Late season squirrel hunting tips

Our deer season ends this weekend, so I'm going to start hunting squirrels again afterwards. Last year, I didn't have that much luck during January and February compared to my early fall hunts. Does anyone have any tips and tricks for hunting squirrels this time of year?

Sit VERY still and good trigger squeeze...

My tactic is to sit in my treestands set up for deer. It seems that I saw tons of squirrels when deer hunting.

I do the same for squirrels and coyote calling. When I get home tomorrow I will have about 11 days left for archery deer. Our squirrel season extends through February. I also still hunt while shed hunting. Late season I tend to use one of my 17 HMR's over my 22's as the visibility is much further then in fall.

I'm looking forward to chasing the tree rats with my 45/410 Encore beginning in a few weeks. Recently put the Williams sights on it which really made a difference for me. I agree that the squirrels stay holed up a lot in late Jan./Feb., but it's better than sitting on the couch.

You might have to cover some ground to find an active area. I can't explain it but some areas that have lots of squirrels are just dead sometimes. I prefer large stands of oaks and cold sunny days with light wind. I use my binos a lot that time of year to spot them peeking around a tree or just laying out sunning on a limb.

Usually January through February is the rut time for squirrels and one of my favorite times to hunt them. There is no need to get up early, I usually get to my hunting area about 8:00am as the squirrels are pretty active most of the morning during this period. I hunt open hardwoods and find a good viewing point where I can catch them chasing each other.

I can respond a little better now. Find some nesting or den areas that has a food source. As Gary stated, old stands of oak are a good place to start. I like to sit around these nesting/den areas and wait them out. Late season has no leaf cover and a squirrel can spot you a long ways coming, so it's very hard to stalk this one of year. I get in a comfortable position and sit very still (Full camo). After things settle a bit, they'll go about their routine.
Late season, I carry a pencil and note pad with me. Once the skirls start moving and I start kill', I don't get up to retrieve the skirl. I plot it on a strip map I've drawn in my note pad. This allows me to remember where they all are and it doesn't spook the other skirls in the area and the others will start back to their buisness relatively quick. This usually allows me to take several from one setting. If you have a handgun with a suppressor, that's even better!
Another fun and effective method for late season is hunting with a good squirrel dog. Good luck and post pics!

Excellent point - I don't either.

But.......this can't be done early season, the ants and flies will take them quickly!