squirrel calls
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I have an old P S Olt S-8 squirrel call that I have used for years. It works, I think its called the bellows type. I sit and tap the call on my leg. Doesn't particularly sound like squirrel to me but they almost always come a runnin'.
Knight and Hale are good calls but you might experiment with others.
Knight and Hale are good calls but you might experiment with others.
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79 Posts
Just like a Turkey Call
Using a Squirrel Call is similar to using a Turkey Call. In order to be effective, you've got to learn the squirrel language. If you learn to use it effectively, it works quite well. I've also got the Knight and Hale Squirrel Call kit with audio tape.
If you make the short, hard 'bark' it is a WARNING BARK, and they will either hide or become very cautious. If you use the short, rapid bark sequence it resembles "squirrel chatter" and they'll often be attracted to it. Another one that works, during the nesting season, is the young squirrel "distress call".... kind of sounds like a "dying rabbit call" (it can also be used as a coyote or varmint call too). The tape points out that there is a difference in the call sequences for either gray/red squirrels and the larger fox squirrels.
It works for me. The best thing to really do is to sit in an area that the squirrels are very active in and just listen to them when they are being "vocal". If you can repeat those sounds, then you will be effective. If one makes the "warning bark", you'll immediately notice how most of them react to it.... most activity ceases until they can locate the source of the "warning" or enough time passes for them to get active again.
:twisted:
:wink:
Using a Squirrel Call is similar to using a Turkey Call. In order to be effective, you've got to learn the squirrel language. If you learn to use it effectively, it works quite well. I've also got the Knight and Hale Squirrel Call kit with audio tape.
If you make the short, hard 'bark' it is a WARNING BARK, and they will either hide or become very cautious. If you use the short, rapid bark sequence it resembles "squirrel chatter" and they'll often be attracted to it. Another one that works, during the nesting season, is the young squirrel "distress call".... kind of sounds like a "dying rabbit call" (it can also be used as a coyote or varmint call too). The tape points out that there is a difference in the call sequences for either gray/red squirrels and the larger fox squirrels.
It works for me. The best thing to really do is to sit in an area that the squirrels are very active in and just listen to them when they are being "vocal". If you can repeat those sounds, then you will be effective. If one makes the "warning bark", you'll immediately notice how most of them react to it.... most activity ceases until they can locate the source of the "warning" or enough time passes for them to get active again.
:twisted:
:wink:
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27 Posts
I have a neat squirrel call story.
When I was about 12 my Dad's friend let me borrow his squirrel call. I sat down at the base of an Oak and started using it. After a few minutes I heard a scratching sound above my head. I looked up and was about a foot away from being nose to nose with a gray squirrel. We were both pretty suprised. When he realized what was going on and that gray ran up that tree at about 100 miles an hour.
So, yeah I think they work.
When I was about 12 my Dad's friend let me borrow his squirrel call. I sat down at the base of an Oak and started using it. After a few minutes I heard a scratching sound above my head. I looked up and was about a foot away from being nose to nose with a gray squirrel. We were both pretty suprised. When he realized what was going on and that gray ran up that tree at about 100 miles an hour.
So, yeah I think they work.
I also have success with the Olt bellows call. When using it, you have to be alert with both your ears and eyes. I've had them to sneak up in the trees around me with out making a noise, and I've also had them get started up a good 75 yards away with the barking. Move very little, for if they see you, they're gone! It is especially challenging for me as I generally get in close with the 22mag single six and open sights. Yeah, I could get my bag limit with a rifle, but it just feels more rewarding to bring home 2 or 3 with the pistol. Kind of like bow hunting I suppose.
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OK, so what do the various squirrel calls mean?
So far I've heard:
chk, chk, chk, cherrrrr, cherrrr. chk, chk, chk, cherrrrr, cherrrr.
chuka-chuka-chuka (real quick and staccato-like) To duplicate with the bellows I hold the rigid end and wiggle the bellows back and forth.
And once I heard a squirrel give a very faint, rapid tick-tick-tick-tick call. It was about 10 feet away looking straight at me. I can't duplicate this sound with the bellows call. I can come pretty close by pronouncing the consonant "T" in rapid succession (just a plain "t" sound, not "tee").
So what do the above calls mean? Is the chuka-chuka the warning bark?
So far I've heard:
chk, chk, chk, cherrrrr, cherrrr. chk, chk, chk, cherrrrr, cherrrr.
chuka-chuka-chuka (real quick and staccato-like) To duplicate with the bellows I hold the rigid end and wiggle the bellows back and forth.
And once I heard a squirrel give a very faint, rapid tick-tick-tick-tick call. It was about 10 feet away looking straight at me. I can't duplicate this sound with the bellows call. I can come pretty close by pronouncing the consonant "T" in rapid succession (just a plain "t" sound, not "tee").
So what do the above calls mean? Is the chuka-chuka the warning bark?
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I don't know, I am not a squirrel,but have heard the same sound (s) you describe. The first I believe is a warning that the little chit has spotted something that it doesn't like. Hunter/cat/hawk
The second I believe is a warning call also but is louder to cover more area maybe as a warning to youngens.
That chuckachucka cheeerr is a low throaty growl I have seen a cat the squirrel was watching when making this sound.
The second I believe is a warning call also but is louder to cover more area maybe as a warning to youngens.
That chuckachucka cheeerr is a low throaty growl I have seen a cat the squirrel was watching when making this sound.
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