Where to Hunt Squirrel in Virginia
If you want to hunt squirrels in Virginia but don’t know where to find the best spots, there are several ways to find them. If you live in the State of Virginia, you can try DWR Wildlife Management Areas, which are generally within a 30-45 minute drive. You can scout a place from your home using aerial imagery. Hickory and oak trees are good places to start looking, and you can look for nut hull shavings to know if a recent cut has been made.
National Forest
When you’re in Virginia, there are a number of National Forest lands open for hunting. Most of these properties have public hunting lands and the best time of year to hunt squirrels is during the fall. In the spring, however, you’ll need to head to Virginia’s woodlands. Oak trees and hickory trees are excellent sources of squirrels. You can also use aerial imagery to scout the area from your home.
While most hunters prefer to hunt whitetail deer and turkey, there are some public lands open for small game hunting. Squirrel hunting was once a staple of Virginia’s winter dining, and Brunswick stew was a staple in many hunters’ homes. However, interest in the sport declined over the years. But today, hunting for these rodents is on the rise again. In fact, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) is making it easier to find open squirrel hunting opportunities. The VDGIF has extended the season through September and has added a spring season.
Wildlife management areas
For those interested in squirrel hunting in Virginia, the DWR Wildlife Management Areas are conveniently located within a 30-45-minute drive of most homes. These areas include dense hardwood forests and are a good place to spot gray and fox squirrels. You can also scout an area using aerial imagery. For example, if you see nut hull shavings, then that’s probably a recent cutting.
Fortunately, many of these areas are open to the public. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has many such areas. These areas are also managed by the state’s other government agencies. You can easily locate these areas by visiting their website. These sites will also give you the information you need about individual POWRR properties. The DWR website will list the public hunting areas near you and will also give you an overview of their regulations and fees.
Field corn
Squirrels are attracted to crops and fields because they provide a source of sustenance for their young. Moreover, if you hunt in fields near mature oak forests, you will also be able to enjoy the double attraction of corn and nuts. To find them, you should first look for signs such as twitching tails, odd hump in a tree branch, and leaves shaking in the treetops. Usually, squirrels live in areas with edible vegetation and if you are lucky, you may also hear their muffled meowing and angry scolding calls.
For best results, hunt in fields with hickory and oak trees. Squirrels like oak and hickory trees, as they provide shelter from the cold weather. Hunting season is listed in the DWR’s Hunting Regulations, and aerial images can help you scout areas from your home. If you see a squirrel, it’s most likely to be a fox squirrel.
Hickory trees
If you want to hunt squirrels, consider finding a location in the public forest in Virginia with Hickory trees. This is an excellent place to hunt squirrels because they tend to live in this type of tree. Virginia also has bag limits for squirrels – you can take up to six per day for fox and pine squirrels and up to 20 for ruffed grouse.
You can hunt squirrels throughout Virginia. Hickory trees provide good habitat for these creatures, and a recent cutting will leave a trail of nut hull shavings. If you don’t have a GPS, you can use aerial imagery to scout areas. Also, you can spot squirrels by the amount of hickory nut shavings on the forest floor.
Ticks
Virginia has some great opportunities for hunting squirrels, with a robust population and a variety of public lands. Many areas are rich in mature hardwoods, mixed pines and hard woods, and can be scouted easily from home using aerial imagery. Hunting seasons for squirrels are listed in the Small Game section of the DWR Hunting Regulations. Whether you’re a first-time hunter or a seasoned veteran, there are plenty of public lands to choose from.
If you want to take the hunt on a day trip, try the Jefferson or George Washington National Forests. While you aren’t allowed to hunt on National Forest land, you can get an excellent opportunity to hunt for squirrels. Be sure to check the regulations and hunting hours before heading out. For example, if you’re planning on hunting for squirrels during the fall season, you must plan on spending most of the day on the National Forest.
Regulations
If you’re looking to go squirrel hunting, you’ll need to know the regulations. Squirrels are allowed to roam on statewide public lands that contain mature hardwoods. You can find these areas by aerial imagery, but make sure to know the boundaries of the public lands you visit. If you want to hunt squirrels in an open area, you must ask permission from the landowner.
The Virginia Administrative Code includes sections 29.1-103 and 29.1-521 that govern hunting squirrels and other wildlife. There are strict rules and regulations regarding these animals. According to Virginia law, you can only hunt squirrels that are on public lands and not private property. It is also illegal to transport the animal to another place, sell it or import it. In addition, you can’t feed wild animals. If you do, you risk causing unnecessary harm to wildlife.
Where is the best place to hunt squirrel in Virginia?
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are good places to start.
When is the best time of day to hunt squirrel?
Squirrels are most active in the morning and evening so those are the best times to hunt them.
What is the best way to attract squirrels?
You can use bait such as corn to attract squirrels.
What is the best way to find squirrels?
You can look for squirrels in trees in fields and near nut-bearing trees.
What should you do if you see a squirrel?
If you see a squirrel you should try to get as close to it as possible so you can get a better shot.
What is the best way to kill a squirrel?
The best way to kill a squirrel is with a shotgun.
What is the best time of year to hunt squirrel?
The best time of year to hunt squirrel is in the fall when they are most active.
How many squirrels can you kill in a day?
There is no limit to the number of squirrels you can kill in a day.
What do you need in order to hunt squirrel?
In order to hunt squirrel you need a hunting license and a shotgun.
How do you dress when you go squirrel hunting?
You should dress in camouflage so the squirrels cannot see you.
What is the best type of ammunition to use when hunting squirrel?
The best type of ammunition to use when hunting squirrel is birdshot.
What is the limit on the number of squirrels you can possess?
The limit on the number of squirrels you can possess is 10.
What is the minimum age you have to be to hunt squirrel?
The minimum age you have to be to hunt squirrel is 16.
What is the best way to clean a squirrel?
The best way to clean a squirrel is to skin it and remove the guts.
What do you do with the squirrel once you have killed it?
Once you have killed the squirrel you can either eat it or mount 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.
