What to Do When a Squirrel Gives Away Your Hunting Spot 
It is always tempting to flee as soon as a squirrel gives away your hunting spot, but how do you stop this? Here are some tips. First, sit low and quietly. Second, listen for game. Third, use a squirrel call. Lastly, be prepared to carry a change of clothing and flotation device, just in case. Remember to follow these tips and you should soon see more squirrels in your hunting spot!
Table of Contents
Sitting still
Hunting squirrels requires patience and a high degree of stealth. You have to wait patiently until a squirrel makes a sound and gives away your hunting spot. If you’re lucky, you can take a couple of squirrels in the same spot. You have to keep your distance, so you’re not seen by the squirrel. Keeping quiet is crucial, but keep your movement slow so you don’t attract unwanted attention.
Sitting low
One of the most common mistakes hunters make when they’re out on a hunt is leaving their traps at home. While squirrels can be difficult to see when they’re sitting still in a tree, they’re quite hard to spot when they’re sitting low. This means that they’re more likely to give up your hunting spot if you’re sitting too high or too low.
Fleeing
If a squirrel gives away your hunting spot, it is best to immediately flee. The animal is not aggressive by nature, but if you try to catch it in the act, it may bite or scratch you. This can be painful or even lead to viral disease transmission. Moreover, fleeing is a squirrel’s natural instinct. After all, the animal does not want to be in your home where you and your family will spend most of your time.
Using a squirrel call
Using a squirrel call can help you catch a squirrel when you’re in a particular location, and you don’t want it to give the area away! Most squirrels can be trained to respond to five distinct sounds, and each one is relatively easy to imitate. A barking squirrel may communicate contentment, while a loud, excited one may indicate danger. If you’re not sure which call to use, try a few different ones to get started.
Avoiding sitting on a deer’s dinner table
If you are a hunter who sits in a tree stand, you may have the advantage of being able to hide your movements. Nonetheless, you must be careful not to sit on a deer’s dinner table by letting a squirrel give away your location. Squirrels give away their hunting spots by gnawing, so make sure to be quiet and still. Remember, a squirrel’s noises can be quite disturbing to the deer.
Floating
If you want to catch a squirrel, it’s vital that you know how to play the game better than the animal itself. The good news is that there are many techniques you can use to keep the squirrel at bay. One of these methods is to shoot the animal from a tree. Alternatively, you can hunt from a johnboat. In both cases, you’ll need to shoot from a safe distance.
Using a tree stand
Using a tree stand is great for a variety of reasons. If the squirrel is walking around, it is easy to see its movements and position from a tree stand. In addition, the squirrels are notorious for circling trees. This gives a hunter the opportunity to shoot from a distance, and is especially helpful when a squirrel gives away his location. It’s important to remember that if you’re a tree hunter, it is possible to push the squirrel out of the way of his path.
Floating with a partner
Floating with a partner is an excellent way to get your limit of squirrels quickly. You can easily keep the boat stable and aim your gun as a partner watches for movement. But beware: this method is not foolproof. Squirrels are smart enough to know they are exposed to predators, so it is crucial to bring your A-game.
Detecting a squirrel
Squirrels are elusive creatures who can vanish into thin air, so it’s important to locate them as soon as possible. To locate their hiding places, circle around the tree you suspect they are using, checking for holes, cavities, and nests. Avoid places that have evidence of a squirrel’s presence, including holes and cavities with signs of use. You may also want to keep a close eye on nearby treetops to be sure that the squirrels are not in these locations.
What should you do if a squirrel gives away your hunting spot?
You should try to scare the squirrel away or shoot it.
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.
