3 state groundhog expedition....Could use some mid Ohio input

[VaRandy]

I mentioned to some I would be hunting groundhogs for months at a time in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Indiana was all new to me and I decided to try it first. Arrived in Indiana
Sat to start the expedition. Had worries about trying the state but decided to give it a shot up front. Got here in time for 3 99 degree days followed by two of rain. Was taken around the farmer by truck to look over his available fields. The have plenty of beans that are the perfect height but that doesn't matter because chucks hit them only on the edge. History may have been kind to killing them, but it seems to now be relegated to those with AR's crawling around close, or maybe mortars. heading for middle Ohio no later than Friday but have no one to look out for me. Will be inquiring and looking all the way out. Indiana has almost no grassy areas, hay, etc which draws so many hogs in Ohio and Pa. That is the real reason this place falls short, The beans have a two week life to be able to shoot followed by............NO OTHER OPTIONS. I am here at the high time for beans! Will be leaving early Friday for mid Ohio generally but have no help relocating Looking for rolling hills and the longest possible shots. Day 5 and NO shots fired.

 

[Nomad47]

I mentioned to some I would be hunting groundhogs for months at a time in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Indiana was all new to me and I decided to try it first. Arrived in Indiana
Sat to start the expedition. Had worries about trying the state but decided to give it a shot up front. Got here in time for 3 99 degree days followed by two of rain. Was taken around the farmer by truck to look over his available fields. The have plenty of beans that are the perfect height but that doesn't matter because chucks hit them only on the edge. History may have been kind to killing them, but it seems to now be relegated to those with AR's crawling around close, or maybe mortars. heading for middle Ohio no later than Friday but have no one to look out for me. Will be inquiring and looking all the way out. Indiana has almost no grassy areas, hay, etc which draws so many hogs in Ohio and Pa. That is the real reason this place falls short, The beans have a two week life to be able to shoot followed by............NO OTHER OPTIONS. I am here at the high time for beans! Will be leaving early Friday for mid Ohio generally but have no help relocating Looking for rolling hills and the longest possible shots. Day 5 and NO shots fired.

I think your best bet is to try Mansfield and east of there.
I know a half dozen guys in my area that hunt groundhogs and they would not welcome more competition for the groundhogs that are here. Plus most of the first cutting of hay is over. Pretty much just beans until the 2nd cutting in about a month.

 

[Bangs OH]

Also, around Mansfield: If you want to be guaranteed of shooting 'hogs, and at almost any distance you can handle, give "Mad Dog" Groff a call.
www.ncovarmintexpress.com
The catch: There's a charge. Never needed that "service", or personally known anyone who's tried it; do know some of his clan and can vouch for their integrity.

 

[VaRandy]

I'm guessing you are talking about the guy charging $1000 a day for clients? That is specifically why I wanted to know how to avoid his kingdom. Also concerned with finding rolling hills conducive to lr over various crop level bands.

 

[amboy49]

Can’t believe anyone would charge and really can’t believe anyone would pay a thousand dollars a day to shoot a groundhog !

 

[Patton243]

I called that guy from Ohio and I can vouch he does charge $1000 a day to hunt groundhogs. I would never pay that price. It doesn’t even include lodging or meals either. I’ll stick to hunting hogs in PA where it’s free. I’ll book a prairie dog hunt before I pay that clown $1000 a day.

 

[Jim Hankins]

Used to love to shoot groundhogs in s.e. Indiana-75-100 a year.About 30-35 years ago the groundhogs and grey fox got hit with distemper and have never recovered.Finally seeing a few g hogs,but nowhere near enough to shoot.Haven't seen a grey fox in 15 years,they used to be thick-a friend and I called and killed 14 in one night!

 

[Gman]

I called that guy from Ohio and I can vouch he does charge $1000 a day to hunt groundhogs. I would never pay that price. It doesn’t even include lodging or meals either. I’ll stick to hunting hogs in PA where it’s free. I’ll book a prairie dog hunt before I pay that clown $1000 a day.

Nothing in PA is free !

 

[VaRandy]

I mentioned to some I would be hunting groundhogs for months at a time in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Indiana was all new to me and I decided to try it first. Arrived in Indiana
Sat to start the expedition. Had worries about trying the state but decided to give it a shot up front. Got here in time for 3 99 degree days followed by two of rain. Was taken around the farmer by truck to look over his available fields. The have plenty of beans that are the perfect height but that doesn't matter because chucks hit them only on the edge. History may have been kind to killing them, but it seems to now be relegated to those with AR's crawling around close, or maybe mortars. heading for middle Ohio no later than Friday but have no one to look out for me. Will be inquiring and looking all the way out. Indiana has almost no grassy areas, hay, etc which draws so many hogs in Ohio and Pa. That is the real reason this place falls short, The beans have a two week life to be able to shoot followed by............NO OTHER OPTIONS. I am here at the high time for beans! Will be leaving early Friday for mid Ohio generally but have no help relocating Looking for rolling hills and the longest possible shots. Day 5 and NO shots fired.

Will be hunting Washington County Pa and surrounding area starting Wed if anyone wants to join me. Looking for long range over new cut hay. Had my share of time wasted in beans.

 

[joed49]

I've always favored the area around Millersberg and its surrounding areas. Most are big farms and I never had a problem finding fields.

 

[snert]

Many of the Washington Co farms are now gas farms, no longer cutting hay. Good luck

 

[Webster]

I've always favored the area around Millersberg and its surrounding areas. Most are big farms and I never had a problem finding fields.

I hunted around Millersburg for about 30 years. Been skunked the last few years. I'm lucky if I see one. I plan on a trip next week.

 

[284winner]

Mannsfield, Bellville both good areas. Ashland and Richland counties both have good numbers of hogs. Many Amish owned farms will allow you to kill hogs. Be aware tho that Mike Groff has primary access to many of those farms as well as others. Not sure what he charges today for a new groundhog shooter to be ran around the counties shooting hogs but back 10 years ago I paid 500.00 for a day and a half shoot. That's the same price I'd pay today if I booked with him. His price is the same for return customers as their first hunt with him. Still alot of money but not 1000.00.

 

[284winner]

I'm guessing you are talking about the guy charging $1000 a day for clients? That is specifically why I wanted to know how to avoid his kingdom. Also concerned with finding rolling hills conducive to lr over various crop level bands.

Old post is see BUT...
500.00 last year but I think his rates are locked in for previous clients for future dates

 

[1K6BRA]

$500 and $1000 what the H E double tooth picks”!!Farmers should be paying us to kill ground hogs. What a shame it is that lease hunting has even hit the ground hog hunting culture. So much for a young boy with a worn out 22 and a pocket full of shells that he worked all week to buy so he could sharpen his skills a little bit.No wonder young men and women don’t want to get into hunting anymore. Greed Americans...... it will do us in.

 

[WyleWD]

Mannsfield, Bellville both good areas. Ashland and Richland counties both have good numbers of hogs. Many Amish owned farms will allow you to kill hogs. Be aware tho that Mike Groff has primary access to many of those farms as well as others. Not sure what he charges today for a new groundhog shooter to be ran around the counties shooting hogs but back 10 years ago I paid 500.00 for a day and a half shoot. That's the same price I'd pay today if I booked with him. His price is the same for return customers as their first hunt with him. Still alot of money but not 1000.00.

Also, A LOT has changed in that area, especially chuck numbers as they are way, WAY, down compared to 10-20 years ago. The number of chucks seen in a day in those areas now would never be a bargain at $500 per day let alone $1000. Access isn't as easy to get as it once was either, in spite of what you might hear. WD

 

[284winner]

Also, A LOT has changed in that area, especially chuck numbers as they are way, WAY, down compared to 10-20 years ago. The number of chucks seen in a day in those areas now would never be a bargain at $500 per day let alone $1000. Access isn't as easy to get as it once was either, in spite of what you might hear. WD

Ya I hear ya. You know even now if I can set up and get 20-25 shots at hogs beyond 800 yards in two days out, it's worth it to me. Don't get that kind of range here on hogs. Out to 600 maybe is max. I've shot to 1288 in Ohio. When I started shooting them in Ohio back in I think around 2005, there were more opportunities but with more tire wear and road time, they can be found. No where near as easy tho. Last June I think I shot 24 in a day and a half. Not tremendous but great shooting fun. Over half were over 700 and the other half over 400. Actually one was under 200, perfect for my 17 HMR. Longest being 966. I need to head down to West Virginia again and see how the population is. Used to be very good.

 

[Steve Ladino]

I called that guy from Ohio and I can vouch he does charge $1000 a day to hunt groundhogs. I would never pay that price. It doesn’t even include lodging or meals either. I’ll stick to hunting hogs in PA where it’s free. I’ll book a prairie dog hunt before I pay that clown $1000 a day.

I know a dentist who went.

 

[284winner]

Wow he sure has gone up alot. First time with him I thought was high at 500.00. Price has been the same every year after the first. You get one full day and a half day the next or vice versa. Prairie dog shoots are upwards of 300.00 per day or more for no lodging or meals either( some outfitters). Think I'd stick with the ground hog shoot just because I can do it for 1.5 days at 500.00 vs 4-7 days at 300-350.00 per day. Driving as far as I'd have to go to kill prairie dogs isn't worth it for only 2 days, I'd need to be there 4-5 days minimum. Just my personal preference. Lately tho I've been going on my own and getting permission from Amish and farm owners to kill hogs. Best thing I ever did was go door to door. I have 17 farms that allow me to kill ground hogs in Ohio. Next spring I hope to pick up a few more.

 

[Webster]

I mentioned to some I would be hunting groundhogs for months at a time in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Indiana was all new to me and I decided to try it first. Arrived in Indiana
Sat to start the expedition. Had worries about trying the state but decided to give it a shot up front. Got here in time for 3 99 degree days followed by two of rain. Was taken around the farmer by truck to look over his available fields. The have plenty of beans that are the perfect height but that doesn't matter because chucks hit them only on the edge. History may have been kind to killing them, but it seems to now be relegated to those with AR's crawling around close, or maybe mortars. heading for middle Ohio no later than Friday but have no one to look out for me. Will be inquiring and looking all the way out. Indiana has almost no grassy areas, hay, etc which draws so many hogs in Ohio and Pa. That is the real reason this place falls short, The beans have a two week life to be able to shoot followed by............NO OTHER OPTIONS. I am here at the high time for beans! Will be leaving early Friday for mid Ohio generally but have no help relocating Looking for rolling hills and the longest possible shots. Day 5 and NO shots fired.

My experience in Ohio. Not to many GH left. Seems to be a few hot spots if you can find them. Most of the farmers don't plant hay unless they have horses or cattle. Lot of corn and been fields.