GH HABITS

[Webster]

About five years ago I I was shooting into a hay field about 350 yrds away. There were deer eating hay and GH out at the same time. The GH didn't seem to mind the deer. Does this mean they can tell the difference between friendly deer and people?

In 2013 I posted a question: Do GH have backup dens for when a field is plowed and no crops or when it's beans one year then corn? I noticed that whenever I shoot a GH it's usually a couple weeks and a new GH takes over the den. As close as they are to the ground they seem to be able to find holes other GH dug. Maybe odor from peeing around the den? Do they remember where they see other GH hanging out?

 

[jds holler]

I'm gonna say right out that chucks, (rock or ground) are very visual. But I also think that they're no slouch in the ear and nose department.
And yeah, they can certainly tell the difference between friendly deer and people.

I got my education with them, (rock type) as a kid with a 22. That was a lot more up close and personal than shooting them at 300 yards, and I'm sure that my scent and the wind made a difference. jd

 

[K22]

In my extensive experience hunting and observing eastern groundhogs, I would say the number one trait is their extreme sensitivity to movement, especially any lateral movement. I have successfully stalked them on some occasions, by walking straightforward towards them when they are out in a feeding cycle. The key is to stop when they stand and survey the area for threats. When they drop down to feed, they tend to not be as vigilant.

Because there are so many predators in my area, the hogs spook easily when they detect any movement, people or other larger animals, but not birds.

They will usually move from winter burrows in tree lines into the field if the crops are to their liking but not always if their hole is just at the edge of the tree line providing minimum travel to their food supply.

I cannot say with certainty that they have "back up" holes. They usually have two holes however for the same burrow, but not always.

Another behavior I have observed is that if you spook them and remain motionless. Often, they will stop at the entrance to their hole and give you a shot opportunity. But you have to move into a shooting position, imperceptible slow.

With all that said, keep in mind that nothing is absolute when it comes to game animals. I swear they have different personalities. Some spook easier, others not so much.

 

[Mike Montgomery]

With Rock Chucks (Oregon), once a denning site, always a denying site. After shooting many thousands of them while doing damage control work for many years, I have noticed that after an area is shot out and even up 5 years goes by with no one seeing any, suddenly new ones have moved in and occupied the same den holes.

Mike

 

[357Mag]

About five years ago I I was shooting into a hay field about 350 yrds away. There were deer eating hay and GH out at the same time. The GH didn't seem to mind the deer. Does this mean they can tell the difference between friendly deer and people?

In 2013 I posted a question: Do GH have backup dens for when a field is plowed and no crops or when it's beans one year then corn? I noticed that whenever I shoot a GH it's usually a couple weeks and a new GH takes over the den. As close as they are to the ground they seem to be able to find holes other GH dug. Maybe odor from peeing around the den? Do they remember where they see other GH hanging out?

Webster -

Howdy!

I have seen groundhogs that have a “ satellite “ hole(s), so that they can spend the day closer to their food source. Typically… that means they can have a primary den ( say ) along a ditch bank, but….have a smaller forward-deployed den right out in the bean field itself.

I once saw a “ soybeanus digestus “ furiously digging a satellite hole out in a beanfield where it was loose black dirt. He had the dirt flying like a rooster tale up and back 10’
behind him. I shot him before he got completely sub-surface, and am not sure his location / soil quality would have supported his efforts to make a viable den; at any rate.

One imagines they have to have other den options to go to, especially for groundhogs located on an active ditch bank; that is prone to flooding. If they were to enter an already occupied den, it would be “party time “.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[WV Hitman]

My 16,500+ handgun groundhog kills have given me some insight to their behavior. Like said above lateral movement spooks them FAST. I've been able to go straight at them to 100 yds. or so.
Back up holes? Not necessarily, but they do have memory of other holes in the area. They will use them when spooked far away from their regular hole.
Also, I've identified 2 whistles that they have. A "warning" whistle & a "who are you" whistle. I've learned how to mimic it. If I use it when no shots have been fired or they haven't seen you, I'm about 60% successful in bringing them out of the hole. I killed 8 that way this year. I've used this about 20 years, so I guess that makes me trilingual- redneck, english, groundhog! Doesn't work as well on the 2000+ ID rockchucks I've taken with my handguns.