The Sod Poodles Are Awake!

[Red Beastmaster]

The groundhogs have come out of hibernation here in SW PA!

I probably enjoy bowhunting groundhogs more than anything else, except maybe hunting feral hogs at Ray's. I even made a trail up in the woodlot behind the house I call "Hog Alley". It runs about 5yd inside the edge and goes by several active dens. I keep the path free of sticks and leaves, I make sure the shooting lanes are open as well. I usually shoot around half a dozen here in a year. I have other places I hunt too but I can check on the Alley almost every day.

Yesterday I went up to the woodlot to check on some active holes I have been watching. There is no cover yet as our bushes are just now starting to turn green. I glassed a big bugger sitting on a rock pile. I don't know how he saw me but it took a dive down the hole. I eased up and got ready for a quick head shot if it popped back up. Nothing.

Just then I heard a terrible racket from out in the 12" high hay field. A big hog was being chased by an even bigger hog! It was wild with lots of growling and snarling! The winner ran off to a hole and the loser just sat there looking like a whipped pup.

The hog was 75yd out in the field, I had no cover, so I just walked right toward it. That will work on some hogs some of the time. Just walk with purpose straight at it. They will freeze or lay flat hoping you will pass by.

 At 20yd I figured it was go time. The beast was sitting with his back to me watching me from the side. I had my Brackenbury Quest on this hunt, we've been bonding well lately so I just had to let the bow do its' thing. The 4-blade Muzzy hit right behind the front leg and out the sternum. It ran a short ways and turned to face me. What the heck?! Next shot was in the head next to the eye. I knocked it over but still it got up to face me, lowered its' head and looked like it was about to charge. A wood arrow w/.38 casing weighted with lead sinkers to the skull ended this bazaar encounter. Geesh!

Not quite sure what was up with that pig but it was one of the hardest to kill I ever ran across. I couldn't have hit it any better. They are very tough critters to put down.

Anyways, that hog was my first of the year and my 224th since I started chasing them with stickbows 25 years ago. It's going to be a great summer!

[wooddamon1]

Sounds like a blast! Be careful they sound vicious!

[Possum Head]

I think it's neet that you have logged your kills. My Granddad did that with rifle shot groundhogs and crows. Wish we had G. Hogs in this part of the country sounds like fun.

[Ray Hammond]

Sod Poodles, eh?  You're gonna be back down here soon chasing swamp poodles I hope!!!  

[Red Beastmaster]

Ray, I'm building up my nerves for our Fall hunt with you. Hopefully I won't miss at 10yd again!

Swamp Poodles be toast!

[DannyBows]

I hope to try hunting them for a few days in July when I go home for a visit to my parents place in Ohio.

I killed a bunch of them with rifles when I was a kid, but have never hunted them with a bow yet, can't wait to put a stalk on a couple.

We never shot any till early June, or at least before we started seeing the young ones out and about. My Dad told me that if you kill a mother with a litter of young in early Spring, you just killed off the whole litter as the young will starve in the den without Momma.

They are tough critters. Congrats on your first of the season!    

[Sixby]

What ?? No Pics???????

God bless you, Steve

[Beanbag]

Saw my first one today, pretty fat for the fist of the year

[stujay]

 on the hog.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Congrats,  

I saw my first one of the year Today, My coworker has named him Walter and thinks its the same one every year although they cover up the work property!  There's no less than 20 on the 10 acre parcel.