2022-23 squirrel season!!!

[Bigtanker]

Only 13 days away from opening day!! I know for a fact we will be out quite a bit more this year and trying some new spots too!

 

[freekforge]

I'm super stoked. Im switching to day shift in a couple weeks so I'll be able to get out more. Going to try a new choke in the Winchester out.

 

[yetti462]

Dog was treed yesterday. I've seen quite a few hickory nuts on the ground, shaping up to be a good year.

 

[Basher]

I REEEEAAALLY wanna get in to it, but coming from AZ, I haven’t the first clue of how to go about it (where to go, what to look for, etc.). I don’t come from a hunting family, and haven’t only been out for quail twice and javelina (handgun) once. That’s it. But rabbit and squirrel are both a LOT of fun to hunt from what I hear, and good eating, too. So I’m going to try and dive in head first.

Any good resources (books, forums, whatever) to help me learn the ropes?

 

[gregr]

I REEEEAAALLY wanna get in to it, but coming from AZ, I haven’t the first clue of how to go about it (where to go, what to look for, etc.). I don’t come from a hunting family, and haven’t only been out for quail twice and javelina (handgun) once. That’s it. But rabbit and squirrel are both a LOT of fun to hunt from what I hear, and good eating, too. So I’m going to try and dive in head first.

Any good resources (books, forums, whatever) to help me learn the ropes?

You`ll need a place to hunt, some form of hunting arm, (shotgun or .22 rifle), and just a little patience.

Owen-Putnam state forest, Yellowwood, Morgan-Monroe, or the Hoosier National are all good places to squirrel hunt.

Generally, during early squirrel season, they`re cutting, (eating), in the shagbark hickory trees. Get into the woods and set up well before daylight. You`ll see and hear them moving through the treetops, you`ll hear the raspy sound of their teeth cutting through the hickory shells and the sound of the pieces of shells hitting the leaves as they fall. Early in the season it may take some work to spot them up in the trees. Just be patient.

Several good videos on YouTube will show you how to dress them out.

 

[bowhunter_1978]

Since my last cur dog died I haven't been back out in the squirrel woods. Thinking about going this fall but I don't know if it will be the same without a dog.

 

[Bigtanker]

I REEEEAAALLY wanna get in to it, but coming from AZ, I haven’t the first clue of how to go about it (where to go, what to look for, etc.). I don’t come from a hunting family, and haven’t only been out for quail twice and javelina (handgun) once. That’s it. But rabbit and squirrel are both a LOT of fun to hunt from what I hear, and good eating, too. So I’m going to try and dive in head first.

Any good resources (books, forums, whatever) to help me learn the ropes?

There is some public land very near you.

Public Hunting Areas in Indiana

Use this interactive map to find the perfect hunting spot.

www.in.gov

Use the link above to find out what you need. My daughter and I dove in head first a few years ago and this site was very helpful.

You'll need a hunting license. If your born after 1985, you'll need to take a hunters ed course to get your license.

 

[yetti462]

Since my last cur dog died I haven't been back out in the squirrel woods. Thinking about going this fall but I don't know if it will be the same without a dog.

Chasing tree rat with a dog is in my opinion the funnest hunting there is. My Feist is a machine in the woods, an absolute blast to watch him.

 

[Hardscrable]

In the woods, waiting at day break, WWII era .22 bolt action in hand, waiting to hear the rustling leaves, followed by some type of nut dropping thru the canopy to the ground…1 of my greatest loves in my youth. Many squirrels ( and rabbits ) have died by my hands. Now I am surrounded by them, often tempted, but really don’t want to clean them and Wife says she won’t cook/roast/bake/ fry them so I just fantasize in my mind. I “kill”, clean, and eat a lot of fish. But I can throw them back if I am just out for fun. Kind of hard to do that after shooting a squirrel, haven’t learned how to shoot and release yet.

Hope you all have a great, successful season.

 

[JimH]

I have a pile of great .22 rifles but hunt almost exclusively with a .25 air rifle now-quiet, accurate and most importantly safe!

 

[bdybdall]

I have a pile of great .22 rifles but hunt almost View attachment 216312 exclusively with a .25 air rifle now-quiet, accurate and most importantly safe!

What is the make and model of that rifle? I can't read the script on the receiver.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

What is the make and model of that rifle? I can't read the script on the receiver.

Says Marauder, so Benjamin?

 

[patience0830]

I REEEEAAALLY wanna get in to it, but coming from AZ, I haven’t the first clue of how to go about it (where to go, what to look for, etc.). I don’t come from a hunting family, and haven’t only been out for quail twice and javelina (handgun) once. That’s it. But rabbit and squirrel are both a LOT of fun to hunt from what I hear, and good eating, too. So I’m going to try and dive in head first.

Any good resources (books, forums, whatever) to help me learn the ropes?

If you weren't so far away, I'd take you myself.. Beanblossom is a haul from Warsaw.

 

[JimH]

What is the make and model of that rifle? I can't read the script on the receiver.

Yep, Benjamin Marauder...

 

[Cameramonkey]

Since my last cur dog died I haven't been back out in the squirrel woods. Thinking about going this fall but I don't know if it will be the same without a dog.

Its just more laid back and quiet. A more passive hunt. Give it a shot. Take the time to reflect on the fun spent with the dogs. (just be advised I hear the pollen count is REALLY gonna be up this year, so you may have some excess eyeball leakage. )

I used to hunt with dad. Havent been since I was a teen. I did get the combo license this year, so I might go out.

Though I tended to wait until the leaves started dropping. Less heat, less ticks, and easier to see them up in the trees to take the shot.

 

[bowhunter_1978]

Its just more laid back and quiet. A more passive hunt. Give it a shot. Take the time to reflect on the fun spent with the dogs. (just be advised I hear the pollen count is REALLY gonna be up this year, so you may have some excess eyeball leakage. )

I used to hunt with dad. Havent been since I was a teen. I did get the combo license this year, so I might go out.

Though I tended to wait until the leaves started dropping. Less heat, less ticks, and easier to see them up in the trees to take the shot.

We still hunted them for years, then got into the dog game and did that for several years with some very good dogs, it was nothing to have a 2 man limit in an hour. We only hunted 2 days per week until the leaves came off then it was everyday until season ended. I'm sure I'll go and I'm sure it'll be a good time just won't be the same.

 

[Basher]

If you weren't so far away, I'd take you myself.. Beanblossom is a haul from Warsaw.

Thanks to everyone for the help and suggestions!

We’re very likely moving to the Lafayette area in the next few months, so Beanblossom will still be a drive, but a good bit closer than from Warsaw. I may bug you later in the season if that move happens for us, LOL.

But for now, I’ll poke around on the site @Bigtanker shared (thank you!) and might give things a try up here. I made the 1985 cutoff by a few hours , but will likely still attend a hunter safety course anyway. I do have a few .22s that’ll work along with a 20ga 1100, but I’m hoping to have a few .22 air rifles up and running soon as well.

 

[BigRed]

Even if nothing goes in the bag as you're picking it up, you get to spend the day in the woods. Still winning!!!!

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Even if nothing goes in the bag as you're picking it up, you get to spend the day in the woods. Still winning!!!!

A bad day in the woods (or on the water) is still better than a good day at work.

 

[Jaybird1980]

Thanks to everyone for the help and suggestions!

We’re very likely moving to the Lafayette area in the next few months, so Beanblossom will still be a drive, but a good bit closer than from Warsaw. I may bug you later in the season if that move happens for us, LOL.

But for now, I’ll poke around on the site @Bigtanker shared (thank you!) and might give things a try up here. I made the 1985 cutoff by a few hours , but will likely still attend a hunter safety course anyway. I do have a few .22s that’ll work along with a 20ga 1100, but I’m hoping to have a few .22 air rifles up and running soon as well.

IMO that's even better. Less fleas and ticks on them when the cold weather gets here. That's the worst part of early squirrel season, late season is the way to go IMO