How many groundhog hunters we got here?

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Man I miss hunting woodchucks.  Growing up in northcentral Ohio we had plenty of them.  I spent MANY hours hunting chucks back in the day-  groundhogs taught me how to bowhunt.  Dad always said if he were king of the world you'd have to bring him 20 groundhog tails you killed with your bow before you could buy a deer tag - you'll learn more hunting chucks hard for a couple years than shooting 3-D and watching hunting shows on TV for 20!  My last year in high school (1992) I really got after them in the spring and summer and killed an even 50 with my bow, a good hand with a 22-250 would work hard to kill 100 in a summer around home so I felt pretty good about that.

Now I live in west-central Indiana and they are few and far between.  I'd feel bad killing one around here.  I have released a dozen or so on my property that a friend box trapped out of his hay fields but they don't last long with the 'yotes around.

Ryan

[Bowman0202]

All our hawgs in Texas live on the ground.  Do those count?

[Can Hahaka]

These critters are off limits in Wisconsin. Cannot figure out why? They are all over the place.

Just like wolves! Maybe this will change too?

[Chuck_Delsandro]

Went out for some still hunting around noon today, and very slowly worked a hillside where I know there are several holes. Didn't see a single G-hog, but I did see two hen pheasants (rare for this area), a woodcock, one deer, and had the pleasure of listening to a Tom gobble for about 45min. Pretty good for a only few hours out!

[heydeerman]

I hunt em but I leave em for the buzzards. It's a good way to get entry onto some huntin land. Farmers love it when you kill em.

My first trad kill was a groundhawg. Farmer laughed when I got my recurve outta the truck after I asked him for permission. An hour later I brought one to his door that was almost decapitated by a Zwicky. Been huntin on that property ever since.

[GingivitisKahn]

Leave em?   Nah - they are pretty good in chili (but then, what isn't).  :-D

[Zbone]

Ryan quote: “I have released a dozen or so on my property that a friend box trapped out of his hay fields”


Relocating groundhogs – That’s gotta be a first…8^)

[bmfer]

This is the best way to stay sharp in the offseason!

[MWhitehair]

I love huntin' some ground grizzlies!
They arent bad on the table either...

[ratgunner]

Well,at the risk of sounding like braggard,I'll just say I've lost count of the groundhogs I have shot with a bow.And with all the houses and roads going up in farm country the rifle is getting a bit dangerous to use anyways.Groundhogs are one of my favorites to hunt.

[jct]

I nailed one today, stand-n proud at the mouth of his hole on the bank of the river. The hit was perfect but I just up and shot not remembering to wait till he was at least a few yds from the hole, down in there he went. Dam it ! I know better than that. Anyhow an hour of digging and nutt-n. I'm beat, and I love it.

[Got2strum]

I think Bret ( bmfer ) single handedly keeps the Wrightsville groundhog population in check  

[carparcher]

No chucks that I know of here in Oklahoma.  We like to chase tree rats when turkey and deer are closed.  Thanks for the pics.  Looks pretty fun.  I particularly like the one of the archer outside the cave w/ the chuck peeking his head out.

[2-BIG]

Got this young male this morning!    
 

[bushytail]

Got 2 last year.I think i had a 2to13 ratio.Seen a lot of holes being cleaned out.Got the one hide tanned.Would like to get one mounted this year.Also gotta get closer shots.Some were out their for a long shot.Thats why i had a bad ratio last year.Lots of fun!  

[jct]

I went out again today after the rain. Not really hunting just get-n out with my new dog. ( 3 yr old J -Russell, the previous owners had no idea how good a dog she is, unbelievable hunter) Tryed a couple stalks with no results, then geting ready to leave saw one where I could use a ditch line for cover, left the bow and leashed the dog for the stalk. Got 40 yds and let the dog see it and then turned her loose, man you should've seen that! She did'nt get there in time but talk about fast, the dog and the g-hog. Mother nature sure is something. To much fun !

[jct]

BTW, 2-Big, thats a good un. Nice shot to. Boil the head for a unique eruo mount and soak the tail in denatured alc. for a few weeks for another unique trophy. Thats what I do.