Hunting for Squirrels in the Fall: Reviews and Tips

Hunting for Squirrels in the Fall: Reviews and Tips

Fall is a fantastic time to hit the woods for squirrels: nuts are falling, leaves are thinning, and visibility improves. Whether you’re hunting grey squirrels, fox squirrels, or red squirrels, success comes down to matching your gear, timing, and tactics to the season’s conditions. Below is a guide filled with practical tips and gear reviews to help you fill your bag.

Why Fall is Prime Time for Squirrel Hunting

• Trees are heavy with acorns, beechnuts and other mast—squirrels are out scouting, feeding and storing, making them more active and predictable.

• Leaves have begun to drop, improving visibility and making it easier to spot movement and silhouettes.

• Cooler temperatures bring increased movement—squirrels may feed longer during daylight when fatigued from summer.

• Natural cover often thins, so squirrels may retreat to more predictable routes—leafless limbs mean better sight lines.

Gear & Equipment Review

Rifles / Shotguns

• A .22 LR rifle is a common choice: lightweight, low recoil, good for 50–100 yard shots.

• A shotgun with light load (e.g., 20-gauge or .410) works for close range in thick timber or when squirrels are on trunks.

• Optics: A small scope or red dot can increase confidence when shooting at 75-100 yards. For dense cover, open sights may suffice.

Clothing & Camouflage

• Earth-tone clothing with muted greens, browns, and bark patterns helps. In fall, blending with leaf-litter and bare trunks is key.

• Wear quiet boots, lightweight layers for changing temps, and perhaps a cap or hood to break up profile.

• Consider daylight camo or “drab” patterns rather than bright fall foliage prints—squirrels look up and notice contrast.

• A small stool, backpack, or tree-suit can help you stay still for extended periods.

Accessories

• Binoculars or a compact spotting scope help locate squirrels high up or across clearings.

• Carry a small folding saw or pruning shears if you need a better vantage or remove sight-blocking limbs.

• Squirrel calls are often less used in fall, but a mild distress or small rodent squeak can help in thick cover.

• Field bag for carrying squirrels out—fall gets muddy, so durable bag material helps.

Scouting & Locating Squirrels

• Find trees heavy with nuts: oak, hickory, beech, walnut and similar; motor squirrel activity zone.

• Spot signs of squirrel feeding: husks, half-gnawed acorns, tubes on trunks where squirrels climb.

• Observe movement early and late in the day—squirrels often feed on mast during mid-morning and late afternoon.

• Look for travel corridors: fence lines, logging roads, creek bottoms, ridge tops—any linear feature squirrels use to move between feeding and bedding.

• In fall, squirrels may shift to concentrated feeding areas—spend time near such zones rather than cruising random turf.

Hunting Tactics That Work

• Stand hunting: Sit quietly near a mast-rich tree with good sight lines. Choose days with light wind and steady thermals.

• Walk & stop method: Move slowly through timber, pausing every few minutes. Use your sight lines and listen—squirrels chatter and move frequently in fall.

• Push-and-flush (if legal): In certain woods you can carefully push cover (or using a dog) to flush squirrels from heavy cover into a clear lane.

• Shot placement: Aim for the head-neck junction or upper shoulder. Squirrels are small and fast—practice quick, accurate shots.

• Be patient: Fall patterns may be slower than early summer because squirrels are cautious. Sit longer, move less.

What Works – Fall Specific Review Findings

• Many squirrel hunters report higher success near concentrated mast years because squirrels feed longer in daylight.

• On “dull” mast years, success often comes from finding “fallback” food—pecan orchards, fruit trees, planted grain fields near timber.

• Arranging your hit around squirrel naps or dormancy zones (tree cavities, heavy cover) helps when food is scarce.

• Visibility trimmed by leaf drop helps—but also makes your movement easier to detect. Staying still matters more than ever.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Too much movement: In thinner cover, squirrels detect motion easily.

• Ignoring wind/thermals: Even small breezes carry scent; sit on upwind side when possible.

• Using summer tactics unchanged: The woods act different in fall; squirrels roost differently and may feed earlier/later.

• Neglecting gear maintenance: Mud, wet leaves, and cold can affect rifle/shotgun performance and your comfort.

• Overlooking extraction: Fall woods get muddy and hunts often involve deep woods—plan how you’ll carry squirrels out.

Final Thoughts

Fall squirrel hunting is rewarding and fun. With the right gear, good prep, and patient tactics you’ll maximize your chances. Focus on mast trees, slow movement, good sight lines, and practical gear. Whether you’re a casual woods wanderer or a focused small-game hunter, fall is one of the best times to bag squirrels.

If you’d like, I can pull up a short printable field checklist (gear, ammo, scouting notes) for your fall squirrel hunts — text-only and ready to keep in your pack.