hickory n oak jyst the same!
Confident time in woods with these general rules are a definite start! But you gotta get to a Confident spot, sit down, move little. And eventually see a lot!

Thank you for this! very helpful. I'll try to keep all that in mind when I go out, gonna take a look back at some places where I saw a bunch of them before and see if I can pick out the dens. That was a good tip thanks again

 

[Heath423]

Just joined this site, so I'll try to help! Ive hunted squirrels since the mid 60's, at 6-7 yesterday old, following my dad, and uncle's, all lifelong squirrel hunters here in biggest mountains of SE Ky! But a squirrel is just what he is wherever he's at, that's the good news, Rule #1!
Rule #2 is the best news, in that especially since your wanting wintertime tactics? A gray squirrel, anyways, which is 99% all we have here, is basically effected by weather very similar to us humans! In other words, if its a good feel day & time to get into woods, they're likely to be stirring more or a lot, at least just as the sun is breaking the cold, and especially mid-late afternoon!
The Golden Rule# hunt them on the ground, under the feed trees where they was concentrated in Aug-Oct! Mostly Hickory, Walnut, Oaks, and especially a bonus, Beech! Beech make the best Den Trees by far, although not as important as a food tree as the others, but yes sometimes they just set into cutting benches, and in all these years, I still can't predict that when very well, but it just happens!
But if the prior season was a good year for Huckory Mast, sit your butt down a good shot distance from the FAVORED HICKORY'S, and you will see ground activity! Afternoon is yes most probable, but ive been surprised many times right as sun is breaking thru, squirrels working fast to stay warm with heavy frost! Then you go back same conditions, they dont show till afternoon! In other words, there's no scientific rule, only exceptions, that they decide upon! Last Feb, I was in squirrels working under oaks, it was unreal the activity, but the weather had begun to break, and warm decently!
Once you learn favored den trees, and feed trees nearby, you're there! It's hunting, and squirrels are very unscientific most the time!
Hunting this time year you'll learn, by time I n the woods, they have favored travel routes, actual trails. A big long fallen tree that's mostly just rotted to nothing but a log, they'll travel it like a highway! Learned these places near Den-Feed trees, you'll know where to sit to get good shots! This is just one example, but it holds true anywhere!
Learn your Den trees, just by seeing squirrels there very early or late, regardless of weather! But cold, windy, raining steady, you dont feel like hunting? They likely aren't stirring anyway! But a calm, cloudy day after rain, they'll likely be in high gear!
Fox Squirrels? My experience is they're mostly lot more lazy! Stirring latter, and slower, but rules resemble the grays! They love the walnuts, but hickory n oak jyst the same!
Confident time in woods with these general rules are a definite start! But you gotta get to a Confident spot, sit down, move little. And eventually see a lot!

Good info

 

[BlkMtHntr]

You said the key words? Keep it in mind! There's no "Written in Stone" or "Scientific Formula", for everyday in the Squirrel Woods! But over time, if you put time into it, eventually you'll see it, "hey, its just like he said"! Then few says later, well, where they go?
ive been hunting em all my life, and ive been humbled too many times. Going to a place i think I got em all figured out! Leave scratching my head!
So, just go hunting, with this in mind! Be swifter to watch n learn, than to pull the trigger! Payday will come, but what you'll gain by learning from it, makes future hunts so much more rewarding, and profitable to the game bag! I don't like to kill to many in one spot!
I did plenty dog hunting in the 70's n 80's. Now I hate it! Not knocking it, but its just too productive! Lot more rewarding to just take what you'll eat, leave plenty seed!
Ive been seeing squirrels everywhere i go oct-lately, but i haven't even took a squirrel rifle. I got plenty meat in Aug-early Oct. But im out now, i need take few before end season Feb 28, but idk if I will or not? I just live being in em, while im deer scouting-woods walking. Im going out tomorrow.
Just have fun, you will gain confidence, enjoy it as you go. Nothing better than a good squirrel woods! Good Luck!
And what you'll see especially in winter? On really good pleasant days, they're often like a school of shad, flick of ducks? They move around a big area together! 8am-10am, in a known good spot, but aint seen a thing? Then, in few minutes, they're everywhere, or usually a group of 3 to 5. And, they live to dig around fallen timber, and grapevine thickets. You won't know their there until you get focused on them!

 

[BlkMtHntr]

This was Oct 2 inHamblen Co Tenn. Last day I pulled trigger on a squirrel, but did almost this good prior two days. But its easier in Oct, they're lot more active, hungry! But all under the hickories and oaks, same game!

 

[TnBob]

I went last Thursday morning. Got in the woods about 7:30. They were moving pretty good. Got one but should have been 5 or 6. Need a little practice with the 22, Lol. They were on the ground in tree tops and around logs. I fried it for supper that night. First I've had in years. I need to go get more before the season ends.

 

[trentthenoob]

This was Oct 2 inHamblen Co Tenn. Last day I pulled trigger on a squirrel, but did almost this good prior two days. But its easier in Oct, they're lot more active, hungry! But all under the hickories and oaks, same game!
View attachment 312826

Looks like a great day in the woods!

 

[trentthenoob]

I went last Thursday morning. Got in the woods about 7:30. They were moving pretty good. Got one but should have been 5 or 6. Need a little practice with the 22, Lol. They were on the ground in tree tops and around logs. I fried it for supper that night. First I've had in years. I need to go get more before the season ends.

Sounds like a great day! I'm not too good with a .22, the last squirrel I got i hit it on my 3rd shot. I couldn't believe it just stood still there on the tree while I reloaded and took two more shots but I finally got it. I definitely need some more practice. I've thought about going with the shotgun but I want to get good with the .22 so I'll probably just keep doing that

 

[TnBob]

Went back this afternoon to the same place as last Thursday. Got 3 this time. Took my shooting stick. Lol

 

[trentthenoob]

Went back this afternoon to the same place as last Thursday. Got 3 this time. Took my shooting stick. Lol

Nice! What kind of gun is that? I like the finish on it. Shooting stick would be very helpful, I think it would be worth getting one. Looks like a good afternoon

 

[TnBob]

Nice! What kind of gun is that? I like the finish on it. Shooting stick would be very helpful, I think it would be worth getting one. Looks like a good afternoon

It's the new Ruger 10-22 Carbon fiber. Light as a feather.

 

[MickThompson]

They were running all over this afternoon