Squirrel hunting better in afternoon or morning?

DougMD · 08-06-2005, 08:54 AM

Or does it matter. Got my two younguns I'll be taking this year, and don't know if I can get them up early, but will definately be able to hunt the afternoon. If squirrel hunting is that much better in the morning, however, I will make an effort to get them out there then. I don't expect them to have the patience to hunt very long, but want them to experience some action to get them hooked on hunting rather than wanting to stay at home and play video games, etc.

sour01 · 08-06-2005, 09:05 AM

I will have to say that I have always had better luck first thing in the morning. I have gotten plenty of squirrels in the afternoon---but the times that I have gotten my limit have always been in the morning. If you can find a couple of good hickory or pecan trees that they are working then the afternoon might work out for you. But since most hunting is about being in the woods early and you are trying to teach your young'ns about hunting---you would be well served to get 'em up early for some good bushy tail hunting.

deerslayer223 · 08-06-2005, 11:53 AM

I've killed my fair share both times of the day. although anymore i am finding myself more of a morning bushytail hunter. either time of the day is good though. i started my hunting career with many squirrel hunts i used 2 be antsy to and unsuccessful but squirrel hunting taught me some valuable patience now i kill squirrels pretty much every trip to the woods with the ol' 22.

kevin1 · 08-07-2005, 07:22 AM

Early morning is when I've always seen the most squirrels , especially early in the season because of the heat.The only other time I ever see more tree rats than early morning is after I've entered the woods with deer in mind ...

DearSlayer357 · 08-07-2005, 08:45 AM

I've killed most of mine in the morning. But I have killed a few in the evening as well.

skinnerdawg · 08-07-2005, 05:51 PM

i preffer to hunt in the morning but i have also had a lot of luck during the afternoons

Ridge Runner · 08-10-2005, 07:00 AM

doug, are fox squirrels in the area? if so about 8:00 AM is prime time for them, grays come out at dawn, the action is good till around 10:00 to 10:30 then it slows till about 2:30, then it picks up untill dusk
RR

DougMD · 08-10-2005, 07:27 AM

Ridge Runner, yes, fox squirrels are in the area, as well as grays. So you say grays usually come down first, right at the crack of dawn? Thanks very much for the info on times and what to expect!!

Tree climber · 08-10-2005, 07:36 AM

I have always found the morning is best. I guess bacause they have been in there nest all night and are like us , ready fore that cup of coffee and donuts.find some good hickery trees or big live oaks with lots of nest in the area or a large cypress with holes in it and get there befor the first crack of light.
The afternoon is OK except they have already feed heavy in the morning and only want a snack in the evenings.if you find the cypress with holes,you can go there and wait till they come to there bed for the night.bushwack them befor they get to the hole.

I have sat at a bed tree and shot 7 or 8 befro dark. just shoot one and let him lay,in a few min. there will be nother and so on till black come.

DougMD · 08-10-2005, 09:14 AM

Great advice! I don't know of a cypress tree on the property ( I will look for some), but there are too many acorn trees to count. I CAN concentrate on the areas with the big, mature acorn trees that have open understories due to their large canopies, rather than the smaller, less fruitful oak treesin the thicker understoried areas (lots of smaller oaks in laurel thickets).

Also, there are only few white acorn trees, which may be a draw to squirrels in early October if they are dropping then. I know deer prefer white oaks to red and black, pin, etc. Do squirrels prefer white oak acorns too?