Looking for a place to hunt ground squirrels

[K9TXS]

I've never hunted ground squirrels, but I'm ready now. I live in the Houston Texas area and all we have here are tree rats. I know of one place around Crane Oregon but nothing else.

Does anyone know of any other places, Colorado, New Mexico, etc. where these can be hunted, probably through a guide service since I don't know any land owners.

Is the time of the year to hunt ground squirrels the same wherever they are?

 

[B23]

The belding ground squirrels like they have around Crane Or. tend to start staying underground when we get into the warmer days of summer. I'm sure they are still out and about right now but when it starts heating up you will see them less frequently. Generally early to mid spring are the best times.

Unlike the Beldings, Prairie Dogs never really hibernate so you may want to pursue a hunt with those instead.

 

[K9TXS]

Your right on the on GS and the heat. I'm looking forward for a 2019 hunt and want to find a place to go. My current rifles are 17 HMR, .22 Mag and several other .22 LR's. I'm good out to about 250 yards with my 17 HMR and .22 Mag. I think most of the PD are a bit further out than that.

 

[blackwidowp61]

I've hunted ground squirrels in Montana with good success before. Even used my Ruger MK1 once when I forgot to bring the 10-22 along.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I've hunted ground squirrels in Montana with good success before. Even used my Ruger MK1 once when I forgot to bring the 10-22 along.

No you havent. We don't have any rodents of any kind in Montana. Everyone stay away from Montana for ANY kind of hunting

 

[TheOtherZilla]

No you havent. We don't have any rodents of any kind in Montana. Everyone stay away from Montana for ANY kind of hunting

And Wyoming too. I killed em all. Cept those over around Cheyenne.

 

[pirate ammo]

No you havent. We don't have any rodents of any kind in Montana. Everyone stay away from Montana for ANY kind of hunting

all that says to me is time for a ROADTRIP,,

 

[blackwidowp61]

Oh, oh yeah, must be my Alzheimers kicking in again...must have been Maine or Mississippi...one of those M states...thanks for straightening me out Ledd!

 

[2ndtimer]

No you havent. We don't have any rodents of any kind in Montana. Everyone stay away from Montana for ANY kind of hunting

Oh, oh yeah, must be my Alzheimers kicking in again...must have been Maine or Mississippi...one of those M states...thanks for straightening me out Ledd!

Try Massachusetts. They have an abundance of varmints over there. Many hold elected office!

 

[SageRatSafaris]

I've never hunted ground squirrels, but I'm ready now. I live in the Houston Texas area and all we have here are tree rats. I know of one place around Crane Oregon but nothing else.

Does anyone know of any other places, Colorado, New Mexico, etc. where these can be hunted, probably through a guide service since I don't know any land owners.

Is the time of the year to hunt ground squirrels the same wherever they are?

Ground squirrels are most prolific in SE Oregon, SW Idaho, and NE California. April and May in the Oregon high desert is the best time for ground squirrels. The alfalfa tends to be too tall in June, but after the hay is cut in mid to late June, the sage rats are pretty good hunting until the end of July, at least in the mornings. I was shooting sage rats in Lake County last weekend, it was pretty good. There's more rats in April/May, but the weather is nicer in July - it's a trade-off. In July, we'll typically shoot rats from 7:15am to 11am, go eat breakfast/lunch, then do some precision rifle/carbine/handgun shooting in the afternoon. Shoot the 1-mile target. Maybe pick-off a few rats during those activities. We also keep an eye out for badgers - although mostly nocturnal, they can appear from their holes at any time of day. I shot a badger at high noon on Monday.

https://sageratsafaris.com/2017/03/11/about-sage-rats-beldings-ground-squirrel/