Varmints

Below are ten tips for making the most of your next ground squirrel hunt.

I have enjoyed testing and hunting with CMMG rifles so I didn’t hesitate when offered a chance to test a newer gun in a newer cartridge specialized for long-distance hunting.

Most small game hunters start chasing squirrels only when the leaves fall off the trees and they are easier to locate in the canopy. I too love to chase these fuzzy tailed critters in the winter months, but if you want a challenge and some early season fun, I would suggest you get into the woods when the leaves are still on.

Over the last decade, the AR platform has gained popularity among coyote hunters and it’s easy to see why. Ideal cartridge size, semi-automatic capabilities, and the ability to customize the rifle are just a few of the reasons why black rifles have found a home in the world of coyote hunting.

Being able to weed through all of the variables and make the best-educated guess as to your approach to that stand is often the difference between a successful and unsuccessful hunt.

Marmots are among the largest critters in the squirrel family and are are a challenging hunt. They make their homes in rock piles and eat grass. Yup, I’m talking rock chucks.

As we loaded up the truck in preparation for the 45-minute drive to our hunting location, Wade and I were still reliving the unbelievable action we’d experienced the first day of the contest. 18 coyotes in a day was a personal best for each of us and we knew we’d put ourselves in a great position to win the National Coyote Calling Championship.

Bagging 30 coyotes in a 2-day contest? Most would agree that a total that high is virtually impossible and as history has proven, they would be correct. Coyote hunters have only imagined killing that many in a 2-day, day-time only calling contest because it’s a feat that has never been accomplished.

When and why coyotes use cover and how it relates to their comfort zones is an often overlooked aspect of coyote hunting.   Understanding this concept and applying it properly will turn your normal morning-only hunt into an all-day coyote killing thump fest!