Squirrels that hear or see a hunter approaching will take refuge high in a tree, in a knothole or even on the backside of a nearby tree. If the approach is quiet, the squirrels will soon forget the disturbance and resume their feeding activity. It is amazing how close one can get to a bushytail and never know it is there. Squirrels have popped out on the side of a tree in an open wood lot less than 10 feet from me a few minutes after I sat down.

Sit near or against a tree trunk to break up your outline as you wait. Give the spot 20 minutes or so before quietly moving on. Stop often while moving to the next spot to listen for chattering or leaves rustling as the rodents search among leaves for a cache of nuts.

If a squirrel is spooked, all is not lost. Take a seat quickly and begin searching for the squirrel. Most often, the varmint will begin barking a warning to other squirrels in the area. This can be a boon to the hunter, as other squirrels will answer the warning. A sharp eye and a good rifle shot can quickly fill the game vest.

Squirrels also have a habit of twitching their tails when they are angry or alarmed. This gives away their position. If you have a turkey locator call that makes a hawk scream, this will make a squirrel scurry out of its location and take up a perch on the side of a tree while barking and angrily flicking its tail. Keep such a call handy for those times when you know a squirrel is in the area, but you cannot find it.

Most avid squirrel hunters have a few tricks they like to use. There are two tricks I like to use to fill my bag with dinner. First, I really enjoy taking my retriever with me. Any breed of dog can be trained to retrieve a downed squirrel, but with a little additional basic training, a topnotch squirrel dog can become your steady partner in the hardwoods.

I use my dog to listen for squirrels. A dog’s hearing is far keener than a human’s and my dog will begin to stare in the direction of an approaching squirrel long before it gets within range of my .22. He also marks squirrels that are hiding on the sides of trees but chattering quietly. Once I make the shot, I send my retriever down to make the pick up while I remain ready for any nearby squirrels that may “swivel” or move to my side of the tree as my dog goes past their position. It is not uncommon for me to pick off an additional squirrel in this manner.

Second, I like to hunt in the early mornings and late evenings during January for squirrels. Squirrels are creatures of habit and will come and go at the same time from their den tree. Find a large hollow tree such as a knotty old hickory, a massive beech tree or an old oak and you will be in business. If you are hunting in the morning, arrive before daybreak and sit quietly. As soon as it is light enough to see, the squirrels will begin to scurry out of the tree and head for the ground.