Bushytails in 10 Degree Weather

[XD9]

It's that time of year again and I have a few wild game dinners approaching.  A lot of people bring venison so I'd like to take some squirrel.  Planning on getting out this weekend but it's supposed to be 10 degrees F.  I don't know if I'm up for that.  I'd say my bed is going to feel pretty good that morning.

Think squirrels would be out in that cold of temperatures?  This will be the first day in a while that it's been that cold.  I've only hunted squirrel a few times in the winter...I mostly hunt in the summer and fall.

[sparkyjan14]

Well i dont know if it was 10degree weather or not but my father and i have had several squirrel hunting trips with lots of snow on the ground.
And we have gotten plenty of squirrels.

Sometimes  you just have to go hunting weather its good enough weather or not, just for the sake of hunting  lol.

[EVOC ONE]

A couple years ago I was out in 8" of snow with the temp. at 8 degree's.  The weather didn't seem to bother the squirrels much.  I saw a couple chasing each other around a few trees while another watched, eating a nut. 

These days I usually don't go out on such cold mornings for squirrel.  I'll usually wait and do an afternoon hunt when the temps warm a bit. 

   

[BillP]

You didn't say where you were from but I hunt a lot of squirrels in northern MN.  As you know squirrels don't hibernate.  They do however sleep through long spells of bad weather.  We had one of the longest stretches of sub zero weather this winter and I expected them to come out looking sort of poor.  Not the case, they were plump and in no hurry to get to the dinner table.  Don't expect the first day or so of warm weather to get them moving and a cold stretch broken by warmer weather but no sun or with a storm just makes them roll over and go back to sleep.  Keep an eye on the bird feeder, they sure like those sunflower seeds and when you see more than one they will most all be up and moving about.  Around here 10 degrees is a little cold for them, the upper teens is about what it takes.  Sunshine makes a big difference but not around Christmas when it is low on the horizon.  Hope this helps, It may be much different in other places but you can count on the trick of watching for them around the feeder.

[Rock Home Isle]

It's that time of year again and I have a few wild game dinners approaching.  A lot of people bring venison so I'd like to take some squirrel.  Planning on getting out this weekend but it's supposed to be 10 degrees F.  I don't know if I'm up for that.  I'd say my bed is going to feel pretty good that morning.

Think squirrels would be out in that cold of temperatures?  This will be the first day in a while that it's been that cold.  I've only hunted squirrel a few times in the winter...I mostly hunt in the summer and fall.

Its been my experience that squirrels are consumate comfort creatures. They love warm summer days and cool sunny fall weather. If it starts getting cold and the weather starts to turn for the worse, they'll be out in droves gathering food and filling their bellies. Then they'll lay up for days, once their in the Lay Up mode, hunting seems to be rather sporadic...hit and miss.

Late winter gets a little dicy, as they start to rise later and tend to wait till the sun is up a bit before they begin their days forageing. Not knowing what the weather has been for several days before your hunt...hard to tell. Could be good, could be awesome, or it could just be cold and quiet.

[SQUACKS]

 I have hunted squirrels in Wisconson in late Jan. for quite a few years.

 Best time to hunt them is going to be in the warmest part of the day which is early afternoon.
Look for them low and out of the wind on south facing hills in mast timber. Black walnut or butternut timber is especially good at this time as the nut is large and contains a lot of energy producing oil.

 Squirrels will be mostly on the ground searching for the nuts. When they cut them, they will be down low in the brush, in cedar trees, or down low on a tree with their butt against the trunk. They feel safer in these places while feeding at this time of the year as hawks can see them more easily without the leaf cover.

 Jan. in Wisconsin is breeding season too. At times, you can find most of the male population  in an area chasing a single female. Just listen for the growling and churring sounds and move towards them. They will most likely ignore you. It's best to just shoot the trailers. Those will be the males and you wont be hurting next years squirrel crop atall.