I can’t believe how long that tail is.Ol ETipp and I are making a road trip. We’re driving west for those stuffed ear squirrels. Then we’re driving to India for one of theseView attachment 364041
Pretty cool looking.
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2024/2025 Squirrel Hunting Thread...........
- Thread starter ETipp
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Pretty cool looking.
Staredge
32 Cal
I’m getting twitchy to go out. Fitted a new peg to my powderhorn today, and waiting for my new bag to show up tomorrow. Off work on Weds and it’s supposed to be a decent day. Think I can get out, burn some powder, and scare some squirrels. 
Best of luck Staredge. Have fun and give us a report.
I’m going out in the morning.
I’m going out in the morning.
Me thinks the reason for the wild looking hair-do around the ears and long tails of those squirrels is due to the exceptionally strong winds in the area.
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No way, man. Me thinks those pics are photoshopped and the videos are are AI generated of those crazy looking rodents do not exist.You want to go Ed??
I can see it now if we were to go on a road trip in search of those mystical rodents. The first people we stop and ask about them, it will be something like this.
"Hey Sam, check this out. We have a couple more easterners looking for those myth squirrels. Reckon I should tell them that I don't know where to find any of those squirrels but I do know where they can locate a Leprechaun guide to take them on a unicorn hunt".
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Was able to get out and do a little squirrel hunting over the weekend. Went back to that same, new location. This time the weather was forecasted to be better, except it wasn't completely. The wind did calm down on Saturday but it remained cool and cloudy. No sun shine at all.
I eased into to woods at 0710 hrs. At 0720 I saw the first squirrel. Stopped to accesses the situation. Downhill from me I could see several squirrels running all over up and down a few trees about 50-60 yards away. Those woods are very open, lots of large, mature trees that are much farther between each one than I like. This is not to my liking one bit but I had to try to make it happen anyway. As slowly as I moved, squirrels still saw me and let out the warning signals. No one can ever tell me that squirrels cannot see hunters orange. Its not too bad if one is stationary, but for moving around, I have been picked out way too many times. I am adamant that even "if' squirrels might not be able see the color, they can see the solid shade contrast when I moved, as opposed to camo. When wearing hunters orange while squirrel hunting and moving around, I couldn't have done much worse had I had strobe lights on my body and head.
With some of the squirrels barking, I stopped next to a large oak and didn't move for about 10 minutes. I didn't even want to move my head to look around. Sure enough, after about 10 minutes the barking stopped. I stood as still as I could and just observed. I began counting squirrels and was up to about 12 before I decided to attempted to move a little closer. At 0750 one squirrel was up on a limb of a smaller oak just sitting there. I know it saw me but it didn't take off nor move. I estimated the distance to be about 22 yards and the squirrel was up about 40 feet or so. Dead squirrel. This one was a huge female, and I do mean huge.
As much as I wanted to ease over and pick up my squirrel to pin it on my side (just to make me fell better) I thought it be best if I just remained fairly still. As I turned my head around slowly I resumed counting. I was up to 16 before I decided to stop counting due the possibility of counting the same squirrel twice. Those darn squirrels were running up and down trees everywhere in a crazy fashion but would not come down from those trees.
After I had stood still next to that tree for about 10 minutes all I did was turn my head a little and there went out the alarm again. This one squirrel absolutely saw that awful orange hat on my head move and that's all it took. The activity stopped for a few minutes as I remained as still as possible then it picked back up again, right up until the point that I tried to move. Then it was over for that immediate spot. No more squirrels.
Deciding that moving over to the other side of the knob where no squirrels could see where I had been, and hopefully not see me moving in on them, would be my best option, so slowly I went. Stopping next to another large oak, another squirrel gave me a somewhat doable shot opportunity. I knew it was most likely at my maximum distance but taking a good rest I fired. The squirrel moved over a little bit and just hung onto the side of the tree. Just as I completed slowly reloading and was about to try again, he took off up the tree barking all the way.
As I kept waiting for the clouds to breakup to where the sun would shine, I continued easing around, stopping every few feet. I did see a couple more squirrels in the distance but soon they were gone. By now it was 0920 and not the first squirrel was seen the remainder of the hunt. What the heck? This time it ruled out the full moon and the possibility that the squirrels might have been out feeding then simply went to take a nap.
I continued easing around that side of the hill I previously noticed a few smaller trees where a smaller buck had made his rub line around that side. I was standing next to an oak of about 26" in diameter overlooking another downed tree. On the other sided was a low place then another hillside. Some movement caught my eye on the other side of the low place. It was a small buck headed straight for me. As he went down into the low spot, I took that opportunity to move a little to where I was more hidden behind the tree. As soon as the buck popped back up into view, he was much closer than I had thought he would be. He briefly stopped next to the dirt covered root system to look around, then he started slowly walking again. He was a small 6 point and he was limping kind of bad on his left front leg. His neck was not swollen and he appeared to be on the thin side.
As he continued left to right, I slowly moved around the tree as to remain hidden. Mr. 6 point lowered his head and without slowing, he would rub his antlers in the tops of a couple of short sapling as he walked. One time he stopped and picked two yellow dead leaves that managed to have held onto the branch and ate them. Then, the buck slowly limped out of sight. The distance was not more than 10 to 12 yards and he never knew I was there. I considered that to be a success and with my one lone squirrel, I headed out of the woods for the day.
Sunday morning. Got out of my truck when it was barely light enough to see where I was putting my feet down. I didn't make it 10 feet and, Poke! The tip of a small sapling limb went right into my left eye. That one stopped me for a few minutes. It hurt big time.
Continuing on, I wanted to make sure I made it to one of the many downed trees in that immediate area before the squirrels came out of their dens. I had one particular tree picked out from the day before. After I made it to that location, I got in between some of the limbs that still had dead leaves on them and waited. I figured that, considering I had to wear hunters orange that I could look around a little more easily without getting busted again.
It was clear out and the sun was about to peak out up above the horizon, so I had hopped for a change in things. One squirrel popped out of a hole in a tree that was only about 10 feet away. I had no idea that was a den tree. Naturally, I couldn't get a shot from my angle and position before the squirrel headed out. As I looked around, I could see more and more squirrels. None of which could I get a shot at from my position. Knowing that it was not going to happen in that downed treetop, I eased out the best I could. That's all it took. The barking commenced, and from different directions. Those squirrels picked me out as soon as I slowly stepped out of that treetop.
Okay, I have had enough of this stuff. It was the last day of the modern firearm season and the last day I had to wear that awful carrot attire. I know for a fact those squirrels would not have been picking up my movements nearly as much had I been wearing camo only. Between the very open hardwoods, which is my least favorite to hunt, and that darn orange on my head and upper body, I didn't stand much of a chance in there. I'll take my thicker hunting grounds any day over the open woods, at least for this time of the year.
After easing around the best I could in there under the circumstances, the sun was now nice and bright with with a pretty blue sky, something we have not seen in a while. Making my way over to the other side of the top of the knob, I noticed something else that I have not seen in a while. The squirrels were finally hopping around on the ground a lot. Hot Dog! It was about time. This was exactly what I had hoped for with the change of weather conditions. Light to no winds, bright sun and clear skies. It was past 0953 and the squirrels were not only still out, but they are finally on the ground. My thinking is, they did not like the wind nor the cloudy, cool conditions in the last week.
Looking around, I noticed a squirrel off in the distance perhaps 70 yards or so. It was running up and down and all around a root system of a downed tree. Then it would run around on the ground around it for a few minutes then back up on top of the root system. I said to myself "Huh, it's open between here and there but there are several trees between us", so the sneak was on. After easing closer trying to use every tree that was basically in a zig-zag line as cover, I would stop behind each one and take a gander. Then it became apparent. There were two squirrels not just the one, which is good and bad. I've learned that a second squirrel can be an asset when trying to put the sneak on them, but it can also be to ones disadvantage, considering there are now two sets of eyeballs that can ruin the party. However, I have killed many of squirrel when they were distracted by another squirrel. So, I continued on easing my way towards them.
As I was just about into shooting range, one started hopping my way. He jumped up on the side of a white oak and picked me out fast like. He ran up the tree, jumped to another tree, then went into a den hole.
Focusing back in the direction of the other squirrel, I no longer saw it. I figured it, too, had headed out. Then it popped up from behind a smaller downed log, hopped a little ways and stopped while digging around in the leaves. I took aim and fired. Dead squirrel. Finally, what I have been looking and waiting for had finally happened. I finally got a squirrel that was on the ground doing what squirrels should be doing this time of year.
After easing around some more, I saw a few more squirrels hopping on the ground. I got one shot at one that saw me first and jumped up on a stump, and I missed. I was not in a good location nor did I have a good rest on the small diameter tree.
After making several attempts in those open woods while wearing carrot attire, it simply was not going to happen. I was spotted every time. Sometimes while just standing next to a tree for a few minutes and only moving my head.
It was now 1218 and squirrels were still out on the ground. However, by circling back around and easing back in the direction I had come in from a couple hours earlier, those squirrels were not there. They had either went into their dens after seeing me or simply went back into their dens for a mid-day nap. Either way, they were gone for the time being.
With all of that action, with all of the squirrels I had seen, with as much as I eased around, a couple of things became clear. The reason for the squirrels being MIA for the last week was weather related. No doubt about it.
Secondly, I have little doubt that most of those squirrels had been under pressure from other hunters at some point, as they would immediately run into their den holes as soon as other squirrels began barking. Also, despite being fairly close to a public shooting range, they know the difference between the shots being fired 1/4 to 1/2 mile away, as opposed to the report of of a Crockett up a closer. Some of them would run into their den holes after I shot, but not all of of them. Its to my belief that the squirrels that would remain had not been educated.
Lastly, at least for open woods, squirrels can and do see hunters orange much easier than camo, especially if a hunter is moving. I do not necessarily attribute that to the color as much as simply being a solid chuck when compared to a camo pattern that is broken up with the same shade/contrast as the ground and woods. I am absolutely convinced of this. This has been a good test and IMO, the evidence speaks clearly.
Also, for this time of year, I definitely do not like hunting the open woods. I've been a thicker grounds hunter most of my life and I'll take that any day over open woods. However, 3 hunts and only 3 squirrels was better than nothing. I had done my due diligence and I'm sorry to say, that's the best I could do.
I eased into to woods at 0710 hrs. At 0720 I saw the first squirrel. Stopped to accesses the situation. Downhill from me I could see several squirrels running all over up and down a few trees about 50-60 yards away. Those woods are very open, lots of large, mature trees that are much farther between each one than I like. This is not to my liking one bit but I had to try to make it happen anyway. As slowly as I moved, squirrels still saw me and let out the warning signals. No one can ever tell me that squirrels cannot see hunters orange. Its not too bad if one is stationary, but for moving around, I have been picked out way too many times. I am adamant that even "if' squirrels might not be able see the color, they can see the solid shade contrast when I moved, as opposed to camo. When wearing hunters orange while squirrel hunting and moving around, I couldn't have done much worse had I had strobe lights on my body and head.
With some of the squirrels barking, I stopped next to a large oak and didn't move for about 10 minutes. I didn't even want to move my head to look around. Sure enough, after about 10 minutes the barking stopped. I stood as still as I could and just observed. I began counting squirrels and was up to about 12 before I decided to attempted to move a little closer. At 0750 one squirrel was up on a limb of a smaller oak just sitting there. I know it saw me but it didn't take off nor move. I estimated the distance to be about 22 yards and the squirrel was up about 40 feet or so. Dead squirrel. This one was a huge female, and I do mean huge.
As much as I wanted to ease over and pick up my squirrel to pin it on my side (just to make me fell better) I thought it be best if I just remained fairly still. As I turned my head around slowly I resumed counting. I was up to 16 before I decided to stop counting due the possibility of counting the same squirrel twice. Those darn squirrels were running up and down trees everywhere in a crazy fashion but would not come down from those trees.
After I had stood still next to that tree for about 10 minutes all I did was turn my head a little and there went out the alarm again. This one squirrel absolutely saw that awful orange hat on my head move and that's all it took. The activity stopped for a few minutes as I remained as still as possible then it picked back up again, right up until the point that I tried to move. Then it was over for that immediate spot. No more squirrels.
Deciding that moving over to the other side of the knob where no squirrels could see where I had been, and hopefully not see me moving in on them, would be my best option, so slowly I went. Stopping next to another large oak, another squirrel gave me a somewhat doable shot opportunity. I knew it was most likely at my maximum distance but taking a good rest I fired. The squirrel moved over a little bit and just hung onto the side of the tree. Just as I completed slowly reloading and was about to try again, he took off up the tree barking all the way.
As I kept waiting for the clouds to breakup to where the sun would shine, I continued easing around, stopping every few feet. I did see a couple more squirrels in the distance but soon they were gone. By now it was 0920 and not the first squirrel was seen the remainder of the hunt. What the heck? This time it ruled out the full moon and the possibility that the squirrels might have been out feeding then simply went to take a nap.
I continued easing around that side of the hill I previously noticed a few smaller trees where a smaller buck had made his rub line around that side. I was standing next to an oak of about 26" in diameter overlooking another downed tree. On the other sided was a low place then another hillside. Some movement caught my eye on the other side of the low place. It was a small buck headed straight for me. As he went down into the low spot, I took that opportunity to move a little to where I was more hidden behind the tree. As soon as the buck popped back up into view, he was much closer than I had thought he would be. He briefly stopped next to the dirt covered root system to look around, then he started slowly walking again. He was a small 6 point and he was limping kind of bad on his left front leg. His neck was not swollen and he appeared to be on the thin side.
As he continued left to right, I slowly moved around the tree as to remain hidden. Mr. 6 point lowered his head and without slowing, he would rub his antlers in the tops of a couple of short sapling as he walked. One time he stopped and picked two yellow dead leaves that managed to have held onto the branch and ate them. Then, the buck slowly limped out of sight. The distance was not more than 10 to 12 yards and he never knew I was there. I considered that to be a success and with my one lone squirrel, I headed out of the woods for the day.
Sunday morning. Got out of my truck when it was barely light enough to see where I was putting my feet down. I didn't make it 10 feet and, Poke! The tip of a small sapling limb went right into my left eye. That one stopped me for a few minutes. It hurt big time.
Continuing on, I wanted to make sure I made it to one of the many downed trees in that immediate area before the squirrels came out of their dens. I had one particular tree picked out from the day before. After I made it to that location, I got in between some of the limbs that still had dead leaves on them and waited. I figured that, considering I had to wear hunters orange that I could look around a little more easily without getting busted again.
It was clear out and the sun was about to peak out up above the horizon, so I had hopped for a change in things. One squirrel popped out of a hole in a tree that was only about 10 feet away. I had no idea that was a den tree. Naturally, I couldn't get a shot from my angle and position before the squirrel headed out. As I looked around, I could see more and more squirrels. None of which could I get a shot at from my position. Knowing that it was not going to happen in that downed treetop, I eased out the best I could. That's all it took. The barking commenced, and from different directions. Those squirrels picked me out as soon as I slowly stepped out of that treetop.
Okay, I have had enough of this stuff. It was the last day of the modern firearm season and the last day I had to wear that awful carrot attire. I know for a fact those squirrels would not have been picking up my movements nearly as much had I been wearing camo only. Between the very open hardwoods, which is my least favorite to hunt, and that darn orange on my head and upper body, I didn't stand much of a chance in there. I'll take my thicker hunting grounds any day over the open woods, at least for this time of the year.
After easing around the best I could in there under the circumstances, the sun was now nice and bright with with a pretty blue sky, something we have not seen in a while. Making my way over to the other side of the top of the knob, I noticed something else that I have not seen in a while. The squirrels were finally hopping around on the ground a lot. Hot Dog! It was about time. This was exactly what I had hoped for with the change of weather conditions. Light to no winds, bright sun and clear skies. It was past 0953 and the squirrels were not only still out, but they are finally on the ground. My thinking is, they did not like the wind nor the cloudy, cool conditions in the last week.
Looking around, I noticed a squirrel off in the distance perhaps 70 yards or so. It was running up and down and all around a root system of a downed tree. Then it would run around on the ground around it for a few minutes then back up on top of the root system. I said to myself "Huh, it's open between here and there but there are several trees between us", so the sneak was on. After easing closer trying to use every tree that was basically in a zig-zag line as cover, I would stop behind each one and take a gander. Then it became apparent. There were two squirrels not just the one, which is good and bad. I've learned that a second squirrel can be an asset when trying to put the sneak on them, but it can also be to ones disadvantage, considering there are now two sets of eyeballs that can ruin the party. However, I have killed many of squirrel when they were distracted by another squirrel. So, I continued on easing my way towards them.
As I was just about into shooting range, one started hopping my way. He jumped up on the side of a white oak and picked me out fast like. He ran up the tree, jumped to another tree, then went into a den hole.
Focusing back in the direction of the other squirrel, I no longer saw it. I figured it, too, had headed out. Then it popped up from behind a smaller downed log, hopped a little ways and stopped while digging around in the leaves. I took aim and fired. Dead squirrel. Finally, what I have been looking and waiting for had finally happened. I finally got a squirrel that was on the ground doing what squirrels should be doing this time of year.
After easing around some more, I saw a few more squirrels hopping on the ground. I got one shot at one that saw me first and jumped up on a stump, and I missed. I was not in a good location nor did I have a good rest on the small diameter tree.
After making several attempts in those open woods while wearing carrot attire, it simply was not going to happen. I was spotted every time. Sometimes while just standing next to a tree for a few minutes and only moving my head.
It was now 1218 and squirrels were still out on the ground. However, by circling back around and easing back in the direction I had come in from a couple hours earlier, those squirrels were not there. They had either went into their dens after seeing me or simply went back into their dens for a mid-day nap. Either way, they were gone for the time being.
With all of that action, with all of the squirrels I had seen, with as much as I eased around, a couple of things became clear. The reason for the squirrels being MIA for the last week was weather related. No doubt about it.
Secondly, I have little doubt that most of those squirrels had been under pressure from other hunters at some point, as they would immediately run into their den holes as soon as other squirrels began barking. Also, despite being fairly close to a public shooting range, they know the difference between the shots being fired 1/4 to 1/2 mile away, as opposed to the report of of a Crockett up a closer. Some of them would run into their den holes after I shot, but not all of of them. Its to my belief that the squirrels that would remain had not been educated.
Lastly, at least for open woods, squirrels can and do see hunters orange much easier than camo, especially if a hunter is moving. I do not necessarily attribute that to the color as much as simply being a solid chuck when compared to a camo pattern that is broken up with the same shade/contrast as the ground and woods. I am absolutely convinced of this. This has been a good test and IMO, the evidence speaks clearly.
Also, for this time of year, I definitely do not like hunting the open woods. I've been a thicker grounds hunter most of my life and I'll take that any day over open woods. However, 3 hunts and only 3 squirrels was better than nothing. I had done my due diligence and I'm sorry to say, that's the best I could do.
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That’s it. No doubt about it.
That’s as opposed to me wearing my camo and slipping around. The squirrels say “ Oh what a beautiful morning, just us squirrels in the woods having a good time………..”Bang”…….oh my, I knew this indigestion from eating too many red oak acorns before going to sleep was going to be the end of me some day. Momma tried to tell me but I wouldn’t listen”. THUMP!
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I’m glad you were able to get some decent weather and some shooting Ed. It does feel good to get that first one of the day!
I’m not going to argue with you on the orange. I don’t like having to wear it mainly because I like wearing camo. But I just don’t see the same reaction that you do. The other day I heard something over my right shoulder. I turned my orange wearing head and watched this squirrel come right to me. Thought he was going to jump on me from about 6 feet.
I have lots of squirrels come by me close. Most of the time it doesn’t work out for me as they bust me moving to get a shot at them. Sometimes I don’t even try. They’re to close to move.
This morning I was walking back towards my truck on a hiking trail. Wide open woods. There were several squirrels moving around that hadn’t seen me walking. I finally got one of them.
Unfortunately we have to wear orange any time we’re squirrel hunting. Do I like it? No, buts it the law.
Now as you know I’m a sitter. I don’t still hunt. The place you saw the 16 squirrels, I’d have walked in, kicked the leaves away from a tree and camped out for a couple hours.
It amazes me how soon after I do that the squirrels start moving around. Often time within 10-15 minutes.
I’m to clumsy to be a still hunter. The older I get, I’ve noticed my balance isn’t as good as when I was younger. I do admire your ability to sneak up and shoot them. That would be more satisfying then the way I do it.
Keep sneakin Ed and I’ll keep settin and we’ll kill some.
Jim, I am adamant that much of it depends on if the squirrels have been pressed in the past. I have found that the squirrels that have not been shot at much are not nearly on alert as the squirrels that have been educated in the past. Once someone shoots at them a few times, it’s a different game. One which a squirrel hunter needs to use every trick in the book to be successful.
I have had quite a few times where uneducated squirrels will set right there on a limb and watch me reload, then I get them. But rest assured that those squirrels were not educated. Unless an educated squirrel has a dumb attack, they will not set there and watch you reload and then drop them.
Just ask the squirrels down the hill from my house. They see me out in the yard and they are out of there.
You are correct in stating that if one just sits there for a while squirrels will sometimes come back out after a while. However, that too, can depend on how much pressure the have the squirrels been subjected to in the past. I love hunting in locations where squirrels have not been under pressure in the last few years. They make much easier targets. I’m not used to squirrel hunting in locations where squirrels have been pressured in the past and I certainly don’t like it. But it is what it is now. I simply have to work harder to get one. No doubt about it.
Anyway, that has been my experience over the years. I’m glad you were able to get out and hunt again.
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I agree with that Ed. No doubt they learn quickly. Another thing I thought of, I’ve never squirrel hunted without orange on. So maybe I would see a difference.
From what I’ve heard, NY doesn’t require orange for any hunting. That would be nice!
From what I’ve heard, NY doesn’t require orange for any hunting. That would be nice!
Indeed. I would also reckon that during squirrel stupid season when they let down their guard, orange would matter less.
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