Hunting squirrels with a shotgun is classic small-game fun: fast, mobile, and skill-building. Whether you’re after tree squirrels (gray, fox, red, fox) or ground squirrels, a scattergun can be ideal at close range — but success comes from reading country, using the right gear and patterns, and practicing quick shots that are ethical and safe. Below are tried-and-true tactics to make the most of your next squirrel hunt.
Quick overview: species & where they hide
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Tree squirrels (gray, fox, red, eastern): favor hardwoods, mast crops (oaks, beeches), edges, woodlots and riparian corridors. They bed in dreys or tree cavities and move in the canopy.
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Ground squirrels / rock squirrels: use open brushy hillsides, rock outcrops and fields; they hold scentless, fast movements and often require different tactics than tree squirrels.
Gear essentials
Shotgun
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Gauge: 20-gauge or .410 for minimal meat damage and less recoil; 12-gauge if you prefer one gun for everything. Many hunters favor a 20-gauge autoloading or pump for quick follow-ups.
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Barrel & choke: A shorter barrel (24–26") is handy in tight timber; improved-cylinder or modified choke gives a balanced pattern for 20–35 yards. Avoid full choke unless you know you’ll only take long, dense shots.
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Sling/carry: Comfortable sling for long walks and quiet transitions.
Ammunition
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Shot size: #6, #7½, or #8 shot is common for tree squirrels; #6 gives more reach, #7½/#8 reduces meat damage at close range. For ground squirrels at longer distances, #4 or #5 may be used but risks more damage.
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Shell length & payload: Stay with standard light payloads made for bird/small game to limit over-penetration and bruising. Low-recoil loads help with quick follow-ups.
Clothing & optics
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Camouflage & quiet fabrics: Soft, muted camo that breaks up silhouette. Avoid noisy materials.
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Footwear: Quiet, grippy boots or trail shoes — many hunts require stepping on logs or slick slopes.
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Binoculars or small glassing scope: Handy for spotting squirrels across canopy or on ridgelines.
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Gloves & hat, small folding saw or pruning shears for clearing brush quietly.
Dogs (optional)
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A well-trained flushing or pointing dog can excel for ground and some brushy cover. For tight timber, many hunters prefer calling/spotting and walking.
Scouting & reading country
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Find mast and feeding trees: Acorn crops, beechnuts, hickory, fruit trees are squirrel magnets. Hunt late morning through mid-afternoon when tree squirrels are active.
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Look for sign: Fresh droppings, nibbled nuts with distinctive marks, chewed bark or stripped branches. For ground squirrels, look for burrow openings and fresh dirt.
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Edges and travel lanes: Squirrels use obvious ridgelines, powerline cuts, fence rows and the first 30–50 yards of timber edge. Set up to intercept travel lanes rather than pushing into dense canopy.
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Seasonal behavior: In mast years they may be everywhere; in poor mast years they’re skinnier and range more widely.
Approach & stalking techniques
For tree squirrels
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Glass from a distance first: Use binoculars to locate the squirrel, note its activity (feeding, moving, alarmed) and ideal shooting angle.
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Move quietly and slowly: Break the approach into short, silent moves—watch for tail flicks and ear orientation.
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Position for a shot angle: Squirrels often sit on the trunk or limb—try to get a quartering-to or broadside shot where you can safely aim at chest/neck area (see shot placement).
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Call or rattle sparingly: Quiet pishing or light twig snaps can draw a curious squirrel out; don’t overdo it or you’ll spook them.
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Use cover and silhouette: Stay below the squirrel’s line of sight when possible; avoid cresting ridgelines in their view.
For ground/rock squirrels
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Slow sweep & glassing: Glass open benches and rock fields; locate a ground squirrel and plan your approach to have the sun at your back and a clean backdrop.
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Flushing: Use a dog, or slow hand-flushing with branches or push lines if legal and safe. Expect sudden dashes and fast dodging; be ready for quick shoulder shots.
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Use terrain: Rock outcrops provide ambush points and cover—work edges where they bolt.
Shot selection & ethics
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Take only humane, ethical shots. Close range is best—20–35 yards for shotgun with small shot. If the squirrel is behind heavy limbs or a double-branch, pass the shot.
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Aim placement: For tree squirrels, chest/neck area just behind the front shoulder gives quick, humane kills and avoids gut shots. For ground squirrels, aim center-mass when they’re broadside.
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Avoid shooting into dense canopy where you can’t see your backdrop. Ensure a safe, solid background or descending angle where pellet energy is stopped.
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Pass on shots at moving squirrels when the background or line of fire is uncertain. Patience beats rushed shots.
Calling & coaxing
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Pishing & chirps: Short pish or “pss-pss” sounds can pique curiosity and bring a squirrel into view.
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Mock nut-handling: Soft nut-rattles or light twig knocks mimic feeding sounds.
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Don’t over-call: A few soft calls and then quiet observation works; constant noise alerts them.
Field care & processing
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Quick dispatch: If you don’t get a clean kill, follow up quickly and dispatch humanely. Expect fast, erratic runs when wounded.
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Cooling the meat: Squirrels are small and spoil quickly—skin and gut when possible; cool the meat fast in warm weather.
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Butchering tips: Squirrel meat is delicate—keep cuts small, consider slow cooking methods (stews, braises) or frying for best results.
Common mistakes & how to avoid them
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Shooting too early / at poor angles: Wait for a clear broadside or quartering shot.
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Using too large shot sizes too far: Bigger shot causes meat damage and is unnecessary at typical squirrel ranges.
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Not watching the backdrop: Always ensure you know what’s beyond the target.
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Noisy movement: Avoid crunchy leaves, metal snaps and stepping on loose branches.
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Failing to learn patterns: Squirrels have routines—arrive early to observe and pattern them for a few minutes before moving in.
Safety reminders
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Treat every firearm as loaded.
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Confirm your target and what’s beyond it. Pellets can travel and ricochet off rocks.
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Wear eye and ear protection during shots and when with other hunters.
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Communicate positions if hunting in a group—establish lanes and boundaries.
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Follow local hunting regulations for season, bag limits, and legal methods.
Quick checklist before you go
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Shotgun, ammo (#7½/#8 for tree squirrels)
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Binoculars and small pack (knife, small saw)
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Quiet camo, comfortable boots, rain shell depending on forecast
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Cooler or game bag and field dressing kit
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Map / phone, water, snacks, and a basic first-aid kit
FAQ
Q: Is a shotgun better than a .22 for squirrel hunting?
A: It’s a matter of preference and conditions. A 20-gauge with #7½/#8 shot is excellent for close canopy shots and minimal meat damage; a .22 LR offers longer precision on exposed branches and very little meat damage. Both are valid — know your local laws and what you’re comfortable with.
Q: How close should I be before I take a shot?
A: Ideal range is usually 10–35 yards with a shotgun and small shot. Closer is better for ethical kills and pattern reliability.
Q: Do squirrels respond to calls year-round?
A: Yes, but behavior changes seasonally. They’re more active and visible during mast periods; breeding and extreme weather can alter movement patterns.
Q: What’s the best time of day?
A: Late morning through mid-afternoon is prime for tree squirrels; early morning can also be productive. Ground squirrels may be active throughout daylight hours depending on temperature.
Hunting squirrels with a shotgun is accessible, fast-paced and excellent for honing quick-shooting and woodsman skills. Focus on scouting, quiet movement, sensible shot selection, and fieldcraft—and you’ll have safer, more successful hunts and better table fare afterward. Want a short printable one-page checklist for a squirrel hunt or a recommended 20-gauge load and choke pattern to test? I can make one now.
