Effect on groundhog hunting by the demise of shale mining in Pa

[K22]

Ok here's a question. Why does no one eat the ground hogs?

It seemed like a good idea at the time. But seriously, it was a novelty to have my yearly groundhog roast with a few buddies while wifey was away. Couple cases of beer, hog legs and good cigars - it doesn't get any better than that. We all have our foolish moments in youth.

PS: Will PM you my special recipe if you're interested.

 

[WyleWD]

Herein lies the question.
What do you generally do with the carcass?
Leave them lay?
Take them with you?
Show the property owner your handi work & that allowing you there is paying off?

As a farmer...... if you shoot em in a hay field or near a building, ALWAYS throw them down the hole. If you shoot em in a bean field throw them down the hole. NEVER hang them from a fence or tree, and never leave them lay out in a hay field. JME. WD

Edit: One more thing, in conjunction with K22's post...... if you're asking permission for the first time on a farmer's land ask him what time of year he want's you to start hunting and finish hunting and follow his directions. Do NOT tell him that you're going to start after the first of June so the little ones can be born. That usually will diminish your chances of getting permission by 80%. JME. WD

 

[std7mag]

Sage advice!
Thank You!

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Democrats campaigned(to their base) to end coal and oil cracking, part of the green new deal. Higher fuel,utilities,groceries,taxes and fees, more regulation and the limiting of individual rights. You get what you vote for, unless the democrats changed your vote.

 

[David Milisock]

View attachment 1256298Two Young Groundhogs last season frying up!

I only ate them cooked with a stake through them over a fire, I always thought the young ones were good.

As a kid what did I know? I thought out houses, working hard and hunting most days was a good life. Now I figure it's a great life.

 

[oregonshooter]

View attachment 1256301
Thats my Great Grandfather Rob Hogston in the middle. He was in his 20s here.

Take a look at them boys! Your average hunter is a little thicker today! They ate them because they were a food source.

 

[hogpatrol]

I retrieve them, throw them on the truck and when finished for the day, take them to the closest burn pile or away from the farm. I don't leave them lay. I text the photos to the farmers so they know the score. Last year it was 135. Early indications are this is going to be a lean year.

 

[hogpatrol]

K22 summed it up as well as possible. For me and two shooting partners, it's taken our crew fifteen years to get a dozen farms, many are thoroughbred racing horse farms that needed some serious references. As time went on, permission for deer followed. Anal adherence to safety, noise, and if needed, specific times are required.

 

[GT Accuracy]

I retrieve them, throw them on the truck and when finished for the day, take them to the closest burn pile or away from the farm. I don't leave them lay. I text the photos to the farmers so they know the score. Last year it was 135. Early indications are this is going to be a lean year.
View attachment 1257761

Sorry to hear about your lean year expectations.

Bradford county pa this year should be just short of a boomer year.

Just a few cell phone pics from a scouting trip now that the hay is off

 

[hogpatrol]

Sorry to hear about your lean year expectations.

Bradford county pa this year should be just short of a boomer year.

Just a few cell phone pics from a scouting trip now that the hay is off

Glad you're going to get plenty of action. Haven't been out yet but others have and seen very few. It may have something to do with the weather. It's been abnormal, 90s one week and 40s the next. In addition to the red foxes, we're starting to get some competition from coyotes. I've watched the red foxes sit by a hole and wait for a dumb little one to come out not watching in the right direction and wham, he's lunch.

 

[David Milisock]

Take a look at them boys! Your average hunter is a little thicker today! They ate them because they were a food source.

A renewable food source the generated good sized litters. Pay attention don't over hunt, that's what my old man said.

 

[GT Accuracy]

Glad you're going to get plenty of action. Haven't been out yet but others have and seen very few. It may have something to do with the weather. It's been abnormal, 90s one week and 40s the next. In addition to the red foxes, we're starting to get some competition from coyotes. I've watched the red foxes sit by a hole and wait for a dumb little one to come out not watching in the right direction and wham, he's lunch.

It’s funny you say that… this exact instance happened today while I was scouting another field. A red Fox, just in the hedgerow, waiting 10 feet from a hole… the 20BR ended that situation real quick

 

[rebel]

Got my first of the year last week, pups are weened here and after the soybeans. This one was an adult - 100 yards -222 remington. Buddy killed 2 more from this feild with a 6.5 x47 lapua ( He is an over gunned SOB ).

 

[fredo]

View attachment 1256301
Thats my Great Grandfather Rob Hogston in the middle. He was in his 20s here.

^^^excellent!!!^^^
As for eating chucks, my bud’s father made me skin the first chuck he saw me shoot, and it went in the pot for supper. Life lessons like that seem hard to come by, nowadays...
Reckon if you’re gonna have ANY critter for table fare, ya might better take some care. As in, don’t let a 1/2 splattered chuck bake in your truck bed for hours, and only then decide to take the drumsticks off for sunset beer snacks! Heck, if ya did same with a deer, I bet it’d taste worse than any woodchuck!
The quicker you take care of & cool any game meat, the better table fare it’ll be. Not sayin’ I go outta my way to have chuck lollipops next to the taters, I sure don’t. Plus, I like to keep the coyotes healthy for coming winter’s thermal pillaging.
Still, it’s humbling to remember that some folks didn’t have that option back in the day, & how spoiled we’d all have become if we forget that...