Top 10 Accessories for Richardson’s Ground Squirrel Hunting
Practical gear for small targets, windy prairie shots, and long days around active burrow towns.
The best Richardson’s ground squirrel hunting accessories help you solve three common problems: seeing tiny targets clearly, holding steady from awkward prairie positions, and staying safe during high-volume shooting. These ground squirrels are small, quick, and often found in open pasture or short-grass country where wind and mirage can make easy shots difficult. Your rifle and ammunition matter, but field accessories often determine whether you can make ethical hits, manage recoil-free follow-up shots, and keep your setup organized. Always handle firearms safely, confirm your backstop, use ethical shot placement, and check local regulations before hunting. Rules can vary on seasons, access, minimum calibers, non-toxic shot or lead-free ammunition, magazine limits, and where firearms may be discharged.
Where/When: Richardson’s ground squirrels are commonly associated with the northern Great Plains and Canadian Prairie regions, often using short-grass prairie, grazed pasture, hay fields, alfalfa edges, field roads, and dry burrow sites with good visibility. Hunters often locate activity by glassing for fresh mounds, clipped vegetation, busy burrow entrances, feeding areas, water sources, and travel routes between cover and food. In many areas, spring and early summer can be productive as squirrels become active above ground, while heat, heavy pressure, storms, and strong wind may reduce visible movement. Morning and late-afternoon windows are often useful, but timing varies by region, landowner rules, and current regulations.
Rimfire Varmint Scope
A clear scope is one of the most important Richardson’s ground squirrel hunting accessories because the target is small and usually low to the ground. It solves the problem of identifying clean shot angles without over-magnifying every wobble.
Overview
Choose a scope with reliable adjustments, a fine reticle, and enough magnification for 50- to 150-yard rimfire work. A 3-9x can work, but many hunters prefer 4-12x or 4-16x for open colonies. Parallax adjustment is useful when shooting at varied distances from a bench, bipod, or pack.
Benefits
- Helps place precise shots on small targets.
- Fine reticles reduce target coverage at longer rimfire distances.
- Adjustable parallax improves focus from close burrows to far mounds.
Notable Brands
- Vortex
- Leupold
- Burris
Portable Shooting Bench
A portable bench solves the biggest field-position problem: getting stable enough to hit a small animal without shooting from unsafe or uncomfortable angles. It matters most when you are watching an active colony from one legal, landowner-approved location.
Overview
Look for a bench that is stable, easy to level, and light enough to move between fields. A wide top helps support bags, ammunition, binoculars, and a rangefinder. If you shoot with others, set benches with clear muzzle lanes and avoid crossing fields of fire.
Benefits
- Creates a steady platform for precise varmint shots.
- Reduces fatigue during long sessions.
- Keeps gear organized and off dusty prairie ground.
Notable Brands
- Caldwell
- MTM
- BOG
Rifle Bipod
A bipod is the simple answer when you need a stable prone or seated shot without carrying a full bench. It is especially useful when moving along field edges or setting up behind low rises where a bench is impractical.
Overview
Choose height based on your terrain. Short bipods work from prone on flat ground, while taller models help in grass or uneven pasture. Confirm compatibility with your sling stud, Picatinny rail, or M-LOK adapter, and choose a swivel model if the ground is rarely level.
Benefits
- Improves stability without adding much bulk.
- Works well for spot-and-stalk varmint setups.
- Helps maintain safe muzzle control from field positions.
Notable Brands
- Harris
- Magpul
- Caldwell
Front and Rear Shooting Bags
Shooting bags solve fine-aim instability. A bipod supports the rifle, but a rear bag helps control elevation and squeeze into small targets. They matter when you are trying to make clean shots instead of rushing at every visible squirrel.
Overview
Choose bags that match your shooting surface. Heavier filled bags are excellent on benches, while lightweight squeeze bags are better for walking. A non-slip bottom and durable fabric help in dust, stubble, and gravel. Make sure the front bag supports the fore-end without contacting the barrel.
Benefits
- Allows precise elevation control on tiny targets.
- Reduces wobble during longer shots.
- Works with rimfire and centerfire varmint rifles.
Notable Brands
- Caldwell
- Protektor
- Allen
Laser Rangefinder
A rangefinder solves bad distance guesses, which are common in flat prairie country. Even with flat-shooting rimfires, a small error can turn a clean hit into a miss or poor shot.
Overview
Choose a compact rangefinder that reads small targets or nearby dirt mounds reliably. Angle compensation is useful but not always critical on flat ground. Fast readings, simple controls, and a display you can see in bright daylight matter more than extreme maximum range claims.
Benefits
- Confirms holds for .22 LR, .17 HMR, and .22 WMR.
- Helps decide when a shot is too far for your setup.
- Speeds up ethical shot decisions in open fields.
Notable Brands
- Leupold
- Vortex
- Bushnell
Compact Binoculars
Binoculars solve the problem of scanning with your rifle scope, which is unsafe and inefficient. They help you find active burrows, watch movement, and identify safe shooting lanes before a rifle ever points downrange.
Overview
For this style of hunting, 8x or 10x binoculars are usually practical. Prioritize clarity, comfortable eye relief, and a focus wheel you can use quickly. A chest harness keeps them ready while leaving your hands free for carrying rests, bags, or a cased rifle.
Benefits
- Improves safety by avoiding rifle-scope scanning.
- Helps locate active colonies and fresh sign.
- Reduces eye strain during long glassing sessions.
Notable Brands
- Nikon
- Vortex
- Leupold
Wind Meter
A wind meter solves one of the hardest prairie problems: guessing what a light rimfire bullet will do in crosswind. It matters most when shooting .17 HMR, .22 LR, or .22 WMR beyond close range.
Overview
Choose a simple handheld unit that gives quick wind speed readings. You still need to read grass, dust, and mirage downrange, but a meter gives you a starting point. Pair it with real range practice so you know when to hold, dial, or pass on a shot.
Benefits
- Improves wind calls on small targets.
- Helps prevent marginal shots in gusty conditions.
- Builds better dope for your rifle and ammunition.
Notable Brands
- Kestrel
- Caldwell
- WeatherFlow
Electronic Hearing Protection
Electronic hearing protection solves the conflict between protecting your ears and staying aware of partners, landowners, vehicles, livestock, and changing field conditions. It matters even with rimfires and becomes essential with centerfire varmint rifles.
Overview
Choose muffs or plugs with a suitable noise reduction rating, comfortable all-day fit, and clear sound compression. Slim ear cups work better with rifle stocks. Bring backup foam plugs, especially when multiple shooters are on the same colony.
Benefits
- Protects hearing during high-volume shooting.
- Allows communication without removing protection.
- Supports safer coordination with nearby hunters.
Notable Brands
- Walker’s
- Howard Leight
- Peltor
Rifle Cleaning Kit
A cleaning kit solves reliability and accuracy problems that can show up during dusty, high-volume squirrel shooting. Rimfire rifles especially can become inconsistent when fouling, grit, and waxy bullet lubricant build up.
Overview
Pick a kit with a coated rod or pull-through cable, caliber-correct brushes, patches, chamber tools, and a small bottle of solvent. Avoid over-cleaning from the muzzle with hard rods, and follow your firearm manufacturer’s guidance. A compact field kit can fix simple issues before they end a hunt.
Benefits
- Maintains accuracy during long shooting days.
- Helps prevent failures caused by dust and fouling.
- Extends the useful life of rifles and magazines.
Notable Brands
- Otis
- Hoppe’s
- Real Avid
Ammo Storage Box
An ammo box solves the mess of loose rimfire cartons, mixed loads, and dust-covered cartridges. It matters when you are testing different ammunition or shooting enough rounds that organization affects safety and performance.
Overview
Choose a sealed box that keeps ammunition dry, clean, and separated by load. Label each compartment or container with caliber, bullet weight, and zero distance. Never mix ammunition on the bench, and keep only the correct cartridges near the rifle in use.
Benefits
- Keeps ammunition clean in dusty field conditions.
- Reduces the chance of loading the wrong cartridge.
- Makes range notes and field performance easier to track.
Notable Brands
- MTM
- Plano
- Flambeau
Shooting Mat
A shooting mat solves comfort and consistency issues when prone shots are the best option. It matters in stubble, gravel, cactus country, damp grass, and any spot where staying steady requires staying comfortable.
Overview
Choose a mat with enough padding for elbows, a non-slip surface, and a size that fits your build. Roll-up mats are easy to carry, while folding mats may offer more structure. Use the mat to build a repeatable prone position while keeping the muzzle clear of dirt and vegetation.
Benefits
- Improves comfort during extended prone shooting.
- Helps build a stable, repeatable field position.
- Keeps rifle, magazines, and gear out of dirt and moisture.
Notable Brands
- MidwayUSA
- Voodoo Tactical
- Caldwell