If you want to be successful at squirrel hunting, you need to learn the techniques that will help you make the right shot. Before you begin, make sure your firearm is clean. Clean the muzzle and chamber. Be sure to keep the firearm at a safe distance from the squirrel to avoid injury. Also, avoid shooting from trees that are damaged, as they could fall on you or hurt you. Regardless of which method you choose, it’s imperative that you get a good shot.
Table of Contents
Techniques for getting a good shot
One of the best ways to get a good shot when squirrel hunting is to set up your blind on a tree stump or log, preferably in an area with camouflage. A squirrel is extremely shy, especially within fifteen yards, so it is important to choose a blind in an area with good cover. Similarly, a ghillie suit will also come in handy when squirrel hunting.
When attempting to shoot a squirrel, make sure you observe it closely. They are difficult to spot because they generally run before they are noticed and freeze when they sense danger. Therefore, it is necessary to train your eye to detect their movement. After locating a squirrel, sit still and wait for an open shot. Keep your rifle and ammunition ready. If the squirrel doesn’t move, wait at least 15 minutes before taking aim.
Ammunition options
Ammunition for squirrel hunting comes in a variety of types and specifications. The most suitable ammunition for squirrel hunting will cause a large wound channel without over penetrating the target. However, the type of bullet you choose should be compatible with the type of hunting you plan to do. There are also safety considerations that you should consider before making a final decision. The best way to choose an ammunition for squirrel hunting is to understand its characteristics and match it with your hunting purpose.
The most common type of ammunition for squirrel hunting is subsonic ammunition. This type of ammunition has a subsonic velocity that prevents the sonic boom produced when the bullet enters the animal. A velocity balancer helps achieve the best consistency and accuracy. For this type of ammunition, you can opt for a rifle that has a silencer. Alternatively, you can also buy a bullet that features a noise suppressor.
Using a call
The first thing to remember when squirrel hunting is to get a decent location. It is best to go at an early time in the winter, when the trees are leafless and open. You should then walk to a different location and wait for around twenty minutes. If you’re unsuccessful, you can use a call to lure the squirrels closer to your location. A squirrel call sounds like the sound of a squirrel barking. This will attract the squirrels and allow you to get a good shot.
Using a call can be a good way to attract a squirrel. When used correctly, it mimics the sound of a disturbed animal, which will cause the animal to come in closer. A call can be a great hunting tool if you have a buddy with you. This way, you’ll be more likely to catch a squirrel if you call from a safe distance.
Using a muzzleloading rifle
A muzzleloading rifle is a great choice for squirrel hunting because the bullet is much faster than a shotshell, so it does not hammer the animal as bad. If you are body shooting the squirrel, a rimfire load will likely be enough to suck the meat from its head, but you must be prepared to deal with a headshot at 50 yards or more. Finding a good rest can be difficult, especially during this time of the year.
If you have a muzzleloading rifle, you can practice using a bipod or tree-tree rest to get the proper elevation and range. You will also need to practice using a life-size target to determine your effective range. At this range, you should shoot two-inch groups with a muzzleloading rifle. Remember, you’ll be shooting at a squirrel with a bullet a half-inch long.
Using an air rifle
When using an air rifle to hunt squirrels, you must make sure that you have a high-quality shot. You should choose one with adjustable 2-stage trigger, which makes it easier for you to adjust the shot and get the most accurate shot possible. An air rifle with thumbhole stock is a better choice than a handgun, as the latter lacks the horsepower required for a clean kill on a squirrel. A rifle with all-weather synthetic stock is the most comfortable and balanced for hunting, and most of these rifles have a rubber recoil pad to help with recoil. A rifle with checkered synthetic stock is best, since this will reduce recoil.
Choosing the correct pellet for your air rifle is essential. Many experienced shooters use different brands of pellets, but one of the most important tips for a successful shot is to avoid lead-free lightweight pellets. Lead-free pellets are easy to drift in the wind and lose their energy quickly. It is best to choose a packet of assorted pellets and practice shooting until you can hit the vitals of a squirrel at least four times.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
Related Posts:
How Do You Skin A Squirrel How Do You Skin A Squirrel? You've killed a bushy-tailed squirrel in the woods, and you're looking to prepare it for your family. The preparation is essential, as the meat is only as good as…
How Long To Boil A Squirrel How Long To Boil A Squirrel? While most of us don't think about cooking a squirrel, it's actually a very popular game dish in Europe. Its taste resembles duck and it will surprise your guests.…
How To Kill A Squirrel With A Bow How to Kill a Squirrel With a Bow If you have never hunted a squirrel before, it may be time to learn how to do so safely. Here are some tips to get started. First,…
What Does It Mean When You Dream About A Squirrel What Does it Mean When You Dream About a Squirrel? If you've ever dreamed about a squirrel, you may wonder what it means. Squirrels are small but mighty, living off the land and thriving by…
How To Make Homemade Baby Squirrel Formula How to Make Homemade Baby Squirrel Formula A baby squirrel needs special care to ensure that their food is healthy. Esbilac is the most effective formula for a baby squirrel. You should also avoid using…
What Foods Will Kill A Squirrel What Foods Will Kill a Squirrel? If you are worried about a squirrel snatching your dog's dinner, read this article first. Here, you will learn about what foods will kill a squirrel. Among the most…
How To Make A Homemade Squirrel Call There are many benefits of using a squirrel call, and these can be very effective at attracting squirrels. However, to make a good calling device, you need to be aware of the sounds that squirrels…
How To Put A Squirrel Out Of Its Misery How To Put A Squirrel Out Of Its Misery You can kill a squirrel by shooting it in the head, but make sure that your surroundings are safe. Remember that a bullet can pass…
How To Nurse A Squirrel Back To Health If you have a baby squirrel, you might be wondering how to nurse it back to health. First of all, you should never attempt to take care of a squirrel as a pet. These animals…
How To Get A Good Shot When Squirrel Hunting How to Get a Good Shot When Squirrel Hunting If you want to be successful at squirrel hunting, you need to learn the techniques that will help you make the right shot. Before you begin,…
How to Tell If a Squirrel is Safe To Eat How To Tell If A Squirrel Is Safe To Eat How to tell if a squirrel is safe to eat depends on what the animal looks like from outside. You can use rubber gloves and…
How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Baby Squirrel How to Get Rid of Fleas on Baby Squirrel In addition to fleas, baby squirrels may have other injuries, such as internal injuries, head or leg injuries, and respiratory issues. If you find any of…
What Does Squirrel Lice Look Like What Does Squirrel Lice Look Like? A squirrel flea is a small, wingless insect that feeds on the blood of squirrels. They are dark brown or black in color and have a hard, flattened body.…
Is Squirrel Meat Good For You? Is squirrel meat good for you? Many people wonder if squirrel meat is good for them. While it can be dangerous, the good news is that this tasty, sustainable protein is not harmful. Squirrel meat…
What Does A Dead Squirrel Look Like What Does a Dead Squirrel Look Like? Have you ever noticed a dead squirrel? If so, you're not alone. Even though dead squirrels are a common sight, not all of us know what they look…
How to Befriend a Squirrel Petting Squirrels - How to Befriend a Squirrel One of the best ways to make a new friend is to introduce it to your favorite foods. Squirrels enjoy nuts and other types of nuts. Try…
What To Do If You Hit A Squirrel What To Do If You Hit A Squirrel If you've hit a squirrel, the first thing to do is to clean up the wound. You can use a band-aid or wrap it in gauze.…
How Far Does A Squirrel Need To Fall To Die How Far Does a Squirrel Need to Fall to Die? If a squirrel were to jump from a 100-foot height, how long would it survive before dying? There is no known answer to this question,…
What to Do With Squirrel Tails What to Do With Squirrel Tails Many people worry about squirrels that have lost or damaged their tails. They wonder if they should do anything to help them. In reality, the tail of a squirrel…
How Did A Dead Squirrel Get In My Toilet How Did a Dead Squirrel Get in My Toilet? Celia Shiffer of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania recently discovered a dead squirrel in her toilet. The dead animal had climbed into the toilet piping from the roof vent.…
How To Kill A Squirrel Stuck In A Pipe How to Get Rid of a Squirrel Stuck in a Pipe There are many ways to get rid of a squirrel stuck in a pipe. There are rat-sized snap traps, carbon monoxide traps, and tube…
What To Do When You Run Over A Squirrel What to Do When You Run Over a Squirrel If you happen to be a driver and have ever run over a squirrel, you may be wondering if you should stop or not. In this…
How To Revive A Squirrel How to Revive a Squirrel There are many pre-requisites for CPR before you attempt to resuscitate a squirrel. These include knowing the warning signs of a dying squirrel, the symptoms of dehydration, and the prerequisites…
Where Should You Shoot A Squirrel Where Should You Shoot a Squirrel? If you're considering shooting a squirrel, you'll probably be wondering where you should aim your gun. While the answer is not as simple as pointing it right or left,…
How To Call A Squirrel With Your Mouth How To Call A Squirrel With Your Mouth One of the most effective ways to attract a squirrel is by making a sound with your mouth, to call. The following article describes how to make…