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With the brisk winds of winter come the fun and excitement that can be found in small game hunting. Rabbits, squirrels, and foxes are the primary creatures that hunters are after in the Ohio area, and these little creatures can scamper away before you can get a shot — if you can find them at all! Want to make the most of your first hunting trips of 2019? Learn the basics of tracking and bagging these fast-moving small game. 

Squirrel Hunting Basics

Squirrels may not be the largest or most glamorous game, but they are a great starter game and are very tasty, too. Not seeing any of the little creatures moving around? Look alongside a creek to find an abundance of thirsty squirrels. Another easy way to find squirrels in your area is to look for their food — either squirrel feeders or stalk slowly through the woods looking for acorn, beech and hickory trees.

Fox Hunting Tips

Foxes are beautiful creatures, but they can leave behind a wake of devastation. This makes it imperative for many farmers to keep them cleared off the land. Foxes are natural predators of smaller animals, and you can safely hunt them using these tips:

• Check twice before shooting. Foxes are similar in size to dogs or large cats so be careful!
• Keep the wind in your face to keep from scaring them off.
• "Clever like a fox" is a true statement. Vary your tactics to keep from scaring off these wily predators.
• Go slow. Foxes are likely to be wary as they approach a call or other sounds.

Taking the time to thin the fox population will save your chicken coops and other small or baby animals from an untimely demise.

Basics of Cottontail Rabbit Hunting

You may think of rabbit hunting as a sport best practiced with a brace of hounds. However, there are ways to track down the furry little creatures without any additional assistance. You simply need to know as much as possible about their habits: where they sleep, eat, drink and rest. Look for dilapidated old machinery or barns, places that are out of the daily hustle and bustle of life. Rabbits like the quieter times at dusk and dawn, making these ideal hunting times for cottontails. 

Before you head into the woods to go after these little critters, it's important to have all the gear that you'll need to be safe and successful and the proper licenses. Find a wide range of items including firearms, ammunition, & accessories at Norton Sporting Goods in Waldo, Ohio. Our friendly professionals are always happy to help you find the right gear for your next trip. Contact us at 740-726-2616 with questions or visit our sporting goods store!