Did you ever notice how it is that when you're sitting motionless in your tree stand while deer hunting, the woods sometimes seem to be alive with squirrels?

When there's nothing moving in their vicinity, the little creatures scamper across the forest floor, run up and down tree trunks and branches, and leap from tree to tree.

But if a hunter tiptoes past, or even if a cow or two comes wandering through the woods, the squirrels suddenly disappear, only to slowly emerge again when the woods seem empty once more.

Squirrels tend to take cover, or remain motionless and watching, when someone invades their territory.

Oh, urban squirrels don't mind our intrusions. They're used to people and may even be accustomed to getting handouts from human visitors.

But wild squirrels in a rural setting are more cautious about showing themselves.

That's why it can be helpful to hunt in pairs, or even to use a dog, to help you spot those bushytails.

Squirrel hunting in pairs can be kind of like an old infantry patrol maneuver in which one soldier says, "You move and I'll cover." One soldier advances a few yards while the first searches for any sign of movement that might be an enemy raising his rifle or trying to seek cover. Then the second soldier stops while the soldier behind him moves ahead for a few more yards.

Using the same tactic for hunting squirrels can put squirrels in your game bag. One hunter moves to the edge of the woods and stands still or sits while the other eases forward for several yards. As the hunter in front moves, squirrels may creep around tree trunks to keep the trunk between themselves and the moving hunter.

That gives the hunter who is sitting motionless and watching the tree canopy a chance to spot those little movements as the squirrels adjust their positions.

And then the hunter in front sits still while the one behind moves slowly up to and past him to repeat the maneuver.

Even with this tactic, it usually helps to move slowly, and to give the woods a few minutes to settle down between moves.

But it can be a more efficient and productive method than hunting solo and just sitting and waiting for squirrels to appear or come within range.

And it's especially helpful if you are like me and prefer hunting squirrels with a tack-driving little .22 instead of a shotgun. If you're desperate for a mess of squirrels, a shotgun may be the most efficient tool for bagging them. You can bag moving squirrels more easily with a scattergun.