Season to hunt ‘tasty’ gray squirrels opens Sept. 1

August 26, 2024 |  By Waterbury Roundabout

Gray Squirrel. Photo courtesy of Vermont Fish and Wildlife

Vermont’s season to hunt gray squirrels begins Sept. 1 and continues through the end of the year, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

“Vermont has a healthy population of gray squirrels, concentrated in southern Vermont and the Champlain Valley,” said state Hunter Education Coordinator Nicole Meier. “They’re a fantastic small game species for new hunters to learn the basics of reading the landscape, making a safe and ethical shot and cooking wild game.” 

Hunters typically hunt gray squirrels with a .22 rifle, a shotgun, or archery equipment. The department recommends that all hunters wear a blaze orange vest or hat anytime they are afield. 

The best habitat for squirrel hunting is stands of nut-bearing trees like oak, hickory and beech.  The daily bag limit is four gray squirrels, and the possession limit is eight, according to state regulations. 

Afterward, hunters can enjoy their catch. “Gray squirrels are incredibly tasty – many would say better than rabbit,” Meier said. “Find great gray squirrel recipes in classic cookbooks, trendy culinary magazines, and of course anywhere that publishes wild food recipes.”