Squirrels torment deer hunters each season. They move over the leaves almost like they intentionally want to imitate a buck sneaking through the woods. Each winter, as deer season closes out and cabin fever begins to set in, taking to the woods to hunt squirrels is a great way to wind down your season while still getting in some shooting practice.

Squirrels are fun to hunt and delicious, and there are plenty of them out there to hunt. Knowing how to hunt squirrels not only helps you fill your freezer with tasty meat but can help you sharpen your skills during the off-season. Here's how you can bring home more squirrels this winter.

Where to Start: Choosing a Weapon

Small-gauge shotguns or small-caliber rifles are excellent choices for putting squirrels on the ground; however, they can come with a cost. Because squirrels are small, it doesn't take much to ruin most of the meat. Even a small bullet or shot pattern can significantly damage a squirrel's hide.

Depending upon the rules and regulations in your state, a variety of firearms and archery equipment can all be legal methods of taking.

Here are three types of firearms with three different calibers, along with the option of bowhunting: 
 

• .410 Shotgun: Easy to use, shoot, and carry through the woods, the .410 is the smallest caliber of shotgun shell commonly available and is great for small game hunting. 
   
• .22 Long Rifle: For squirrel hunting, 22s are extremely reliable. When adding a heavy aftermarket barrel, they're incredibly accurate. The 22 is spot-on, well-liked by hunters, and pretty much universally seen as a winner. 
   
• 17 HMR Rifle: A little heavier than the .410 and .22, the accuracy of this gun on small game sets it apart. The 17 HMR is a bolt action that helps shoot from a longer range. 
   
• Bowhunting: Hunters aren't limited to firearms when bagging squirrels. However, when using a bow to hunt squirrels, you'll find it to be a test of your accuracy and aim. Squirrels are less than a foot long and are always on the move. Use a broadhead designed explicitly for small game, as larger broadheads will obliterate the meat.

After making your choice, it's time to figure out when and where to hunt some squirrels!

When and Where to Hunt Squirrels

Squirrels are not simple-minded animals. The challenge of hunting bushy tails can help any hunter hone in, improve, and refine their overall hunting skills.

In the United States, there are 65 species of squirrels. However, not all of them are legal to hunt. The most common species are the red squirrel, fox squirrel, black squirrel, and grey squirrel.

You're not likely to find all of these squirrels living in the same areas. There are habitat preferences between these species. For example, fox squirrels prefer open woodlands, while grays can be found everywhere.

The best time of year for squirrel hunting is early to mid-fall when squirrels begin to stockpile food for the winter. However, similar to late-season deer hunting, late-season squirrel hunting can be an exciting challenge.

It might seem like squirrels are running everywhere in the woods early in the season, but once winter comes, patterns shift. In the fall, squirrels are most active early in the day while scavenging for food. Then, they'll have a lull in activity during the warmest part of the day. As winter blows in, squirrels become late risers, with activity peaking during the warmest hours.

In the winter, food sources dwindle, and squirrel populations become more concentrated. Most squirrels don't hibernate all winter. However, they stash food and spend more time in their nests during the colder months.

The most active squirrel spots are traditionally oak trees. Squirrels prefer white oak acorns, but they'll also eat the nuts from various other oak species. Hickory nuts and black walnuts are staples.

Squirrels are messy eaters and leave ample signs in the areas they frequent. Along with the feeding sign, you can scan tree limbs for nests and check out hollowed standing timber. Later in the year, when the limbs are bare, squirrels are even noisier as they scamper through dry, crunchy leaves.

They're also more visible at this time of year – but you are, too.

Tracking and Stalking: 4 Tips

There are two primary techniques for hunting squirrels: passive and active hunting.
 

• Passive hunting: This involves choosing a location and waiting for your prey to come to you
• Active hunting: When actively hunting, you'll stalk squirrels through the woods.
   

Both methods can be effective for collecting squirrels. However, to increase your chances of success, here are a few tips to follow.

Wear Camouflage Clothing

Although you don't need camouflage clothing for squirrels, neutral or camouflage gear can be a good idea. It can help make you less noticeable to your prey for the element of surprise.

However, remember that some states or hunting areas require squirrel hunters to wear high-visibility (or blaze orange) vests for safety. 

1. Go Slower

Most of us hunt too quickly, especially when chasing animals that also move quickly.

Try slowing down and studying the trees above you. Scan the ground ahead and don't move – yet. When spooked, squirrels have a short attention span. If they don't leave the area, they'll be back to whatever they were doing before they were doing within 10-30 minutes.

Wait for the closest squirrels to settle. The squirrels in the distance will soon return to shuffling through the leaves to give away their location.

An effective hunter spends far more time glassing and listening than moving. 

2. Move Quietly

As we mentioned, squirrels are prone to getting spooked due to their skittish nature. A loud noise can send them scurrying back to their nests.

So, as you actively hunt a squirrel, walk carefully. Try not to step on sticks or loud ground cover so avoid making noise. 

3. Use Binoculars

Other than your gun or bow, no other item is more valuable to a hunter in the field than a good pair of binoculars.

Binoculars will help you identify that suspicious-looking bump on a limb as a squirrel or nothing to get excited about. Also, binoculars allow you to scan the distant forest floor for movement and give you a close-up view of the treetops. 

4. Use the Sun's Position to Your Advantage

It can be more difficult for a squirrel to see you with the sun at your back. Use this to your advantage!

Stand or sit against a tree with the sun behind your shoulders. This position also makes it easier to make an accurate shot since the sun won't be in your eyes.

How to Use HuntWise to Hunt Squirrels 

Squirrels are always on the move and love to hide in trees, so having a tool to help you keep track of squirrel sightings and predict squirrel behavior can be a big help in the field.

Use HuntWise to improve your hunt! Here's how the app can help.

Public and Private Land Boundaries

With private landowner data in the app, hunters can call landowners directly to open new hunting grounds.

A lot of private lands are not hunted. With HuntWise, you can see how many acres the property has, the landowner's name, their address, and even their phone number.

Additionally, the U.S. has more than 50 million acres of state-owned lands open to hunters. Before you head out, HuntWise can help you uncover access points, travel paths, and more on all types of public land. 

Visual Wind and Weather Forecasts

With real-time weather and wind forecasts, hunters gain an edge over other hunters (and the squirrels). You can check for weather changes that could impact squirrel behavior. You can also plan the ideal day for a squirrel hunt based on weather and wind forecasts.  

Detailed Mapping

HuntWise delivers an extra edge through the latest satellite imagery, topographic maps, a range of base layers, and national and state-specific mapping features.

With this view, hunters can look for groups of trees, ridgelines, draws, and creek bottoms, all serving as excellent squirrel habitats. Whether you take advantage of squirrel hunting to hone your skills for larger game or you simply enjoy the chase with these unpredictable creatures, hunting small animals is an excellent way to practice hunting and helps to manage squirrel populations in the U.S.

Use HuntWise and These Tips for Squirrel Hunting Success

We hope you find the information in this guide helpful for your next squirrel hunt! Hunting squirrels is an excellent way to stay sharp during the off-season and get your kids involved in the tradition of hunting.

If you don't have the HuntWise app, now is a great time to download it and try it out! You'll have one week of free access to every feature in the app.

Content updated May 29, 2024.