How to Hunt Spring Squirrels: Tips, Tactics, and Best Times

Spring squirrel hunting is an overlooked way to spend time in the woods after winter ends. While many hunters are focused on turkey or heading to the water for trout, squirrels can provide a simple, low-commitment small-game hunt in several states. The key is adapting your approach to warmer temperatures, fresh spring food sources, and thickening foliage.

Whether you prefer a rimfire or shotgun, knowing where to find squirrels in spring, when they are most active, and what they are eating can make your next hunt much more productive.

When Is Spring Squirrel Hunting Season?

Spring squirrel seasons are available in some states, but the dates, bag limits, legal hunting methods, and open areas vary by jurisdiction. Always check the current regulations from your state wildlife agency before hunting.

Spring seasons are generally timed around squirrel activity following the first nesting period. In warmer regions, seasons may extend into late spring or early summer, while some areas have different regulations or year-round opportunities.

Because regulations can change from year to year, hunters should verify the current season rather than relying on an old hunting calendar.

What Is the Best Time to Hunt Squirrels in Spring?

Early morning is usually the best time to hunt spring squirrels.

As temperatures rise, squirrels often become less active during the hottest part of the day and spend more time in shaded cover. Getting into the woods around daybreak gives you a better chance of catching squirrels while they are moving and feeding.

Early evening can also produce activity, particularly when temperatures begin to fall.

On especially warm days, concentrate on naturally cooler areas such as:

• Deep hollows
• Creek bottoms
• Shaded hardwoods
• Heavily wooded draws
• Areas near dependable water

Overcast days and periods following rain can also be worth exploring because cooler conditions may keep squirrels active for longer.

Where to Find Squirrels in Spring

Finding squirrels in spring starts with finding what they are eating.

During fall, hunters commonly concentrate on hardwoods producing acorns, hickory nuts, and other hard mast. Spring changes the equation. Squirrels have access to different foods as vegetation begins growing and trees and plants produce fresh forage.

Look for areas containing:

• Wild berries and soft mast
• Fresh tree buds
• Mushrooms
• Insects
• Flowering or fruit-producing trees
• Mature hardwoods
• Reliable water sources

Instead of walking randomly through the woods, identify several areas with promising food and cover before you start hunting.

What Do Squirrels Eat in Spring?

Spring squirrels have access to a different menu than they do during the fall.

Soft mast such as wild mulberries can be especially attractive when available. Fresh tree buds, mushrooms, and insects can also become important food sources as the season progresses.

This means hunters should pay attention to the ground as well as the treetops.

A squirrel feeding on the forest floor may give you an opportunity that would be easy to miss if you spend the entire hunt looking upward. Watch for feeding activity, disturbed vegetation, and fresh sign around productive trees and plants.

The best spring squirrel hunting areas are often those that combine food, cover, and water.

How Spring Foliage Changes Squirrel Hunting

One of the biggest differences between spring and fall squirrel hunting is visibility.

Once trees leaf out and understory vegetation begins growing, squirrels have considerably more places to disappear. A squirrel that would have been easy to spot against bare branches in January can become almost invisible in May.

This makes patience and movement especially important.

Listen for:

• Barking
• Chattering
• Movement in leaves
• Branches shaking
• Squirrels cutting or feeding
• Other squirrels responding nearby

Do not expect every opportunity to be a long, clear look. Spring foliage often produces quick windows when a squirrel moves into an opening or crosses a visible branch.

Should You Use a Rimfire or Shotgun for Spring Squirrels?

The best choice depends on the terrain, visibility, local regulations, and the type of hunting you prefer.

A rimfire can be an excellent option when you are able to identify squirrels clearly at appropriate distances and have a safe backstop. It also makes a good choice for hunters who enjoy carefully watching the treetops and taking their time.

A shotgun can be useful when spring foliage makes visibility difficult. Thick leaves and brush can turn a squirrel sighting into a split-second opportunity, and a shotgun can be more forgiving when the target appears briefly.

Whichever firearm you use, follow all applicable hunting regulations and practice safe firearm handling throughout the hunt.

Keep Moving While Spring Squirrel Hunting

Dense spring vegetation makes still-hunting more challenging, but it also provides hunters with additional concealment.

Rather than sitting in one location for the entire morning, consider planning a route through several promising areas.

Scout for:

1. Spring food sources
2. Mature trees and productive hardwoods
3. Water
4. Areas with fresh squirrel activity
5. Cooler, shaded terrain

Move slowly between these locations and stop frequently to listen.

A squirrel that you would never see while walking quickly may reveal itself when you pause for a minute or two.

If you hunted the same property during fall, revisit locations where you found squirrel activity or dens. Those areas can provide useful starting points even though the animals’ preferred food sources may have changed.

Should You Use a Squirrel Call?

A squirrel call can be useful, particularly when vegetation makes it difficult to locate squirrels visually.

A chatter or squirrel-bark call can encourage a nearby squirrel to respond. Instead of immediately trying to call a squirrel into view, use the sound to help determine where animals are located.

A distress-style squirrel call can also attract attention because nearby squirrels may investigate unusual activity.

Calling is not guaranteed to work, so use it as another tool rather than relying on it as your primary strategy.

If you hear a squirrel respond, stop moving and carefully scan the surrounding branches.

Look and Listen for Squirrels

Spring squirrel hunting is as much about listening as it is about looking.

Dense foliage can conceal an animal that is only a few yards away. Before moving into an area, spend some time standing still and listening.

A squirrel may reveal its location through:

• Chattering
• Barking
• Movement through leaves
• Branch movement
• Feeding sounds
• Other squirrels reacting to it

Once you hear something, resist the urge to immediately walk toward it. Instead, try to determine the direction and watch the surrounding trees.

Sometimes the squirrel will expose itself if you simply wait.

Try a Spring Squirrel Cast and Blast

You do not have to dedicate an entire trip to squirrel hunting.

A spring squirrel hunt can be an excellent addition to a fishing or turkey trip, especially when you are already spending time around creeks, rivers, or lakes.

Water provides an important resource during warmer weather, while creek bottoms and lake edges can contain a mixture of trees, berry-producing plants, and other spring food sources.

A canoe or other small boat can also provide access to areas that are difficult to reach on foot where local regulations permit it.

The result can be a simple spring cast-and-blast outing: spend part of the day fishing and part of the day looking for bushy-tails.

Spring Squirrel Hunting Tips

For a quick checklist before your next hunt:

• Start early: Daybreak is often the most productive period.
• Find the food: Look for soft mast, buds, mushrooms, and other spring forage.
• Watch the weather: Hot conditions can reduce midday squirrel activity.
• Hunt cooler terrain: Creek bottoms, hollows, and shaded woods can hold more activity.
• Listen carefully: Chattering and barking can reveal squirrels hidden by foliage.
• Keep moving: Cover several productive areas instead of staying in one spot all morning.
• Use calls selectively: Calling can help locate squirrels in dense cover.
• Revisit productive ground: Previous fall squirrel hotspots can provide useful starting points.
• Know the regulations: Confirm current season dates, bag limits, legal methods, and land restrictions before hunting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spring Squirrel Hunting

What is the best time of day to hunt squirrels in spring?

Early morning is generally the best starting point because squirrels are often active before temperatures become uncomfortable. Early evening can also be productive.

Where should you look for squirrels in spring?

Focus on areas offering food, cover, and water. Soft-mast-producing plants, fresh buds, mature hardwoods, creek bottoms, and shaded areas can all be worth scouting.

What do squirrels eat in spring?

Spring squirrels can feed on soft mast, fresh tree buds, mushrooms, insects, and other emerging vegetation. Available food varies by region and weather.

Is spring squirrel hunting harder than fall squirrel hunting?

It can be. Spring foliage gives squirrels more concealment, making them harder to spot. However, hunters can compensate by focusing more heavily on food sources, listening for movement, and hunting during cooler periods.

Can you hunt squirrels with a rimfire in spring?

A rimfire may be suitable where it is legal and when the hunter has a clear, safe shot and appropriate backstop. Always follow current state and local hunting regulations.

The Bottom Line on Spring Squirrel Hunting

Spring squirrel hunting offers a simple way to get back into the woods after winter. The animals are still there, but the strategy changes as temperatures rise and vegetation becomes thicker.

Start early, find the food, pay attention to cooler terrain, and slow down enough to listen. When spring foliage makes squirrels difficult to see, their chatter and movement can become just as valuable as a clear view through the branches.

You do not need an elaborate setup or an entire weekend to enjoy it. Check your local regulations, grab the appropriate gear, and spend a spring morning following the sounds of bushy-tails through the woods.