Squirrel Hunt

Squirrels are the gateway critter for hunting! It’s an easy way to get into the outdoors…without having to spend a lot of money on clothing and equipment or compete with other hunters. Squirrels are plentiful in the woods, and once you learn some strategies and tactics, you will be able to translate that into a successful hunt! 

Registration will open August 6th

Location – Siloam Springs State Park

$50 registration fee

Saturday Sept 6th

10:00am meet at Site Office

10:00am – 2:00pm Intro to Squirrel Hunting

We will start with an “intro to squirrel hunting” talk, where you will learn about squirrel biology/behavior, habitat and hunting techniques, and summary of what the hunt will entail. You will learn how/why to treat clothing for ticks and chiggers.

2:00pm – 4:00pm Target Practice

You will have a brief talk on hunting related gun safety and an opportunity to practice shooting at targets before you head out into the woods on your hunt.

4:00pm – 5:00pm Meet back at site office for a light meal and discuss evening hunt. You will get a chance to sample some delicious game recipes.

5:00pm – 7:00pm The Hunt!

You will head out into the woods in small groups with a mentor/guide. Your guide will carry the firearm and pass it to you when it’s shooting time.

7:00pm Squirrel Cleaning Demo

After the hunt we will clean and process squirrels, talk about proper care and handling of your game, etc.

Sunday Sept 7th

6:00am  (½ hour before dawn) meet at site office

Morning hunt. You will head out into the woods in small groups with a mentor/guide. Your guide will carry the firearm and pass it to you when it’s shooting time.

9:00am return from hunt, meet at site office. clean your squirrels

Workshop ends around 10:30 or 11..whenever you have finished processing squirrels and/or you have run out of questions and feel ready to head out on a hunt of your own someday.

Appropriate Clothing – Camo, brown or black long pants, shirt and hat. Socks, boots or hiking boots (preferred but not required) or tennis shoes or any closed toed, comfortable hiking shoe.  It could be damp, muddy, etc. so please consider appropriate footwear. Foam earplugs will be provided at the workshop, or you can provide your own hearing protection.

Lodging – BOW program will cover camping fees, or you can arrange your own accommodations at a nearby hotel.

Firearms/ammo will be provided.

Contact BOW Coordinator for more info: dnr.outdoorswoman@Illinois.gov