I have a good deal of experience with squirrel hunting. The squirrel will cirlce the tree everytime you do. Before you go into the woods, get a pocket full of rocks. If you know that the squirrel is in the tree, stand on one side that will give you a good shot, and then throw a rock or two past the tree on the opposite side. The squirrel will think that you are walking back around the tree and come to your side. Works every time. By the way, what type of air rifle are you using. I have taken many of squirrels with a benjamin .177 caliber.