by MJ Logan

Created on: November 16, 2008   Last Updated: December 30, 2008

The first hunt is a rite of passage for the beginner. Akin to obtaining a drivers license or going on that first date, going hunting for the first time is a milestone for any young person. That first hunt with a parent while being entrusted to carry a firearm is an unforgettable memory that will last a lifetime. What better way to begin than squirrel hunting?

Squirrel hunting teaches skills and arts that can be used while hunting other game, both large and small. For the beginner, early success helps maintain interest and hone skills. Squirrels are plentiful, not so difficult to hunt, and provide good opportunities for success.

Scouting

The hunt begins before the season opens with scouting trips. Areas plentiful in food such as acorns, nuts, seeds and fruits are good places to start. These include oak ridges, tree lines along farm fields or near abandoned orchards, or almost any stand of hardwood trees.

During the summer and early fall, scout potential areas and look for squirrels and their signs. At the base of oak or nut trees, partially eaten or empty acorn and nutshells indicate squirrels. Along farm fields, watch for tiny trails and signs that they have been feeding on crops. Walk slowly, carefully and avoid making a lot of noise. Try to see at least a few squirrels and point them out to the soon-to-be-hunter. Find a place to sit quietly for an hour so they can hear the noise a squirrel makes moving around on the ground.

Techniques

Sneak-hunting, or still-hunting as it is called in the Midwest and East is a technique that requires stealth. The hunter moves slowly and silently through the forest a few steps at a time and pauses. With each pause, the hunter stands still a minute or two and scans the trees for squirrels. Later, this method of hunting can be used for deer, elk or other big game.

Two hunters together can fool a squirrel. They move into an area making plenty of noise and the squirrels will all disappear of course. One hunter sits down or leans against a tree to wait while the other moves on, whistling and shuffling their feet. Within ten minutes or so, the squirrels will come out and the waiting hunter gets a chance for a shot. This is an easy way to give a beginner a good opportunity.

Blending In

Hunting squirrels teaches you to be in tune with the forest. You quickly learn to identify the sounds and signs associated with squirrels, and as experience grows, you learn to identify other game activity like deer and turkeys that make similar sounds when

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