Winter Squirrel Hunting with Rimfire Rifles, Shotguns, and Squirrel Dogs
February 4, 2026Posted by derrek.sigler
When most hunters are parked on the couch watching outdoor TV reruns, dedicated small-game hunters know a secret: winter squirrel hunting can be outstanding. Sure, it’s cold. Your fingers may go numb. And yes, the squirrels seem to enjoy mocking you from treetops. But winter offers some of the best squirrel hunting of the entire season - especially if you’re carrying the right firearm, suppressed of course, and a good squirrel dog.
If you’ve never hunted with a squirrel dog, you’re missing out. Besides, the best reason to go squirrel hunting is to get out of the house. Plus they taste great in the stew pot, and it gives you a little chance at revenge for all those times you swear that big buck was sneaking in by your stand, only to see the furry tail of a squirrel.
Winter Is Prime Time for Squirrels
Winter changes everything in the woods, including squirrel behavior. With leaves off the trees, squirrels lose their best defense: invisibility. Instead of hiding behind thick foliage, they’re forced to rely on movement, distance, and their ability to freeze and hope you walk past.
Food is another major factor. Winter squirrels are constantly on the move, digging up buried acorns, hickory nuts, and other mast. That means more time on the ground and more visible movement—both great news for hunters willing to brave the cold.
An added bonus? Less pressure. After deer season wraps up, the woods get quiet. Fewer hunters mean squirrels act a little more natural - and you won’t have to share your hunting spot with an angry deer hunter.
Rimfire Rifles: Precision for Winter Woods
A rimfire rifle is hard to beat for winter squirrel hunting. Popular options include the .22 LR, .22 Magnum, and .17 HMR, each offering accuracy that makes ethical head shots possible when squirrels sit still. Suppressors make these magical firearms, too. The sound =-cutting impact of a rimfire suppressor is outstanding.
Winter is when rimfire rifles really shine. With clear sight lines through bare hardwoods, hunters can take careful, deliberate shots - assuming their fingers still work. Head shots preserve meat and drop squirrels instantly, which is especially important in cold weather when retrieval can be slower.
Shotgun suppressors, like the BANISH 12, are a great way to protect your squirrel dog's ears, as well as your own!
Not all squirrels read the rulebook. When they’re running treetops at full speed or ducking behind branches like a running back evading tackle, a shotgun becomes the smarter option.
A .410, 20-gauge, or 12-gauge shotgun loaded with #6 or #7½ shot is ideal for winter squirrel hunting. Shotguns excel in thick cover, creek bottoms, and especially when hunting behind squirrel dogs where shots tend to be quick and close. You can suppress a shotgun. In fact, BANISH now offers shotgun suppressors in 12 gauge, and a 20 gauge and .410 model were just announced. Yes, you read that right – a .410 shotgun suppressor!
Windy winter days are also prime shotgun weather. Squirrels are jumpier, less likely to sit still, and far more interested in making you miss.
Hunting with Squirrel Dogs: Organized Chaos at Its Finest
Add a good squirrel dog to the mix, and winter squirrel hunting turns into controlled madness. Feists and curs are the most common squirrel dog breeds, and they live for this job. Cold temperatures don’t slow them down - if anything, winter seems to flip the “turbo” switch.
A squirrel dog’s job is simple:
Find squirrels
Mark them to trees
Bark like the world depends on it
Winter is an excellent time to hunt with dogs because scenting conditions are often strong, and squirrels can’t hide as easily in bare trees. Dogs help cover the ground efficiently, especially when squirrels are spread out and food is scarce. A trained squirrel dog is amazing to watch.
The first time I hunted behind one, it was during the Gamo Air Rifle Squirrel Master Classic. I was on a team with Michael Waddell and Nick Mundt from Bone Collector. We had a dog handler that trained his dogs to sniff out squirrels, mark the tree the squirrel was in and essentially point to it. The dog was never wrong, either.
Shotguns are often the preferred firearm when hunting with dogs, but rimfire rifles still work well if the dog trees the squirrel cleanly and gives you a safe shot. Adding a suppressor is a must as far as I’m concerned when hunting with dogs. Remember, you can wear ear protection, but the dog can’t. Hearing damage in hunting dogs is a real thing. Just be prepared for some cardio - keeping up with a motivated squirrel dog in cold weather is no joke.
Winter Tactics for squirrels
Focus on food sources, including oak flats, hickory ridges, and south-facing slopes that warm up during sunny days. Midday hunts are often best in winter, when squirrels come out to feed and soak up a little warmth.
Move slowly. Frozen leaves sound like potato chips under your boots, and squirrels have no problem using that against you.
Winter squirrel hunting with rimfire rifles, shotguns, and squirrel dogs is one of the most enjoyable - and humbling - ways to spend time in the woods. It’s cold, it’s challenging, and it’s wildly rewarding. Whether you’re slipping through hardwoods solo or trying to keep up with an overachieving dog, winter squirrel hunting proves that the season doesn’t end when the temperatures drop.
Ready to get suppressed for squirrel season?
Ready to own a silencer? The simplest way to do it is to go to Silencer Central, find the one you want, fill out a few online forms, and buy it. The team of customer service experts takes care of submitting everything and helps you through the rest of the process. Your fingerprint card as well as a free t-shirt will ship to your home. You can track your progress through the online Customer Portal, too. It is that simple! You will find a selection of suppressors that are perfect for any kind of hunting and shooting endeavor.
While many suppressors can be used on several different caliber firearms, we have some specific models that can make your shooting more enjoyable. Pick the caliber that you have in mind. If you don’t see your caliber, pick one close to it to see our recommendations.
