It’s a depressing time of year for hunters all over the country. The 3-4 month-long deer season is over and lots of people have resigned to the fact that they won’t be in the woods until turkey season. But this doesn’t need to be the case! Remember that squirrel that barked at you all fall? Now is your time to exact your revenge and to fill your freezer with something delicious.

Squirrels are my favorite small game to hunt but hunting them in the winter is challenging. Cover is sparse and squirrels are wary. However, we’ve found a few ways to make it happen even in these winter months. Here are a few that have worked well for us.

Still Hunting

Still hunting is my favorite way to hunt squirrels. Grab some good boots, a pack with water and a snack, and a good set of binoculars and hit the woods. Move slowly through places bushytails like to hang out, like oak groves, and glass up into tree crotches and nests.

We’ve found binoculars to be absolutely critical for finding success in the squirrel woods. Often, they’ll move up and to the opposite side of a tree as you pass but will peak around to keep an eye on you. As you walk, look for their heads peering around trees. It’s critical that you listen closely as you still hunt. Many times, squirrels give away their position by chattering.

Sometimes, I’ll walk into an area with fresh tracks and a ton of nests but won’t see anything. I’ve found it best in these situations to move out to the perimeter of the area and to sit down and wait. Give it at least 20 minutes and usually, something will move.

I’ve found midmorning to be the best time to do this and seem to have much less success at the end of the day.

Take a Seat

A tried and true method involves simply hunting like you’d deer hunt. Find a den or an oak grove and move in before dawn. Settle in and wait for daylight to come. As the sun rises, keep your eyes on the nests. Squirrels will slowly pour out, offering you a shot at them in the tree. I recommend letting them clear the nest before taking a shot or they’ll get hung up.

You can also let them make it all the way to the ground before taking a shot. This is what I’ll do if I decide to take my bow out instead of a shotgun or .22.

It’s no secret that squirrel hunting is one of my favorite ways to spend time in the woods. I hope these tips help you pass these winter months well and fill your freezer.

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