I watched one take an accidental swim once while I was in a treestand bow hunting. My tree was a maple leaning over a creek. The squirrel tried to jump limb to limb over the creek and missed. He didn't seem all that concerned about it, temperature was mild at the time.
2023 Fall Squirrel Season...........
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I saw one miss a jump the other week. Thump!! Took off like nothing happened!
years ago when I had a summer job mowing grass for a landscape company, a coworker and I watched a squirrel moving it’s young. It would carry them past us one at a time in its mouth. Finally it came back and laid down in front of our truck flat on its belly on the sidewalk. I thought it died.lol. I got out of the truck to walk over to check on it. It took off. Just tuckered out.
They are interesting critters. I’ll be glad when deer season is over and I can hit the woods again.
years ago when I had a summer job mowing grass for a landscape company, a coworker and I watched a squirrel moving it’s young. It would carry them past us one at a time in its mouth. Finally it came back and laid down in front of our truck flat on its belly on the sidewalk. I thought it died.lol. I got out of the truck to walk over to check on it. It took off. Just tuckered out.
They are interesting critters. I’ll be glad when deer season is over and I can hit the woods again.
Gordoncourtney
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No closed season in UK I like the way they get hit hard , do a few somersaults , then rush of 20 yards into the bushes, 10’mins later they are back on the peanuts tough little buggers, obviously 177&22 pcp air guns in a built up area , no smoke pole allowed here Must admit your grey squirrels over here very tasty, but what a bugger to skin. Ha ha
For you all's pleasure. He appears to be using a Crockett Squirrel Rifle in this video.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/sear...=97424f1baa0d0cb882bccbace50bc0a7&action=view
https://video.search.yahoo.com/sear...=97424f1baa0d0cb882bccbace50bc0a7&action=view
That's funny stuff right there. I never knew they sometimes move their young.
I had planed on going out before daylight this morning but it was only 17 degrees with a NW wind. I doubt squirrels will be out until it warms up some. Haven't seen any of my squirrel meters out my window so far this morning. My squirrel meters are squirrels I don't want to shoot and keep around to meter/gauge squirrel activity at different times of day and/or weather conditions. They make great squirrel learning aids.
Supposed to be sunny and up in the 50's later today. I hope to go out on an evening hunt.
A whole bunch of videos came up. Couldn’t tell which one you were referring to.
I just clicked on the link again and it pulls up the first one, which is the one I wanted to share. Black Powder squirrel hunting in Jackson County WV.
I had to do a search for it but found it. I’ve seen that before. I like his dogs name, John Jimmy!!
Decided to go back out today for another squirrel hunt. With the recent weather conditions, I thought for sure this would be a great day for squirrels to be out and about. But I was wrong, again. Man, its difficult to figure those little buggers out sometimes. I got two this morning and none in the afternoon. I didn't really see all that many squirrels all day. But it was a nice day to be in the woods anyway.
Gordoncourtney
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I watched something fluttering around on our little pool, what the !!!!!! It was a little bat, Must have flown just that bit low , picked it out and put it on tree, soon it flew off
Well fellas, I think I learned something else about my favorite, furry, woodland critters. I didn't put two and two together and stop to think that, for here anyway, the reason why gray squirrels have been chasing each other lately is due to mating season. I thought it was too early for that, but evidently, according to the research, its a pretty sure bet it is early breeding season. Been seeing a lot of squirrels chasing each other up and down trees, tearing up the woods everywhere, with two and three at a time doing so.
Also, and its to my belief this is note worthy, the kill rate for this ole boy in the last couple of weeks has been every bit of 3-5 males to one female.
The information I have found also suggests that the female is most always the lead squirrel when there's squirrels chasing each other through the woods. Now that I have found that information, I might alter my tactics and focus on tail end Charlie and not pick on momma squirrel. Not saying that's the way it will always turn out because I have a difficult enough of a time killing any squirrel with my .32 squirrel rifle, but for the sake of saving seed when possible, I will be trying from here on out.
Just thought I would pass that along to ya'll
Also, and its to my belief this is note worthy, the kill rate for this ole boy in the last couple of weeks has been every bit of 3-5 males to one female.
The information I have found also suggests that the female is most always the lead squirrel when there's squirrels chasing each other through the woods. Now that I have found that information, I might alter my tactics and focus on tail end Charlie and not pick on momma squirrel. Not saying that's the way it will always turn out because I have a difficult enough of a time killing any squirrel with my .32 squirrel rifle, but for the sake of saving seed when possible, I will be trying from here on out.
Just thought I would pass that along to ya'll
That’s interesting Ed. I always thought it was later like in January here in PA. I shot 27 so far this fall and the vast majority were females for some reason. I even shot one a few weeks ago whose teats were enlarged like she was nursing. I squeezed one and no milk but I felt a little bad. Sure wish I could tell them apart. If I see any chasing when it comes back in, I’ll try and get the rear one.
Jim, I too, thought breeding season was a little further away. However, the information I have found states that breeding season is anywhere from Dec to Feb, then May to June. So twice a year.
Considering the above, and going off of other information as well, it certainly appears as if early breeding season is here in KY at the present time. With the definite chasing going on at this time, that corresponds with many videos and written information I have researched, its almost a certainty. I also believe it could be a regional thing.
Also of note, it is said that not all female gray squirrels go into estrous at the same time. Thus my rational that what I have been seeing here in this neck of the woods could very well be a few females during early estrous time. One thing is for certain. The chasing has been going on for at least a week now. I have seen as many as 4-5 squirrels aggressively chasing each other.
Some sites contend that the female will put off pheromones through glands in their bodies, as well as do a certain chirp sound, when they are ready to mate. At this time I do not know what they mean by the chirping sound. Gray squirrels sure make a slew of different sounds and I've most likely heard it before, but I would like to verify exactly what that sound is so I will know in the future.
One additional aspect that I have not seen the first bit of information on, and is something I am curious about, is the moon phase and squirrel behavior. Full moon started coming on last week and that's when I noticed the chasing increasing as well. It may not be a factor for bringing in breeding season, but its something that I plan on keeping up with anyway.
In terms of squirrels aggressive behavior. One bit of information stated that the only times a squirrel displays aggressive behavior is during mating season and when a female is guarding her young in a nest. I guess I can take that one of faith but I have, for whatever reason, seen squirrels fighting at each other up in the tops of trees when hickory nuts were thin. Its to my belief the fighting was over the food.
Gray squirrels certainly are interesting little critters. The more I hunt them, the more I watch them, the more "why" and "where" factors come into play. Anytime I see a squirrel out in the woods doing something a bit out of the norm, I ask myself "now why would that squirrel be doing that" or "where is that squirrel going in such a hurry".
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They sure are interesting. I use to hunt fox squirrels a lot. I had to travel an hour and a half to get to a population of them. It would be after Christmas. They were definitely breeding and nesting then. I shot a male one time who was after a female in a nest. He wouldn’t leave her alone. I slipped in there while he was all distracted and shot him. She had bit his ear. Lol.
Another thing that was nice about fox squirrels was the males USUALLY were the most colorful. So I would only shoot ones with orange bellies. If it’s belly was whitish, I’d pass. It wasn’t 100% but pretty close.
I wish we had more fox squirrels around. They’re my favorite to hunt.
Another thing that was nice about fox squirrels was the males USUALLY were the most colorful. So I would only shoot ones with orange bellies. If it’s belly was whitish, I’d pass. It wasn’t 100% but pretty close.
I wish we had more fox squirrels around. They’re my favorite to hunt.
I would also prefer fox squirrels. Twice the meat and a little easier to skin. Seems like they don't coexist with the greys all that well. They also sit still a lot more than greys, so easier for me to get shot with a rifle.
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I've had two German Shorthair 's die in my arms. I am currently in love with #6 , in my life. I retired from a high stress job of 41 yrs. , and "Pup" as I call her , pulled me out of Ptsd. She runs my life. Tells me when it's meal time , bed time , when we should play , or go outside so she can poop , and warns of somebody outside. Wife and I are not permitted to raise our voices , 'cause a bark or two tells us to mind our maners. Pup also waits 'til I fall asleep , and steals my cap , then finds my wife and gives it to her. Other than teasing me , not sure what the hat thing means. As with all of them , I feel privledged to have them around. I'll pray for a new one when Pup goes to her happy hunting grounds. I'ts always fun when they keep squirrel's at bay in the trees behind the house. Gotta love 'em..
IMO, the old saying, "dogs are mans best friends" is an understatement.
It pleases to hear from folks out there that hunt squirrels with a ML. Good for you all. You all have my utmost respect for doing so.
Be advise that all the replies and correlation means much to this ole boy. We are all in this together. We are, for the most part, a dying breed. Unlike the steam engine that has went to the way side, we still have a choice. And we choose to do it the old fashion way. Anyone can go out with a scatter gun or scoped .22 and kill squirrels, but we have chosen to do it the old way. With only 60 gray squirrels so far this season with my Crockett .32 squirrel rifle, (and I've been out a lot) I can assure you all that I could have killed at, the very least, 150 + squirrels had I had a different squirrel tool this year alone. Hell, anyone can do that. Its doing it the old fashion way that makes all the difference. If anyone "thinks" that they are a great hunter, I challenge you right here and now, to try hunting gray squirrels with a small caliber ML. I can promise you that you will be eating some humble pie. This is a sport like no other. It will put your hunting skills and marksmanship skills to the ultimate test. If you don't believe it, just give it a try.
I just got in from a very long squirrel hunt. I will go into more detail later. Pretty used up at this point. But there are a few things I would like to pass along to you in hopes that it helps you in the future.
As always, this thread and my posts are not bragging in any form. It is, and has been from the beginning, about sharing information on squirrel hunting with a small caliber ML. It is my sincere hopes that folks can obtain some useful information on such an awesome sport, and use it to your advantage should you decide to take on the challenge.
God bless you all. And long live black power muzzleloaders, bluegrass music, Kentucky whiskey, and good looking, older women with saggy.........er, um....., clotheslines with lots of socks and shirts hanging from them.
Be advise that all the replies and correlation means much to this ole boy. We are all in this together. We are, for the most part, a dying breed. Unlike the steam engine that has went to the way side, we still have a choice. And we choose to do it the old fashion way. Anyone can go out with a scatter gun or scoped .22 and kill squirrels, but we have chosen to do it the old way. With only 60 gray squirrels so far this season with my Crockett .32 squirrel rifle, (and I've been out a lot) I can assure you all that I could have killed at, the very least, 150 + squirrels had I had a different squirrel tool this year alone. Hell, anyone can do that. Its doing it the old fashion way that makes all the difference. If anyone "thinks" that they are a great hunter, I challenge you right here and now, to try hunting gray squirrels with a small caliber ML. I can promise you that you will be eating some humble pie. This is a sport like no other. It will put your hunting skills and marksmanship skills to the ultimate test. If you don't believe it, just give it a try.
I just got in from a very long squirrel hunt. I will go into more detail later. Pretty used up at this point. But there are a few things I would like to pass along to you in hopes that it helps you in the future.
As always, this thread and my posts are not bragging in any form. It is, and has been from the beginning, about sharing information on squirrel hunting with a small caliber ML. It is my sincere hopes that folks can obtain some useful information on such an awesome sport, and use it to your advantage should you decide to take on the challenge.
God bless you all. And long live black power muzzleloaders, bluegrass music, Kentucky whiskey, and good looking, older women with saggy.........er, um....., clotheslines with lots of socks and shirts hanging from them.
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My muzzleloader squirrel hunting with my Airedale, Gabe, is mostly what I call armed hiking. We've killed a few, but I've had far better luck hunting without a dog. He likes the whole operation, though, and who am I to tell him no?
In reference to my aforementioned of what I call the "Why and where factor" of squirrel hunting.
Yesterday morning I got out before daylight to a spot in that dreadful thicket that I have seen several squirrels chasing each other in the last week or so. It had been raining, which made walking quiet easy. So I slipped up close to those two trees that the squirrels have been hanging around, and just stood next to a smaller tree and waited for more daylight. There was a heavy overcast, it was warm (about 50*) and calm winds. Looked at my watch and it was 0720. At 0725 I saw the first squirrels. It was that same group of squirrels of 4-5 but they were downhill about 50-60 yards up in another group of trees. They had found some sort of nuts up there and were feeding on them. Running up and down, out to the end of the small diameter limbs, then back down a ways to bigger limbs where they sat and ate their breakfast. It was fairly open in that part of the thicket and with 4-5 sets of eyeballs up in those two trees doing what they were doing, I knew there was no way I could put the sneak on them without being seen. While standing there trying to figure out a game plan, I looked and no more than 10-12 feet in front of me hopped a large gray squirrel. He saw me but I didn't move. Then he jumped up on the side of a small sapling which was maybe 8 feet away and started a light purring sound followed by a light whine. I stood still but Mr. Squirrel determined that it might not be healthy for him to stick around, he bolted to a nearby larger tree, climbed up high, and began barking. It was then 0735. With that, all the other squirrels was on alert so I finally decided that since I had been seen, the gig was up and took the only shot I had at that squirrel, which was through some limbs, and missed. Now all the squirrels headed out. Time to move on.
Light rain began to fall at about 0800 and it was foggy by then as well. Easing around for a couple of hours I did see squirrels, but every one of them either saw me first, or would jump out darn near at my feet. I just couldn't connect to save my life. It was one of those days where most squirrels were parked up in trees and just sat and watched. Now that the leaves have all fallen, that scenario makes it tough to try to sneak up on those little buggers. But I stayed out there anyway easing around and trying to keep a positive attitude.
Somewhere around 1000 hours I happened to notice a rabbit sitting in some brush/briars. Eased around until I could get a good rest off of a tree and made a successful shot. I would reckon it was about a 25-30 yard shot.
The intensity of the rain increased and I was getting fairly wet and I was considering calling it a day, but I reminded myself that its only water and that I had been wet many times before. Also, I was determined that I was not going back until I had at least one squirrel. So the easing around continued until I heard several squirrels whining or barking in several directions, but all were up in higher ground at the top of the thicket. Its steep up there and my damaged knee kept reminding me that it wasn't pleased with me, but I kept limping up higher and higher anyway.
I had made my way up to the very top edge of the thicket where thicker, brushy woods joins it. This was not too far, maybe 60 yards or so, from the top of the mountain. While I was easing my way along an old grown up log road, another squirrel appeared right in front of me. Of course he saw me first and wasn't sticking around. That squirrel ran straight up the very steep slope between some enormous boulders. That was not the first time I have seen squirrels run or hop up that darn near impossible to walk on, steep ground.
Then the "Why and Where factor" kicked in. There's very large limestone boulders and outcroppings along much of the top edge of the slope, and then it levels out (for the most part) into what appears to be an old grown up farm field. There's a few mature trees up there scattered around, mostly near the edges, but for the most part, its smaller trees and/or saplings.
I remembered I had climbed up there one time early last summer, but it was a windy day. I didn't see the first sign of a squirrel nor any reason for them to be up there. So I wrote that location off as not good for squirrel hunting. Then I asked myself "why have I seen some squirrels going up between those large boulders on such steep ground and where were they going"? Time to investigate.
The other time I had went up there was from the opposite direction on a different log road. But it was quite a ways to get in there from where I was at. No way was I going to try to climb up such steep terrain where I've seen squirrels go. So I decided to back track a ways until I found a spot between some boulders that looked more user friendly. It was still steeper than steep, but I finally made it. I actually had to use the butt stock of my Crockett rifle like a walking stick a few times to keep my footing and as to not slide back down.
By the time I got up and on a deer trail on mostly level ground, I looked at my watch. It was then 1150 hours and still raining. At 1155 hours a squirrel appeared out in front of me on the ground. He was busy digging around in the leaves looking for something and didn't notice my presence. It was an offhand head shot of only about 10 yards or so. Things were looking a little better anyway. I was wet and had been out there going on 5 hours. But I finally had gotten a squirrel and a bunny rabbit.
Easing around more up on the top, I didn't see another squirrel but it was mid-day by then. I'm fairly certain most of them were back in their den trees for an afternoon nap. However, the more I looked around, the more den trees I found. I was amazed that there were so many den trees all along the edges of those steep drop offs, and that I did not notice them the first time I went up there. Then I remembered that all the brush and trees had their leaves on during that time and it is pretty thick up there. So understandable.
So, yeah, the "Why and Where factor" worked again and now I know where to go back to on a future hunt.
On the following pages I will post a few pictures of the area of the hunt. Due to rain, low clouds and fog, the quality of those images are not great, so I apologize.
Yesterday morning I got out before daylight to a spot in that dreadful thicket that I have seen several squirrels chasing each other in the last week or so. It had been raining, which made walking quiet easy. So I slipped up close to those two trees that the squirrels have been hanging around, and just stood next to a smaller tree and waited for more daylight. There was a heavy overcast, it was warm (about 50*) and calm winds. Looked at my watch and it was 0720. At 0725 I saw the first squirrels. It was that same group of squirrels of 4-5 but they were downhill about 50-60 yards up in another group of trees. They had found some sort of nuts up there and were feeding on them. Running up and down, out to the end of the small diameter limbs, then back down a ways to bigger limbs where they sat and ate their breakfast. It was fairly open in that part of the thicket and with 4-5 sets of eyeballs up in those two trees doing what they were doing, I knew there was no way I could put the sneak on them without being seen. While standing there trying to figure out a game plan, I looked and no more than 10-12 feet in front of me hopped a large gray squirrel. He saw me but I didn't move. Then he jumped up on the side of a small sapling which was maybe 8 feet away and started a light purring sound followed by a light whine. I stood still but Mr. Squirrel determined that it might not be healthy for him to stick around, he bolted to a nearby larger tree, climbed up high, and began barking. It was then 0735. With that, all the other squirrels was on alert so I finally decided that since I had been seen, the gig was up and took the only shot I had at that squirrel, which was through some limbs, and missed. Now all the squirrels headed out. Time to move on.
Light rain began to fall at about 0800 and it was foggy by then as well. Easing around for a couple of hours I did see squirrels, but every one of them either saw me first, or would jump out darn near at my feet. I just couldn't connect to save my life. It was one of those days where most squirrels were parked up in trees and just sat and watched. Now that the leaves have all fallen, that scenario makes it tough to try to sneak up on those little buggers. But I stayed out there anyway easing around and trying to keep a positive attitude.
Somewhere around 1000 hours I happened to notice a rabbit sitting in some brush/briars. Eased around until I could get a good rest off of a tree and made a successful shot. I would reckon it was about a 25-30 yard shot.
The intensity of the rain increased and I was getting fairly wet and I was considering calling it a day, but I reminded myself that its only water and that I had been wet many times before. Also, I was determined that I was not going back until I had at least one squirrel. So the easing around continued until I heard several squirrels whining or barking in several directions, but all were up in higher ground at the top of the thicket. Its steep up there and my damaged knee kept reminding me that it wasn't pleased with me, but I kept limping up higher and higher anyway.
I had made my way up to the very top edge of the thicket where thicker, brushy woods joins it. This was not too far, maybe 60 yards or so, from the top of the mountain. While I was easing my way along an old grown up log road, another squirrel appeared right in front of me. Of course he saw me first and wasn't sticking around. That squirrel ran straight up the very steep slope between some enormous boulders. That was not the first time I have seen squirrels run or hop up that darn near impossible to walk on, steep ground.
Then the "Why and Where factor" kicked in. There's very large limestone boulders and outcroppings along much of the top edge of the slope, and then it levels out (for the most part) into what appears to be an old grown up farm field. There's a few mature trees up there scattered around, mostly near the edges, but for the most part, its smaller trees and/or saplings.
I remembered I had climbed up there one time early last summer, but it was a windy day. I didn't see the first sign of a squirrel nor any reason for them to be up there. So I wrote that location off as not good for squirrel hunting. Then I asked myself "why have I seen some squirrels going up between those large boulders on such steep ground and where were they going"? Time to investigate.
The other time I had went up there was from the opposite direction on a different log road. But it was quite a ways to get in there from where I was at. No way was I going to try to climb up such steep terrain where I've seen squirrels go. So I decided to back track a ways until I found a spot between some boulders that looked more user friendly. It was still steeper than steep, but I finally made it. I actually had to use the butt stock of my Crockett rifle like a walking stick a few times to keep my footing and as to not slide back down.
By the time I got up and on a deer trail on mostly level ground, I looked at my watch. It was then 1150 hours and still raining. At 1155 hours a squirrel appeared out in front of me on the ground. He was busy digging around in the leaves looking for something and didn't notice my presence. It was an offhand head shot of only about 10 yards or so. Things were looking a little better anyway. I was wet and had been out there going on 5 hours. But I finally had gotten a squirrel and a bunny rabbit.
Easing around more up on the top, I didn't see another squirrel but it was mid-day by then. I'm fairly certain most of them were back in their den trees for an afternoon nap. However, the more I looked around, the more den trees I found. I was amazed that there were so many den trees all along the edges of those steep drop offs, and that I did not notice them the first time I went up there. Then I remembered that all the brush and trees had their leaves on during that time and it is pretty thick up there. So understandable.
So, yeah, the "Why and Where factor" worked again and now I know where to go back to on a future hunt.
On the following pages I will post a few pictures of the area of the hunt. Due to rain, low clouds and fog, the quality of those images are not great, so I apologize.
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