Category: Blog

Hard to believe, but squirrel season in Georgia began on Saturday, August 15. I don’t do much squirrel hunting anymore (except in my yard), but squirrel hunting was where I first developed my hunting skills, like safe and careful handling of guns; proper sight of the weapon; Shooting techniques and game tracking.

My first hunting adventure as a child involved chasing squirrels. There were few deer in Los Angeles (Lower Alabama) and turkeys were almost nonexistent, so most of my hunting as a kid was squirrels, pigeons, and quail. Perhaps the current abundance of squirrels has removed some of the challenge. I could easily get a squirrel cap in a couple of hours in my neighborhood if hunting was allowed there.

Deer and turkey today demand the majority of hunting attention and probably account for the majority of hours spent hunting. When I was a kid, squirrel hunting was just plain fun. All he needed was a .22 rifle or 20-gauge shotgun and some cartridges and he was ready to go. We could hunt almost anywhere as very little land was posted and landowners were willing to let anyone hunt on their land.

Georgia squirrel season will run through February 28, making it the longest season for any wild game in Georgia. The daily limit is 12 squirrels and they can be foxes or gray squirrels. You are not likely to see many fox squirrels as their populations are much smaller than the gray squirrel. Getting to hunt a fox squirrel as a kid was a real rarity, and since they were so much bigger than the gray squirrel, it provided more food for the table.

Fox squirrels can weigh up to three pounds and come in a variety of colors, from solid black to a mix of blacks, browns, and whites. They are a beautiful squirrel and are found primarily in stands of mature pine trees. They often build their nests in the tops of very large pine trees and can be very difficult to spot in those tall trees. My dad was very good at spotting the outline of a fox squirrel in the tall pines we hunted.

The gray squirrel is much smaller than the fox squirrel and usually weighs less than a pound. However, some gray squirrels that frequent my seed and suet bird feeders could probably top a pound. The gray squirrel makes its home in almost any tree, be it hardwood or pine, but it primarily nests in hardwoods.

As a child, when we hunted squirrels in southern Alabama, we would walk slowly through the woods with our eyes fixed on the sky looking for any movement that might indicate a squirrel scampering trying to escape. Today’s sophisticated hunters refer to that technique as stalking, but to us, it was just a good way to fool an unsuspecting squirrel.

If we came across a squirrel nest in a tree low to the ground, we would shake nearby vines in an attempt to scare the squirrel out of the nest so we could shoot. For many years my dad hunted with a fox terrier, and that little dog had a local reputation for tree squirrels, but he had died of old age before I started hunting. I’m not sure why dad didn’t get another fox terrier.

Today’s squirrel dogs are often some form of beagle or terrier, and hunting with dogs is an ancient hunting tradition that is still practiced in the south. In terms of number of hunters and harvest, squirrels are second only to pigeons in hunting small game. Many boys and girls are still getting their start in hunting through squirrel hunting.

We ate squirrels as children and they were considered a delicacy at our family table. You don’t hear much about eating squirrels these days and some of it has to do with fly infestation. The bot fly infects both foxes and gray squirrels and enters the squirrel’s body under the skin, but does not affect the meat.

Once the bot fly larva hatches, it will come out of the squirrel. The infestation is scientifically called warbles. I have heard they are referred to as wolves. They appear as lumpy growths under the squirrel’s skin, and while unsightly, squirrels are perfectly safe to clean and eat. I don’t remember seeing squirrels chirp growing up and while they are safe to eat, maybe that’s why I haven’t eaten a squirrel in several years.

Today, squirrels are much more abundant than in my childhood. In those days you had to go into the woods to find one and now I have more in my garden in a week than I saw on all my hunting trips as a kid.

Why not take a son, daughter or grandchild out for a day of squirrel hunting this hunting season? Have a good time with them, experience the great outdoors, and who knows, Mom could cook a squirrel stew in the microwave! Good hunting and see you next week.

—Outdoors columnist Bobby Peoples can be reached at [email protected].

Hunters experienced great success early in the season.

Kenneth O’Connor, Jr. of Ville Platte is excited about his family’s success in hunting squirrels so far this season.

“It’s been a really good year,” said O’Connor, 38. “The flagpole we found on public land was abundant this year, and the squirrels were everywhere.”

O’Connor and his sons Nicholas, 13, and Taylor, 11, hunted earlier in the season at the Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area in Concordia Parish.

On October 13, each member of the trio managed to get a squirrel cap, a combination of southern grays along with the lagniappe of some Delta fox squirrels.

“We were looking for a nice hardwood bottom crossing a couple of swamps,” O’Connor said. “The squirrels were active and feeding, and each of us had a limit.”

On November 2, O’Connor returned to WMA, this time with his 15-year-old nephew, Kaeydon O’Connor, and Nicholas.

“We had another great hunt, only four squirrels under the three hunter limit,” he said. “On this hunt, the rut had started in the area and the squirrels were chasing as well as feeding. It was a great experience for us out there.”

O’Connor and members of his family have been hunting squirrels on public land for 23 years. He lavishes high praise on the public lands of Louisiana for the number of squirrels; he likes to hunt Richard K. Yancey and Dewey Wills WMAs in the LaSalle, Catahoula and Rapides districts.

“With the amount of (acorn production) we saw on Richard K. Yancey this year, we should even have another great year for the 2020-21 hunting season,” he said. “That’s because this year’s large mast production indicates there will be a lot of squirrels to come next year.”

In mid-November, the O’Connors estimated an early harvest of just over 100 squirrels.

Some results of the WMA

Cody Cedotal, small game study leader for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, had a very positive report on the state’s squirrel season so far.

“The results of the squirrel season have been pretty decent this year,” Cedotal said. “It’s actually been pretty good, despite the fact that some of the best public land for squirrel hunting has added stress from a long period of flooding earlier this year.

“Long duration flooding causes stress on mast trees and can cause mast failure,” he said. “Some of the oak species are just not tolerant to flooding, but we came out better than expected, with no widespread severe losses.”

Cedotal had some early results of hunter success on October 5, opening day on public lands in central Louisiana.

“On October 5 at the Richard K. Yancey WMA, bag checks recorded that 286 hunters captured an estimated 878 squirrels for approximately three squirrels per hunter effort,” he said.

Opening day results from the Sherburne WMA and adjacent Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge in the Pointe Coupee, Iberville and St. Martin districts charged 184 hunters scored 552 squirrels for an estimated three squirrels per hunter.

“Again, these results are very good so far, and we will have more results from directed hunts in other WMAs later in the season,” Cedotal said.

As for the mating period for Louisiana squirrels, Cedotal said the state’s gray and fox squirrels breed twice a year, and the times vary. There are no consistent dates for squirrel breeding in Louisiana.

end of season tips

O’Connor will take a break from squirrel hunting in November for deer season, and the family will resume squirrel hunting later in December and January.

“We hunt very differently later in the season, as most of the leaves, upper foliage and acorns will be on the ground,” he said.

“We will start using .22 rifles instead of shotguns in December and January,” O’Connor said. “By then, all the top foliage will be gone and we’ll be able to do a few select shots of squirrels without the chance of them wandering off leaves and stems.

“The squirrels will also be more active on the ground finding acorns and storing them in places.”

O’Connor and his family will also adopt a more patient hunting style; they will find a good place to eat, they will sit down and be still and quiet.

“We will not move or walk like we did at the beginning of the season,” he said. “With the tops of the trees bare, those squirrels will be much better able to detect you and any movement.”

After shooting a couple of squirrels in one area, they will move to find another feeding area and sit for a while again.

“We do this for quite a while during the day, which usually results in a good number of squirrels, although not as many as earlier in the season,” said O’Connor, who thinks hunters should camouflage a bit more for cover. their heads and faces, as well as their bodies, due to the keen eyesight of Louisiana bushytails.

Squirrel hunting season runs through February 29, 2020. Daily bag limit is 8 squirrels, with a possession limit of 24. See 2019-20 Louisiana Hunting Regulations brochure for dates specific to the season at the Louisiana WMAs.

Squirrel hunting season in Louisiana begins on October 5. Read on for six tips from veteran squirrel hunters for filling your hunting bag early in the season.

Squirrel season is just around the corner, and this popular weekend kickoff (Oct. 5-6) draws an estimated 73,000 hunters to the Louisiana woods looking for this small game species, according to the most recent hunter survey conducted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. .

Here are some shared observations, tips and tactics for a complete game bag on opening day.

After all, the point of squirrel hunting with family and friends is to bring home enough bushy tails to enjoy an enjoyable “Saturday Night in Louisiana” experience consisting of delicious squirrel cooking, camp camaraderie and catch the LSU-Utah State football game at Tiger Stadium or on TV or radio.

hunt squirrel places

According to Cody Cedotal, LDWF small game study leader, mast production was pretty good last fall in most of Louisiana, so hunters will do well when chasing squirrels in hardwood forests, and swampy lowlands when they occur.

However, when hunting pine forests, novice hunters are urged to hunt in management zones alongside streams where hardwoods normally proliferate, rather than seek out the few squirrels that inhabit pure pine plantations.

According to Cedotal, the top three state Wildlife Management Areas that turned over the most squirrels per hunter effort were the Richard K. Yancey WMA in Concordia Parish, the Sherburne WMA, and the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge in Pointe Coupee, Iberville and St. Martin parishes; and Dewey Wills WMA in Catahoula and LaSalle parishes.

Hunt all phases of the moon

By Saturday, October 5, squirrel hunters shouldn’t have to worry about opening weekend and the rest of the week. The moon phase will be in its first quarter, shedding little light, suggesting moderate night feeding for the rest of the week.

However, Sammy Guillory of Breaux Bridge won’t let the full or new moon stop him. Most of the time, Guillory, a 57-year-old veteran hunter, will take his limit of eight squirrels regardless of moon phase.

“I don’t let full moons and new moons bother me, although I hope to spend more time in the forest during those periods,” Guillory said. “It seems that the more light there is at night, the later in the day the squirrels will move around and feed.”

Constant and continuous movement

The speed of walking through the woods and catching squirrels depends on the time of the season. During opening week, well-camouflaged hunters can get by by walking fast and killing squirrels, mainly because the thick forest canopy hides hunters from the sharp, bushy-tailed eyes. If the grounds are wet from light rains prior to opening, this is even better as it allows hunters to move quietly without the crunching noise of dried and fallen foliage underfoot.

Use squirrel calls

Many hunters miss out on a lot of excitement by not using squirrel calls early in the season. Truth be told, squirrels can be called to your location quite successfully in the same way that turkeys and waterfowl respond to calls. It just takes time to practice the same way hunters prepare for waterfowl and turkey seasons.

There are two basic types of manufactured calls: bellows-style calls and whistle calls.

Hunters use bellows-style calls, also known as barrel calls, as a locating tool that mimics the barking and chattering of gray squirrels and foxes. It is usually the hunter’s first call to locate squirrels who will usually respond to effective calls.

Squirrel whistles are used to mimic the distress calls of young squirrels.

Port Barre’s Myron Berzas is certainly attached to his Mr. Squirrel Whistle distributed by Haydel’s Game Calls.

“I use it when I hear a squirrel barking and I can’t get close because there’s a clearing in the woods or some barrier between me and the squirrel,” said Berzas, 51. “I’ll make a few short whistles. while hitting a small, leafy branch on the ground.

“Not always, but quite often, a squirrel will respond by moving to where I’m standing.

“I’ve taken a lot more squirrels with the whistle than with any other call,” Berzas said.

feeding times

Many hunters believe and swear by the feeding times of the Solunar Tables. In the experience of some, there have been successes and failures regardless of feeding times published in newspapers and magazines. You may want to visit the Lunar Times at LouisianaSportsman.com for consideration regarding the game’s move for October.

use your ears to hear

Too often, hunters rely only on their eyes to look for squirrels moving in the trees.

The beloved late Harry Soileau of Opelousas mentored his sons and many young squirrel hunters in Acadiana and strongly emphasized that they just sit still and listen for a while, especially in the early light of day.

Many hunters mistakenly assume they are hearing dew drops falling from the foliage of trees, when in fact, the tiny parts of falling acorns, pinecones and other masts are responsible for the noise.

“If I hear a squirrel feeding on oak, hickory or pine trees, and I can’t see it, I’ll look at the sun through the suspected food tree to see pine dust or mast particles falling,” said Berzas, one of the members of Soileau. hunting apprentices. “Often, I will follow with my eyes the trail of particles falling upwards to the almost motionless squirrel feeding.”

There you have it, some tips from expert squirrel hunters with many years of experience.

On the Saturday morning of the opening, there’s nothing better than heading into the woods early and killing enough squirrels for gravy or grease by noon or dinner time. After the hunt, it will be necessary to clean, cut and season the squirrels and make other culinary preparations.

And as usual, cook some rice.

Enjoy the starter for the Louisiana Squirrel and the Geaux LSU Tigers.

The hunt in Ohio officially began on Tuesday, September 1 when the squirrel and pigeon seasons open.

While the red, gray, fox and black squirrel populations are ideal for a good season (September 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021 with a daily bag limit of 6), the same cannot be said for the pigeon population. as the numbers appear to be down for opening week.

While almost any agricultural field, especially a recently harvested field, is a good place to hunt doves, the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area specifically has two sections of land set aside for dove hunting.

“I drove through the fields this morning and the millet looks good, there is no vegetation in the recovery zone, but I don’t see any pigeons,” said Dennis Solon, Ohio Division of Wildlife manager for KMWA. “There just isn’t a buildup of birds yet.

Twenty years ago, Minnesota’s nearly four-month long deer archery season was shorter: It closed on November 30, a full month earlier than current seasons.

There are times when I look forward to that closing date because, back in those days, when the archery gear was put away, the small game hunting gear would spring into action chasing squirrels and cottontail rabbits. Squirrel and rabbit season spans even longer than bowhunting. This season started on September 14 and continues until February 29.

My primary focus was hunting squirrels and rabbits with an accurate, nearsighted, proficiency-grade .22 caliber Remington semi-automatic rifle. Less safe than a shotgun, the .22 was much quieter and added to the challenge, as accurate shots were required to bring down tiny tree-dwelling prey and cottontail rabbits hiding in thick undergrowth. .

My usual hunting tactic was to sneak into the squirrel-filled oak forests in the pre-dawn darkness and wait for the animals to emerge from tree burrows to feed. When the forest floor was wet, I would give up sitting and carefully sneak through a forest, constantly looking for squirrel and rabbit activity.

After harvesting a limit of squirrels, I’d turn my eyes to the rabbits as we plied the edges of weedy fields and carefully scanned the burrows of the weed piles. Many times a rabbit will freeze in that type of heavy covering, and the only thing that will give it away is its large dark eyes.

While eastern gray squirrels make up the bulk of Minnesota’s squirrel harvest, extra-large fox squirrels are a favorite of most southern Minnesota farm hunters. Fox squirrels prefer to inhabit forests directly adjacent to grain fields, most often cornfields where they can carry whole ears of corn to a tree for consumption. Not to be confused with the much smaller red squirrels, these aptly named red-orange squirrels are much larger than the gray ones, which aren’t always gray, by the way.

In the Mankato area, black phase gray squirrels are becoming more prevalent. Twenty years ago, seeing a black phase squirrel was rare. Now dark squirrels are common. I am sure that this phase of black coloration is cyclical and, perhaps, in one or two decades, they will not be so numerous. In other words, this may be the best time in years for hunters looking to add a stylish black squirrel to their bags or trophy room.

Although smaller and more numerous red squirrels abound throughout the state, fox and eastern gray squirrels are the most popular targets for small gamers. Hunters can take seven grays or foxes combined per day in Minnesota. There is no limit for red squirrels in the DNR manual, which means hunters know that it is an unprotected animal.

Although reds are small, many hunters, especially those hunting in northern Minnesota, still reap thousands per year. Some of these harvests may come from revenge, as these vociferous and fearless squirrels will not hesitate to ruin the hunter’s chances when they bark their seemingly endless cries of alarm, often only a few feet from their hunting victim. Any hunter who has had to put up with this incessant chatter while waiting at a deer stand has made plans to go back and turn the little beasts into a meal.

Clearly, bravery like that is not a good defense against a hunter. Even when the hunter carries a longbow.

Many years ago a friend and I paddled deep into the BWCA wilderness for a week of survival camping during a cool week in October. Since we were staying in the national forest section and not in the park area, we were free to hunt whatever game we had licenses for.

High on our shopping list were red squirrels and grouse. They were vitally important as we packed only a few staples, no meals, and relied on our archery to secure food. The calories extracted from the squirrels and grouse were welcome because we had no tents or sleeping bags. Wool hunter blankets and pine bough sheds provided our primitive shelters.

Our arrows had blunt tips and large feathers, which is known as flu-flu, which helps slow down the arrows for easier recovery after shooting animals that are in the trees. Despite not targeting glamorous species like deer, bear, or elk, the hunt turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever been on. We feasted on pike plucked from the cold river water, and red squirrels were everywhere, providing us with a constant supply of squirrel stew.

The Red Stew, as we called it, was an excellent side dish when we were lucky enough to be grilling grouse. Like Pavlov’s dog, after a few days of hunting, he began to salivate at any appearance of a squirrel.

Squirrel and rabbit hunting is becoming a lost art. Their popularity has waned in favor of more flashy game animals, which can be good news for new small gamers. While public hunting lands can sometimes be encroached on by deer and pheasant hunters, many times squirrel and rabbit hunters will find themselves alone on these same properties. And, unlike other games, they are usually abundant.

Hunters don’t need to go to extremes of survival to secure a bag of squirrels or rabbits. All it takes is an inexpensive small game hunting license, an accurate .22 rifle, a little patience and an appetite for small game hunting fun.

Mark Morrison is an avid hunter and fisherman who has been a freelance outdoor writer and photographer for over 20 years. The Mankato resident since 1979 can be reached at [email protected].

This is not the game you might think it is.

Mention squirrels to the average hunter, and he or she probably remembers the first days of October in the field, probably as a young hunter, sitting under an oak tree with Dad’s old secondhand shotgun. Memories of warm sunshine, shiny leaves and bushy tails almost foolishly active spring to mind.

Nice. But not applicable here.

Winter squirrel hunting is completely different.

That doesn’t mean it’s not fun. It certainly is. It’s an absolute blast, in fact, and a perfect way to unwind from the intensity of big game seasons.

But the squirrels in the landscape are now survivors. The more naive, or less cautious, grays and foxes are gone, reclaimed by hunters or Mother Nature.

Hunting for those that remain when temperatures drop and snow falls requires different techniques than earlier in the season.

For starters, unlike early fall early risers, squirrels in winter are typically active mid-morning and later.

That’s because, like all wild creatures, living at this time of year requires you to take in more calories than you burn. Running through the woods at dawn, when temperatures are lower, can put things on the negative side of the ledger.

Therefore, hunting from, say, 9 am to mid-afternoon is usually more productive.

Mid-mornings on the first warm, sunny day after a period of cooler, cloudier weather can be particularly good. That’s especially true if you know the location of the den trees where the squirrels spend the cold. Positioning yourself nearby when the weather breaks can be awesome.

As for where to hunt, it’s all about food.

Some trees that produce masts, such as oaks and hickories, may still have nuts high on their branches. They are good at aiming.

So are the edges of harvested cornfields, especially if you hunt fox squirrels in mixed hardwood and agricultural areas.

Generally speaking, though, most of the acorns and other foods that squirrels seek are already on the ground. So he scans the forest floor to find squirrels. Binoculars can be a help.

Just be ready to shoot from longer distances. There are two reasons for that.

First, most of the leaves are no longer on the trees. That’s both good and bad for the squirrel hunter.

Of course, it makes spotting squirrels easier. But it also makes it easier for them to notice you’re coming through the woods.

Wearing camouflage under your orange helps enough to be worth it, but squirrels have pretty decent eyesight and escaping the spotlight is difficult. You can’t wait to step on them now.

Second, there is the ground itself.

Stalking squirrels in winter works if you’re outside after a thaw. But otherwise, it’s hard to be quiet when you’re on the go. Icy ground is often too crispy underfoot.

Those things make winter squirrel hunting a game of precision, especially if you’re doing it alone.

So forget about the shotgun. Instead, a rimfire rifle, either .22 or .17, loaded with hollow points is the perfect tool, at least if you can place all your shots at 50 yards in a quarter-sized circle.

Finally, a chipmunk call can help if used sparingly.

Call too often in relatively scantily clad winter woods, and a squirrel might pinpoint your location. That’s especially true if you move too much while making squirrel noises.

But an occasional bark can sometimes be enough for the squirrels to respond and maybe show off.

So make it a point to hunt down some squirrels this winter. Seasons are long, squirrels are abundant almost everywhere, and bag limits are liberal. Squirrels are also good eaters and lend themselves to all kinds of tabletop preparation.

And there’s something really satisfying about bringing home a cap this time of year, when you often have the forest to yourself.

Squirrels can look small after months of chasing white tails. But don’t be fooled.

The challenge they offer, especially at this time of year, is quite great.

LANSING, MI – Cooler weather and fall colors mean there is an abundance of small game hunting opportunities in Michigan.

And all you need to get started is a DNR base hunting license. Hunting for squirrels (foxes and grays), rabbits, hares and capercaillies is open today, September 15. Woodcock hunters can join the hunt when the season begins on September 19.

The DNR also noted that small hunting seasons are the perfect opportunity to look for deer hunting spots later in the fall.

The fall turkey hunt also begins today. Even if you didn’t enter the drawing for a limited quota license, you could still get a turkey tag from any leftover licenses. Hunters may purchase one surplus license per day until all license fees are met online at Michigan.gov/Turkey.

The DNR also noted that small hunting seasons are the perfect opportunity to look for deer hunting spots later in the fall.

An interactive map marking public lands open to hunting can be found online at Michigan.gov/MIHunt,

Hunting licenses can also be purchased online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or anywhere DNR licenses are sold.