Best time of year to shoot Squirrels?

[Derick]

Just starting to control the Squirrels on our shoot, when is the best time of year to start this? 

[TIGHTCHOKE]

Whenever you see them.

[ditchman]

1 minute ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

Whenever you see them.

plus 1......................and 12bore the dreys

[JKD]

14 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said:

Whenever you see them.

Exactly this 👍

[Derick]

Thanks guys 👍👍

[jall25]

16 minutes ago, Derick said:

Just starting to control the Squirrels on our shoot, when is the best time of year to start this? 

 

You dont want to control Derick - you should aim for eradication 

Shoot them on feeders with a rifle 

I also have lots of joy stalking them with a shotgun and thermal - its amazing how many sit in the trees unseen to the naked eye 

[steve_b_wales]

1 hour ago, ditchman said:

plus 1......................and 12bore the dreys

Try and make sure the dreys are not occupied by owls etc. If you see a squirrel enteringh/exiting it, that's good.

Edited Sunday at 21:46 by steve_b_wales

[Fellside]

Personally I find the best time is spring before the trees are in leaf. I can just see them more easily - it’s as simple as that. Agreed re hammering them all year round if poss’ though. 

[Vince Green]

37 minutes ago, steve_b_wales said:

Try and make sure the dreya are not occupoed by owls etc. If you see a squirrel enteringh/exiting it, that's good.

I'm not sure shooting the dreys would be a very effective ways to control. 

Round here (semi urban) there are hundreds of squirrels but very few dreys or trees big enough to support a drey.

Best method in my opinion is to set up feeding stations and bait them in to where you can shoot them from a hide.

Bait the stations regularly, preferably all the time not just when you want to shoot. They are creatures of habit and will return every day looking for food.

[Ultrastu]

September through to November  usually  when they are most active in the trees looking for nuts etc .

But obviously  can be found at all times of the year .

[Mice!]

On 16/02/2025 at 20:38, ditchman said:

plus 1......................and 12bore the dreys

But you don't know what's in the drey!

On 17/02/2025 at 07:24, Ultrastu said:

September through to November  usually  when they are most active in the trees looking for nuts etc .

But obviously  can be found at all times of the year .

Often a quiet time I find, although things have been quiet so far this year.

I find April, May, June and July the busiest months. 

I'm looking forward to them being on the leaf buds.

On 16/02/2025 at 21:47, Vince Green said:

Round here (semi urban) there are hundreds of squirrels but very few dreys or trees big enough to support a drey.

I'm sure you'd be surprised, I've seen quite a few dreys recently that are really well hidden, not typical balls of twigs but mossy structures against the boughs of trees, without the thermal I'd not have spotted them but the glow gives them away.