Effective Squirrel Caller

[FelixS]

I was adjusting my quick and dirty tri-pod and noticed it sounded like a squirrel when I twisted it. So, I twisted it a bit and guess who popped out of their hole? I thwacked it at 61 yards, but unfortunately it crawled back to it's hole. Anyways, I now have a new tool in my arsenal, hahaha!

 

[Gerry52]

I've got a squirrel call app on my phone from Google app store. It's caused the demise of many a ground squirrel in the last couple years!

 

[Ezana4CE]

The sounds I make with my mouth work for me. I heard a squirrel barking the other day and pulled out some binos in attempt to locate it. After a while I grew impatient not being able to spot it through the leaves and I began to respond with a distress call. Not only did it expose its location (which was a lot closer than it sounded), I also saw a couple descending tree trunks. It’s not squirrel season here so this was purely an exercise for me.

 

[cmatera]

You can make some great squirrel sounds using 2 quarters tapped together or running the serrated edge of one on the other.

 

[rcs9250]

Years ago, I had a caller that was a piece of 1/2-13 threaded nylon all thread that was screwed into a wooden handle and on a lanyard, a piece of nylon 1/8” x 1/2” x 2” long that you slowly clicked down over the thread to make a sound they make when breaking acorns or nut hulls. Wish I could find it.
I recently heard about keeping to half dollar coins in your pocket. You use it in two different ways. 1. Hold one coin in your one hand with thumb and index finger tightly around its edge and the rest of that hand in a funnel shape. Then with the other coin, with the edge, tap it against the other coon to make an alerting sound. 2. Holding faces of coin between thumb and a finger or two, you use the edge of the other coin in your other hand to slowly click it on the edge serrations to make a clicking sound like nuts and acorns being chewed.

 

[rcs9250]

You can make some great squirrel sounds using 2 quarters tapped together or running the serrated edge of one on the other.

Your post came while I was composing mine.

 

[Ezana4CE]

You can make some great squirrel sounds using 2 quarters tapped together or running the serrated edge of one on the other.

@rcs9250 @cmatera What’s the trick with the coins? I’ve tried that a few times and was unable to get a noticeable response. My impression was that the squirrel(s) was supposed think another had found and started eating their cache of nuts. I thought this would draw them in the area to ward off the thief. I tried tapping the edge of one against flat surface of another and rubbing the two edges together, neither method worked for me. What type of reaction did y’all get using coins?

 

[rcs9250]

@rcs9250 @cmatera What’s the trick with the coins? I’ve tried that a few times and was unable to get a noticeable response. My impression was that the squirrel(s) was supposed think another had found and started eating their cache of nuts. I thought this would draw them in the area to ward off the thief. I tried tapping the edge of one against flat surface of another and rubbing the two edges together, neither method worked for me. What type of reaction did y’all get using coins?

I’ve had best luck tapping edge to face to make the clicking sound. For me it will get them to bark, giving away their position.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I’ve had best luck tapping edge to face to make the clicking sound. For me it will get them to bark, giving away their position.

Thanks, that’s helpful. I hadn’t noticed that when I tried. What time(s) of day you have gotten to the most responses using that method? Or is it more of a seasonal deal?

 

[rcs9250]

Thanks, that’s helpful. I hadn’t noticed that when I tried. What time(s) of day you have gotten to the most responses using that method? Or is it more of a seasonal deal?

Most of my squirreling in the past two or three years has been in the fall when leaves are well into falling off trees.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@rcs9250 Ok thanks.

 

[Pneumaddict]

I use a half of a hickory nut shell and the serrated edge of a quarter.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I use a half of a hickory nut shell and the serrated edge of a quarter.

@Pneumaddict how do they respond to this sound?

 

[Pneumaddict]

I make a gnawing sound with the shell and stir the leaves occasionally with my foot. If they are feeling territorial they may bark or they may move some to get a better look at what’s making the sound. Either way it gives me a chance to spot them. Never had any luck tolling them in that way but sometimes it will make them reveal themselves.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Pneumaddict Thank you. What seems to be consistent in these posts is that the calls make them bark to expose their locations.

 

[FelixS]

@Pneumaddict Thank you. What seems to be consistent in these posts is that the calls make them bark to expose their locations.

Yes, I had them peeking out of their holes while I was weed eating; they are very curious.

 

[Bigragu]

If you can find one of these, you will be amazed how many squirrels pop their heads out to see which one of them scored on a nut to chew on. Best time to use is in areas where water/shelter is plentiful but food is scarce or already has fallen off the trees. The plastic striker striking against the plastic threaded rod makes the sound of a squirrel chewing up loudly on something good, lol. With practice you can mimic a slow chew like on a nut or a fast rotary chew, as if a squirrel is spinning a corn cob on its teeth non stop. The rate of speed and pressure of how you use the striker against the rod will determine effectiveness for the hunting area

 

[Calbarry]

This call is very effective, I use it mainly for ground squirrels, but it works for the tree squirrels too. Inexpensive and easy to use. Ground squirrels will sit up when they hear this, making them and easier target, and a lot of times, after they run into a burrow, they'll pop their head back up upon hearing it. A non hunting friend gave it to me as a joke, but it's a winner..

 

[beerthief]

UK hunters use a wooden box , like a bird feeder fastened to a tree trunk about 4 feet up . fill with peanuts and wait 2 or three days for them to get comfortable with it and then set up a blind and Squirrel stew .