9 replies to this topic

[Kenny]

I have been out scouting my local area for grey squirrels lately. I think I wasted a lot of time looking above the 5000 ft elevation level as I did not find any greys or sign that high up. A couple days ago I made a trip up to about 4000 ft. I began to find piles of shreaded pine cones under select pine trees. It seems that only trees that were about 16" diameter or larger had these piles and the piles were right at the base of the tree. The pine cones are very tough and dense (I would have a tough time pulling them apart) and the squirrels just shreadded them. I believe that the pine cones were eaten at least a few weeks prior to my finding them as there were many pine needles on top of them. I did not find and squirrels out and did not get any responce to my squirrel calls but I was quite excited that my scouting finally led me to an area where they have been. I am in the Fresno area. OK so here are my questions. Do you guys find more Grey Squirrels in the 4000 ft elevation range or is lower better? Am I correct in assuming that tree squirrels did the deed to those pine cones? I can post some photos of the shreaded pine cones if that helps. Are the squirrels more active early in the morning? Do you guys have any success using squirrel calls? I have been scanning the trees looking for nesting sites but have not found any. Are nests hard to spot? If I am not finding nests then am I in the wrong areas? Thank you for in advance your help. I am sure that your answers will spur a hundred more questions. Kenny

[Brant]

Come out to my back yard here in Missouri. The more greys I shoot over the years the more that seem to migrate and show up out of the woods. I don't feel too guilty blasting them because the red foxes come out and grab the carcasses when they hear shots and get a good meal. Elevation 450 ft 5 miles from the Mississippi. Best time is early morning but they can be there any time of day. When we go further out in the woods the caller (bark) sometimes gets others barking but it is hardly a necessity. We have winter nests all over the heavy woods this time of year. Once in a while I will roust one out of a nest with a 410. I took a shot with a 22CB out the patio door and missed one this morning. There were two out there in the 25F temp.

[ShooterJohn]

I have BIG gray squirrels in my yard and I live in the valley. You will find them all through the foothills into the Sierra's. I find the better hunting areas to be the ones with oaks in them they like the acorns. Squirrel calls aren't technically for calling a squirrel. They are a distress call to alert squirrels and get them to show their heads and hopefully bark back to you. Their use depends on the area. I've used one to keep the squirrels from fleeing before I can get a fix on them. I do have a squirrel whistle that sounds like a screaming squirrel. It will bring squirrels out to see who is getting killed. Once the leaves fall on the oaks the nest are easier to spot just look for big clumps of leaves and small branches in upper branches. I have two gray squirrel nests in trees on my property and they are very easy to spot. You might want to come down in elevation little in your search for tree squirrels and try the areas with oak trees.

[DBCFR]

I agree with shooter there are tons of them in my area and I am at 2500' in among the oaks eatin the acorns.the ones we have up here use the power wires as a hwy from tree to tree

[nje]

there are squirrels up to 5000' but 90% of the squirrels me and my boys shoot are in the 2500-3000' range. never used a squirrel call. however, if i am having a hard time spotting them and i know they are in the area i use a turkey call that i always carry. i produce a few clucks and and for some reason they come to investigate. not always but alot of the time.

[ShooterJohn]

Those clucks may sound like a nut being chewed by another squirrel. People back East use something similar to get squirrels out as the squirrels are protective of their food.

[Brant]

They use two coins like pennies and rub the building on one with the other. It's supposed to make the nut cracking sound.

[ShooterJohn]

Yep that's the one. Maybe someone will invent a coin caller. I just like to shoot the little buggers and take them home for dinner.

[nje]

love to eat squirrel. people think i am crazy for hunting as much as i do until they try my stew or dumplings. the hunting club i belong to never used to shoot them. then i showed up a couple years ago and "educated" them on fine dining and now they all shoot them. luckily there is a huge population on the ranch.

[Kenny]

Hey guys, thanks for all of your replies. Squirrel season is coming to a close soon but I plan on spending a lot of time scouting them and getting ready for next season. I will concentrate on public lands in the 2000-3000 foot level with plenty of oak trees and acorns. Thanks again for your help.