Big Game for the Little Rifle
Whether they be black or grey, eastern grey squirrels offer a challenge to hunters

I love squirrel hunting. I believe most hunters would, if they'd just give it a try. To begin with, it's the simplest of all hunting disciplines. A small-game licence, a shotgun or .22, a handful of ammo, and a suitable patch of hardwoods are all you need to enjoy an exciting day afield. Better still, it continually tests your stealth and marksmanship.

Small bores are classics for squirrel hunting, although shotgunners can, and frequently do, take bushytails. In fact, some serious squirrel hunters say there's nothing better than a 1-ounce load of lead No. 6s, especially in the early season when the canopy is still veiled in early autumn foliage. True, but if you ask me, you're not experiencing a classic squirrel hunt unless you use a .22 calibre rifle.

Squirrel hunting with a .22 is a marksman's game. The objective is to place a single bullet through the head or shoulder – targets about the size of a crabapple – at ranges up to 50 yards. (The shoulder is a surer shot, by the way.) As if that's not difficult enough, these jittery tree huggers rarely stay still for long.

Accuracy is crucial. I'd rather have a tack-driving single-shot rifle than an inaccurate repeater. One well-placed .22 long-rifle bullet is all that's needed. Miss, and you will be lucky to get an immediate second shot.

Some squirrel hunters prefer open sights. Most, myself included, favour a scope designed expressly for .22 rimfire rifles. I use a fixed power 4 x 32 because its open field of view allows me to easily acquire the target. Variable scopes such as a 3-9 x 32 are also popular, though I'm not convinced they're necessary or practical at typical squirrelhunting ranges. For one thing, squirrels don't often give you enough time to dial up to 9x.

Barking up the Right Tree
Some people think squirrel hunting is easy, because they're used to seeing them at city parks and backyard bird feeders. But, outside of urban areas, squirrels continually evade predators and haven't been habituated to people. This makes them a very different animal.

Finding the right habitat is key. Hardwood stands, especially those containing mast-producing trees (beech, oak, hickory, walnut, etc.), are sure bets. If fruit trees or cornfields are nearby, even better.

Find a squirrel nest and you're in the right place. Nestled high in the crown of hardwood trees, a nest is a lattice-work of leaves about 18 inches in diameter. They're easy to spot, especially after the leaves are down. Don't be discouraged if you don't see any. Squirrels also den in tree cavities. Shells from discarded nuts, known as cuttings, are less visible, but equally important, indicators squirrels are using an area. They're found beneath mast-producing trees, often on rocks or stumps.

Lastly, encountering squirrels in an area is the ultimate proof. They rarely travel far from their nests.

Tactics and Times
Squirrels, like many game animals, are most active early and late in the day. High winds, which rattle branches and impair their hearing, generally keep them in their dens. So do plummeting temperatures. A bright autumn day is best.

Two popular tactics are stalk-andsit and tag teaming. A stalk-and-sit hunter prowls the woods alone, advancing a few yards, sitting still for several minutes, and hoping an unsuspecting squirrel breaks cover. While sitting, use a squirrel call. This isn't difficult, but like all calling, it can be overdone.

In tag-teaming, one hunter sits still while the other hunter circles wide about 50 yards ahead and then but tonhooks slowly back towards the other hunter. This takes advantage of the squirrel's tendency to hide on the far side of a tree trunk when a predator approaches. Often, squirrels hiding from the moving hunter will present easy shots to the sitting hunter. One safety rule, however, is only to shoot at squirrels high up in trees or, if they're on the ground, in a safe direction away from the moving hunter.
 

One final word of advice: after you shoot a squirrel, sit still and be ready to shoot again. Sometimes, the crack of the rifle will cause other squirrels to step out on a limb to scold you.

Parting Shot
I'm not sure why squirrel hunting has never caught on in Ontario. Eastern greys are challenging, plentiful, fun to hunt, and fine table fare. They provide another good reason for stepping into the autumn woods with your favourite .22 in hand. And, let's not forget this no-pressure action-packed hunting is a fine training ground for new hunters, too. Squirrels might not be deer or moose, but they're certainly big game for the little rifle. That's good enough for me.