Effect on groundhog hunting by the demise of shale mining in Pa
- Thread starter VaRandy
- Start date
I've hunted the creatures for close to 50 years now in PA. First in western PA then for the last 30 years in eastern PA. I'll share my experiences for whatever it's worth.
In my experience, hunting on public land is very unattractive to me simply because of the characters I've encountered. Thus I haven't hunted varmints or predators on public land in a very very long time. The best option by far is private land but its takes some effort but its well worth it.
Most farmers I've encountered will allow you to hunt ground hogs IF you approach them in a polite manner that gives them confidence that you're safe and experienced. References also help tremendously, i.e. name dropping of other farmers in the area who have given you permission to hunt. Once you establish a good reputation in the area, it becomes a lot easier to access new farms. I'm known as the "Ground Hog Man" in the area.
And whatever you do, DON'T show up with a bunch of shooting buddies - go alone.
Always thank them EVERY time you hunt their farm, even farms where you've hunted for years.
On a new contact, ask them the manner in which they prefer you to notify them when you arrive for a hunt. Some have given me unlimited and exclusive access without contacting them. Others ask me to call them to alert them that I'm in the field. Still other prefer a personal check in before entering their farm. I ask for approval to leave a note on the house door if they are not home when they require a personal contact.
Also, ask their preference where to park. Never drive or park anywhere unless they have given you specific permission for that area. Driving on the field is the surest way to end permission unless they have given you permission to do so.
I carry a copy of PA House Bill 13 that provides liability protection for land owners giving permission to hunt on their property. Only mention this if the farmer raises it as a concern.
Most farmers in my area will not allow you to hunt deer so don't ask them on your first contract. Just ask permission to hunt varmints. Most farmers are eager to get rid of ground hogs. Once you establish a relationship with a them, you can test the waters about hunting deer. I have a few that allow me to hunt deer but it took a few years to achieve permission. Some of my best friends now are farmers - some like to talk a lot so be patient and engage them. Stay clear of politics and religious issues - don't bring these issues up and if they do be a good listener.
Always remember - you are a guest - respect their rules and property and NEVER leave any trash behind. I hope it goes without saying it but I'll mention it anyway - ALWAYS use shoot safely meaning make sure you have a solid backstop for the shot and observe all safety zone laws.
In my experience, hunting on public land is very unattractive to me simply because of the characters I've encountered. Thus I haven't hunted varmints or predators on public land in a very very long time. The best option by far is private land but its takes some effort but its well worth it.
Most farmers I've encountered will allow you to hunt ground hogs IF you approach them in a polite manner that gives them confidence that you're safe and experienced. References also help tremendously, i.e. name dropping of other farmers in the area who have given you permission to hunt. Once you establish a good reputation in the area, it becomes a lot easier to access new farms. I'm known as the "Ground Hog Man" in the area.
And whatever you do, DON'T show up with a bunch of shooting buddies - go alone.Always thank them EVERY time you hunt their farm, even farms where you've hunted for years.
On a new contact, ask them the manner in which they prefer you to notify them when you arrive for a hunt. Some have given me unlimited and exclusive access without contacting them. Others ask me to call them to alert them that I'm in the field. Still other prefer a personal check in before entering their farm. I ask for approval to leave a note on the house door if they are not home when they require a personal contact.
Also, ask their preference where to park. Never drive or park anywhere unless they have given you specific permission for that area. Driving on the field is the surest way to end permission unless they have given you permission to do so.
I carry a copy of PA House Bill 13 that provides liability protection for land owners giving permission to hunt on their property. Only mention this if the farmer raises it as a concern.
Most farmers in my area will not allow you to hunt deer so don't ask them on your first contract. Just ask permission to hunt varmints. Most farmers are eager to get rid of ground hogs. Once you establish a relationship with a them, you can test the waters about hunting deer. I have a few that allow me to hunt deer but it took a few years to achieve permission. Some of my best friends now are farmers - some like to talk a lot so be patient and engage them. Stay clear of politics and religious issues - don't bring these issues up and if they do be a good listener.
Always remember - you are a guest - respect their rules and property and NEVER leave any trash behind. I hope it goes without saying it but I'll mention it anyway - ALWAYS use shoot safely meaning make sure you have a solid backstop for the shot and observe all safety zone laws.
jghoghunter
Gold $$ Contributor
Randy I got your message. I haven't hunted much here in Pa in the last few years. Mainly because it has become so congested where I live that its really not safe to hunt or you have to be on constant watch of someone just wondering around the fields. I simply don't have the time anymore to travel up north where the hunting is still decent from what I hear.
Gary in MD
Gold $$ Contributor
Depends on the farmer
I’ve had them tell me to throw them down into a hole and other farmers want me to leave them out in the open for the buzzards to make quick work of.
Gary
I’ve had them tell me to throw them down into a hole and other farmers want me to leave them out in the open for the buzzards to make quick work of.
Gary
I've hunted the creatures for close to 50 years now in PA. First in western PA then for the last 30 years in eastern PA. I'll share my experiences for whatever it's worth.
In my experience, hunting on public land is very unattractive to me simply because of the characters I've encountered. Thus I haven't hunted varmints or predators on public land in a very very long time. The best option by far is private land but its takes some effort but its well worth it.
Most farmers I've encountered will allow you to hunt ground hogs IF you approach them in a polite manner that gives them confidence that you're safe and experienced. References also help tremendously, i.e. name dropping of other farmers in the area who have given you permission to hunt. Once you establish a good reputation in the area, it becomes a lot easier to access new farms. I'm known as the "Ground Hog Man" in the area.
Always thank them EVERY time you hunt their farm, even farms where you've hunted for years.
On a new contact, ask them the manner in which they prefer you to notify them when you arrive for a hunt. Some have given me unlimited and exclusive access without contacting them. Others ask me to call them to alert them that I'm in the field. Still other prefer a personal check in before entering their farm. I ask for approval to leave a note on the house door if they are not home when they require a personal contact.
Also, ask their preference where to park. Never drive or park anywhere unless they have given you specific permission for that area. Driving on the field is the surest way to end permission unless they have given you permission to do so.
I carry a copy of PA House Bill 13 that provides liability protection for land owners giving permission to hunt on their property. Only mention this if the farmer raises it as a concern.
Most farmers in my area will not allow you to hunt deer so don't ask them on your first contract. Just ask permission to hunt varmints. Most farmers are eager to get rid of ground hogs. Once you establish a relationship with a them, you can test the waters about hunting deer. I have a few that allow me to hunt deer but it took a few years to achieve permission. Some of my best friends now are farmers - some like to talk a lot so be patient and engage them. Stay clear of politics and religious issues - don't bring these issues up and if they do be a good listener.
Always remember - you are a guest - respect their rules and property and NEVER leave any trash behind. I hope it goes without saying it but I'll mention it anyway - ALWAYS use shoot safely meaning make sure you have a solid backstop for the shot and observe all safety zone laws.
If they're a democrat i'd just as soon let them eat them up. My Dad owned several acres and he always had the growndhog hunters hang them from a fence
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
I had the same reaction.
In fact, I was kinda thinking that no mining = better hunting.
GT Accuracy
Site $$ Sponsor
Up in Bradford county the fracking is basically dead. Southwestern Energy is tapping a few new lines in already existing and performing well heads, but new fracking is pretty much over I think. Whether this is the current administration or if that have the Marcellous Shale tapped sufficiently now, I don't know.
That said, I haven't had any issues this spring shooting. Just don't aim at the big white tanks
Woodchuck numbers are way up compared to 2015-2017. This seems to be the case from TN to PA. I was south of Knoxville a few weeks ago and got over 20 in a weekend in one farm
That said, I haven't had any issues this spring shooting. Just don't aim at the big white tanks
Woodchuck numbers are way up compared to 2015-2017. This seems to be the case from TN to PA. I was south of Knoxville a few weeks ago and got over 20 in a weekend in one farm
If you plan to hunt the same field the next day, it's best to toss them deep into a tree line. I learned that lesson many years ago. After shooting a few and leaving them lay in an open field, the next day there where vultures in the field having a fiesta which wasn't conducive to more hogs venturing out into the field. Trying to remove them after they have been in the field and the vultures worked them over isn't something you want to do.
unless you have a cast iron stomach. 
There was a time when I would harvest the hind legs and have a year end cook out with a bunch of buddies when wifey was visiting her mother across the state. However when we move to civilization in eastern PA she outlawed hog legs in her freezer.
They are not half bad if you have a few beers before hand.Ok here's a question. Why does no one eat the ground hogs?
GT Accuracy
Site $$ Sponsor
They are tough and hard to cook. I've had them soaked in milk as well as smoked low and slow. Not great either way
As a kid I've eaten them quite a bit, then again until I got to school I didn't know people bought meat.
My dad was born in 1905 and taught his 2 sons about tracking and hunting.
His rules for eating game was to watch what the animal eats, no predators, nor carrion eaters.
In my area the ground hogs eat mostly grass, alfalfa specifically, my old man would watch the wildlife and with the hogs would only kill young ones.
His recipe was to head shoot them, skin, gut, (carefully remove musk glands) soak in a pan filled with water with a 1/4 to 3/8 cup of salt for one day. Then season to you preference, stake then and cook over a wood fire.
In my opinion a very editable meat, with that said a one year old tastes a great deal different then an older one. My old man knew his game.
HillbillyLongRifle
Gold $$ Contributor
Two Young Groundhogs last season frying up!
My maternal grandfather ate them during the Depression, he said the young ones were pretty good if you cooked em’ right and old ones you don’t want to eat!
HillbillyLongRifle
Gold $$ Contributor
My family has ate them for decades. Really good eating if you know how to prepare them and cook them!
HillbillyLongRifle
Gold $$ Contributor
Thats my Great Grandfather Rob Hogston in the middle. He was in his 20s here.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.