An essential tool for hunters, squirrel calls are an indispensable aid when stalking their quarry. Once an animal has been startled and activity ceases, using calmed calls can bring the squirrel back out for another feeding session.
Squirrels communicate using various sounds such as squeals and barks; some squirrel calls feature both sounds while others may only mimic barks or squeals.
Cutter Call
Cutter calls are effective early season squirrel calls that mimic the sound of a squirrel cutting through hickory nuts, helping lure out scared and confused squirrels from hiding places. No matter if it was accidentally bumped or scared by gunfire, the cutter call can help calm an animal back down so it can go back to feeding on its own. Although soft in its sound quality, its distance-carrying capabilities make this tool effective when deployed in peaceful woodland settings. Make a DIY squirrel call using only a screw and plastic paddle similar to tongue depressor. Click its ridged outer edges together for an audible click – or tape two quarters together for even deeper cuts!
As opposed to mimicking specific noises, this distress call focuses on mimicking one of the only sounds all squirrels recognize: their own cry for help when injured. Listening for other squirrels’ distress calls before using this one will ensure success – once that distressed squeal has been released, more squirrels may flee immediately from any potential harm!
An effective squirrel call should produce various sounds, from barks and whines to chatter and barks. Primos’ Ol’ Bushytail features Flextone technology combined with an easy-to-use design for realistic squirrel chatter and barks – perfect for novice callers looking to attract more squirrels and advance their skills!
Practice all five basic sounds made by squirrels before entering the woods. Although this will require additional practice and may take time, your efforts will pay off as you lure out more squirrels more quickly from hiding spots, making capturing them faster.
Alarm Call
Squirrels use various sound signals to communicate, from chatters to passive whines, in order to interact with each other and warn off approaching predators. Hunters can mimic these vocalizations with an appropriate squirrel call, or create their own to lure animals within range for shots.
Squirrel chatters typically have a high-pitched, squeaky tone. But they also produce deeper barks, chuckle calls and sometimes even screaming; though this is usually only heard during territorial disputes. Listening for alarm chatters from squirrels may give an indication as to what type of predator is present as they often signal aerial threats with whistles while warning about ground predators such as cats, coyotes or foxes using deeper chattering alarm chatters.
Whistle-like alarms are common when there is an aerial threat and can be heard over large areas. When hearing such calls, squirrels will usually respond by running to a location halfway around the tree that set off the alarm before looking over at any possible predator to determine if they are real before fleeing again.
Squirrels often respond to ground predators with deep barks and chuckling calls, whirling their tails and stamping their feet as an alarm call, while often also showing their fear by whirling tails or stomping feet more dramatically than before. Hunters using squirrel calls can combine alarm calls with distress calls in order to force squirrels closer into shooting range. This may help hunters bring them down more quickly.
The ideal squirrel calls are designed to elicit responses from wildlife, enabling hunters to get close enough for an effective shot. A simple bellows-style call from Primos or small hickory nuts both produce sounds similar to these; there are even models on the market with whistles built-in so hunters can add deeper alarm chatters of long-tailed squirrels for maximum realism – such as this easy-to-use Hunters Specialties squirrel call with its whistle in its barrel that lets hunters do just this.
Territorial Call
When a squirrel detects that there is an imminent threat, they make a rattling sound similar to rattlesnake rattle. This sound serves as a territorial call and warns other squirrels not to venture near its territory, while simultaneously alerting members of its own species that there is danger nearby – one reason squirrels frequently chatter!
Understanding how squirrels communicate can give you a significant edge when hunting them. For instance, knowing they often make chattering noises when looking for a mate allows you to imitate this vocalization in order to draw in female squirrels and increase your chances of obtaining an opportunity.
Calls that attract squirrels include clucks, purrs and alarm barks. Some hunters use rattling boxes or turkey callers to imitate these sounds; however, you can easily create basic squirrel sounds using just your mouth – for instance by tapping two quarters together for quiet chattering noises that mimic squirrels feeding sounds – an effective and inexpensive solution that works especially well during dusk or dawn when squirrels are most active.
Some tree squirrels live peaceful, treetop lifestyles with no problem sharing resources among themselves, while other species can become highly territorial, using their voices to defend their territory with chattering sounds that may sound alarming at first. But it’s important to realize this noise may actually represent close-range territorial disputes between squirrels.
Squirrels use both body language and tail movement to communicate, making body language an integral component of squirrel hunting. Keep in mind, however, that squirrels often live in close quarters so loud calling may prove more of a turnoff than an attractant.
Squeaky Call
Squirrels use various sounds such as squeals, chirps and barks to communicate among themselves. One such call – known as a squeal – can be heard up to 100 yards away and serves to express fear or alarm if approaching predators like hawks or cats.
Chattering squirrels may use this noise as a form of communication and territorial defense in territorial situations. When combined with demonstrative body language like tail flicking and stomping on the ground, chattering signals an aggressive situation between males.
Distress cries are used to signal emergency or danger situations. These sounds tend to be higher-pitched and more squeaky than barking or squeal calls, which is essential when hunting squirrels as they will give away their location by responding with calls of their own if they hear you calling out to them.
Utilizing a squeak to imitate noises of squirrels and barking dogs may seem easy, but the challenge lies in creating it correctly without opening your mouth too wide. Start by pressing lips together and placing your tongue tip against the roof of your mouth; create “click-click” sound using your tongue tip; gradually build speed as you practice; eventually your clicks will sound more like those made by squirrels and dogs!
Once you’ve learned the fundamentals, it’s time to put them into action in the woods. Head out into squirrel feeding areas with your calls, waiting patiently for their responses while keeping an eye out for signs that gnawed hickory nuts or acorns have fallen onto the ground – these could be telltale signs that squirrels are nearby! Don’t expect success every time; callers need patience and persistence in order to become efficient squirrel callers who know when and what sounds to make. Never stop learning