Private land?

[abcnerdd]

Anyone have any private land with a lot of acres where maybe you'll let me and my parents go small game?? I have been searching for WMA on the DNR HSOforum and with no luck, seems like most squirrels are gone now.

Thanks in advance!

[BLACKJACK]

Squirrels are like any other game, if they get over-hunted, all the breeding stock shot, you won't see very many.

[analyzer]

The first time I tried to go squirrel hunting I didn't see many either. Then I started Deer hunting. I realized, the best way to see squirrels, is to sit down, and shut up for 20 minutes. When you interrupt the forest, everything gets quiet, and they watch you. You need to sit there and do nothing for a while, then the forest comes back to life. At some point the squirrels will feel comfortable, and make themselves known. I can't think of a time when I've sat on public land, waiting for deer, when I haven't had a squirrel or two playing in the area. Trust me, they're there.

[mrklean]

agreed i see tons of squirrels when i deer hunt just sit for awhile and they will come out

[Bear55]

Ya just go deer hunting, you will be surrounded by them in no time. They might even run right up to you and chirp in your ear.

[psepuncher]

Minnesota DNR to Auction Public Land to Highest Bidder

the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is set to auction off a 28-acre parcel of public land to the highest bidder.

From this story on twincities.com:

Twenty-eight acres of aspen woodlands, ponds and wetlands in Stillwater goes on the auction block Thursday.

The minimum bid is $177,950.

If I wasn't busy hammering down so many projects this would be an ideal thing to look for.....

[mrklean]

that seems pretty spendy land over $6000 an acre

[picksbigwagon]

I was just down in Iowa over the weekend chasing squirrels on public land and we would sit for a minimum of 30 minutes at each spot. It is a lot like deer hunting from the stand point of you have to sit still, so find a good comfortable spot prior to sitting down. If hunting hilly area's or ridges like we were in NE Iowa, get on top of the hill or ridge. Find stands of oak or walnuts, find nests in trees, new nests not old ones....I actually sat in a spot that looked absolutely perfect on friday, walnut and oak trees, pretty clear of underbrush, down trees log piles pushed up by previous years of flooding (I was close to the upper Iowa river, not on top of the ridge)

I sat there for almost an hour and saw one squirrel on a branch over hanging the river sunning himself. I could have shot him, but would never have retrieved him.

Patience is the key for tree rats. Good luck

[psepuncher]

I think I'll try for a few with judo points.

Haven't had squirrel in awhile, but I like 'em

marinated in Verners.

[abcnerdd]

Hrm, most of the time I sit and wait. If that method doesn't work, I'll walk slowly and pausing, looking for feeding squirrels. I bought those squirrel bark call and they should work, BUT only the babies would come to investiage; I will not shoot the small one .

[brittman]

Anyone have any private land with a lot of acres where maybe you'll let me and my parents go small game?? I have been searching for WMA on the DNR HSOforum and with no luck, seems like most squirrels are gone now.

Thanks in advance!

First I assume you are looking for grays. Red squirrels are always around the deer stand, but they relate to pine trees and seem to survive in MN woods that can or do not hold grays.

Look for land with a lot of oaks and hopefully a forest floor full of acorns. Much of MN forest land is full of maples, alder, aspen, even ash. While many are really pretty in the fall, the alder and aspen while attractive to grouse provide little for squirrels.

Don't overlook land near agricultural areas. Gray and fox squirrels use nearby cornfields as food sources.

[abcnerdd]

Grey or fox, it doesn't really matter to me. Personally, I think fox squirrels are funner to target, just because when they see you they stay still and try to hide from you. The greys usually just start jumping and running away from you, no fun, lol.