Ground Hog Hunters...

[Ðe§perado™]

Seeing how many ground hog hunters do we have here. Do you use a gun or a bow? I have gotten 18 in the last year near my house and several with my .22 Mag rifle.

[K-DOGG]

My Brother and I both hunt groundhogs in the summer months.We shoot 22-250,and he also has a .223 all of which are Ruger brand guns.We usally take anywhere from 75 to 100 chucks a season.

[Ðe§perado™]

nice!! I need a .22-250 or a .222 or a .223. I have a 30-06 but to hunt those I'm going to have to start reloading my own. The ammo is too big.

[K-DOGG]

We started loading all of our rifle ammo 2 years ago.It has saved us alot of money by doing so.We also reload all of our shotgun shells too,we have for over 20 years.

[SenecaBow]

Chuck hunting is one of my favorit thing to do in the summer, well i do like my fishing.:)

I use T/C Contenders most of the time, but have long gun's also, I guess the Ruger #1 in .223 is my go to gun for woodchucks.

The Contenders are from .17 Rem. to 45-70.

Also get in a little bowhunting when the beans are about afoot high, love stalking chucks in the bean fields.
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This is my first post on this forum, I'm a new guy.:)

This is one nice looking site. I like the layout.

[vc1111]

Love shooting chucks. I prefer blackpowder, but I use a 7mm08 also.

[Farmbear]

I hunt them got some with the 22lr 22mag 12ga. with00 buck. There all over the farm. The holes are bad news on the equipment at times you really have to watch out the best you can. :(

[Remington001]

I managed 75 Chucks in my first fukk year of Chuck hunting. I used mainley a Savage 12FV chambered un 22-250. I also nailed several using a Marlin 17V HMR . I bought a Savage 93FV late in the year and took a couple with it as well.

I'll be adding a Bushmaster VArmint Rifle AR-15 as well as a Savage 12BVSS in .243 and and ArmaLite AR-50BMG as well this spring. Money and time permitting I would like to add a .221 fireball as well. My goal for 2003 is 100 chucks.

I fill my time right now mostly Coyote hunting. I'm still looking for a good place to fox hunt and learn the basics. Perhaps if anyone is interested I would gladly trade some time with them in a good fox populated are are ain exchange for some good chuck hunting and perhaps a coyote trip.

Happy Holidays to all and I'm glad I found this page. I can be reached via E-mail @ ExtremeVarmminting@attbi.com, also I live just west of Cleveland.


Scot M
Remington001

[Rick]

Good Morning !

I am new to this site so here go's !

I am 47 years old and retired, I love to varmint hunt here in Ohio plus I take trips to South Dakota to shoot prairie dogs.
I got myself in the 1000yd downrange club with VHA and I am hopping to move to the 2000yd club this next spring.

Here in Ohio I have shot 106 groundhogs and 12 coyotes now in SD ahooting prairie dogs all I can say that there was alot of tham.

Can I ask is there anyone here that PD hunts?

Rick

[Ðe§perado™]

That's a long way of to shoot. What kind of rifle do you have to do that?

BTW Welcome to the site!!

[Rick]

I have a AR-50 coming and the scope I will be putting on it will be a 12x42x56mm NightForce.

[Remington001]

Sorry for the spelling error in my first post. It was supposed to be FULL not what I wrote. I figure most have already figured it out, but just incase I did not want to offend anyone.

Remington001

[Rick]

Thats ok I new to this site also.

So do you do any long range shooting?

Rick

[Ðe§perado™]

Very nice gun. I'm going to try to find me a .222 or .223 not sure of a brand yet.

[Rick]

I have a 223 bolt that is a Ruger M77VT and it nice and I also have a Bushmaster Varminter AR15 and I really like it when I am out to South Dakota PD hunting.

My buddy has a 222.

[Ðe§perado™]

I have a 30-06. Just not sure if I want to sell it to get the .222 I haven't used in 8 years. It's just collecting dust at this time.

[Flatheadmaniac]

Man i used to hunt them all the time...spend to much time & $ fishing anymore.
I have over 700 acres of private land to hunt(deer creek runs through it, mostly cattle fields) perfect for yard pigs and coyotes,.
A few yrs back i bought a Rem. 22/250 (700 action) Sendaro with free floating target barrel. I love this gun...you can sure reach out and touch something with it.
My boss at work just moved here from Texas and has a 1000yrd gun(wildcat load)..he also has a 22/250 and does go to SD for Pd too, says its a lot of fun..i might have to join him next trip out there?
Good hunting/fishing to all.

[Smallie34]

What a passion of mine, been hunting them for about 12 years now, my favorite guns for the deed depending on my mood could be a Remington 700VS in either a 223 or 308, a Remington 700VLS in 22-250, or maybe a Ruger 77R in 257 Roberts, cant wait until spring so I can get on them again, would like to start getting my Contender in 22 hornet some more work as well, anybody want to talk hogs or guns drop me a line.

[Arrow 1]

I have killed many with my bow, but when I need to remove a large number from an area I have a cheap savage .223 bolt action with a cheap Simmons 3X9 scope. When you are use to killing them with a bow at point blank range, even my cheap gun feels like a killing machine.

I was shooting it at 150 yards a couple weeks ago and was shooting a 1 inch group. That is plenty good enough for me . Most of the hogs I shoot with it are only about 50 yards away.

[BrianM]

I'm a groundhog hunter . I use rifles and handguns . Have rifles and handguns ranging from 17 caliber to 45 caliber . The 17's have been my favorite's the past couple of years but I still use some of the others once in a while .

[flathunter]

I have been hunting for 30 years..I have only shot one ground hog in my life...After cooking it I thought it was not that good of meat, so I never Shot another....Just curious are you guys eating these critters?????

[Smallie34]

I personally have never ate one, a buddy of mine got one one time and skinned it.... said he was going to see what they were like.... but I never did get the scoop, I just enjoy hunting them.

[Flatheadmaniac]

Would be like eating Gar or something..geez!

All of the land i hunt is private farm land....My buddy and i agreed to take care of thier varmint problems(ground hogs & coyotes), in return we get to hunt and fish thier property anytime we want....great trade if ya ask me.
I hunt with a Rem. 22/250 my buddy uses a freakin Ruger Stainless 270....yea hes crazy..but loves to watch them explode through the scope..lol..not much left to COOK..;) :eek:

[flathunter]

Hey now flats, I would like you to know that Gar are very tasty if you cook them right:eek: :eek: :eek: :D :D

[Smallie34]

Whats cool is to get a low recoil round like a 17 Rem, 222, 223 and nail one, the recoil of these rounds doesnt even move your eye from the scope and you can see the little burgers flop down.

[Flatheadmaniac]

Then if so...i'll save ya ALL the ones i catch next year buddy and turn them loose in your flathead spot for ya anytime ya want some fresh fish to cook..lol:eek: :cool:

[Flatheadmaniac]

I have a very powerful spotting scope that i use to "glass" the distant hills for pigs....when one of us gets on one, the other watches through the spotting scope...i usually say(if im watching).."man that had to hurt..lol"
My old hunting buddy(Cathy W. new husband) and i used to hunt hogs on his grandparents farm back in high school with our 12 ga. deer guns..was great practice for stalking deer..lol
Hes got a S&W 357 mag. with like a 9" barrel or something crazy like that, he used to stalk them hogs with it sometimes too..was a ton of fun back before....FISHING took over my time..well all my free time that is..lol

[Smallie34]

Hey dude hows it going? the barrel on his 357 is probably 8 3/8" long, I have a S&W 586 with a 8 3/8" barrel and a 4X Burris on it, creek banks are great places to try and stalk them, some areas are litterally covered with them.

[OHyotekiller]

I hunt groundhogs some during the summer. Use a 17 Mach IV a lot, also a .223, .22-250 and a 22 BR.

95% private property.

[Smallie34]

I love the 223 the last couple of years I have used it more than any other round, 27grs of 748 and a 40gr V-Max does wonders.

[bonasachasa]

causeing a groundhog death due to high speed lead trauma is a favorite way to pass the long hot summer days before fall. i use a 223-colt ar 15 a weatherby 22-250 and a remington 700 264 win mag. have shot them from 3 inches over a hole to over 350 paces .bean fields in the spring and horse and cow pastures in the summer. desporado you might try some of the accelerator rounds sold for the 30-06 if you dont want to learn reloading or sell your rifle. rem was making some that shoot a plastic saboted .22 from a 06

[Smallie34]

Your Remington 700 264 has to have some years on it doesnt it? I almost bought a Ruger 77R 264 years back but passed on it, if I could only have some of these deals back that I have passed on in the past:(

[Ðe§perado™]

Arrow 1, I got 18 last year with my bow. But since most of them are around these old barns and getting on them seems easy. Get up in the top of the barn and when they move around in the field. Just stick them to the ground.;)

[bonasachasa]

yes i have had it for 15 yrs and i bought it used at an auction so i can only guess at its age without checking through the serial no#but it has been at least 20 yrs since i have seen a new offering in that caliber

[Smallie34]

They can do alot of damage to barns old and new alike, a place I used to work at they almost overran that place, digging under garages, digging under the roads around the plant, but it was in the city limits so I couldnt get on them:( I would have nailed many in a short period of time with my 22Mag.

[Smallie34]

Yep the 264 will flat plain launch a 6.5 bullet, I have a Remington Classic in 6.5X55, those 6.5 bullets are the longest dang bullet you will ever want to see.

[wabi]

Groundhogs used to be a favorite summer pasttime with a .222Rem., but there are fewer of them now. I think agricultural chemicals, and coyotes have depleted them. Now I don't really hunt for killing big numbers of them, but for sport, so the longbow gets the most use. Also the areas they habitate now are good bowhunting spots. Old abandonded farm buildings, and small brushy creeks are good spots, and shots under 25 yards are common. As for eating, a young one reminds me of squirrel as far as taste and texture. They can be a little tough, but cooked in boiling water until the meat falls off the bones, then adding it to a stew is a pretty foolproof method for good eating.

[Rick]

Hey guys
I just wanted to let you know I shot my first groundhog for this year this morning, the 22-250 is right on.

[OHyotekiller]

Way to go Rick. It'll probably be a while before I get a chance at one. They frown on shooting critters from your window within the city limits.:D

[Rick]

OHyotekiller

Well after this weekend I don't think I will be seeing any groundhogs this week do to all the snow we got.
I know what you are talking about by shooting in town I some time use my 10/22 but must of the time I use my beeman's air rifle it work just as good as the 10/22 for town shooting.

Well I got to go and clean snow off the drive talk to you later.

[Smallie34]

Its usually the first or second week of March before I get out after them, I can hardly wait:)

[Rick]

Smallie34

I am really starting to think about my trip to South Dakota for are prairie dog hunt but a groundhog now and then is ok.

[Smallie34]

For the time being I have to settle for groundhogs, with any luck maybe 3 weeks from now I will be on them.

[Rick]

Smallie34

I really love groundhog hunting but when I took my first trip out west to shoot prairie dogs it just wasn't the same after that for groundhog but I still do it.
You can shoot prairie dogs all day long they just keep coming back out where for groundhog you have a long wait for tham to come out again.

[Smallie34]

I have heard tell about all the shots taken out West, sounds like alot of fun, I dont believe I have ever taken more than a dozen shots in a day while groundhog hunting, its still alot of fun though, its right up there with Smallmouth fishing:D

[Rick]

Smallie34

If you get in to a big town of PD's you can shoot up 500rds a day maybe more if you want to.
This why most guy take 3 to 4 rifles along.

Last year I think on my best day I shot 400rds in one day.

We go out for 8 days of shooting and I take 8000rds ammo but I do bring alot of it home.

[Smallie34]

WOW seems like it would take you forever to get all that loaded, worth it in the end though if you get a dog for those rounds.

[Rick]

Smallie34

I start my reloading for the trips right after I get back this way the cost in ammo don't hit me all at once.
So I have ben work on it alittle bit at a time.

[Thunderflight]

Just curious, but what do you all do with all these dead ground hawgs?

I've heard they aren't bad eat'n if you get a young one.

Thunderflight

[Smallie34]

I usually drop them back down there hole, most of the time a coyote/fox will get them within a day or so, never have had one on the table..just doesnt sound good to me, I will stick with good ol fashion grade A beef:)

[Rick]

I leave my groundhogs by there wholes but I use tham for coyote bait. Plus when I go out to South Dakota PD hunting I leave the PD's by there whole for the coyotes.
Also after you shot a prairie dog with a 55gr bullet there is not much left but parts.

[Ðe§perado™]

I have taken a few of them and gutted them and ground them up in a meat grinder. Bones, fur and all and use them to trap yotes. I do leave some in there holes for foxes and yotes. So I can trap that area the following trapping season.;)

[Rick]

Looks like we may have to wait till the snow is just about got now to see any more groundhogs.

Shelby county has 15" to 18" of snow on the ground right now.

[george tinkham]

i dont know about this hibernation thing...i work at apt. complexes and they have lots of dumpsters and there is well used trails in the snow from the whistle pigs burrow to the dumpster...course we,re talkin city pigs here...

[v4st1100]

Rick,

It sounds like you have a good place to hunt groundhogs. I live east of Columbus and am looking for some good groundhog hunting and someone to help me learn the ropes. I also have been looking at the prairiedog hunts out west as a fun vacation once my daughter gets a little older. I currently have a modified AR-15 and a Remington 788 in 22-250 that I shoot regularly. I also just received my .17HMR rifle and bought a barrel in that caliber for my Contender.

[Smallie34]

Where do you live? I live a little NW of Columbus, do most of my hunting South of here, sounds like you got the toys to get a good start at Hog hunting, word to the wise though it can get to be addicting:D I have heard that the 788s can be real tackdrivers, heres to the snow melting quickly:)

[george tinkham]

i shot a pig in the head in 1967,it crawled back inside its hole but we could see it,just a little.my huntin buddy deadhead hamilton reached in and grabbed it buy the hide.and oh how that pig came to life a twisting and snarling and tore up poor deadheads arm and hand.but deadhead held tight and yanked the pig out.the arrow had went thru the mouth and out its butt and fell out when deadhead lifted the snarling hog toward the sky.then he slammed it to the ground.my first whistlepig now was dead.we needed not worry bout field dressing cause the guts already come undone and fell out.we took the hog to his house and his mom skinned and then barbecued it...

[redneck66]

I do alittle G-Hog hunting in the summer with my grandpa. I usually shoot his 22-250 with heavy stainless barrel and redfield scope. We also shoot his .17, and his swift. Don't really have the opportunity for extremely long shots, actually i think my longest shot last year was about 400 yrds.

[Smallie34]

Sounds like you got all the rounds to do the job, I have really been putting my 223 through the paces the last couple years, I have a Swift as well and a few years back really got hooked on it and put the hurt on some local hogs, got many head shots that spring:D I had it loaded with the Sierra 60gr HP which is not that popular of a bullet for hogs..but it was a awsome combination for me:D

[redneck66]

Yeah he also has a 22 hornet that is a really nice gun to shoot off hand with. The stock just fits me perfect and its not a real heavy gun.

[Smallie34]

Yeah the hornet is nice, very little recoil, needs to be kept within its range, the last couple of years I have used more mild rounds ie the 22 hornet, 223, I plan to work with the 222 more this spring as well, I have used the 308, 7MM-08, 6.5X55 in the past and they did the job...but the 223 has really taken over with me, its nice to squeeze off that round and be able to see the hit in the scope, plus its alot cheaper.

[vvarmitr]

Groundhog hunting/varminting is what I do! I won't own a gun if I can't blast a g'hog w/ it! I used to be timid about admiting that g'hog hunting was my favorite sport, but after joining the VARMINT HUNTERS ASSC. I found out that I wasn't alone.:cool:
Get this: my first gun was a 222Rem. not a 22LR or a shotgun. It's like God predestined me to be a varminter!;) :D :cool:
I can't think of another sport where people want you to come out & do it without paying for it!:rolleyes:
As for eating g'hog I think it taste more like pork than chicken. If you can eat squirrel you can surely eat g'hog. Mostly I turn them belly up & have a buzzard banquet. :D

[george tinkham]

with a last name like varminter,i'd say it definately was your calling to hunt whistlepigs

[Smallie34]

I probably like to hunt groundhogs more than just about anything else to, its tough when most of the guys at work are deer hunters, pheasant hunters, duck hunters, they talk about the coming turkey season etc, they dont think you are on the same level.

[vvarmitr]

I just tell'em I don't have to shoot the big game to prove my manhood it's already proven. I love it because there are no limits & I get to shoot, shoot, & shoot! :eek: :cool: :D Not like deer hunting where "BANG" & I'm stuck driving deer the rest of the time.:rolleyes: :mad:

[Smallie34]

I agree I just take there good natured ribbing with a smile:)

[george tinkham]

yup poor ole lowly groundhog

[bucktail]

Originally posted by vvarmitr
Mostly I turn them belly up & have a buzzard banquet. :D

Belly up I assume means just leaving them lie after you shoot them, there is alot of sport in shooting something and leaving it lie to rot. :rolleyes: Are these the type of values you pass on down to your children ? I suppose you call yourself a sportsman also, another great hunter who has no idea what ethics and morals are. :rolleyes: Sounds like you got the name mixed up the way I see it your the varmint..:D :D :D

[Ðe§perado™]

Ok, guys let's play nice...LOL;)

[george tinkham]

i bet the buzzards are greatful and they don't have to worry bout gittin hit by a car while feastin on roadkill ghog

[bucktail]

No George, the buzzards call that hazard pay. :D :D :D :D

But then when something like that happens it's called an accident, it's when you have control of your faculties then shoot it with a gun and kill it and leave it that I don't agree with. :mad: :mad: :mad:

[vvarmitr]

Apparently Bucktail you don't do any varminting!:rolleyes:
What do you do when you catch a mouse in a trap?:confused: Do you gut & skin'em then put in the freezer till you have enough to make a stew? Or do you flush him down the toilet? :eek: You probably never thought to give it to the cat that would be to much like leaving g'hogs out for the buzzards!
Do you have a problem w/ the fact that I'm not eating them all? :confused: ,or do you have a thing against buzzards?:mad:
What do you think I should be doing w/ them in your armchair wildlife management position in front of the Disney channel opinion? Your comments above ring with the sound of a PETA spokesperson.
Yes I did teach my childern to turn them belly-up so that the predator/scavangers could find them before they "rot" as opposed to sticking them down the hole. I also recomend that others do the same with the ones they can't use! :p
I didn't ask for the title of "Master Sportsman" under my name & I notice sportman isn't even mentioned under yours!:p
When God tells me He put you in charge of hunter ethics I'll submit to your ideals, but not until then!:mad:
IMO you need to get out of that Disney World you're in, turn off the Dixie Chicks, & get into the real world!:mad:
Just tellin the ugly I found!:D

[jcdflint]

Hi Bucktail, I do respected your "OPINION" but why don't you put it out back in the trash? as a matter of fact, maybe you should look in the can. There might be something in there that your wasting?????

[vvarmitr]

jcdflint: LOL :D , LOL :D , & LOL :D .

[Ðe§perado™]

jcdflint and vvarmitr, I agree with you two 100%!!!

[george tinkham]

went to athens today...must have seen 2 dead dear...better than 50 small game roadkill split about even between coons and ghogs with maybe a possum and a couple skunks thrown in...oh what a waste about 50 times more an auto kills than the hunter...hmmmmmm we must stop driving cars that are murder on these animals...just an observation but a fact too

[jcdflint]

I guess till we all just grind up the whole animal or fish "GUTS and ALL" and down'm like a milkshake we're just ALL slob hunters and fisherman. "O" by the way BUCKTAIL would you like to lick out the bowl,yum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Smallie34]

Everybody has a right to a opinion and that happens to be his, I just wish he didnt feel the need to get so personal about it right off the bat and start insulting people, personally I leave mine in there holes and if I come back by a day or two later a coyote or fox etc has usually found it by then because it is nowhere to be seen.