Squirrels are the second most hunted small game animal in North America, falling only slightly behind rabbits. Squirrel hunting provides young and old hunters alike the chance to learn and practice the basic principles of hunting; from marksmanship, technique, woods and terrain skills and the importance of remaining silent on a hunt. ProSquirrelHunting understands what it takes to make a good squirrel hunter and offers a large selection of firearms and accessories to help you have the best squirrel hunting experience possible.
Squirrels are everywhere and understanding their habits is important when planning your next squirrel hunt. One way to become more familiar with the daily habits and locations of squirrels is to do some scouting. Squirrels can normally be found around trees that produce nuts such as oak, hickory and walnut. When scouting these areas, keep your eyes open for pieces of these nut shells on the ground, as this is a sign that squirrels have been in the area and more often than not, they will return as long as there are still some nuts in the tree. If there aren’t many nuts left or if you live in an area that isn’t populated with many trees, look for squirrels in populated areas as squirrels often feed on birdfeeders, corn, garden foods and even cat and dog food. |
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When you have finished scouting and have found the area you plan to hunt, your next step is selecting the perfect firearm for your squirrel hunt. The two most popular firearms for squirrel hunting are the 12 gauge shotgun and .22 LR rifle. Either of these firearms, especially when paired with a quality scope, are highly efficient for squirrel hunting. Both the 12 gauge shotgun and .22 LR rifle are preferred for squirrel hunting because they don’t produce as loud a blast after firing as other firearms. Additionally, both firearms inflict minimal damage to the body of the squirrel, which is ideal if you intend to eat your prey.
While squirrel hunting can be done in a number of ways, the most common form of squirrel hunting is known as still hunting. When still hunting, a hunter simply locates a promising area and of trees and waits for a squirrel to come into the line of fire. Still hunting is ideal for hunters who prefer to hunt alone.
Another method of hunting squirrels involves walking quietly through the woods in search of squirrels. This can be done either alone or with a partner and requires the hunter to slowly walk through the woods, making sure to stop every so often to see if a squirrel will emerge. If walking through the woods with a partner have one hunter move around slowly and try to stir the squirrels out of hiding. Once a squirrel has exposed itself, the other hunter will be open to take a shot.
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Many squirrel hunters choose to hunt with the help of a hunting dog. The dog is used to sniff out the scent of the squirrel and track the squirrel towards the hunter. In most cases, the dog will either tree the squirrel or lead the squirrel to an open area near the hunter, providing the hunter with a shot.
After you take a shot at a squirrel, the resounding noise from your firearm will send most squirrels into hiding. This doesn’t mean you should leave your spot immediately after shooting. In many cases, squirrels may hide for only a few minutes before coming out of hiding. However, if you find yourself waiting for a long time, it may be wise to move to a new feeding area to look for more squirrels. If you are still having problems locating squirrels, a squirrel call can be used to help coax squirrels out of hiding.
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ProSquirrelHunting has everything you need to help you prepare for your next squirrel hunt. From 20 gauge shotguns and .22 LR rifles to ammunition, scopes, squirrel calls and decoys and accessories for both you and your squirrel hunting dog, ProSquirrelHunting is your one stop shop for all your squirrel hunting needs. |