Small game (squirrel and rabbit) advice needed

[richie722]

I have been small game hunting a few times for squirrel and rabbit on state land in southeast michigan without any luck. Been to Holly State Rec Area and Bald Mountain Rec Area. I haven't seen a squirrel or rabbit when I go out. Can anybody give me some advice about where to try, times of the day that may be better, or anything else that may be useful information to put me into some game? I hunt with a partner and we do not have a dog. Any tips are appreciated!

Thanks,
Rich

[trout]

For Squirrels, try areas that are not pressured too much.
Nice sunny days this time of year are best, walk slow and look at the ground as they tend to feed on the ground more without the leaf cover on trees.
You will see them in the tops feeding on buds, but more likely to see them on the ground.
Look 80+ yards out, I sometimes use binocs as my eye are not what they used to be.
Slow down as if you were deer hunting.
8-11 a.m. seems to be a great time for me.
Find the food sources too, squirrels will travel a long ways to get food.
Sometime they follow fence/tree lines and you can even seen 10 squirrels moving in a fence line towards a food source.

[Slug Gunner]

I agree with Trout. From sunrise to about noon is a good time for squirrels. There seems to be a lull in the early afternoon sometimes and then they come back out and get active later in the afternoon. That's not a definate as I have shot plenty of them during mid day but that's what I seemed to notice more this year while deer hunting. For squirrels, I always seem to see a lot more when I just find a decent woodlot and sit down on a stump or against a tree and wait. Within 15-20 minutes the woods comes alive and usually you will see more than one at a time. My dad and grandpa always used to like the slow walk method for squirrels but when walking you are still making noise and moving and squirrels can see you from a long ways off. I'd always see a lot more than them when I just sat down. Rabbits are a different story and I've had more trouble finding them the last couple of years as well. Too many hawks, coyotes, fox, etc in my opinion. Glad to hear there are guys still hunting squirrels. Good luck!

[CL-Lewiston]

At the time described abo[e-esp after a couple rainy days. The rain tends to keep them in and then a nice day and bingo.

[Nick1972]

An old man told me once to look for small fresh broken twigs on the ground as the wieght of the squirels brake these parts off the limbs as they travel through the trrees.Guesse what? It seems to work. I just look for the signs, sit and wait and it seems to be productive. Good Luck!