January Is a Great Time to Hunt Squirrels

January and February can be a tough time for a hunter. Most of the big game seasons have ended, or you have already filled your tags for the year. There are some late conservation seasons for geese, but other than that it is scarce as far as hunting opportunities go. However, this time of year offers a great opportunity for one of my absolute favorite small game species: Squirrels. The leaves are off the trees, but these crafty little survivors can be quite difficult to get on the ground this late in the season.

One of the best aspects of hunting these critters at this time of the year is great visibility. Most, if not all, the leaves are off the trees, so it makes it quite easy to spot the squirrels as they are running through the trees or on the ground. The flip side of this is the great visibility runs both ways. The squirrels can also see you coming from a very long way away, which will lead them to do one of two things: run or hide above a branch and blend in. When they run, you can usually get a shot at them before they scoot down a hole or around the trunk of a tree, but if they stick to the tree like glue and don’t move, they can be difficult to spot. You must remember, typically by this time of the season, all those dumb squirrels that were sitting on a limb barking at you in October are long dead. The squirrels that are leftover in the late winter have already survived three months of human hunting, not to mention all the other things in the woods that like to eat them. I have a few tricks to get some squirrels into the bag for this time of year: be still, use your optics, and have access to a dog.

January Is a Great Time to Hunt Squirrels

Being still while hunting this time of year cannot be underestimated. If you think about the critters that like to eat squirrels, it makes sense that they freeze or run when they see movement that they are uncomfortable with.

Everything from hawks, owls, coyotes, and weasel will try to take advantage of a squirrel if they are given a chance. It is for this reason that taking things slow and being patient are critical for success this time of year. The tactic that I use is taking advantage of terrain features. If you can get just a little elevation or find the edge of a small opening in the woods, it can become a great place to look for these tasty critters.

Once you find a spot that you believe holds some squirrels and has reasonably good visibility, the key is to be still. At first it will seem like the woods are void of life but give it 10-15 minutes and you will start to see the woods get back to normal. Once this happens, keep a wary eye and ear out. You will soon hear the rustling of leaves and see bushy tails running through the trees and on the ground.

I usually make 3-5 sits in places that I believe are good for holding squirrels before I reach my limit. I wouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. I would take two or three shots from each location, then take the opportunity to move to your next spot because at this point, the squirrels will know what’s going on and the jig is up.

January Is a Great Time to Hunt Squirrels

Having a pair of binoculars in the woods when you are hunting squirrels is almost invaluable. When you know that there are animals around, but you simply can’t find them, binoculars are great. I use a whole range of vortex optics when I am out looking for squirrels, especially when the leaves are off. These little buggers can really cling themselves to trees and logs. You may think that you have a keen game eye, but the color and camouflage of a squirrel can often be hard for the human eye to pick out against the backdrop of winter woods.

When I find there to be a lack of activity, usually late morning into early afternoon, I deploy this strategy. I will find one of my key terrain features that I mentioned above and will pull out my binoculars. I then start picking apart the canopy looking for any sign of a squirrel’s body. Often their tail will give them away, but I have managed to get a shot based on seeing everything from parts of legs to ears sticking up behind a branch. I also check out places where squirrels are likely to hang out when they are resting. Look in the crooks of trees and on large branches that offer a place for the squirrel to stretch out but be hidden from avian predators.

Having access to a dog can also be a good tactic to get the squirrels moving in the late season. It doesn’t even necessarily have to be a dog that knows how to hunt squirrels, it just needs to be a dog that listens relatively well. Having a dog that will go around the other side of a tree and push the squirrel to your side for a shot can be very helpful. The dog may not actually know what he is doing, but most will figure it out when they get the first couple squirrels on the ground.

January Is a Great Time to Hunt Squirrels

I use my Brittany, which is primarily an upland bird dog, but like most dogs, he loves to chase squirrels. He will alert me by going to the base of a tree when he sees or smells a squirrel. This has proven to be very helpful. But I have had issues locating my Brittany a couple of times in the woods when he is sitting under a tree and I cannot see him. This is where the lack of noise that he makes compared to normal squirrel dogs can become frustrating. For the most part, he works closely and we can work together to put a few in the freezer.

I’m not sure why, but as I have progressed further into my hunting career, I have become just as excited about hunting squirrels as I am about most other game. Don’t get me wrong, nothing compares to hunting big bull elk or a bighorn, but those are experiences that you only get to have a handful of times in your life. Squirrels consistently offer a great and exciting hunting opportunity with a tasty payoff. I have used these tactics to chase these little critters around the woods with varying amounts of success. Hopefully, if you get the chance to try one or two of them, it will add to your hunting experience and bag limit.

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About the author: Jake Wallace was introduced to the shotgun sports after breaking his hips when he was 11, which forced him into a wheelchair for 23 months. He saw a shooting program on one of the outdoor networks and thought that it was something he could do from a chair. Jake started shooting ATA from a chair and progressed to international when he was able to walk again. He loves being in the outdoors because nothing clears his mind like sitting in the woods or on a boat. Jake was part of Lindenwood University’s history of success having graduated from there in 2012 after being a part of four ACUI National Championships for the Lions from 2009-12. He currently resides in Colorado Springs where he’s a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete. JAKE WALLACE: Hunting for Trap Superiority http://www.usashooting.org/news/usasnews/USAnews-2017-August/?page=22 Competition Highlights • 2018 World Cup Gold Medalist, Mixed Team • 2017 Fall Selection, Silver Medalist • 2017 World Championships Team Member • 2017 Qatar Open, First Place • 2016 Fall Selection Match Champion • 2015 Shotgun Team Selection, Silver Medalist • 2014 USA Shooting National Championships, Gold Medalist • 2014 Championship of the Americas, Silver Medalist – shot a perfect 125 in qualification to tie World Record • 2014 Fall Selection, Silver Medalist • 2014 Spring Selection, Bronze Medalist • 2013 Granada World Cup, Sixth Place • 2013 World Clay Target Championships Team Member • 2013 National Championships, Bronze Medalist • 2013 Spring Selection Match, Bronze Medalist • 2010 World Championships Junior Team, Silver Medalist (w/ M. Gossett) • 2010 World Championships Junior Team Member

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  • Jack Wallace January 8, 2021, 11:36 pm

    Jack Wallace here. I grew up hunting fox squirrels in NE Texas and to this day I prefer chicken fried fox squirrels which have been eating pecans to any other wild game meat, even elk. (Also, not bad if they’ve been eating acorns or hickory nuts.) Occasionally I’ve pressured cooked old, tough boars, but not often, then chicken fry them as usual. Thanks for the memories. I currently live in SW Colorado and the pine squirrels and rock squirrels here just don’t compare. -Jack Wallace

  • Todd January 8, 2021, 7:40 pm

    Great brace of good looking squirrels. Damn fine looking pup too.

    Now, as noted below. How about a follow on article with your recipes and prep-technique?

    Todd.

    • Jake Wallace January 12, 2021, 1:08 pm

      Todd,
      I will make a note of this and see if I can put something together.
      Thanks
      Jake

  • Michael January 8, 2021, 6:20 pm

    I got my limit last week one day with 22. Just pretended to be hunting deer in stands. I would bark like a squirrel a few times & out they came. Shot all but 2 on the ground. Usually around 60 to 100 yrds. A few were so close I felt guilty shooting them. But it was a windy day. Needed enough to make a meal, so…. I haven’t done it in years. Forgot how much fun it was. lol

  • Max Hoyle January 8, 2021, 1:25 pm

    You want fun? Try an .32 or .36 cal. muzzleloader, you will not go back to an shotgun or .22!

  • bruce porter January 8, 2021, 11:43 am

    Now give us a few recipes!!

  • Zupglick January 8, 2021, 10:32 am

    I just wait under a power pole. Get squirrels pre-cooked.

  • stephen January 5, 2021, 8:52 pm

    Hi, I enjoyed the article. What gun do you recommend for squirrels? .22LR? Scope and magnification? Thanks!

    • Big Al 45 January 9, 2021, 7:26 pm

      My two cents worth.
      I grew up in Indiana hunting squirrels, I love Eastern Greys, harder to hunt and sweeter meat. But a Fox will do.
      Now, for a more satisfying and challenging hunt, I prefer the .22 Rimfire, matters not the type. Auto, bolt or single shot, I have found the reduced noise and accuracy of the Remington “Subsonic” ammo is a great squirrel round,
      I use a scope designed for Rimfire, I prefer a variable of 2-7 for magnification, and these scopes are usually designed to give a better ‘picture’ in higher magnification at shorter ranges.
      The standard .22 L.R. is fine, but you really don’t need the power nor the noise, and the Subsonic is perfectly suited to squirrel hunting in power and accuracy.
      For a great time afield, and a challenge that hones all hunting skills, this combination is hard to beat.

      • Gordy Gordon January 3, 2023, 7:48 am

        I agree. I shoot .22 Short hollow points for my squirrel medicine,Since my hunting area is mainly small woodland tracts bordered by farm fields. Shorts are quiet yet a squirrel hit in the vitals with a 29 grain hollow point is as good as in the gravy.
        I also wanted to add a tip of my own… late season squirrels love field corn. On sunny January days I like to set up where corn adjoins Timber and wait for Mr Bushytail to hop out into the harvested cornfield.
        As far as squirrel recipes go, the meat is adaptable to so many ways of cooking and enjoying that you really can’t go wrong. Ever since I was a kid bagging squirrels with my Sheridan air rifle, my favorite recipe for squirrel supper has been simple. Dredge cut-up squirrel minus ribs in dry salted/peppered pancake mix! Then fry golden brown like chicken, and be careful not to overcook the smaller pieces. Simple but delicious! Thanks for the article, now I want to go get some squirrels for supper LOL

    • Jake Wallace January 12, 2021, 1:11 pm

      Stephen,
      I prefer a .17 HMR, just for the ability to shoot longer ranges, that being said, I would never turn down taking out a .22LR with a 3x9x40 scope and get into the woods.
      Jake

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