Hunting squirrels is a great introduction to hunting for new (and younger!) hunters alike, and an experience we recommend that everyone try at least once: the permit and gear requirements are low, it can be an active hunt, it doesn’t have to be silent, public land access is relatively open in Illinois for squirrel hunting, and they can be pretty tasty! If you like hunting with your dog, they offer the opportunity to do that, too. Read on to learn more about the squirrel species of Illinois, their ecology, and their sign, as well as methods and tactics, the required licenses and permits, and field dressing, processing, and cooking tips.

Select a specific topic to learn more, or read on
**This page is meant to be a resource to help you get started hunting squirrels. Season dates, bag limits, and other regulations are subject to change, so please consult the current Illinois DNR Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations for current information and if you’re hunting on public land, please refer to your site’s specific regulations as they vary from site to site.**
Why Hunt Squirrels?
Interested in learning why else you might want to consider hunting squirrels, and what you can do with them?
We recommend:
Learn to Hunt Squirrel Webinars, Podcast Episodes, and YouTube Videos
We know that getting started hunting in Illinois can be intimidating, and as much as we try to host in-person workshops all over the state, we know that not everyone interested in becoming a hunter can attend. We also know that the rest of this page has a lot of information and that some people prefer video and audio materials, or would prefer to begin with broader overviews before diving into the details. For this reason, we want to highlight our Learn to Squirrel webinars, a few of our favorite podcast episodes on the topic, and our YouTube videos that cover everything from hunter etiquette and ethics to finding places to hunt to choosing firearm equipment and ammo.
Learn to Hunt Squirrel Webinars
Squirrel hunting is often partnered with other types of hunting. For this reason, you will sometimes see it considered as: 1) part of upland game hunting; 2) part of small game hunting; 3) paired with rabbit hunting; or 4) grouped with rabbit and dove hunting. We’ve done this ourselves in past webinars (as you may notice below), but we are beginning to consider them as their own category here at Illinois Learn to Hunt, as they have different requirements and tactics compared to the species with which they are often grouped.
Learn to Hunt (Hunt Illinois) Squirrel Hunting Podcast Episodes
You can also find these episodes (and more!) on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or on our podcast’s YouTube playlist.
Squirrel Species and Ecology
Squirrels of Illinois: Tree Squirrels vs. Ground Squirrels
Illinois is home to two broad categories of squirrels: tree (or arboreal) squirrels (which are what most of us simply call “squirrels”) and ground squirrels, which live on the ground (at the name suggests.
Illinois ground squirrels:
- Woodchuck (Marmota monax)
- Also known as a groundhog or a gopher.
Illinois tree squirrels:
Woodchucks are classified as a state game mammal, although they are included with furbearers because they may be hunted AND trapped in Illinois. However, woodchuck hunting is considered to be distinct from (tree) squirrel hunting and it has unique methods, seasons, and other regulations, so it will not be discussed here. With this in mind, there are only two species of squirrels that can be hunted in Illinois: the Eastern Gray Squirrel and the Eastern Fox Squirrel.

Eastern Gray Squirrel & Eastern Fox Squirrel: Behavior & Ecology
Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

Physical Characteristics
- Head to tail base is around 8 to 11 inches long and generally weighs around 1 1/4 lbs
- Tail is roughly the same length as the body and white fur borders the bushy gray tail
- Gray (agouti) back, sides, and head with cream eye circles, a white belly, and white tips on ears
- Other color variations can occur, such as all black (melanistic), leucistic (white or pale, or with white or pale splotches, dark eyes), and albinistic (albino), but all three of these variations are still the same species. All three can be found in IL.



Habitat Preferences & Behavioral Characteristics
- Common across Illinois, especially in close-canopy forests with nut-bearing or cavity trees and in cities
- Most active at dawn and dusk (crepuscular)
- Eats buds, leaves, fruits, berries, fungi, pecans, acorns, hickory nuts, tree bark, walnuts and the seeds of various other trees
- Primarily arboreal (lives in trees) but does store nuts in holes in the ground (caches).
- Commonly makes a “kuk-kuk-cut-cut-cut” call, but females will “bark” when pursued by males during the breeding seasons
Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)

Physical Characteristics
- Largest Illinois tree squirrel: head to tail base is around 10 to 15 inches long and weighs between 1 3/4 and 2 lbs.
- Tail is long and tinted orange
- Belly, ears, and face are also tinted a rusty orange
- Rusty yellow fur is mixed with black, which gives an overall orange tint to the body
- Other color variations (generally with more black, especially in the face) can be found, but they are generally found in the southern US, not in Illinois.
Habitat Preferences & Behavioral Characteristics
- Common across Illinois, but prefers forest edges and clusters over dense forest. The most common place to find eastern fox squirrels is along the edges of agriculture fields where they meet small forests. Can be found in urban areas, but less common than gray squirrels
- Not commonly found in the same areas as gray squirrels
- Diurnal (active during the day)
- Eastern fox squirrels tend to spend more time on the ground than gray squirrels do
- The eastern fox squirrel makes a series of sounds, but the “bark” is the most commonly used
- Eats fruits, tree buds, hickory nuts, acorns, walnuts, Osage orange fruits, corn, flowers, leaves, fungi and insects. The type of food eaten depends on the season and availability and they will cache, or store, extra food.
Using Squirrel Behavior and Ecology to Become a Better Squirrel Hunter
- These two squirrel species are most active at dawn and dusk. For this reason, you are more likely to be successful if you hunt squirrels at dawn and dusk, as they are more likely to be moving around in the trees or on the ground.
- In the early season, especially, hunting in the early morning is better because there is less wind and it is significantly cooler than later in the day, which again, means the squirrels are more likely to be active (as hotter and windier weather tends to encourage squirrels to return to their dreys).
- Squirrels rely on their vision and hearing to avoid becoming prey. When it is windy, trees, foliage, and other plants move and make it difficult for squirrels to tell when predators are around, so they tend to retreat into their nests.
- In the early season, especially, hunting in the early morning is better because there is less wind and it is significantly cooler than later in the day, which again, means the squirrels are more likely to be active (as hotter and windier weather tends to encourage squirrels to return to their dreys).
Tip: On windy days, focus your attention on areas protected from the main wind direction (like in a valley or on the backside of a slope). On windy days, you can also expect squirrels to be more active on the ground than up in the trees in these wind-protected areas.

- Early Season Behavior
- Squirrels spend most of their time in trees and nest in dreys (which are cooler than tree cavities)
- More active on cool mornings with little wind, but are rarely on the ground
- Squirrels spend most of their time in trees and nest in dreys (which are cooler than tree cavities)
- Mid-to-Late Season Behavior
- Spend more time on the ground collecting and caching nuts in the mid-season
- Once colder weather hits, squirrels have reduced periods of inactivity (but do not hibernate), until they enter one of their two breeding seasons in January/February
- During courtship, males engage in lively chases to vie for females, who may mate with multiple suitors. As a result, they tend to be very active during breeding season, rather than hunkered down in a cavity, which provides good hunting opportunities in the late season
- The other breeding season is in late spring/early summer, so is not relevant for hunting opportunities
- Once pregnant, the female carries the young for about 44 days before giving birth to a litter of two to six kits, typically in a secure den high in the trees
- During courtship, males engage in lively chases to vie for females, who may mate with multiple suitors. As a result, they tend to be very active during breeding season, rather than hunkered down in a cavity, which provides good hunting opportunities in the late season
Tip: Targeting hunting efforts during this late winter breeding behavior can be particularly advantageous, and it’s a great excuse to get yourself outside when the winter blues begin to set in!
Common Food Resources
The images below illustrate several of the most common squirrel food sources: acorns, hickory nut, beech nuts, and black walnuts. Becoming familiar with these types of tree nuts is a good first step in learning to identifying good squirrel habitat.


Squirrel Scouting

When looking for a good spot, we recommend looking for a somewhat open oak-hickory forest area. These spots provide ample food for the squirrels to draw them in and it is much easier to see the squirrels in these areas than it is in some of the denser area with thick underbrush.

Look for oak and hickory trees, which are favorites of squirrels, as well as old, dead trees that have cavities, which provide areas for squirrels to nest. Often, squirrel cavity nests will have chew marks around the hole in tree, from the squirrel gnawing on the opening to make it larger.
Squirrels generally prefer cavity nesting to dreys (nests constructed from twigs, leaves, branches, and other materials that squirrels make themselves), but in warmer weather and in areas that lack good cavity trees, be sure to keep an eye out for dreys higher up in the tree branches.


If you see stumps or logs with cracked nut shells on them, especially in a small pile, it is a good indication that squirrels are active nearby. The same is true if you see disturbed leaves on the ground where squirrels have been either stashing or searching for nuts (see image on the left).
Finally, tracks in snow or mud are also a great indication that there are squirrels in the area. Familiarizing yourself with squirrel tracks, especially compared to racoon tracks, rabbit tracks, and opossum track, can be helpful (see the image on the right).
Tip: A good squirrel hunting area is often a good deer hunting area, and vice versa, especially if there are ample food sources (like acorns) available. Squirrel hunting can be a great way to scout for deer!
We also recommend:
Squirrel Hunting: Equipment, Methods, Tactics, Strategies, and Dogs
Equipment
One of the best things about squirrel hunting is that there is very little equipment required to be successful (although if you want to maximize your gear, you can do that, too).
At its most basic, you need your means of take (bow/arrows or gun/ammo), your licenses/FOID, camouflage clothing or clothing in natural tones, and something to put your squirrels in, should you harvest any (like a small cooler or ziplock bags).
You are not required to wear blaze orange while squirrel hunting unless:
- You are hunting another game species (like rabbits) that requires blaze orange/pink;
- You are hunting squirrels during youth firearm deer season; or
- You are squirrel hunting during other deer firearm seasons
That being said, most of us here at LtH will have a little blaze orange on us while we’re squirrel hunting on public land, just to be on the safe side.
A game vest is nice to have to hold your ammo and any squirrels you harvest, and a chair or pad is nice to sit on if you like stationary hunting tactics (see below). Bug spray, water, and sunscreen can also make for a much more comfortable squirrel hunting experience, especially early in the season.
We also recommend:
Shotgun vs. .22: Pros and Cons
First and foremost, the site you are hunting will determine whether you are allowed to choose between a shotgun or a .22: although Illinois statewide hunting regulations allow for the use of either option, many IDNR sites do NOT allow the use of .22s, so be sure you know if using one is even an option for you.
If you do have the option to use either, there are two things you should consider:
- How do you want to hunt on this occasion
- Is a .22 a reasonable choice?
- Many squirrel hunters prefer the .22 and tend go with that option when they can unless there is a reason that a shotgun would be a better choice.
Pros and Cons of Squirrel Hunting with a .22
- Pros
- Quieter
- Precise (less meat waste)
- Cons
- Much more difficult when leaves are still on the trees (early season)
- Much more difficult to hit a squirrel when it is running
Pros and Cons of Squirrel Hunting with a Shotgun
- Pros
- Better for when the leaves are still on the tree (early season)– requires less precision and more of an opportunity to harvest a squirrel when it is partially obscured
- Better for when squirrels are running
- Cons
- Very loud
- Less precise (more potential for meat waste, especially if the squirrel is close when it is shot)
Stationary Hunting
Stationary hunting is also known as “sit and wait,” and you essentially do just that! This is tactic that is most like deer hunting.
If you choose to try this approach, we recommend that you:
- Try to get in position before sunrise and give it some time for the squirrels to start moving around — don’t expect immediate action
- Sit for 15 to 25 minutes in one spot. If you aren’t seeing or hearing any squirrels after that amount of time, consider moving to a new location.
Tip: If you happen to take a shot and harvest a squirrel, recover the animal and sit for 15 to 25 minutes at your location again. Often times, this is enough time for the woods to quiet down and to see if more squirrels are in the area. If you have no more sightings, change locations. Repeat this process every 15 to 25 minutes.
- Listen for crackling leaves, bark scratching, or nuts and twigs dropping to the forest floor
- Shotguns are best in early season while leaves are on the trees making most shots close, while a .22 rifle is great to use in late season when targeting squirrels from a distance is much more likely
- Bring a cushion, pad, or chair to sit on!
- Remain silent and still — remember, squirrels rely on their vision and hearing, so if you’re noisy or fidgeting, they will be aware of you and woodland squirrels are often much more wary of people than urban/park squirrels are


Mobile Hunting/Stalking
This is a great tactic to use when taking a new hunter, a child, or a small group out hunting because although you don’t want to be loud, you can talk a little bit and staying still is no longer a factor. This tactic is also great earlier in the season when you still have leaf cover to help conceal your movement. It’s also great for the exact opposite reason later in the season because although the squirrels can see you, you will be able to locate them from much further away, too.
If you choose to try this approach, we recommend that you:
- Practice moving through the woods as quietly as you can using cover to hide your movements
- If a squirrel does escape, don’t waste too much time waiting it out. Just remember that tree next time or for the walk back, and try again
- Never shoot a nest or into a tree cavity to scare the squirrel out
Tip: Avoid walking like a human as much as possible: instead of walking in a direct, linear path, pause every few steps. You can even circle back or wander off course and back again if you’re really dedicated!

Hunting Squirrels with Dogs
It is legal to hunt squirrels with a dog in most areas of IL (check the Hunt Illinois site directory for site-specific regulations, as some sites don’t allow it and other sites allow it but require your dog be leashed).
This is a much less stealthy approach, but for a lot of people, it is also a lot more fun! It’s also a great way to bond with your dog and get to know their unique body language and barks. Dogs are also handy for recovering squirrels, especially when the ground foliage is still dense in late summer and early autumn.
Tip: Once the dog trees the squirrel, try to get hunters on either side of the tree to cut off the squirrel’s escape routes
We also recommend:
Recommended
Squirrel Hunting Seasons, Licenses, Permits, and Other Illinois Regulations
Season Dates, Hours, Species, and Limits

Squirrel season begins 1 August and runs until 15 February. However, please note that the season briefly CLOSES 22 – 24 November and 5 – 8 December 2024 in counties that are open for firearm deer hunting. Also, many IDNR sites have squirrel seasons that are even shorter than the statewide season, so be sure to know your site-specific regulations.
Hunting hours run from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset.
As we mentioned above, there are two species of tree squirrels that can be hunted in Illinois: the Eastern Gray Squirrel and the Fox Squirrel. The daily limit is five total squirrels, and the possession limit is ten total squirrels. The limits are for both squirrel species combined.
Licenses, Stamps, and Permits
- Residents and non-residents will need the following two credentials to hunt rabbits and/or squirrels:
- Hunting license (unless exempt: see Hunting Licenses: Exceptions)
- Hunter Safety Education certificate required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 (or you must provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year) before purchasing a hunting license.
- If you are an Illinois resident and plan on hunting with a gun, you must have your Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card to legally possess firearms or ammunition, which is issued by the Illinois State Police to any qualified applicant.
- Hunting license (unless exempt: see Hunting Licenses: Exceptions)
- Squirrel hunting DOES NOT require a separate permit (but other species do, so be aware! For example, dove hunting requires the HIP certification, while rabbit hunting at some IDNR sites requires a free upland game lottery permit).

Legal Methods of Harvest
On IDNR sites, you may use the following to harvest squirrels:
- Shotgun
- Must use shotgun of gauge 10 or smaller (e.g., 12 or 20 gauge)
- Barrel length shall not be less than 18 inches, and the overall length shall not be less than 26 inches
- Must not be capable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Any shotgun having a capacity of more than 3 shells must be fitted with a one-piece plug that is irremovable without dismantling the shotgun or otherwise altered to render it incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined
- Note: some IDNR sites require non-toxic shot, such as steel
- Archery
- Vertical compound bow, traditional bows (recurve or longbow) or crossbow
- See the deer or turkey regulations for details on bow, arrow and arrow point specifications
- Rifle
- Varies by site. Check site rules using the Site Directory or Hunt Planner
- Some sites allow muzzleloader, .22 caliber or smaller rimfire rifle and/or .25 caliber or smaller air rifle
- Handgun
- Varies by site. Check site rules using the Site Directory or Hunt Planner
- Falconry
- Varies by site, check site rules using the Site Directory or Hunt Planner
- Must abide by blaze orange/pink clothing regulations
Federal Sites
- Check Federal Site regulations (although they generally follow the broader Statewide Hunting Regulations, with some exceptions)
Private Land
- Can use any shotgun, rimfire rifle, muzzleloading rifle, handgun, air rifle, archery or falconry methods allowable under statewide regulations
- Statewide regulations on guns, archery and falconry can be found above and the Digest of Statewide Hunting Regulations
Clothing Requirements
There are no clothing requirements to hunt squirrels on public or private lands, unless you are simultaneously hunting other species that require blaze orange/pink clothing. However, you MUST meet the blaze orange/pink requirements of displaying 400 square inches of the material if:
- You are hunting another game species (like rabbits) that requires blaze orange/pink;
- You are hunting squirrels during youth firearm deer season; or
- You are squirrel hunting during other deer firearm seasons
Miscellaneous Regulations You Should Know
- Please note that on the second day of the hunting season, you may possess no more than twice the daily bag limit
- IDNR Site-Specific Regulations: Be Aware!
- You can find site-specific regulations using the Site Directory at Hunt Illinois.
- Windshield Cards
- Windshield Card reporting is specific to certain IDNR public land sites and separate from the statewide deer and turkey harvest reporting through ExploreMoreIL.com, which is required for all deer and turkey harvests.
- Windshield Cards are site-specific and must be printed out and displayed on your dashboard while you are hunting. Harvest (or a lack of harvest) should be recorded on the card, and all harvest data must be reported be February 15.
- Non-toxic shot may be required
- Check-in and check-out procedures vary
- Some sites have more restrictive regulations on equipment, harvest reporting, etc. for different seasons.

Site-Specific Regulations Example: Morris Wetlands (Heidecke Lake)
In the image to the left, you can see that squirrel hunting season only runs from 1 August to 30 September and that deer archery season shuts down during firearm deer season at this site. Both of these regulations are site-specific and more restrictive than the general statewide regulations.
Another squirrel-related restriction at this site is the type of firearm that can be used for hunting: although the general Illinois squirrel hunting regulations state that hunters can use shotguns, rifles, and handguns as long as they meet the specific requirements listed, this particular site allows a “shotgun, or .25 caliber or smaller air rifle only” to be used to harvest squirrels.
It is not unusual for each site to have unique rules, so always check your site-specific regulations!
Squirrel Hunting on Private and Public Land
To learn more about hunting private vs. public land in Illinois, please visit our page that covers the topic in detail.
Please note that you still need to be licensed, have the appropriate permits, and follow IDNR regulations when on private land (although for some species and seasons, private land has slightly different regulations. See the Hunt Digest or Hunt Illinois for more information).
Generally, with squirrel hunting the biggest difference between hunting on private land and hunting on public land is that private land squirrel hunting usually allows for more opportunities to use rifles and handguns than public land sites do.
Hunter Etiquette, Hunting Ethics, and Ethical Shot Selection
Overview
Hunting ethics and etiquette are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but while the two concepts have some overlap, it is important to understand their distinctions and how they apply to you. We have a whole page, with links to YouTube videos and articles, to help you understand the difference between the two, why they are important, and tips for how you can be an ethical hunter and observe proper hunting etiquette, especially when you are on public land.
We also recommend:
“It’s JUST a squirrel”: Ethical Shot Selection and Respect
When discussing squirrel hunting, you sometimes hear people say “It’s just a squirrel.” For a variety of reasons, hunters sometimes seem to value the life of a squirrel as less than that of a deer. However, at the end of the day, a life is still a life and successful harvest requires that an animal lose its life, so treat that sacrifice with respect and honor that animal as best you can, regardless of whether you’re hunting squirrels, deer, or anything in between. The best ways to do this are to use as much of the animal as you can and to do everything in your power, such as prioritizing ethical shot placement and practicing with your equipment, to ensure the animal has a quick death with minimal suffering.
Ethical Shot Selection
Ethical shots will depend on the equipment you are using, your personal abilities, and the distance between you and the squirrel. You also want to minimize meat waste as much as possible. For this reason, you should aim for the head when using a .22 and the head/shoulders when using a shotgun. You should also be aware of the squirrel and what is behind it — whenever possible, having a tree trunk or branch behind the squirrel is the best option to help act as a backstop to help either slow or catch the bullet or pellets, whether you hit or miss your target. Your distance limitations will depend on your own skill level as well as the type of firearm, ammo, and/or choke you are using, so be sure to practice with the exact set-up you plan to use before you head out into the woods.
Do Not Shoot at Dreys/Tree Cavities
Do not shoot at a drey or tree cavity, even if the squirrel you were pursuing ran inside. If you shoot the drey or cavity, you might kill the squirrel, but you have no good way of getting to it, which mean you cannot retrieve the squirrel inside (which would make it an unethical shot to take, because you would be wasting that meat).
If a squirrel you are pursuing shelters in a drey or cavity, we recommend that you either:
- Wait about 20 – 25 minutes. If you are quite and still, then after a little while, squirrels will often relax and venture back at, or:
- Make a mental note of where you were, continue hunting elsewhere, and come back to the spot later to see if it has ventured out.
Field Dressing Squirrels
Good news — squirrels don’t really require field dressing! Because they are so small, so easy to process, and most people generally don’t spend all day out hunting them, you’re able to wait until you get home if you want to (although it is much easier to skin them when they’re still warm). If you want to gut your squirrels in the field (for example, if you plan to be out for a long time), we recommend just bringing along some plastic zipper storage bags and gutting/skinning them entirely before putting them in the bags and into a cooler with icepacks. Remember that if you process animals on public land, you can leave the gut pile (but please don’t leave it in or close to the parking lot!), but you cannot leave any other part (like the skin, fur, feet, head, or bones) out in the woods. If these parts are not disposed of correctly (in a trashcan, on site or at home), then you are technically littering.
Processing Squirrels
Skinning and Gutting Squirrels
There are several methods for skinning squirrels, each requiring varying tools. Check out the videos below to see which method most appeals to you and try them out to see which you prefer.
This video follows the midsection method, but also includes a great overview of how to begin breaking down your squirrel into different cuts prior to cooking!
We also recommend:
Processing Squirrels for Cooking
Now that your squirrel is skinned and gutted, it’s time to break down the squirrel into different cuts so you can cook it.
We also recommend:
Squirrel Recipes
Squirrel is a pretty versatile protein that does well in most recipes that would normally call for chicken, especially chicken legs or wings.
Squirrel Hunting Recommended Resources
Miscellaneous Squirrel Hunting Resources
Groups, Organizations, and Magazines