Squirrel Hunting: 4 Myth and Facts & 14 Practical Steps

Squirrels are a pest and that’s a fact. All of the suburban squirrel haters have something right in between them – these little rodents are capable of causing quite a lot of menace. While wild wood squirrels are considered to be cute and awesome, they are capable of doing some serious damage and that’s the main reason for which squirrel hunting is a real thing. However, it’s surrounded by different myths and it is important to debunk them in order for people to realize the full value of this otherwise rather pleasant endeavor. So, without any further ado, we are going to jump right into the interesting things.

Squirrel Hunting Myths and Facts – the Things to Consider

1. Squirrel Hunting isn’t Challenging and Exciting

This is something that a lot of people are pretty sure about. Since this is a small game and serious hunters can’t really be bothered, they tend to believe that it’s not challenging and exciting. The truth, however, is particularly different. There aren’t a lot of more challenging undertakings compared to hunting a limit or a single grey squirrel in the urban environment with a .22. The actual truth is that squirrel hunting is in fact particularly fun and it’s something that a lot of people actually enjoy. It’s relaxing and it’s undoubtedly one of the best things to experience if you like hunting.

2. Squirrel Hunting Opportunities are Far Between and Rather Few

This is yet another myth which is quite popular. In fact, it’s rather hard to encounter another squirrel hunter at the same hunting site that you’ve chosen. Unlike other very popular game, hunting squirrels is actually rather peculiar to most and that’s why you can rest assured that you will see plenty of game.

3. Squirrels are Small, Tough to Clean and Particularly Unfit to Eat

Whoever thinks that squirrels are unfit to eat must have not prepared them properly. In fact, the meat is tender, it’s silky and it’s particularly delicious. It’s true that squirrels are far from being the biggest kid on the block but there is something rather challenging when it comes to hunting game of the kind. It’s somewhat of an art to manage to properly separate the hide from the animal without ending up with something which thoroughly resembles something like a rather hairy hot dog. In any case, there are a few things which need to be accounted for.

It’s not hard to clean a squirrel. One of the things that you need to consider is rinsing the carcass from the loose hairs from your fingers every time you conveniently lift them off. This is particularly important and it’s going to help you clean the entire thing a lot easier.

4. Squirrel Hunting Has No Place in the World of the Contemporary Hunter

This is a statement which is as far away from the truth as it gets. In fact, a lot of the experienced hunters are well aware of the joy and the challenges that squirrel hunting poses and that’s why they respect and enjoy it. They have learned how to move without being noticed. What is more, squirrels move particularly fast and it’s nothing like you’ve ever hunted before. This is something that you need to be aware of – it’s important to ensure that you are well aware of it.

Hunting Squirrels Step by Step

Now, this is something which is particularly important. Hunting squirrels is characteristic and it comes with a lot of specifications. Below are 14 comprehensive practical steps listed carefully in order for you to understand how to hunt these little animals conveniently and particularly effectively. Let’s have a look.

1. Prepare for the hunt – make sure that you pack all the necessary tools, ammo and all that you need.
2. Research the type of squirrels that you are allowed to hunt – this is something important and you need to be aware of it.
3. Observe and pick the proper season for hunting.
4. Be aware of the bag limitations.
5. Choose your weapon – this would depend on the type of squirrel that you are going for.
6. Take all the necessary safety precautions – safety is always number one priority.
7. Choose the appropriate time for the hunt.
8. Choose the appropriate area for your hunt.
9. Listen and look for cutting evidence.
10. Choose whether you’d be walking and searching or stalking the squirrel.
11. Use proper ground camouflage to hide yourself.
12. Mimic noises of the squirrel – there are tools for that.
13. Make only safe shots.
14. Clean your kills when you make them.

Mistakes to Avoid During the Hunt

Of course, hunting squirrels is a rather characteristic endeavor which requires a lot of experience and aforethought. Even experienced and well-rounded hunters, however, tend to make some mistakes. This is something that you need to be careful about. With this in mind, let’s have a look at 5 of the most common mistakes that you have to avoid.

1. You don’t hunt often enough – it’s a skill that you have to develop. If you fail to do it – it’s slowly going to fade away.
2. You make too much noise – squirrels have nice listening receptors and they can hear you from a long distance. Make sure you aren’t making a lot of unnecessary noise.
3. Lose patience – while squirrels aren’t that hard to find, you need to stay patient if you haven’t noticed one in a while. It’s the same as in any other hunting undertaking.
4. Underestimate the quarry – be aware of the terrain and don’t be overly confident, regardless of how much experience you have.
5. Fail to follow up – when you see a squirrel that’s getting away, don’t just let it go. Follow up and make the kill.

【Read more about Squirrel】

Hopefully this is helpful enough to provide you with actionable and accurate information when it comes to squirrel hunting. These are comprehensive tips and actual practical help that you can employ on your very next hunting trip.