Squirrels Beware

By: Michael Collins

The sky’s warm spotlight peaks over the ridge and reveals the canopy of that ‘ole’ hickory nut tree. The limbs are slightly bent toward the ground due to the bounty of nuts that are waiting to be harvested. Off in the distance, a train’s horn echoes around the countryside and a crow caws from above. Movement catches your eye; you turn your head to see a doe leading her fawn into the clover plot for an early meal. Your heart jumps in your throat as something begins to thrash around in the hickory above. A chiseling sound fills the area and little pieces of nut shell tap the leaves like rain on the way down to the forest floor. This can only mean one thing.

The Kentucky fall squirrel season begins on Aug. 21. This is the absolute best time for hunters to get after nut-crazed bushy tails. Hunters will find success if they find the nut trees.

Locate Nut Trees

On the opening weekend of the fall 2009 season, I found that the squirrels were cutting on walnuts. On the second weekend, the squirrels were getting into the hickory nuts. Finding either of these nut trees should be a first priority if you wish to fill your daily bag limit. It doesn’t take long to find where the squirrels are feasting. On a day that isn’t too windy, listen and watch for rustling in the trees, and listen for squirrels cutting on nuts. If you find a tree that squirrels are hitting hard, you’ll likely find more than one bucktoothed tree leaper, so make sure you’re ready for some quick shooting.

Last season I sat up against a tree in front of a large hickory that the squirrels were hitting. Three squirrels showed up just after day light and I was able to come out with two of them. When multiple squirrels show up to one tree, you know it’s a place you need to set up shop. Finding a spot like that his helpful because it’s a way hunters can beat the heat. Sitting and waiting will keep you cooler than if you’re moving around looking for squirrels.

Nut Report

In the Northern Kentucky area I have found that hickory nut trees have produced a solid crop this year. The walnut crop seems to be down a little from last year, but there are still plenty out there. In areas such as Owen County and Grant County, the walnut and hickory crops are very good. In June, I checked out some hickory nut trees on a farm in Owen Co. and I found that the nuts were abnormally huge for that time of year. Check out the property you hunt to find out where the squirrels will be on opening day.

Tips and Tricks

If you are around an area where squirrels like to hang out, but you don’t see any, there are a few things you can try to enhance your chances of getting on some. I have used a young squirrel distress whistle for many years and I have had pretty good success with it. Squirrel calls are designed to make squirrels move or bark, but I have called squirrels in to me on several occasions with this call.

Another effective way to call in squirrels is to use two quarters. Quarters have rigid edges on them. Scrape the edges of the quarters together and it will make the sound of a squirrel cutting on a nut. I have seen this technique work. It is a simple way to improve your chances as long as you have two quarters in your pocket.

One of the reasons that fall squirrel hunting can be fun is because hunters can use the thick foliage to slip up on unsuspecting squeakers. This does not mean that it’s easy to do so however. Move when the squirrel moves or when the squirrel is concentrating on cutting into a nut. If the woods are still and you are moving, you take the risk of spooking the squirrel.

Beating the Bugzzzz

By talking with other hunters, I found that bugs are one of the biggest reasons that keep them from going to the woods to hunt fall squirrels. The bugs are horrendous at this time of year and I do admit that they discourage me from hitting the woods from time to time. One way hunters can beat the bugs is to use a ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent. The device contains a butane cartridge inside that releases an odorless repellant. In no way am I advertising for ThermaCell, but I have used the ThermaCell and it has worked for me. This gadget is my best friend when I’m hunting in hot weather.

Go Get Em

Fall squirrel hunting is a great pastime in which hunters can spend time with friends and family. It is also a great opportunity to educate young hunters about hunting and conservation. Squirrel hunting is an excellent time for young hunters to learn how to hunt, how to shoot, how to stalk, and most importantly, how to respect the land that we live on. Get out there and get after them. It’s squirrel bustin’ time!