What Time Do Squirrels Come Out in The Morning?

Although squirrel hunting is a relatively simplistic type of hunting, especially compared to deer or turkey hunting, it’s not uncommon for new squirrel hunters to have questions about where, when, and how to be a successful squirrel hunter. One question I’m asked by new hunters (and one I see posted in the different hunting forums) is: what time do squirrels come out in the morning?

To be honest, the answer is a bit multi-faceted because that time can vary based on the time of year, temperature, and weather conditions.

To my knowledge, all members of the squirrel species are classified as being diurnal, which means they are active during the day and inactive at night.

For the most part, squirrels begin their day right around daybreak or when the sun is starting to come up. I have observed a few instances when squirrels were active before dawn, but that seems more common during the mating season.

I’ve also been in the woods and encountered a few situations where squirrels were foraging and feeding just after dark. I suspect those situations are uncommon and are most likely to occur after bad weather or when food sources are scarce.

That being said, there are a few specific scenarios that can change when squirrels come out in the morning. Those scenarios include the following:

Very Cold Temperatures

On unusually cold mornings, squirrels may stay in their den or nest after daylight to wait for the temperature to warm up.

I primarily hunt in the central part of North Carolina and begin to see this behavior when the winter temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. In those situations, squirrels will delay coming out to feed or forage until the temperature rises a bit.

Suppose I plan to hit the woods in the winter, and the forecast shows 20 degrees or less temps at daybreak. In that case, I’ll usually skip a morning hunt and try the afternoon, as the temps will likely have risen enough to trigger some afternoon squirrel activity.

I also know from conversations with other squirrel hunters in different states that the 20-degree number I see in N.C. is not a universal temperature. I’ve talked to hunters in Ohio and Michigan who have indicated that the squirrels in those areas will come out in the morning at daybreak unless the morning temperatures are below the 5-10 degree mark.

Inclement Weather

Bad weather is another situation that may cause squirrels to delay coming out at first light. I’ve seen this behavior firsthand in hard rain, snow, and heavy wind.

Sometimes, those weather conditions will also cause squirrels to delay coming out until later in the morning or until the bad weather has subsided.

I’ve had a few situations where I was in the woods hunting before first light, and a short but strong rain started. Instead of leaving the woods, I stayed and ended up seeing the squirrels get active right after the heavy rain stopped.

Get in the Woods Before the Sun Comes Up

If possible, I prefer to be in the woods and ready to hunt before sunrise. I’ve always felt that approach gave me a slight advantage as I’m already in position when the squirrels begin to come out.

However, that approach isn’t always best for certain types of squirrel hunting. For example, if you like to hunt on the move, hitting the woods at first light makes more sense when you can move more quietly. Or, if you’re a dog hunter with a dog who primarily hunts on scent, it makes more sense to get into the woods 30 minutes after first light. Starting your hunt 30 minutes after daylight gives the squirrels time to leave their dens and begin foraging on the ground, leaving their scent for the dog.