Many young hunters learn by hunting squirrels using the more manageable.22 caliber firearms. Many people think squirrel hunting is easy, but because of the pressure to move stealthily and shoot accurately, even expert hunters refer to squirrel hunting as “miniature deer hunting.” With the right license, preparation, and tactics, you can prepare yourself for the next national squirrel hunting season.
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Part 1 of 2: Preparing the Hunt
Step 1. Get a license for petty hunting
Squirrels are classified as petty hunting in many states, and are therefore subject to laws relating to petty hunting. Getting a small hunting license in any state usually requires filling out a form with your address, driver's license number, and other information, as well as paying a small fee.
- While petty hunting licenses are usually not regulated, many states only grant a certain number and types of licenses each year, so keep an eye on the date your state starts accepting license applications each year.
- For any questions regarding licenses, seasons, hunting limits, etc. contact the appropriate government agency in the state. Each state hunting agency has a different designation. For example, in Nevada, it is called the Nevada Department of Wildlife, while the equivalent in New York is the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Step 2. Research the types of squirrels you can hunt
Many states add regulations about certain types of squirrels that can be hunted in all seasons. In South Carolina, for example, it is acceptable to hunt gray squirrels, but many areas do not allow hunting fox squirrels (fox squirrel).
- These specific regulations vary depending on the state and region of origin of the existing population.
- Many states also distinguish between types of squirrels that require a permit to be hunted. For example, the California Fishing and Hunting Code classifies ground squirrels as non-hunting mammals, which can be hunted without a license if they become pests to plants and buildings; however, all tree squirrel species in the state fall into the category of petty hunting and require proper licensing. If you want to hunt squirrels for damaging homes and buildings on your own land, check with your state's competent authority. The presence of an expert may also be needed to identify the type of squirrel.
Step 3. Observe the right hunting season
In addition, each state has very different times of the squirrel hunting season. For example, Virginia's squirrel hunting season is in September, but in Missouri, it starts much earlier in late May.
Also note the “no guns” season, when you can hunt squirrels with hunting dogs, and the use of firearms is illegal
Step 4. Familiarize yourself with load limits
In addition to hunting, states also regulate how many squirrels can be hunted. The load limit is usually referred to as the limit per day. For example, the states of New York and Virginia have a limit of six squirrels per day, while Missouri has a higher limit of ten.
Step 5. Choose a weapon for hunting
There are several different options for squirrel hunting; however, states may regulate the types of weapons that may be used, and may also instruct you to list them on your license application. Be sure to only use weapons that are comfortable to wear, licensed, and which can be used safely. Weapon options for hunting squirrels include:
- Bow and Arrow – Archery is the most skillful hunting technique. Learning to shoot arrows is not easy, and it takes a lot of dedication and a lot of practice to master it. Archery can be difficult at times, but is one of the best ways to hunt squirrels. This technique is quiet, even quieter than an air rifle, so a pack of squirrels can often be hunted at once. Also, arrows are usually reusable unless they're broken, which is standard practice. There are several different types of arrows that you can use. The straight limb is a type of low-strength bow commonly made by hand or found in youth archery academies. The recurve is a higher-strength bow that is very accurate, but is more difficult to pull and hold. The compound bow has great strength, is easy to hold, with very precise accuracy, but is very expensive, requires a lot of maintenance, and is very sensitive to shock damage (this type of bow cannot be treated carelessly).
- Air rifles – Air rifles are fairly inexpensive and effective weapons if used with good accuracy. It's also incredibly quiet, making it the weapon of choice for suburban residents who don't like squirrels. Simple.177 daisy rifle bullets can be purchased at Walmart or gun shops for around $60, and higher quality will cost more. Whichever one you choose, experiment to find out which type of bullet will work best with your rifle, as using the right bullet is more important than just the difference in penetration and expansion. Shotguns require high marksmanship because injured squirrels can usually still climb trees. With this bullet rifle can function better.
- .22 caliber firearm –.22 caliber is probably the most common bullet used for hunting squirrels. The small size keeps the squirrel meat from crumbling too much. The long range and high accuracy give it the ability to hit squirrels from a greater distance than air rifles, shotguns, and arrows. Many of the.22 caliber guns are also auto-loaded, allowing you to resume quick fire if needed. However, as with any firearm (or projectile crushing device for that matter) its use depends on the skill of the shooter. The point of influence is only the extremely high.22 caliber accuracy, but this is part of the challenge that draws many to the sport.
- Gentleman rifles – If you want a greater range, look no further than the soft rifle, although you'll need to be closer to the game than you would with the.22 caliber. If you choose to hunt with a shotgun, the recommended bullet size is 5 or 6 for a rifle with a barrel length of 70 or 75 cm. Gentel rifle shells tend to be more expensive than other ammunition, and also take up a lot of space in equipment. The large jolt effect might reduce the resistance of hunters with smaller statures. Gentle rifles also make a louder, more distracting sound than.22 caliber and air rifles, meaning they can scare away squirrels in the area even more.
Step 6. Take all appropriate safety precautions
Whatever weapon you choose, be sure to practice using it adequately in a safe and controlled environment, before attempting to hunt with that weapon. Familiarize yourself with the safe mode setting on each weapon, and make sure to always switch it back when ready to fire.
- In addition, sling the gun at your shoulder or facing the ground with your finger outside the trigger unless you are ready to fire.
- Never aim a gun at anything unless you intend to shoot it.
- Remember that arrows are just as dangerous as bullets, so take all safety precautions, as well as bows.
- For more information on gun safety, check out ways to use firearms safely.
Part 2 of 2: Squirrel Hunt
Step 1. Choose the right time to hunt
Squirrels are most active when the day is still bright, both morning and evening proving to be a very productive time for squirrel hunting. Many squirrel hunting seasons begin around late summer or early fall, so the time of year also matters. You can use the crunch of leaves on the tree to help locate the squirrel above, although the leaves help the squirrel to camouflage.
Step 2. Choose the right area to hunt
Squirrels love oak acorns, beech nuts, and hickory nuts. Searching for oak, beech, and hickory trees will make it easier to find areas where there are many squirrels.
Step 3. Look for and listen for the snapping sound
The snapping sound here refers to the crackling sound that will be heard, this is evidence of the presence of a squirrel peeling nuts to eat, and is followed by several sounds of peanut shells falling to the ground. By looking for and listening to the squirrels peel their nuts, you can choose a good place to get ready and wait.
Step 4. Choose to wait or stake out
The two main tricks of squirrel hunting are playing the wait game or deciding to stalk them. If choosing the right place to get ready, waiting is the right thing to do; however, many hunters have more success with snooping because they can follow signs of a squirrel shelling nuts.
Regardless of the approach used, the key to hunting is patience. If you choose to snoop, you should still move very slowly and quietly. Only take two or three steps every now and then, then pause to listen to the squirrel's movements
Step 5. Use earth color camouflage
Incognito outfits are very useful. It would be better if you could buy or make a ghillie suit. But being invisible in other ways also helps a lot, even with just using sticks to hide. The squirrel that lives in the forest is very shy, you are really great if you can approach it within a radius of 13 meters. So, to get close to a squirrel, be prepared in an area where it can camouflage easily. Move into a shooting position with as little noise in the surrounding area as possible. If you have a hunting buddy, ask him to stand a few feet away to see if you're visible while lurking, and also when moving into a shooting position.
Step 6. Imitate the sound of a squirrel
If the squirrel hears an unfamiliar sound, it will stop for a long time in the tree to wait for possible danger to pass by. By imitating the sound of another squirrel eating, you can convince the frozen squirrel to continue eating.
- One easy way to imitate the sound of a squirrel peeling nuts is to take two coins-one flat, the other with the striped edge facing it-and rub them together with a little pressure. This imitation is very similar to the sound of a squirrel peeling nuts.
- A second way to imitate a squirrel's sound is to place your hand on a dry leaf under an oak tree and gently squeeze it at random intervals. Repeat without making any other sound at all.
Step 7. Set a trap for the squirrel
There are also different traps and different fishing methods for squirrels; however, the state also strictly regulates squirrel capture, so check with the state's regulatory agency to find out which fishing methods are allowed there.
Step 8. Make a safe shot
Shooting a squirrel in a tree means aiming the shot up, so make sure to shoot it safely. Aim the gun precisely to make sure the bullet hits the tree when the squirrel doesn't get shot.
It will be easier to find a safe and precise shooting position with your back to the sun while lurking
Step 9. Aim for the squirrel's head
To kill the squirrel with one shot, and to retain as much meat as possible, aim for the head. Squirrels are very agile, and hitting anything other than the head might give them a chance to climb even higher or into a hole in a tree before a second shot is fired.
Step 10. Be patient
Wait for the squirrel and prepare to shoot casually, especially if you are a new hunter. Moving too fast can make more noise, and shooting too fast will make it miss the target. Missed shots, as well as noise, can make a squirrel run away. After one shot, wait about half an hour for the squirrel to come out of hiding.
Step 11. Clean the game
After successfully hunting the squirrel, peel it off and remove the squirrel's guts so that the meat lasts longer. The process of cleaning squirrels can be studied in ways to clean squirrels.
Tips
- Try crouching when shooting. This position provides higher accuracy than standing, and is also quieter than lying down.
- Be a good sportsman. Whatever is chosen as prey, hunt only for food, pests of plants and buildings, or for self-defense. No creature has the right to die without a reason.
- Don't be discouraged by failing or not finding a squirrel. Remember, this is called “hunting” not “murder”.
- Try static and mobile hunting to find out which one you prefer.
- The squirrel uses a fallen tree as a fast track to reach the tree beside it, so it doesn't have to run through rustling leaves. Shooting a squirrel on the ground is less risky than shooting it in a tree.
- A few missed shots at the start will humble you. Squirrel hunting is not as easy as one might think.
- If someone looks down on you for hunting squirrels, considers them childish, or “not real man hunting,” ask them to shoot at a coin-sized target within a deer hunting zone no more than 32 meters away. This will make them more humble.
- Be patient, squirrels are generally very agile, but if you manage to catch them, you are a proficient hunter.
Attention
- While hunting is one of the safest sports, it is the hunter's responsible behavior that makes it safe. However, hunting can be very dangerous.
- Remember that archery equipment is just as dangerous as firearms.
- Be aware of and obey the rules for the safe use of firearms. Always keep your finger off the trigger until it's ready to fire, and never aim your gun at anything you don't want to destroy or destroy.
