Out There: Floating for squirrels
Sometimes the best place to hunt squirrels is on the water
By Keith "Catfish" SuttonThere he was, big as life, running down the riverbank like a rufous-coated mink. Then, as suddenly as he appeared, he was gone.
"Where'd he go?" Gregg Patterson whispered.
"I'm not sure," I responded, "but he's bound to show himself sooner or later. There aren't many places he can hide."
The trees edging the river were sparse — a big elm, some small oaks, a thin band of locusts.
The subject of our abbreviated discussion, a big fox squirrel, had exited the scene via a tangle of vines and shrubs blanketing the ground beneath them.
A rustle stirred the leaves overhead. Branches shook. A patch of russet passed through the greenery, then a long orange tail. Our quarry was striking out for safer ground.
With hand signals, we synchronized our movements. An index finger was pressed to lips and nose — ssshhh! — then the same finger pointed upstream. There. Over there.
I dipped a paddle in the water, and the canoe pivoted. Patterson used more sign language — a palm outstretched, pumping back and forth. Close enough.
I followed Patterson's gaze into the treetops, looking for a knot on the tree that was not a knot, or a telltale wisp of chestnut fur caught in the breeze — anything that might give the squirrel away.
It moved again, and I saw it, sidling around the tree trunk. Patterson saw it, too, and waved me forward. Easy now, just a little closer.
Patterson raised the shotgun. But, no, not yet. The squirrel moved again. The gun came down. More signals. More movement. Good. Right here. That's it. Now stop.
for squirrels.
There was success, though. Patterson scurried up the bank to retrieve his kill.
"Crafty devils, aren't they," he said smiling, stroking the animal's thick, reddish pelt.
"Yeah, but that's what makes them so fun," I answered. "Let's see if any of his cousins are running around here."
River floating is one of the best of all ways to hunt squirrels. Aside from sandwiching two pleasant sports — boating and hunting — together, float-hunting has many other advantages.
First, a river float-hunt allows you to visit remote areas, where hunting pressure usually is light and top-quality shooting results.
Second, the silent water stalk by canoe or johnboat puts squirrels in the bag. Riverbank squirrels seldom are wary of hunters in boats, and floating eliminates the sounds produced by even the most careful stalker.
Hardwood river bottoms produce lots of squirrels because they have more dependable crops of acorns, hickory nuts and other mast.
Mast failure is usually associated with drought. But streamsides are less affected by dryness, so food supplies are more reliable; and squirrels are usually plentiful year after year.
River hunting also is peaceful and rewarding. The constantly changing scenery adds to the adventure.
Start by locating a stream that flows through good squirrel habitat — mature woodlands made up of oaks, hickories and other mast-producing hardwoods.
The slower the stream, the better the floating technique works.
Fast-running whitewater rivers aren't safe or feasible when you're planning to shoot from the water. The best streams are rated Class I or II — defined as moving water with few or no rapids and obstructions, so little maneuvering is necessary.
Unless you can motor back to your launch site, you also should select a stream with bridges or road access at convenient put-in and take-out points.
A five- to 10-mile stretch usually is ideal for a one-day float-hunt, but the distance you should plan to travel depends on the speed of stream flow, the amount of hunting time you have and whether or not you plan to camp.
Arrange shuttle service with an outfitter in advance, or plan on hunting with a partner and driving two vehicles to river.
Canoes are the boats of choice for most on-water squirrel hunters because they're quiet and easy to maneuver, and can be launched and taken out with minimal effort. If low-water conditions make portaging a necessity, the canoe shines.
There's one big disadvantage, however, especially with shorter models, and that's instability. Canoes can be easily tipped when not handled properly or when negotiating tricky water.
Novices should learn basic canoeing skills and canoeing safety before harnessing the boat to hunting methods.
Johnboats provide a more stable alternative and work superbly on bottomland streams where portaging is seldom necessary. They provide a low silhouette for that "part of the river" appearance so important in this brand of hunting, and can easily be maneuvered using a small trolling motor or by sculling from the front seat.
Most savvy float-hunters work in pairs. One paddles while the other shoots, and they trade places periodically, allowing each to get some action.
Safety is paramount.
Ammunition is never chambered until a squirrel is spotted and the boat is in a stable position.
Hunters should be afloat at daybreak, because the action starts at dawn.
On small waters, start hunting from the middle of the stream and check for noise or movement on both sides, in the trees and on the ground.
When a squirrel is pinpointed, move close to the bank so you're not as obvious in your approach.
On wide rivers, stay close to one shore or the other while spotting squirrels. Some hunters try to cover both banks and find themselves suddenly out of range of either; squirrels are gone before an approach can be made.
Keep movements and noise to a minimum. If you're silent and still, most squirrels will react as if you're nothing more than a log floating downstream.
It's not unusual to drift within 20 yards of a bushytail cutting nuts or drinking. Most will show no fear, and that is their downfall.
Pick your shots carefully. If you can be certain of your target and make a clean kill from your boat, do so. There are times, however, when it's more prudent to go ashore and move in closer for the kill.
If you've traveled a long stretch without seeing a squirrel, tie or anchor your boat, and spend time looking and listening. Squirrels may be away from the outer edges of cover where they're not easily seen, requiring a more attentive approach for locating them.
If the float takes you into a nice section of woods with an active squirrel population, you may want to secure your boat and hunt along the stream.
One of the primary advantages of float-hunting is gaining access to roadless backcountry other hunters rarely visit. The results often include top-of-the-line shooting.
States vary considerably in their treatment of hunting over water, so check local game laws closely before undertaking this method. For instance, some states restrict the use of rifles from boats.
Federal waterfowl regulations also should be examined:
During seasons for ducks, geese and coots, you'll have to hunt with steel shot only. Also during these times, it's illegal to hunt from a motorboat unless the engine has been completely shut off. Float-hunting with rifles or pistols also is unlawful during waterfowl seasons.
What constitutes a successful river squirrel hunt?
For some, it is nothing less than a limit of squirrels. But for most of us, just being there is a triumph.
As we drift along in the current, we find peace, relaxation and relief from all the weary realities that bind our hearts and minds. And if we bag a few squirrels along the way, that's just an extra gift.
To contact Keith Sutton, email him at catfishdude@sbcglobal.net. His new book, "Out There Fishing" (Stoeger Publishing; $19.95), is available at www.catfishsutton.com.
