Hunting for squirrels is one of the most popular hunting pastimes in the country. Squirrels have been the most popular small game species by vote for years, and are only behind whitetail deer and turkey when it comes to the most popular overall species in the United States.
The spring is one of the best times to go out and hunt squirrels, but there are a few things to remember when hunting during this time of year. Here are a few tips to help guide you to the spring squirrels and come home with a full bag!
Find Their Food
Just like other animals, squirrels can be more easily located if you find their food sources first. In the spring, the food sources for squirrels are different than in the fall. They will mostly be found munching on things like berries, the buds on trees, seeds, and ground vegetation. Of course, they will also try to find the occasional mushroom and even insects if they can.
Wear Your Boots Out
Finding squirrels will sometimes require you to be adaptable, and this means using your boots as much as possible. By hiking and walking around, you are more likely to find their feeding grounds where they will eventually come by. Of course, if you find a spot that looks good but you are still not finding squirrels, you can get up and find a new area that could potentially be better. While spot and stalk is a lot harder during the spring, it is much better than sitting in an area with zero activity.
Be Careful with the Heat
The spring season can bring with it plenty of different weather patterns, including some extreme heat. Be sure that you properly prepare for warmer weather, as it can make a hunt super uncomfortable or even deadly in certain cases. In order to avoid most of the heat, try to hunt in the early mornings. You should also wear the right clothes for the job, and bring along plenty of water to drink throughout the hunt. Heat will also spoil the squirrels much faster, so take care of them as fast as you can after you kill them.
Time of Day
As we mentioned, the early mornings are a perfect time to avoid the heat. It is also one of the best times of the day to hunt as the squirrels are much more active. In addition to the mornings, the afternoons right before dark can be excellent as well. If you can catch a cloudy or overcast day that is cooler than the normal temperatures, this can also be an amazing time to hunt as well.
Final Thoughts
Hunting squirrels is a ton of fun and can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors in the spring. If you have ever wanted to go out and find some squirrels to hunt during this time of year, hopefully, you found this guide helpful!
For more great ideas on how to fish and hunt from the experts, check out the awesome articles on our Bradley Smoker Hunting & Fishing Blog for more great tips & tricks.
