A big bruiser watched him for 15 minutes on the rock with his hole under the rock inches away. At 150 yards I finally took the shot ,lots of shadows and he blended in really well,he disappeared into the hole here's the blood spray, he was in about 4 feet but dead,and no way to retrieve. Anyway an hour later this hog climbed on his rock his hole is under it and the shot made him drt. Saw 8 today shot 2 ,beans are high and the hogs are fast.
First unrecoverable groundhog of the season.
- Thread starter ohlongarmisle
- Start date
Ohiolongarm -
Howdy !
Just out of curiosity.... what cartridge were you shooing, and what was the " Load " ?
With regards,
357Mag
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
Fresh barbed wire, has retrieved dead coyote,Fox,raccoon 30' inside culverts. At least 20' inside den holes,hollow trees. Usually put a couple bends in the end and leather gloves if possible. Live wounded coyote can be a handful, have a 22 pistol ready.
17 hornet , using Hornady factory 15.5 grain Superformance NTX lead free, @3870 feet per second, have shot close to 100 gh's this year so far and at least a dozen coyotes, a few coons , beavers etc, feral stuff.This was my first loss at retrieval, I should have waited him out for a better shot, hey it happens on occasion.
Ohiolongarm -
Howdy, again ! Thanx for the prompt response.
Have heard or guys who have a treble hook on the end of a cable, for just such occasions
With regards,
357Mag
CaptainMal
Silver $$ Contributor
Piece of hose with a treble hook tied on the end. Actually used to keep that in my truck for recovery.
I may try that however the unrecoverable ones will be an extremely rare event, but I like to show the farmers , they always ask.
How do attach the treble hook with a zip tie or wire it on.
Yea, it happens if you hunt enough.
I had two this year - both makable shots for me even off the shooting cross sticks at 200 - 210 yards. Both were sitting on their holes, good profile shots - no excuse for not anchoring them with my super accurate 223 Rem Browning Varmint Stalker with 50 grain Nosler's.
The first one I rolled, and it tumble off the hole. I assumed it was mortal wound especially since he remained motionless. Damn if it didn't jump up a few minutes later and run into the hole. Not much a blood trail but when I inspected the hole it had made it deep inside, unretrievable and even after probing I couldn't feel it the hole. Go figure.
The second one I hammered sitting on his hole about the same distance - again good profile shot. After the shot it just laid there. Again, I assumed a mortal wound. However, a few minutes later it ran into the hole. There was a massive blood pool on top of the hole, but it had managed to get deeper into the hole so I couldn't see it. After probing with one of my shooting sticks I could feel it in the hole. Blood on the stick confirmed the kill but I still could retrieve it.
I hate wounding them and do my best to make ethical shots but in hunting, s**t happens. I've successfully shot a bunch on their holes but those were in my young days when I was a much better field shot. With my aging skills and body, I'm now adopting a practice of not taking a shot while they are on the hole. Even if you make a less than perfects shot, if shot a distance from the hole, many times they will succumb before they reach the hole or pass out just at the entrance.
I had two this year - both makable shots for me even off the shooting cross sticks at 200 - 210 yards. Both were sitting on their holes, good profile shots - no excuse for not anchoring them with my super accurate 223 Rem Browning Varmint Stalker with 50 grain Nosler's.
The first one I rolled, and it tumble off the hole. I assumed it was mortal wound especially since he remained motionless. Damn if it didn't jump up a few minutes later and run into the hole. Not much a blood trail but when I inspected the hole it had made it deep inside, unretrievable and even after probing I couldn't feel it the hole. Go figure.
The second one I hammered sitting on his hole about the same distance - again good profile shot. After the shot it just laid there. Again, I assumed a mortal wound. However, a few minutes later it ran into the hole. There was a massive blood pool on top of the hole, but it had managed to get deeper into the hole so I couldn't see it. After probing with one of my shooting sticks I could feel it in the hole. Blood on the stick confirmed the kill but I still could retrieve it.
I hate wounding them and do my best to make ethical shots but in hunting, s**t happens. I've successfully shot a bunch on their holes but those were in my young days when I was a much better field shot. With my aging skills and body, I'm now adopting a practice of not taking a shot while they are on the hole. Even if you make a less than perfects shot, if shot a distance from the hole, many times they will succumb before they reach the hole or pass out just at the entrance.
True enough , I did run a stick at the end of the day down the hole and went about 4 feet in with a turn at the half way point, and when I pulled it out it had plenty hair and blood.My shot in retrospect was too far backwards of the vitals. If you hunt long enough these things occasionally happen. Even a lowly gh deserves admiration after the kill.
Curious. Why do you want to recover them?
(We don't have ground hogs where I live)
(We don't have ground hogs where I live)
Anytime I hunt the most enjoyable part is retrieving the game, same holds true for GH's,a rare occasion for me to not recover them but happens.
Uncle -
Howdy !
For some:
Carcas = proven dead animal.
Un-retrieved = not proven dead
" Code of the West " type of deal
Besides..... big ones make for nice pics !
WIth regards,
357Mag
Attachments
Last edited:
Like below, shot the last one in line today under an outbuilding down the road, CCI Velocitor point blank 25 yards in the mouth.
For me, I rest easier knowing that the animal is not in its hole suffering because I made a poor shot. I'd rather miss than wound an animal.
Also, I like to confirm the shot placement - each shot opportunity can be a learning experience - wind, mirage, profile, tactics, patience, etc.
Maybe it also goes back to the days when I would harvest them and eat the hind legs. If you can't retrieve the hog, then there are no legs to be grilled and eaten.
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.