Squirrel and Small Game Hunting: Missouri's Underrated Adventure

In a world of trail cameras and long-range rifles, squirrel hunting can feel almost quaint — and that's exactly its charm. Chasing squirrels and other small game is how generations of Missouri hunters got their start, and it remains one of the most affordable, accessible, and genuinely fun ways to spend a fall morning in the woods. If you want to learn woodsmanship, put meat in the pot, and hunt without a big investment, small game is the answer. Here's why it deserves a spot in your season.

The Perfect Starter Hunt

Squirrel hunting asks very little to begin. The season is long and generous, the limits are liberal, and public land across Missouri is full of the oak and hickory woods squirrels love. You don't need expensive gear, a lease, or a lot of specialized knowledge — just a willingness to walk quietly and watch the treetops. For young hunters and newcomers, it teaches all the core skills: moving slowly, spotting game, judging distance, and making a clean shot. Those lessons carry straight into deer and turkey hunting later.

Gear You Actually Need

Two classic approaches cover squirrel hunting. A .22 rimfire rifle rewards precision and patience — head shots keep the meat clean — and makes for a quiet, deliberate hunt. A small-gauge shotgun (.410, 20-gauge, or 28-gauge) with small shot is more forgiving on moving targets scampering through the branches. Beyond that, you need comfortable boots, clothing to match the woods, and maybe a small game vest to carry your harvest. That's it. It's hunting stripped down to its essentials.

Tactics That Work

There are two productive ways to hunt squirrels. The first is to still-hunt — move a few slow steps, stop, and watch and listen for several minutes before moving again. Squirrels give themselves away with the sound of cuttings dropping and the rustle of movement in the canopy. The second is to find a productive food tree — a hickory dropping nuts is a magnet — sit down against a trunk, stay still, and let the woods settle. Within fifteen or twenty minutes the squirrels resume feeding and the action begins. Early morning and late afternoon are the most active times.

Don't Forget Rabbits and More

Squirrels get top billing, but Missouri's small game menu is broader. Cottontail rabbits offer fast, exciting hunting, often best with a small group walking brushy fence rows, field edges, and briar patches to kick bunnies out of cover. Missouri also has seasons for other small game and furbearers. Each has its own season dates and limits, so check the current regulations — but the overall point stands: there's a lot more to hunt than just deer, and much of it is perfect for a relaxed day afield.

From Field to Table

Small game is also some of the best wild eating around. Squirrel is the classic base for a rich, slow-cooked pot of dumplings, and rabbit is superb fried or braised. Cleaning small game is a simple skill worth learning, and it connects the hunt directly to a meal in a way that's deeply satisfying. Nothing goes to waste and the reward is honest, home-cooked food.

Give It a Try

If the crowds and expense of big-game hunting have kept you on the sidelines, or if you're looking for a low-pressure way to introduce someone new to hunting, grab a .22 or a small shotgun, check the season dates, and head for the nearest oak-hickory woods. Squirrel and small game hunting is Missouri's underrated adventure — and once you've spent a crisp morning watching the treetops, you'll understand why so many hunters never give it up.