5 Reasons Squirrel Hunting is the Ultimate Hunting Experience

Guest Contributor

(The following story comes to us courtesy of the Virginia Department of Wildlife and write Emily George highlighting why squirrel hunting is one of the greatest, and in today’s hunting word, most often overlooked hunting opportunities, in Virginia. But the same could be said for nearly any state in the eastern half of the United States where squirrel hunting was once a right of passage for any would-be hunter.)

Squirrel hunting should be the first activity to pursue when introducing youth or the inexperienced to the outdoors and hunting. It’s engaging, it’s educational and it’s definitely stress-relieving. Nothing beats listening to the wind whirl through the tree tops of the forest while looking for a bushy tail on a late-afternoon hunt.

It’s Fun & Action-Packed

Squirrel hunting is active because it requires walking, listening, and stalking squirrels in their habitat. They are abundant and move quickly. When they spot you, they’re gone. You must be quiet and camouflaged when trying to sneak-up on a squirrel. They move a lot, which means you’ll likely have to. And when it’s time to shoot, they don’t pause for long. You need to pull the trigger as soon as you aim the gun at your target.

It Makes a Wise Hunter

If you’ve never been hunting, then the deer stand is probably not the best place to start. Squirrel hunting will probably not be attractive to the modern hunter because it’s not hunting for a trophy-class buck or a banded pintail, but it is the foundational activity that makes a wise hunter. We need wise, experienced hunters who have made the woods their second home. Hunting squirrels requires a lot of walking, stalking, patience, persistence, determination and eagerness to learn and understand the woods. All of these combined is what makes a great overall hunter. It creates a skilled woodsman.

All of these components are vital for hunting any type of wild game, from ducks to deer and bear. Squirrel hunting ultimately teaches marksmanship, woodsmanship, firearm safety, hunting ethics and how to clean and prepare game.

Hunting squirrels can help you sharpen skills used in all types of hunting. Doug Howlett Photo

Hunting Squirrels Can Be Challenging

Squirrel hunting can be tough, which is what makes it fun. We all need to be challenged–that is what makes hunting what it is. Squirrels can easily spot you, and they’re gone as soon as they see you. It’s important to move quietly through the woods while looking for them.

Know where to look for them before going into the woods. During the spring, they may be higher in the trees feeding on buds. During the fall, they’re usually found near mast-producing oaks scrounging for winter forage.

For a more challenging hunt, try hunting fox squirrels in the mountains. They’re wilier, smarter, bigger and are found on the ground more frequently than in trees.

Hunting Squirrels is Cheap

When compared to other types of hunting, like waterfowl or big game, squirrels are relatively more affordable. It doesn’t require much equipment like tree-stands or a trail camera or heavy hunting clothing like waders, which can get pricey. Squirrel hunting simply requires lightweight camouflage and a small gun like a varmint rifle such as a .22, which means cheaper ammunition and less equipment expenses.

Squirrel Meat Tastes Good