Graduating from ground to tree squirrels?

[1meanchevy]

Was planning on taking my young son out tree squirrel hinting this weekend but I have no idea where would be a good place to go. My first instinct was to head to the forest but I have only seen chipmunks everytime Im out there. Looking for suggestions or tips on where to go or what to do, not looking for your secret spot or anything (i know the code) , just maybe some input. Im in sac next to Tahoe and Eldo nat forest. Thanks

[XVIga_Rob]

Plenty of squirrels there

[NapalmCheese]

Was planning on taking my young son out tree squirrel hinting this weekend but I have no idea where would be a good place to go. My first instinct was to head to the forest but I have only seen chipmunks everytime Im out there. Looking for suggestions or tips on where to go or what to do, not looking for your secret spot or anything (i know the code) , just maybe some input. Im in sac next to Tahoe and Eldo nat forest. Thanks

Use Google Earth or Maps to find areas that seem to be mixed hardwood and pine in an area you can hunt where you have to drive some forest road to get there and with an area you can park. Head towards Tahoe or Eldorado National Forest. Park at a convenient location, lock your truck, take your keys with you, hide anything valuable or take it with you. Hike a mile or two into an area with mixed oaks and pine following game trails if you can. While you're hiking look for diggings (looks like a bunch of 1 or 2 inch shallow holes) around trees and look for cuttings (i.e. pieces of pine cone litter around pine trees and pieces of acorn litter around oak trees). While you're walking listen for squirrels, they 'screech' to alert each other of possible danger. If you hear a lot of screeching you're in an area with a lot of squirrels. Also listen for them clicking and gnawing (briskly rub two quarters together, that sound is oddly similar to them chomping on pine cones and chattering). On the walk out keep an eye out for squirrels moving around on the ground. Walk quietly, take your time, and enjoy listening to the woods.

My personal preference is to find a spot with a big oak tree or two in the middle of a bunch of pines in a semi-clear area. The pines are taller and it seems like the squirrels like to nest in them compared to the oak trees, but squirrels LOVE acorns.

Once you find a spot you like that looks/sounds like it ought to have a lot of squirrels find some cover to sit in, sit down, shut up, and be still. You'll probably start seeing squirrels in 15-30 minutes. They'll come down the tree trunks onto the forest floor and mill about doing squirrel things.

If you're using a shotgun a) make sure you're in range and b) make sure you're using appropriate shot. I liked #6 lead, don't know about steel. Squirrels are pretty tough, I've seen them take a couple of rounds of #8 lead. I find that #6 lead tends to pass through (which is my preference in that I don't find pellets while I'm eating) and kills pretty well. I'd probably start with #5 steel, and move up to #4 if I didn't like the results. Anyway with a shotgun when you get a clear shot feel free to shoot them in the tree. Watch them after you shoot them and mark where they went down. Go pick it up, go back to your spot, and sit down, shut up, and be still. Repeat.

If you're using a .22 or something else wait for the squirrel to get down on the ground or, if the tree trunk is big enough, wait for the squirrel to get over to the tree trunk and shoot it there (using the tree trunk as the safe backstop).

I'm not a squirrel hunting expert and certainly not a squirrel whisperer, but I really like squirrel hunting.

[tony270]

Along Highway 20 from highway 16 to Cache Creek, or down from highway 16 at 20 to Cache Creek. At the intersection of the North Fork CC and Cache Creek, up in the tall pines, access through the Redbud Trail Crossing, also in the oaks forest hillsides, and the oak flats and rolling hills aside the creek.

[lewdogg21]

I see them frequently around 4500-5000' where I deer hunt. As mentioned above at a slightly lower elevation they can be found around Oaks, especially if acorns are still present. Try google earth to spot hardwoods as if you use the timeline feature you can tell them as the leaves will be gone.

[Divernhunter]

Be sure the season is open for tree squirrels. Ground squirrels are open all year long.

[taperxz]

Along Highway 20 from highway 16 to Cache Creek, or down from highway 16 at 20 to Cache Creek. At the intersection of the North Fork CC and Cache Creek, up in the tall pines, access through the Redbud Trail Crossing, also in the oaks forest hillsides, and the oak flats and rolling hills aside the creek.

Ya, where everything burned.

[1meanchevy]

Awesome , thanks you guys.

[Griffdog]

Eat em too... delicious.....ground squirrels not so much...

[1meanchevy]

Eat em too... delicious.....ground squirrels not so much...

Yeah, i usually pink mist the Beldings, leave them for the crows and the gulls. Want to try real squirrel.

[hermosabeach]

I might suggest reaching out to the Almond growers... could they use help with pest control?

[NapalmCheese]

Eat em too... delicious.....

Squirrel tacos are a family favorite.

[LoadedM333]

Be sure the season is open for tree squirrels. Ground squirrels are open all year long.

Tree squirrel general season usually starts 2nd Saturday of September.




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[XVIga_Rob]

Be sure the season is open for tree squirrels. Ground squirrels are open all year long.

Tree squirrel general season usually starts 2nd Saturday of September.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Starts tomorrow.

https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Small-Game

[pacrat]

Graduating from ground to tree squirrels?

First bit of advice;

Look UP, not DOWN.