Disposing of dead chucks

[D Coots]

I put the dead one's in friends mail boxes....

 

[Woodchk]

I have always dumped a dead chuck down its hole. I figured it was the best way to get rid of the carcass. But now , after reading some of the replies from hunters more experienced than me, I'm questioning that method of disposal. Would that practice cause other chucks to not use the den and possibly dig another den ? That's not good for the farmer that I'm trying to help. I just didn't want to throw the carcass into the hedgerow and stink up the place, but if that keeps the burrows down, it would be a better option.
Maybe by tossing the dead chucks in the hedgerow would attract more coyotes and improve another hunting opportunity. The woman in the farm wouldn't mind if I just let t them lay because the other day an eagle was feeding on the chuck. I just can't bring myself to do that to all but I do leave a couple for her eagle.

I always carry mine to the edge of the field . Then turn over on there back . The buzzards no there dead very quickly .

 

[Rick in Oregon]

We've always used the natural method, and the birds seem quite pleased......



After a day of vaporizing ground squirrels, and/or the occasional rock chuck, we seldom see any remains the following day. Coyotes, bald and golden eagles, plus turkey buzzards clean it up pretty dang quick.

 

[searcher]

I can just see it! - Just love it - had a very good laugh at this one!

Here's one for you - Many years ago I was hunting a new place; it was a horse ranch. The owner was not a farmer per se but raised racing horses. Late in the day I moved to another field which involved crossing a road which went pass the owner's house. The wife was getting into her Mercedes and saw me heading her way. I had a rifle over my shoulder, portable chair hooked to my belt, shooting stick in a ring attached to my belt, large orange hat, and binoculars on my chest. She looked at me like I was from outer space. But what really got to her was the four hind legs I had cut off the two hogs I had shot and were hanging from my belt on a string. (I used eat them - after cooking of course ) Anyway I guess I scared the s*** out of her. She ran into the house and the owner can out. It seems he failed to mention to her that he had given me permission to hunt ground hogs. Fortunately he had a sense of humor and we had a good laugh and more importantly he let me continue to hunt there. I shot a ton of hogs off his high quality alfapha fields over the years. The wife never did warm up to my presence however.

Reminds me of my brother. He subscribed to every gun magazine, NRA, etc. - and his wife subscribed to every liberal "save the whales and trees" magazine, Greenpeace, etc. I just know that mailman had to wonder what the heck. As you might guess - my brother is no longer married.

 

[Bill K]

Personally I would never slide them back down their hole. I lay them away from the hole area, along side a bush or such and within days coyotes, raptors have eaten them. Cycle the food chain.

 

[dgeesaman]

I had a nice surprise the other day. I have been throwing the carcasses in the pasture far away from any dwellings and the local Buzzards have them cleaned up the next day. So I arrive for another hunt and I jump a Bald Eagle feeding on one! I have seen him flying around previously but finding it feeding on one of my kills was exiting! It seems like I should get some kind of award or something! ;D I will tried to fatten it up with more!

Old thread, but worth a reminder:

Eagles are very susceptible to lead poisoning, so if there is any chance the bullet didn't exit, dump the carcass where it won't get eaten. Also, until recently I didn't realize eagles spent as much time as they did eating carrion.

When I was clearing chucks from my horse farm they always ended up under my manure pile. They just evaporated in there.

David

 

[Park ranger]

Old thread, but worth a reminder:

Eagles are very susceptible to lead poisoning, so if there is any chance the bullet didn't exit, dump the carcass where it won't get eaten. Also, until recently I didn't realize eagles spent as much time as they did eating carrion.

When I was clearing chucks from my horse farm they always ended up under my manure pile. They just evaporated in there.

David

Thanks for reminding everyone. I don’t tell people what to do, but encourage folks to do their own research on lead poisoning and eagles, vultures, etc. one point to add, fragmentation is something to consider, not just the entire bullet.

 

[Knotwild]

The guy's I hunted with (one and only time) eat them. They said we were wrong shooting them with 22-250 AI and 55gr Sieras because it tore up the meat too much.

It was a dry county and we had to drive 50 miles to brown bag at a McDonald's.

 

[mike mccormick]

I eat them. Just a great big squirrel.

 

[450BM]

I’ve shot hundreds, never ate one of them…. Always left them where they died for the turkey buzzards.

 

[danny]

The guy's I hunted with (one and only time) eat them. They said we were wrong shooting them with 22-250 AI and 55gr Sieras because it tore up the meat too much.

It was a dry county and we had to drive 50 miles to brown bag at a McDonald's.

That kind of damage is the whole idea behind doing it, isn't it?

Danny

 

[danny]

I eat them. Just a great big squirrel.

You need a Crock Pot for that, or if you are truly modern, an Instant Pot

Danny

 

[mike mccormick]

You need a Crock Pot for that, or if you are truly modern, an Instant Pot

Danny

Yes sir! I usually crock Pot them, remove the bones , then throw in a couple cans of Fiesta corn and let it simmer. Good eating.

 

[450BM]

Yes sir! I usually crock Pot them, remove the bones , then throw in a couple cans of Fiesta corn and let it simmer. Good eating.

What meat would you compare it to? Is it like a big gray squirrel?

My Dad raised beef cows so we always had two large freezers full of beef and I had little desire to eat a woodchuck.

 

[mike mccormick]

What meat would you compare it to? Is it like a big gray squirrel?

My Dad raised beef cows so we always had two large freezers full of beef and I had little desire to eat a woodchuck.

It's kind of like a squirrel. Heck, once cleaned and laying in a bowl, it looks like one

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Don't think many have actually watched eagles,hawks feed on carcasses. Very different than mammals.

 

[Bill Clifton]

Coyote bait.

 

[Knotwild]

That kind of damage is the whole idea behind doing it, isn't it?

Danny

It was to me. But I surely didn't want to try to eat one. We also took a 220 Jaybird - when I spotted, a hit looked like you shot a red spray paint can.

 

[Timberyote]

I always chucked them down the hole, but a fiend uses for yote bait.

 

[ISS]

I leave them lay, but that is on Ranch or Public Ground. Idaho is 71% Fed or State ground. We got Wolves here the last 25 years, so there is competition for the carcasses with the Coyotes and Badgers.