Too many hunters clean and oil their shotguns in December and put them away until next year. However, seasons are still open, with lots of good hunting remaining after the 9-day Main Event of gun deer season. Myriad small game seasons are still open.

Rabbits and squirrels

Look for fresh sign and tracks around food sources. Rabbits strip the bark off small trees, and squirrels leave broken acorn or nut shells scattered around. Near farms, look for chewed cobs of leftover field corn or other agricultural products like old pumpkins. Both animal populations and their available food are at an annual low point, and animals try to travel as little as possible to find food.

Hunt on days with little wind and milder temperatures and use tracking snow to narrow down your hunt area. Rabbits can also be run with beagles, and if so, I suggest lighter loads of 6 shot. Squirrels often present longer shots at animals moving through the trees, so I opt for heavier loads, like those used for late-season pheasants. Both rabbits and squirrels are open through January and in some Midwestern states, through February.

Snowshoe hare

Often hunted along with grouse in northern Wisconsin, snowshoes love similar habitat and survive on evergreen or aspen buds and bark from brush and saplings. You cannot miss the oversize tracks of a snowshoe hare, and if you move slowly, you can often spot the shiny black eye of one hidden in cover. Grouse loads are perfect for snowshoes. The season on snowshoe hare is continuous with no bag limit. For lots of excitement, they can also be run with a pack of beagles.

Grouse

Seasons run until January 5 in Area A and closes December 8 in Area B. Please consult DNR maps if unsure of your area. Look for tracks and sign, and check areas with lots of aspen (popple) trees, as grouse love the buds. Late-season grouse have been hunted fairly hard by now and will tend to flush wild. Switch to heavier pheasant loads.

Crows

Crows tend to be lightly hunted for the most part and will often come to a variety of calls. Recorded crow and owl fights are a classic and will have responding crows attack your owl decoy like feathered cruise missiles.

If there is a lot of snow, try a roadkill set. Place crow decoys scattered sitting around a stuffed animal. I set up a 50-cent rummage sale teddy bear face down in the snow with decoys set up like they were feeding on it. A few rally calls and a small flock responded. Use pheasant loads, as crows can be tough to bring down.

Feral (barn) pigeons

When you can find a flock and decoy them in, it’s some amazing shooting! Also known as “barn ducks” or “farm ptarmigan,” pigeons are considered an agricultural pest. There is no closed season or bag limit. We have shot them on dairy farms with permission, and on adjacent public lands over decoys. If you lack pigeon decoys, set up duck or dove decoys, and use the same “spinners” (motion decoys) you use for ducks. Light game loads and trap loads are perfect for pigeons. And yes, they are edible. Pigeons are eaten all over the world.

Predators

Foxes, both red and gray, are open until February 15 or into March, depending on the state. Coyotes have no closed season. Both species are active, as they pair up for mating in January, and this is a hungry time for them. Wear white snow camo, play the wind, and try recorded rabbit distress calls. BB or BBB waterfowl loads work great for fox, or #4 buck for coyotes. Try a .22 caliber centerfire rifle like a .223 for long range coyotes.

Private hunting preserves allow you to extend your season and book hunts until about March. Pheasants and ever-so-tasty chukar partridge are the main targets. You will enjoy a more relaxed hunt than on hectic public hunting grounds on weekends. Also, it’s the chance to watch your dog work, or try out the new shotgun you got for Christmas.

Watch your friends or younger family members take a first bird and make a lifetime memory. The experience can be money well spent. Get together with a few friends and pool your money for more birds. As one hunting preserve owner told me, “I don’t just sell hunts; I sell entertainment.” Remember, be they released or wild birds, you still have to make the shot!

If you want to try a different, exciting species or technique in hunting, you’ll find plenty of suggestions in every issue of MidWest Outdoors. Subscribe on our website.