just wondering if anyone has actually called in squirrels or if its just easier and less effort to go into the woods and sit there under a nest and wait for one to come down.
I have successfully called in squirrels. It's quite fun when you are able to do it. I have two observations:
1. A squirrel call is not a squirrel call. I once owned an excellent squirrel call that I had used successfully to call in many squirrels. It fell out of my pocket on a hunt and was lost forever. I replaced it with a popular brand bellows type. I've never called in a squirrel since.
2. My experience is that success at calling in squirrels is directly proportional to the amount of cover/camoflage you have. Once you've made the call, they will be looking for the source (YOU!). You had better be sitting motionless, quiet, and obscured. If they see you before you see them, its over. You will think, "I just can't call in squirrels." In reality you probably did, but they were more vigilant than you were.
3. Be patient. Make you call. Wait. When you think you've waited long enough, wait some more. The call can be heard at great distance in the woods, and it might take the amorous squirrel a while to get there.
4. Less is more. Make your call and wait. Resist the temptation to tap that thing again. The more commotion you make, the better chance you will be spotted. I do a second call only when I hear an answered call somewhere in the distance.
Thanks for those tips! I have had the knight & hale 4in1 bellows call for a few years and have NEVER called a squirrel in with it.
So do you usually just pick a spot and hunker down and wait perfectly still until you see a squirrel?
The easiest and most reliable way for me to call in a squirrel is to have my deer gun in my hand. Same works for deer and my squirrel gun.
If you really want to have some fun, hunt with dogs, I don't think you can here in Indiana.
I sat in the woods for 12 hours yesterday and the only thing I called in with the squirrel call is a darn rabbit.
I can't say I've had much success "calling" them, but when you know there is one on the other side of the tree, or don't have a good shot at it, a quick bark from a call usually changes that. BTW does anyone make a tactical rail mount squirrel call? haha.
...Any one who thinks they are going to sit in the woods and call squirrels in like turkeys or coyotes is pure wasting their time...