Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Well I went hunting last weekend for squirrel and nothing. So we went again this weekend not only for squirrel but I was hunting grouse also, AND NOTHING!

Where are all the squirrel at? I went to both thompsons and phelps WMAs and didn't hide nor hair of anything. Any tips for an aparent newbie?

Just an fyi we were patient and spent a good 5 hours hunting these evasive tree rats.

Look for stands of nut trees (hickory is currently yellow here, oak is still green). Then look for gins of activity (hulls and husks opened up or chewed). Early and late are times of greater activity.

Or, walk a path with one following by 30 yards or so. Second hunter may see something hiding from the first hunter.

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Bow hunting buddy said they were raiding the beanfields yesterday evening, running back to the woods with their cheeks crammed. I know they're stealing corn off the stalk here at home...

thekinetic wrote:Where are all the squirrel at?

In my back yard. Oh, and I think Reverenddel too.

Well I guess we were too clustered and spooked them. That and I was freezing my butt off out there today, even in thermals. I guess persistence is more key as the more you hunt an area the more you see the signs.

Unfortunatly I think my bro wants to hunt turkey next weekend, I'd go but I don't have the proper chokes nor do I have the money to shell out for new ones right now. And I could use my bow except it's a recurve and I doubt I could hit anything nor do I have the broadheads for it, same with my muzzleloader.

My grandpa spent multiple decades going to the woods each year to hunt deer and never came back with anything. I think he just used it as an excuse to go to camp and drink beer. I didn't think people went out and actually LOOKED for things!

You must be hunting in the wrong place !!! I killed 3 in my back yard this afternoon with my Steoger Pellet Rifle. Those "CITY " squirrels really go for the ear of corn hanging on the tree !

Snakester wrote:You must be hunting in the wrong place !!! I killed 3 in my back yard this afternoon with my Steoger Pellet Rifle. Those "CITY " squirrels really go for the ear of corn hanging on the tree !

That's fine but I don't think my neighbors would appritiate it, and the cops tend to frown on it. XD

Kinetic,

where did you end up getting your hunting license from? I am looking to get into squirrel at those same WMAs as I'm also in NoVA.

Im not a squirrel hunter but I am an outdoors man... From my experience, you wont see squirl while on the move. Sit down, be still & quiet for a moment and you will likely find yourself surrounded by them.

It seams to be the case when Im hiking anyway...

JC

JustinCase wrote:Im not a squirrel hunter but I am an outdoors man... From my experience, you wont see squirl while on the move. Sit down, be still & quiet for a moment and you will likely find yourself surrounded by them.

It seams to be the case when Im hiking anyway...

JC

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That's good advice (particularly for the novice hunter) and generally true. But if you're an old-time squirrel hunter, you will have learned to move (most of the time - conditions can make it impossible) to move without spooking the squaks. Also if you've got a good squirrel dog, moving's pretty much a given.

Hmm, I swear by Phelps for squirrel hunting. Always get my limit, may have to go out there sometime.

find an area with nut trees and a water source, and you'll be overwhelmed by them in short order.

I find the sit still and wait method works best for me. Out on my farm I can get my limit in about 1-2 hours most days.

bryanrheem wrote:Kinetic,

where did you end up getting your hunting license from? I am looking to get into squirrel at those same WMAs as I'm also in NoVA.

I could tell you but others here would not recommend it nor approve of my method. I only did it because my experiance with firearms is extensive. If you're born before 1985 go get a 1-2 day hunting license online from Alaska, those who were are exempt from hunter's education. After attaining it, due to Virginia's acceptance of out of state licenses you have now officially previously held a hunting license. Thus you are free to purchase a resident hunting lcense in Viriginia.

Yes I know it's underhanded and conniving, but so is the depravity of bureaucracy. I outwitted them at their own game, but like I said only because of my experiance with guns. If you do not have this then take the class as it would be beneficial.

As for the other comments yes it would seem the wait method is best, I guess that old man at the gun shop was right. He said hegoes out in the woods and sits by a tree and takes a nap, then hunts. XD

Kinetic,

You have a PM from me.

I just dialed in my Savage 22lr and I'm ready to go.

thekinetic wrote: Yes I know it's underhanded and conniving, but so is the depravity of bureaucracy. I outwitted them at their own game, but like I said only because of my experiance with guns. If you do not have this then take the class as it would be beneficial.

No. Its compliance with the law.

Its just this time a poorly written law/regulation was in your favor.