Sneaking up on grey squirrels

I am having great difficulty creeping within range of grey squirrels, which are causing a lot of damage on our woodland shoot. The persistent rodents tend to spend a lot of time raiding the grain feeders but they almost always make a dash for cover and disappear before I can get close enough for a shot with my air rifle. Is there anything

I can do to improve my results when targeting squirrels?

The best thing you can do is stop trying to approach the squirrels when they are already out feeding. These skittish little rodents are adept at picking up on unusual sights and sounds, so it is unlikely that they will make the mistake of lingering while you try to creep up on them.

My advice would be to pick a spot close to one of the feeders they are targeting and wait in ambush. This eliminates the movement and noise of crunching through twigs and leaf litter, which has been spoiling your stalking. Find a shady place with good natural cover and you will be surprised how soon the squirrels venture back out after peace has returned to the woods — even if you spooked them when you arrived — and when they do put in an appearance, you will be shooting from a stable sitting position. You can improve your concealment by wearing a head net to keep your face hidden, and I’d recommend a beanbag seat to keep you comfortable while you wait. MM

“Sit and wait” tactics cut down noise and movement when targeting skittish squirrels with an air rifle