Squirrel Hunting: Seasons, Licenses, Gear, and Where to Find Them

Squirrel hunting is done in forests where the animal is present in large numbers, and in Crimea the introduced Teleutka squirrel has created one of the more accessible opportunities for this pursuit. This guide covers where squirrels live, how to identify and understand them, the best methods and timing for a successful hunt, the equipment you need, and how to clean and cook the meat afterward.

Squirrel Hunting: Overview and Where to Hunt

Squirrel hunting is one of the most overlooked and affordable ways into the field, and Crimea offers a productive setting thanks to a dense, well-fed squirrel population living across its wooded slopes. Compared with deer hunting, chasing squirrels asks for far less gear, has lower stakes, delivers high success rates, and fits flexibly around a hunter's schedule — which makes it an ideal way to build woodsmanship and to introduce children and new hunters to the sport.

Distribution of Squirrels in Crimea

Squirrels reached Crimea by deliberate introduction: in 1940, 125 Teleutka squirrels were trapped in the Altai region and released into the Crimean Nature Reserve. This fur-bearing rodent — already the most widespread squirrel across Europe, Siberia, and the north and east of Russia — quickly became a harvestable species on the Crimean Peninsula. By 1975, Crimean procurement organizations were taking in 16,000 pelts a year.

The explosive growth of the Crimean squirrel population is explained by exceptionally favorable conditions and the animals' high fertility. In the north and east, squirrel numbers are regulated by the seed crop of spruce, cedar, and pine, and good mast years there recur only every three or four years; in Crimea, by contrast, the animals are reliably supplied with abundant food throughout the year.

The Teleutka Squirrel: Description and Identification

The Teleutka squirrel found a second home in Crimea and differs from the common squirrel both in appearance and in its notably larger size. In winter it carries thick, pale bluish-grey fur, a grey tail, and reddish ear tufts, and it is regarded as the finest of its kind for both pelt size and coat quality.

Squirrel identification more broadly rests on size, coloration, and habitat. Across North America, hunters distinguish the Eastern Fox Squirrel (Fox squirrel), which is the largest tree squirrel and favors open woodlots and agricultural edges across the Midwest and states such as Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky; the Eastern Gray Squirrel (Grey Squirrel), which prefers dense old-growth timber; and the smaller Red Squirrel and Western Gray Squirrel of the western United States. Knowing which species you are pursuing shapes both where you look and how you approach.

Squirrel Diet and Feeding Habits

The main food of the squirrel is the seed of coniferous trees, which is highly nutritious and contains up to 30–40% fat. In Crimea, however, the animals had to adapt: beechnuts, acorns, hazelnuts, mushrooms dried on tree branches, and the seeds of various grasses all became major parts of the diet. The squirrel has a keenly developed sense of smell and can locate food easily even beneath the snow.

A squirrel feeds several times a day, and because Crimea has neither deep snow nor hard frosts — conditions that force the animal to hole up in its nest in the Siberian taiga — it does not have to spend much energy finding food. Cases of mass squirrel die-offs from starvation, common in the taiga and northern regions of Russia, have never occurred in Crimea.

Because diet rotates with the seasons, food sources double as scouting clues. Mast-producing trees — oaks above all, but also beech, hickory, and walnut — are the single best places to find squirrels, and freshly cut nut hulls, gnawed cones, and scattered cuttings on the ground signal recent activity. When hard mast is scarce, squirrels turn to soft mast such as mushrooms, buds, berries, and grass seeds, so learning to identify these trees and food sources is central to locating the animals.

Squirrel Breeding and Reproduction

The squirrel raises its young in a nest, typically building a spherical drey of twigs, bark, and bast fiber in the fork of a tree, lining it generously inside with moss, shredded bark, and animal hair. Such a nest stays warm even in hard frost. The rut usually comes toward the end of January, when squirrels are noticeably more active than usual.

After a gestation of about thirty-five days, females bear four to six completely naked, tiny, blind, and helpless young. In good years, Crimean squirrels produce two or three such litters. The kits develop slowly and only after roughly forty days begin to leave the nest and feed themselves on berries and unripe grass seeds.

While still in the nest, the young feed exclusively on their mother's milk. The male is driven out before the kits appear and takes no part in raising them. By the end of the following winter — and sometimes earlier — all the squirrels become sexually mature and able to breed. Squirrels typically live only two to four years in the wild, with predators such as hawks, owls, foxes, and martens keeping populations in check.

Molting Cycle and Best Season for Hunting

Squirrels molt twice a year, once in spring in March and again in autumn from August until the frosts, and this cycle sets the best season to hunt them for their pelts. The rusty, sparse, long summer coat is replaced by December, and that is precisely the time to take squirrels. The key sign that the molt is complete is the presence of fully grown, curled tufts on the ears.

Where hunters pursue squirrels chiefly for the table rather than the pelt, seasons are set by wildlife agencies rather than by molt. In the United States, for example, state agencies such as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department publish season dates and bag limits, with many autumn seasons running from late summer into winter and daily limits commonly in the range of several squirrels per hunter.

How to Hunt Squirrels in Crimea

Squirrel hunting in Crimea has long been popular, and more and more sporting hunters are taking it up. It should be noted that this is a hunt for the well-conditioned: walking all day over the steep slopes of the Crimean forests is not within everyone's power. The hunt is best begun in the morning — go out into the woods and listen. From far off you may hear something gnawing at a hard object.

Move carefully and you will see the winged seed casings of a pine slowly spinning down from one of the trees — a squirrel is cracking open a pine cone. Or a squirrel feeding on the ground will streak up a trunk to the very top and freeze. You will have to stand a long time and search for where the animal vanished. It is quite another matter if you have a faithful friend at your side: a Laika dog.

This still-hunting-and-listening approach reflects a wider truth about squirrel tactics. Passive hunting means sitting quietly against a tree near a nut-bearing stand and letting the animals resume activity around you, while active hunting means the spot-and-stalk — moving slowly, stopping often, and using your ears as much as your eyes. When leaves are still on the trees early in the season, listen for cuttings raining down and watch for shaking branches; once the leaves are off, spotting becomes far easier and stalking comes into its own.

Best Time of Day for Hunting Success

The best times of day for squirrel hunting are the first hours after sunrise and the last hours before dark, when the animals leave their nests to feed. Squirrel hunting is most productive in cool but sunny weather; in wet, windy conditions or hard frost the squirrel stays holed up in its nest and is very difficult to find. Reading the weather and the wind — approaching into the wind so your scent and sound are carried away — quietly improves your odds through the day.

Hunting with a Laika Dog

A Laika has sharp ears, a broad forehead, an elongated muzzle, and a tail curled into a ring, and the whole animal is highly mobile, ready to run tirelessly through the forest — but it does not run without purpose. As a rule, the Laika scents a squirrel at once. It dashes to the tree, rises on its hind legs, scratches the bark with its claws — look up. The loud barking frightens the animal; the squirrel stirs and shows itself to the hunter.

If the squirrel bounds away across the treetops, no matter — the dog will bay again and point out exactly where it has hidden. A well-placed shot completes the coordinated work of hunter and dog. This tradition of hunting squirrels with dogs is echoed in North America, where breeds such as the Mountain Cur and various Feists, recognized by organizations like the United Kennel Club (UKC), are used to tree squirrels and mark them for the gun.

Drey and Cavity Hunting Practices

Drey and cavity hunting focuses on the squirrel's own shelters — the leafy ball nests wedged in tree forks and the natural hollows in older timber. Late-season hunters, working woods with the leaves off, glass suspected dreys and cavities and watch for a head at the entrance on warm, calm mornings. Because a wounded squirrel will tuck into a den or cavity and become nearly impossible to recover, clean shot placement matters even more when hunting around nests.

Essential Squirrel Hunting Equipment and Gear

Squirrel hunting requires only modest, affordable gear: a suitable firearm and ammunition, optics for spotting, camouflage, a knife for field dressing, and the required license. Its low cost is a large part of why squirrel hunting is such an accessible entry point and such a good off-season way to sharpen woodsmanship skills.

Choosing the Right Firearm

The firearm choice for squirrels comes down to how you like to hunt: a shotgun for moving, snap-shooting hunts and dog work, a rimfire rifle for precise, still shooting, or a bow for the ultimate close-range challenge. Crimean fur trappers traditionally use small-bore shotguns — 28 and 32 gauge — a "Belka"-type combination gun, or a special insert for shooting a single pellet, and many also use a small-caliber rifle. Shots at squirrels often come from 15–20 meters, and the most suitable shot sizes are No. 6 and No. 5.

• Shotguns — a 20-gauge, 28-gauge, or .410 Shotgun (.410-gauge) with No. 5 or No. 6 shot is forgiving on moving targets and pairs well with dogs. Loads such as the Federal Heavy Field Game Load or Hevi-Shot give consistent patterns.
• Rimfire rifles — a .22 Rifle or .17 HMR gives precise, quiet shots for the patient, stationary hunter.
• Bows — the most demanding option, prized by traditional and archery hunters for close-range work.

.22 Rifle: Techniques and Specifications

The .22 Caliber Rifle chambered in .22 Long Rifle is the classic squirrel gun, prized for its quiet report, cheap ammunition, and pinpoint accuracy on head shots. A .22LR rifle such as a Henry .22 rifle topped with a modest optic like a Tasco 3-7x20 scope lets a hunter place shots precisely on treed squirrels. Because rifle accuracy depends on a steady hold, using a rest — a tree trunk, a pack, or a set of shooting sticks — is the difference between a clean kill and a wounded animal that escapes into a den.

.17 HMR Magnum Rifle Advantages

The .17 HMR offers a flatter trajectory and higher velocity than the .22 Long Rifle, extending the reliable range on treetop squirrels and reducing holdover at longer distances. A 17 HMR Rifle is a strong choice for hunters shooting across open hardwood bottoms or agricultural edges where fox squirrels feed at greater distances, though its ammunition costs more than standard rimfire.

Air Rifle and Alternative Methods

An air rifle is a quiet, low-cost alternative that excels in areas where noise or ricochet is a concern, such as near dwellings or on small parcels of private land. Modern pre-charged pneumatic air rifles in .22 caliber deliver enough energy for humane kills at moderate range and are increasingly popular for backyard and close-cover squirrel hunting.

Bow Hunting and Archery for Squirrels

Bow hunting for squirrels is the most challenging method and a favorite off-season practice for deer archers. Hunters use a bow with flu-flu arrows and blunt or judo points to slow the arrow and aid recovery; archery personalities such as Beka Garris have popularized this small-game pursuit as a way to keep archery skills sharp between big-game seasons.

Ammunition Types and Non-Toxic Alternatives

Ammunition for squirrels ranges from standard lead rimfire and lead shot to non-toxic alternatives required in some areas. For rifles, reliable high-velocity loads such as the CCI Mini-Mag feed and group well; for shotguns, No. 5 and No. 6 shot patterns cleanly at typical squirrel range. Where lead is restricted — check the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and your state agency — steel and other non-toxic shot such as Hevi-Shot are the compliant choices.

Binoculars and Optics for Spotting

Optics turn a fruitless walk into a productive hunt by letting you pick out a still squirrel or an occupied drey before it sees you. A compact pair of binoculars helps confirm targets high in the canopy, while a low-power rimfire scope on the rifle allows precise shot placement. A set of shooting sticks such as Primos Trigger Sticks steadies the rifle for those small, high targets.

Camouflage and Safety Gear

Camouflage that matches the woodland background helps a hunter get within range of sharp-eyed squirrels, while safety gear keeps that hunter visible to other people in the field. Muted patterns, a face covering, and gloves reduce the movement and glare that spook squirrels; the goal is to break up your outline without sacrificing the visibility that safety demands.

Blaze Orange Safety Requirements

Many jurisdictions require squirrel hunters to wear blaze orange — often a hat and vest — during firearm seasons so they remain visible to other hunters. Requirements vary by state and by whether other seasons overlap, so confirm the current rule with your wildlife agency before heading out; where blaze orange is mandated, wearing it is both a legal duty and a basic ethical practice.

Cleaning and Preparing Squirrel Meat

Squirrel meat is edible, lean, and well regarded, and preparing it involves field dressing, skinning, and either cooking soon or freezing for later. Handle the animal promptly after the shot, keep the meat cool and clean, and it rewards the hunter with a genuinely good table.

Cleaning Tools and Field Dressing

Field dressing a squirrel needs little more than a sharp knife and clean hands, and the classic technique is to make a cut across the back skin, then peel the hide off in two directions like a jacket. After skinning, remove the entrails, wash the carcass, and either portion it or freeze it whole. For freezer preparation, seal the meat well against air to prevent freezer burn; the following tools cover the job:

• A sharp fixed-blade or folding knife
• Game shears for cutting through joints
• Water and paper towels for cleaning
• Vacuum-seal or freezer bags for storage

Cooking and Culinary Uses of Squirrel Meat

Squirrel meat is best cooked slowly, since the muscle is lean and can be tough on older animals — braising, stewing, and frying with a long simmer all produce tender results. A popular preparation is a squirrel-and-mushroom bake, in which browned pieces are layered with sautéed mushrooms and a savory sauce, then baked until the meat falls from the bone — a fitting way to use the mushrooms that squirrels themselves store on the branch. Younger squirrels can also be fried like chicken after a brief parboil.

Hunting Regulations and Access Restrictions

Squirrel hunting is governed by legal seasons, bag limits, and licensing, and hunters must also secure the right to hunt the land they choose. Public land — national and state forests and other tracts managed by a State Parks Department or wildlife agency — is broadly available, while private land requires the owner's permission. Season dates, bag limits, and license requirements are published by state agencies such as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, so always verify the current rules before you hunt.

Beyond the letter of the law, ethical squirrel hunting rests on the Four Cs — care, courtesy, caution, and conservation — and on taking only clean, humane shots. Whether you pursue squirrels with a shotgun, a rimfire rifle, a bow, or a dog, hunt within the seasons and limits, respect landowners and other hunters, and treat every animal with the aim of a quick, ethical kill. Approached this way, squirrel hunting remains a sustainable, accessible tradition and one of the best schools for the woodsmanship that carries over to every other kind of hunting.