Good squirrel hunting on public land?

Fishguy · Nov 12, 2012

You guys have any suggestions? I'm in Damascus (upper Montgomery County) and looking for a place to do some squirrel hunting with a 22. I don't have friends in high places so I need work with public land.

Where can I go to have a fair chance getting squirrels?

jr88 · Nov 12, 2012

I would think any public hunting lands nearby would be fine for squirrels. Just check the Maryland DNR Website for locations. I have been hunting in greenridge state forest for 30 years, great for squirrels among other things. BTW I am about an hour further from GRSF than you so sometimes hunting is about getting out of town also, Md. has lot's of public lands with good hunting. Good Luck!

MDHunter · Nov 12, 2012

Check out the Frederick Watershed or some of the public lands listed in the DNR Hunting Regs. Make sure to wear orange, and plan on some company unless you go during the week.

Erno86 · Nov 13, 2012

If you're going to go squirrel hunting in Green Ridge State Forest --- good luck --- because alot of the public hunting land in GRSF is shot out for squirrels. Even the chipmunks...are a rare sight these days in GRSF --- same goes for deer.

jr88 · Nov 13, 2012

Erno86 said:
If you're going to go squirrel hunting in Green Ridge State Forest --- good luck --- because alot of the public hunting land in GRSF is shot out for squirrels. Even the chipmunks...are a rare sight these days in GRSF --- same goes for deer.

Really? I have been hunting it for years, and if anything there is less hunting pressure and more game. Maybe you aren't looking in the right places. Granted you would be hard pressed to find Big Trophy Deer and the squirrels aren't as used to humans as inside the beltway but the game is there.
Maybe I shouldn't be saying this though, second thought you are right the forest is DEAD at Green-ridge...don't go there.

MDHunter · Nov 13, 2012

Erno86 said:
If you're going to go squirrel hunting in Green Ridge State Forest --- good luck --- because alot of the public hunting land in GRSF is shot out for squirrels. Even the chipmunks...are a rare sight these days in GRSF --- same goes for deer.

Could that be partially related to the mast/nut crop? We had a couple of bad nut years, but this year seems to be a bumper crop for nuts. I haven't been up to GRSF this year, but in Frederick county the nuts are big and plentiful.

oupa · Nov 13, 2012

jr88 said:
Really? I have been hunting it for years, and if anything there is less hunting pressure and more game. Maybe you aren't looking in the right places. Granted you would be hard pressed to find Big Trophy Deer and the squirrels aren't as used to humans as inside the beltway but the game is there.
Maybe I shouldn't be saying this though, second thought you are right the forest is DEAD at Green-ridge...don't go there.

Fishguy, Find a WMA with woods and generally you'll find squirrels. Not sure I'd advocate using a rifle in MontCo. (Seneca Ck, McKee-Breeshers) but FredCo. and west should be fine. I will not name specific areas other than the above since they are your home turf. Get out and hunt! Have a good time and enjoy the season and weather! Discover your own little secret spot. That's half the fun.

Just be aware that there are bow hunters hanging in the trees. Sure you have as much right to be in the woods and hunting YOUR choice of game as they do but you also have the obligation to be sure of a safe shot.

Now just go! Time's wasting and in a little more than a week the woods will be FULL of deer hunters. BTW - I like squirrel hunting to. I use a .17-M2.

Erno86 · Nov 13, 2012

MDHunter said:
Could that be partially related to the mast/nut crop? We had a couple of bad nut years, but this year seems to be a bumper crop for nuts. I haven't been up to GRSF this year, but in Frederick county the nuts are big and plentiful.

Besides our own hunting party...I think the lack of huntable squirrel populations, in GRSF, is due to: the month {September} early opening of the Maryland squirrel season --- instead of October. The massive influx of Pennslyvania non-resident hunters in GRSF --- who outnumber Maryland hunters, especially during deer season. Things may have changed in GRSF, cuz we have not deer hunted GRSF in the past two years, due to the cervid CWD problem.
The lack of huntable deer populations in GRSF, is probably due to the early muzzleloader season in Maryland, that stymies the growth of the deer herd, because of the lack of procreation, due to a deer firearms season, before the deer rut goes into full-swing. The lack of antler restrictions, due to opposition by farmers; is also a cause.

Erno86 · Nov 13, 2012

Remember... when the Maryland DNR first proposed the early muzzleloader season --- for private land only? GRSF...including other public hunting land in Maryland --- will suffer from this stupid conservation mistake --- made by the Maryland DNR, that is infiltrated by gun and sport shop affiliates; including the automobile insurance industry.

0nesh0t · Nov 16, 2012

Was in GRSF last weekend. It was teaming with wildlife. I hiked in early sat. morning with the ol single shot 20ga. Set up camp and hunted all day Saturday. Great day to spend walking the woods. Found a nice stand of tall mature pines with some leaners. Took a couple shots, bagged one. But most of the squirrels that I saw were long shots away, but they were out there. I heard shots in the distance (muzzle-loader for deer?), but had the woods to myself. Very nice to get away from the city for a weekend. Hiked out Sun morning back to the car.

Pale Ryder · Nov 16, 2012

Cunningham Falls State Park outside of Thurmont use to have tons of the little buggers, especially when I was deer hunting there.

If you plan on hunting them go now before the Orange army moves in on the woods next Saturday.

GRAY GHOST · Nov 16, 2012

also remember that GRSF are not squirrelz in the hood. just because you dont see them,dont mean shit. they see you a mile away.and will hug the backside of the tree till you leave. i love hunting the fox rats on the hill. thats one pretty rodent.

jr88 · Nov 16, 2012

GRAY GHOST said:
also remember that GRSF are not squirrelz in the hood. just because you dont see them,dont mean shit. they see you a mile away.and will hug the backside of the tree till you leave. i love hunting the fox rats on the hill. thats one pretty rodent.

Shh...Don't tell them about fox squirrels, they don't need to know.

GRAY GHOST · Nov 16, 2012

jr88 said:
Shh...Don't tell them about fox squirrels, they don't need to know.

dont worry it sounds like they cant find the gray ones. :lol2:

tim410 · Nov 16, 2012

My backyard is perfect.

Good squirrel hunting on public land?

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