Best time of day to squirrel hunt?

[NELS-BELLS]

All you squirrel and bow hunters, what time of day seems to have the most squirrel activity? I want to take my 13 year old squirrel hunting tomorrow, but my wife has a list of chores for us to do, either before or after we go hunting.

Nels

[Gordie]

Morning is my favorite time but if it got got done raining or its very light rain I will pick that doesnt matter what time of day it is, The squirrels come out to check the hidden stash of food for winter they check to see if it has washed away and it makes for fun squirreling

[klee]

If you know the area well, I would go early in the morning and be sitting in the spot 30 minutes before the sun comes up. That way you are ready in position and not making noise while walking through the forest as the sun is just coming up, that would spook them. This is what we do every year on opener, is try to get their as early as we can and sit still. They will come out and not even notice you there. Early morning and in the evening are the best times to hunt for us. If your walking on a trail or in the woods, walk slowly and quietly and try not to step on sticks or leaves too loud.

[96trigger]

Just after sunrise, just before sunset. Have went out in the afternoon s and seen very little, but in the bow stand mornings and evenings they are all over the place. If you are in a good spot, just sit and wait, they will come out.

[John478]

Yep mornings and evening they drive my crazy (or carzier) in the deer stand

[dan z]

havent done it for years but I still recall the best days were after a rain and the sun bright and warm as they were in a chilly hole in the tree all day the day before. they love sitting in the sun to warm themselves. if your by a cut corn field all the better. if you gathered the info right you should be hunting the east side of the woods... good luck

[NELS-BELLS]

Thanks everyone! Lots of good info. Thats why I like this site so much.

I'm thinking early morning based on what you are all saying. Unfortunately its public land.

Nels

[goblueM]

yep I would say 30 mins after sunrise to about 930 AM or so. They drive me nuts on the deer stand during that time period usually.

...and then when I actually go squirrel hunting I never seem to see as many...

[gurkster]

Yep the hour or two around first and last light are best IMO.

[leech~~]

yep I would say 30 mins after sunrise to about 930 AM or so. They drive me nuts on the deer stand during that time period usually.

...and then when I actually go squirrel hunting I never seem to see as many...

Plus 1 same here to a T!

[Gordie]

yep I would say 30 mins after sunrise to about 930 AM or so. They drive me nuts on the deer stand during that time period usually.

...and then when I actually go squirrel hunting I never seem to see as many...

Years ago I went bow hunting and the squirrels were out in full force well it drove me nuts so after not seeing any deer I decided to go home grab the .22 and get me a few tree rats for supper. I went to a different squirrel woods and it was around noon.I walked in and heard leaves scuffling in front of me and I look up and there stands a nice 8 pointer 25 yards in front of me broadside even, well I just watched it and it wouldnt not move so I decided to take a step torwards it and then another 8 pointer stood up on the other side of the first one.. one was facing north and one was facing south could of probably stuck both at the same time. I unloaded my gun and went home and had campbells soup for supper.

I tried for a few days after that for those deer but never seen them again.

[mainbutter]

The grey squirrels in the cities and metro suburbs sure are crazy active in the morning, raiding all the bird feeders.

[picksbigwagon]

mornings at first light are usually my best times as well. But if the weather is right, I have had great success all the way up to about noon. Overcast and cool will get those squirrels running and gunning all morning. The key to getting them is sitting still for about 20 minutes before you even start thinking about moving....

[lispeej]

As others have said....mornings is the way to go. That way, you don't have to rush things. By that, I mean that an advantage would be that you can shoot 1/2 hour before sunrise vs. stop shooting at sunset.