Squirrel hunting better in afternoon or morning?
08-06-2005, 08:54 AM
#1
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Gambrills Md US
Posts: 6,080
Squirrel hunting better in afternoon or morning?
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.
08-06-2005, 09:05 AM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Daphne, AL
Posts: 425
RE: Squirrel hunting better in afternoon or morning?
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.
08-06-2005, 11:53 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Western PA
Posts: 1,356
RE: Squirrel hunting better in afternoon or morning?
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.
08-07-2005, 07:22 AM
#4
Dominant Buck
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ramsey , Indiana
Posts: 22,545
RE: Squirrel hunting better in afternoon or morning?
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 ... 
08-10-2005, 07:27 AM
#7
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Gambrills Md US
Posts: 6,080
RE: Squirrel hunting better in afternoon or morning?
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!!
08-10-2005, 07:36 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: chiefland Florida USA
Posts: 5,417
RE: Squirrel hunting better in afternoon or morning?
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.
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.
08-10-2005, 09:14 AM
#9
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Gambrills Md US
Posts: 6,080
RE: Squirrel hunting better in afternoon or morning?
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?
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?
08-10-2005, 09:32 AM
#10
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SE Pennsylvania
Posts: 539
RE: Squirrel hunting better in afternoon or morning?
If I'm archery hunting for deer, I see all kinds of squirrel in the morning. If I'm squirrel hunting, I rarely see any. Probably get about 3-4 a day, and that is hunting the entire day. I really haven't seen that much difference between the times of day while SQUIRREL hunting. Deer hunting I see all the squirrel in the world. Last year and the year before I was waiting in my stand while deer hunting.. must have seen 50 different squirrel. I packed it in around 10am, grabbed my old .22lr and went squirrel hunting. Between me and my buddy we saw/ got 1 squirrel.