Author Topic: squirrels and high winds??? (Read 1474 times)

scruffy · « **on:** September 07, 2004, 08:54:59 AM »

What is the normal reaction of squirrels to high winds? Do they stay in their nests later in the morning or move around normally?

The reason I ask is yesterday the winds were blowing 20 to 30 mph when I rolled out of bed at 6:00am and considered going back to bed. I thought the high winds would keep them out of sight until later in the morning but I didn't know for sure. So I headed out and was in my spot by 6:30am waiting for the sun to rise. Atleast there were no skeeters with the winds whipped up...

By 9:00am there was still nothing. I had tried a couple different spots and no sign of any squirrels, but it is really leafy and hard to see them this time of year. I was ready to call it a morning when 4 hens and one tom turkey came feeding past me, 15 yards away. Why can't that happen during turkey season???

Anyway, was yesterday morning typical of windy mornings? High winds = no squirrels?

later,
scruffy

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2004, 10:50:55 AM »

All critters gotta eat most every day. So except in the very worst of conditions they will be feeding at some point in the day.

My experience over the past nearly 50 years of squirrel hunting has been that they will hold still on limbs of trees and move slowly but will move in high winds. IF there is food on the ground that's the place to look for them in high winds. They won't be out there on the ends of small limbs for sure but on heavy limbs holding on for dear life when not feeding.

TScottO · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2004, 01:31:38 PM »

High winds and a filled bag limit usually dont go together for me. Like GB said I find more squirrels on the ground than anywhere else. The strong winds knock a lot of pine cones and acorns to the down so the squirrels have some fresh food to munch on that hasnt soured. On windy days Ill also leave the 22 rifle at home and opt for a shotgun.

Be Safe,
Scott

Flash · « **Reply #3 on:** September 11, 2004, 01:44:29 PM »

I have seen them in the trees but really had to search for them on windy days. I have heard so many reasons over the years like it being hard for them to hear. Too much movement for them to identify danger. Scents being mixed up. I usually watch the weather for low pressure preceeding a cold front to plan my squirrel hunting. This usually gives me a day of dead calm for a morning and evening hunt.

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2004, 04:25:38 PM »

Seems like my biggest problem with the wind is not being able to see the squirrels movement, not that they are not out or holed up in a den... like Graybeard said, they gotta eat! I think the wind makes them a bit nervous too, like deer, and although they are out & feeding, they dont seem as enthusiastic about it... makes for a tough hunt when all the trees are windblown & moving.