| Hunting squirrels in the early season will bring you into a | | | | concept that can be accomplished in a variety of |
| somewhat paradoxical situation as it is considered the | | | | ways. For many hunters, the most convenient way to |
| easiest time for finding them but the conditions a | | | | cover ground is at a moderate pace and shoot |
| hunter will face are quite difficult. Squirrels can often be | | | | whatever stands in the way – another simple |
| on the move during the late morning and again in the | | | | concept you may say. People that do not have the |
| period from early afternoon until dusk while they | | | | patience to see what stands in the next patch of |
| create a hoard for the bleaker winter months ahead. | | | | hardwoods use this technique. |
| Later in the season, those movement periods are | | | | Any gun should do the trick, starting from the .410 to |
| significantly shorter. | | | | the monster .12 gauge. For the larger gauges, you will |
| The bad news for squirrel hunters is that these small | | | | not need more than an ounce of shot. As far as the |
| critters have many places in which they could and will | | | | shot size is concerned, the vast majority of |
| easily hide if they are disturbed. If a squirrel spots a | | | | experienced squirrel hunters affirm that the no. 4 is too |
| hunter he does not have to run very far to find a leafy | | | | much and no.8 too light, making the no.6 the best way |
| tree and he will most likely scooting through a lot of | | | | to go. If you prefer to sit rather than walk, opt for an |
| understory growth while he dashes to it. With other | | | | accurate .22 rimfire. Almost any .22 rifle manufactured |
| words, finding squirrels is a piece of cake but getting a | | | | by the well-known companies should do the trick and |
| good position for a clear shot is a very different thing. | | | | can produce a 50-yard “headshot” accuracy. |
| The good part is that it makes squirrel hunting a little bit | | | | For a scope, hunters recommend a 1-inch or |
| harder in comparison to “normal” | | | | 30mm-diameter big game scope for rimfire rifles. |
| circumstances. As far as choosing a gun for this | | | | The ideal solution is to choose a more expensive (but |
| activity, there are very active debates regarding which | | | | do not overdo) scope or change your big game scope |
| is better: a shotgun or a .22 rifle. “Conventional | | | | to a 50 parallax set. The loads for your gun are very |
| wisdom” shows that a shotgun is preferred in the | | | | important but there is no such thing as to choosing |
| early season, when the vegetation is relatively thick | | | | “the best” ones. Money is not a very accurate |
| and the squirrels are always on the move. After the | | | | indicator for performance so choose wisely. |
| winter brings bare-branch vistas as well as noisy | | | | For some people it may sound simple while for other it |
| walking conditions, the rifle is the wise choice. | | | | may sound difficult, either way, squirrel hunting is fun |
| Regarding squirrel hunting there is not a hunting tactic | | | | and rewarding. |
| per say – just find them and kill them. A very simple | | | | |