20 replies to this topic

[Kenny]

I have gotten into air rifles in the last couple years and have an interest in squirrel hunting. I have done a lot of research into gray squirrel habitat and talked with many deer hunters about where they have seen squirrrels. I live in Clovis and hunt the central sierras in Fresno county. In the last few weeks I have been up around Shaver Lake at about 5500ft elevation, Tolhouse road at about 4000ft, down the San Joaquin River gourge at 1000-2000ft elevation. Today I went up the Beasore road out of Bass Lake and hunted from about 3800 up to about 5000 ft elevation. I have covered all the elevation levels where I think they should be and I cannot find the little devils. Today there were acorns all over the ground and many still falling as I walked around. There was a nice mixture of Pines and Oaks a nice sunny day but no gray squirrels. I don't want to ask for anyones hot spots but can you tell me if there are at least any squirrels in Fresno County? Am I looking in the right places? I did find what I believe is a squirrels nest high up in a pine tree but there was no squirrel activity. Thanks for any advise that you may throw my way. Kenny

[jawbreaker]

Try looking on the other side of the tree...

[Kenny]

Thanks for the advise Jawbreaker. I guess that the "Squirrel is always Grayer on the other side of the tree".

[Yodel Dog]

Grays really do hide on the opposite side of the tree. Look for gray squirrel sign in the area you are hunting, if the sign is there, so are the grays.

[rude robert]

Is it too cold now?

[Old timer]

Try sitting down and rattle a couple of rocks together they are very curious and will come around the tree to see what making that noise

[Kenny]

Thanks for the tips guys. Please keep them coming. Robert, I don't think it is too cold. In fact yesterday was sunny and a little warm where I was. The research I have done on California gray squirrels indicates that they are active all year long except while it is actually storming.

[GSH]

Just pass the road to Big Creek going toward Huntington on the left of the road, I think just past the snow park and play I know people that have shot greys there., nest time your up that way you might check .

[rude robert]

cool, I haven't seen many ground squirrels out lately is why i asked. I just figured that it was the cold

[black_dog]

I used to hunt greys all the time and like was said look for sign, chewed up pine cones, acorn shells even mushrooms. I wood concentrate on the oaks. Walk quietly into an area and sit with your back against a tree and watch for them moving about the tree limbs for as far as you can see. It takes 20 to 30 min. for everything to settle down after you move into an area. If no action move a couple hundred yards an sit some more. Wheres there one there are usually two. I wouldn't waste my time above 5000 elv. Most of my hunting was done between 2500 to 4500 feet elv. If there working on pine cones they cut them down then go to the ground and pull it up to the base if a tree to chew up. Colds not a big deal for them, best days are sunny they really like to move about. One more thing within a 100 yrds of a stream they really concentrate. Go for the head shots and they drop like rocks.

[Portagee_Shooter]

I know in Mendo Nat'l the locals say the hmongs have cleaned em out

[BullsEye]

I have heard that rubbing two coins together calls them in. I have never witnessed it but it just might peak their curiosity? Good luck. Its been a long time since I have eaten squirrel.

[TonyS]

Quarters work well on squirrels. Either tapping them together or rubbing them across each other. I learned that trick from an old man who used to shoot squirrels with a brown bess muzzleloader.

[PigHostile1]

funny how i go hunting for hogs and i see alot of grey's in the tree, im just not a fan of grey's of small games...but in indian valley and clear lake i've seen alot of grey's and part of medocino forest...i wouldn't blame the population of grey's on hmong (as long as they're legal)...just the fact they know and cover alot of hunting grounds...beside that my best advise is try shaver lake..i was there last month one of the bathroom stops there's alot of grey's but you walk over that hill you will see gold!!!

[rude robert]

what are hmond

[boarn2hunt]

Contact Fish and Game and talk to the biologist for the area you are hunting. The ones I have talked with are pretty helpful.

[HybriDatsun350]

what are hmond

Hmong is an ethnic group from South East Asia. A lot of Hmong came to the US after the Vietnam War because they had cooperated with the U.S. during the war and there was fear that they would be "punished" by the Vietnamese for their cooperation. I have come to realize that the Hmong are avid hunters. I always meet them when I am out hunting!

[saeleaw n]

tuff year on grays but fresno area has been cleaned out, now the main areas are D8 and D9 thats popular for grays. mixture of oak and pine trees would be your best bet, 3,000 to 4,500 elevation, they are smart and fast on the ground.

[Hipshot Percussion]

Come on up to Butte County I kill 5 + a week because they are pests, they chew on phone and cable lines, dig up my lawn they are a big pain in the A**.

[hogswild82]

I have heard that rubbing two coins together calls them in. I have never witnessed it but it just might peak their curiosity? Good luck. Its been a long time since I have eaten squirrel.

Yes this is true. If you see a grey squirrel climb up a tree and is nowhere to be found, just sit quietly and tap two coins together. The squirrel is going to come out. I have tried it and it does work...my 2 cents....

[hogswild82]

Hmong is an ethnic group from South East Asia. A lot of Hmong came to the US after the Vietnam War because they had cooperated with the U.S. during the war and there was fear that they would be "punished" by the Vietnamese for their cooperation. I have come to realize that the Hmong are avid hunters. I always meet them when I am out hunting!

I am hmong but not a big squirrel hunter. I am more of a big game hunter (pigs, deers, etc.). But this year has been a really slow year for squirrels and I have no idea why? Talked to all the cousins and friends who does squirrel hunting and they say the exact same thing, a very slow year.