Where are the squirrels?

[AlwaysTraining]

I will be a fist time hunter this season. I am trying to prepare for squirrel season. I have been out to SGL203 1-2 times a week for the past month or so practicing on the range and scouting for squirrels.

I have yet to see a squirrel. I haven't gotten there in the morning yet. But I have been in the evening and at sundown. I found a nice spot with oak trees around, it is a fairly brush free area where I can see, and there are acorns and other nuts on the ground every foot or so. And I stand or sit there quietly, but I see nothing.

I am pretty sure I hear a couple of squirrels high in the trees barking. And every once in a while perhaps some other squirrel sound, like a squirrel alarm? So they perhaps found me out, but I thought if I waited still long enough quietly they would forget about me.

Maybe I am just used to the suburban squirrels from neighborhoods being everywhere all the time, and you can get within a few feet of them. But I can't find one for s**t in the woods.

I will look in a different area of SGL203 next time, but I thought that spot I found should have been a good one.

Also it is my understanding that SGL203 and Allegheny county is shotgun only hunting, I suppose this would also mean no squirrel hunting with .22's?

[wis bang]

Read the rules about the allowable weapons for the Special reg areas.

Don't expect to see them while walking in the woods. Go find a spot and sit down for a while. After 10 - 15 min you should start seeing them. W/ all the acorns they might not have to go too far on the forest floor to get acorns a pleanty.

No shortage of squirrels in 3D.

[daschnoz]

Maybe I am just used to the suburban squirrels from neighborhoods being everywhere all the time, and you can get within a few feet of them. But I can't find one for s**t in the woods.

^^^ This

"real" squirrels are not stupid. The ones you hear barking in the trees are barking at you.

Try one of two things:
1. Cover your face with a mesh thingie like turkey hunters use, and wear gloves. The squirrels see your human face and know that trouble is afoot.

You don't need camo gloves; they can be brown, green, black, etc. - as long as it is not bright white skin reflecting the afternoon sun (assuming you're a white guy). If you're not a white dude, you may be able to get away without the gloves.

2. Get a blind and hunt from there. Not only will it hide the fact that you are a human, but it will hide your movement if you need to scratch....

The key is to make yourself not look like a human. Squirrels don't care about a new bump in the woods - they will care about the 2 eyes that are looking at them.

ETA: Also, find a spot and camp for a while. Once the place cools down, they will trickle back in. After you plug one, leave it. Don't disturb things by going to retrieve your quarry. Trust me, he's not going anywhere. Once the place cools down again, . . . . . .
.

[Gunjack]

I love tree rat hunting. I usually use multiple spots to hunt squirrels. I tend to scout squirrel spots and deer spots at the same time. I have found that if I just sit for about 20 minutes in a single place. The rats in that area will start popping out. I do not hunt squirrels in the same place I plan to hunt deer. For obvious reasons. If you are sitting motionless for a good amount of time, 20 30 minutes and your not seeing any squirrels and given its a calm day, not a lot of wind. I am betting there are no squirrels in that area. I will only hunt an area where I sit down and with in 20 minutes, I hear leaves rustling and see squirrels. I like to hunt a place where I see them chasing each other around. Usually that means their are a lot of them and they are fighting over territory or food. I like to use a 22 or a 17hmr. Head shots only, to preserve any bit of meat that is on them. A body shot usually destroys the meat and make it very hard to clean them.Also camo up good, cover everything. And sit still, very still. Usually when I sit down, I clear the bottom of the tree of sticks and leaves, so I can't bump anything.

[Shodan]

OP, they will be easier to see too as the leaves fall and the ground vegetation dies off. Between the usually nice weather and target rich environment, squirrel hunting is one of my favorite things to do. It is great practice for deer hunting if you decide to pursue that.

[Shodan]

I like to wear camo in the woods for that added bit of confidence, but I'm of the opinion that limiting your movement is more important. Besides, you'll need to wear the minimum amount of orange anyway, don't forget.

[AlwaysTraining]

Read the rules about the allowable weapons for the Special reg areas.

Don't expect to see them while walking in the woods. Go find a spot and sit down for a while. After 10 - 15 min you should start seeing them. W/ all the acorns they might not have to go too far on the forest floor to get acorns a pleanty.

No shortage of squirrels in 3D.

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/05...41/s141.1.html

"Take small game, furbearing animals, crows or wildlife with a manually operated rimfire rifle or handgun .22 caliber or less."

[Neilthepilot]

To state the obvious, remember when shooting upward, have a backstop of a branch or the tree, a .22 can go 1-1 1/2 miles if you miss.

[AlwaysTraining]

To state the obvious, remember when shooting upward, have a backstop of a branch or the tree, a .22 can go 1-1 1/2 miles if you miss.

Thanks. I have been thinking about it. Obvioulsy I would make sure I had a backstop for .22. What do you do for a shotgun? I assume people shoot those up into trees, similar to shooting up at birds. Even if you line up a big trunk behind the target, you couldn't be sure it would stop all the spread out shot. Do you just rely on the probability that falling shot is not leathal and that you honestly believe no person/property is in that direction?

I mean, I don't think I can see through the trees as far as the shot will travel, but I may know there is no trail/road in that direction, and I didn't see eveidence of anyone else in the area?

I have read some threads on this and people seem to have differnt oppinions. Some say with a shotgun they won't shoot shotgun at squirrel up in trees.

[Pector55]

My son and I have some spots that are hot at sun down but the squirrel do not seem to show up at the crack of dawn. In some spots, they see a blinking eyelash at 75 yds whereas other areas, you can seem to get away with them seeing you bring the gun to your shoulder.

Personally, my favorite tree rat hunting is toward the archery season where the leaves are off the trees and I use my tree stand to snipe them from the clock tower at long distances with my .17 HMR. Screw it, gut shot them at that distance and save all the good meat from the front and rear legs.