So, yesterday I went to a new location I have never been to before. I was told about this from someone that has been deer hunting that area for a few years now. He stated that ridge was full of squirrels.
I got there a little after daylight. I sat in my truck for about 45 minutes just watching. After about 5 minutes I saw one squirrel pop out of what must have been a den tree. As I continued to watch, the squirrel remained in the tops of trees jumping from one tree to another until he went out of sight.
It had rained a fair amount the previous night and was still cloudy with a very sharp, cold breeze, at least on top of that ridge. I could see some clearing off to the east but it hadn't seemed to have moved in the 45 minutes I sat and observed. The temperature was about 40 degrees. Knowing this was not the type of weather that squirrels in this part of the area like to come out in, I remained focused on what the weather forecast was showing.............clearing up at about 11:00. I headed out anyway for the first attempt.
Leaving the truck and walking a little ways it became obvious real quick like that I went there underdressed. I had planned on taking my camo hunting suit and putting it behind that seat of my truck just in case, but I failed to do that, plus bring a pair of gloves. It only took about 20 minutes before I realized that between the weather and me freezing, I might as well head back to the truck for a while and wait.
Second attempt was after the clearing area had made its way closer, but still a ways away. Due to the sharp, cold breeze, I decided to go back a ways and drop down into a steep drainage in hopes of finding some squirrels down in there. Sure enough, I did walk up on one that didn't see me. It was going up a tree just a tad out of range. As I stood there behind a large, downed oak and its large root system, I saw the squirrel go into a den hole of an arched tree.
Making my way around down in the deep hollow, I saw no more squirrels. I did see some good deer sign, lots of it actually, including scrapes. I also found some bones from a large deer.
Making my way back up the hillside I wound up back at the truck again. The clearing in the clouds was getting closer but it was obvious it was not going to make its way to my location for a while. So, I sat and had lunch, listened to the radio, and played on my phone for another 1.5 hours.
By that time, the clouds had made their way to me and the sun was finally shining nice and bright. It was 12:58 exactly. So, out I went for the third time. It was nice and warm and the sharp breeze was mostly gone. I worked my way down the side of a long ridge where my friend told me he had seen many squirrels. I did see three squirrels in there, as well as dreys and plenty of den trees. However, by the time I had made my way on the return trip, I was done. It was late afternoon and I had been up and going since 0300 that morning. I also had about an hours drive home.
There's no doubt that that area contains a fair amount of squirrels. There's also no doubt that for this time of year, it can be difficult finding a lot of squirrels to shoot at. Sure, one can see a few squirrels but getting a shot at them is another story. Even had I been carrying a scatter gun or a small caliber unmentionable I would most likely not have gotten any of those squirrels.
So, at this point, this ole boy is just about to call it quits. This has been the most bad luck year for hunting in my entire life, mostly due to losing my prime hunting grounds and/or due other people. Every day I see my prime squirrel woods going up the road on the back of log trucks. Many, many miles I have walked and driven in hopes of finding good places to hunt. Also, I missed squirrel stupid season this year due to bad luck, mostly related to the above.
With that said, I did find some promising hunting locations that will probably provide some good hunting for early season next year. Not sure if I will go back out anymore this year or not. Jim K reminded me about the rut that should kick in next month, so I might try it again at that time.
I reckon that's why its called huntin and not gettin.
I got there a little after daylight. I sat in my truck for about 45 minutes just watching. After about 5 minutes I saw one squirrel pop out of what must have been a den tree. As I continued to watch, the squirrel remained in the tops of trees jumping from one tree to another until he went out of sight.
It had rained a fair amount the previous night and was still cloudy with a very sharp, cold breeze, at least on top of that ridge. I could see some clearing off to the east but it hadn't seemed to have moved in the 45 minutes I sat and observed. The temperature was about 40 degrees. Knowing this was not the type of weather that squirrels in this part of the area like to come out in, I remained focused on what the weather forecast was showing.............clearing up at about 11:00. I headed out anyway for the first attempt.
Leaving the truck and walking a little ways it became obvious real quick like that I went there underdressed. I had planned on taking my camo hunting suit and putting it behind that seat of my truck just in case, but I failed to do that, plus bring a pair of gloves. It only took about 20 minutes before I realized that between the weather and me freezing, I might as well head back to the truck for a while and wait.
Second attempt was after the clearing area had made its way closer, but still a ways away. Due to the sharp, cold breeze, I decided to go back a ways and drop down into a steep drainage in hopes of finding some squirrels down in there. Sure enough, I did walk up on one that didn't see me. It was going up a tree just a tad out of range. As I stood there behind a large, downed oak and its large root system, I saw the squirrel go into a den hole of an arched tree.
Making my way around down in the deep hollow, I saw no more squirrels. I did see some good deer sign, lots of it actually, including scrapes. I also found some bones from a large deer.
Making my way back up the hillside I wound up back at the truck again. The clearing in the clouds was getting closer but it was obvious it was not going to make its way to my location for a while. So, I sat and had lunch, listened to the radio, and played on my phone for another 1.5 hours.
By that time, the clouds had made their way to me and the sun was finally shining nice and bright. It was 12:58 exactly. So, out I went for the third time. It was nice and warm and the sharp breeze was mostly gone. I worked my way down the side of a long ridge where my friend told me he had seen many squirrels. I did see three squirrels in there, as well as dreys and plenty of den trees. However, by the time I had made my way on the return trip, I was done. It was late afternoon and I had been up and going since 0300 that morning. I also had about an hours drive home.
There's no doubt that that area contains a fair amount of squirrels. There's also no doubt that for this time of year, it can be difficult finding a lot of squirrels to shoot at. Sure, one can see a few squirrels but getting a shot at them is another story. Even had I been carrying a scatter gun or a small caliber unmentionable I would most likely not have gotten any of those squirrels.
So, at this point, this ole boy is just about to call it quits. This has been the most bad luck year for hunting in my entire life, mostly due to losing my prime hunting grounds and/or due other people. Every day I see my prime squirrel woods going up the road on the back of log trucks. Many, many miles I have walked and driven in hopes of finding good places to hunt. Also, I missed squirrel stupid season this year due to bad luck, mostly related to the above.
With that said, I did find some promising hunting locations that will probably provide some good hunting for early season next year. Not sure if I will go back out anymore this year or not. Jim K reminded me about the rut that should kick in next month, so I might try it again at that time.
I reckon that's why its called huntin and not gettin.
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