oooh id love to take my rifle out for some squirrels....need anything special for this? i have never been out before. any places in central ma to go?
Find an area with oak (especially white oak), hickory, or beech. They seem to be most active early in the morning or late in the day. Like most animals, they'll be active when the weather clears after a snow storm.
This time of year you can hear them from a distance either calling or moving in the canopy due to the rustling leaves. The leaves also block their vision, so you can stalk close and get them with a shotgun. If you move when they move, they're less likely to hear you. If you keep tree trunks between you and them, they're less likely to see you. If you spook them, quietly wait for them to forget about you and start moving again... won't be more than 20 mins or so. Stand or sit near a tree trunk so you're less obvious.
When the leaves are down it's harder to get close, so I switch to a .22 and take safe shots on the ground or against a tree trunk. Go to an area where you think there are squirrel; get comfortable, be still, and wait. If nothing's moving after 20 minutes try a different area. A stadium seat pad is nice when things are cold and/or wet.
Squirrel hunting is a waiting and listening game. You're listening for their calling, rustling, and the scratching of their nails on the bark. At the same time you're scanning for movement. Be still and quiet... like a hole in the woods.
It's easy to scout for areas where squirrel live after a fresh snow. You'll see their tracks and digging.
I know all of you know this, but to say it anyway, please do not shoot .22s up into the air.
Haven't gone this year, but had a good opening day last year:
A few people have mentioned the cost of .410 ammo... I bought some Remington #6 promo loads for around 7-8 bucks at BassPro.
![[angry]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/008.gif "Angry [angry]")
