Good woodchuck day with 6x47

[Hunter2678]

A big part of my job allows me to converse with many farmers when we do transmission line rebuilds. I've offered my woodchuck removal services in these discussions as a "courtesy' when the topic arises. Many times they tell me they don't see any groundhogs most time or have an infestation, which is how 9 out of 10 of my attempts end. I finally found a farmer in need and was excited to help. I had gone to this 45-acre field to scout the activity the day before, and when I got there around 3 pm, I saw at least 8 or so of them trotting around and sunning as if they owned the place. They were a few hundred yards away as I glassed from the truck. I left for home more excited than I've been in a long time to hunt for anything. The next afternoon, I got there around 2 pm and saw 4 of them immediately, so I walked out to the middle of the field, which gave me 180° of shooting space . As expected, they weren't thrilled with my presence and scampered away to the fenclines/river edges. I set up my tripod, took note of the light wind, waited about 15 to 20 minutes, standing very still. As I scanned the edges, they started coming back out one by one, and that's when the fun started. I took 6 of them out in about 45 minutes from all directions, from 170 yds to 255 yds. I gathered 4 of them up and noticed there was a hole nearby for each. The place was a woodchuck boomtown. My 6x47L with nosler 70gn purple tips moving @3450fps were all instant DRT's and a delayed but very loud thud when they hit their mark. This was my first time hunting with a can, and man, have I been missing out all these years. That was probably the most fun I've ever had hunting anything in a looooong time.

 

[1K6BRA]

Looks like you were in a target rich environment! Nothing quite like it. I remember those days around here in Northwestern Pennsylvania, where I am from. A good night was 15 or so. A great night was 20+ I had a couple of nights of 30+. Usually averaged 10 to 12 in an evening. Those days are gone. Don’t see many chucks around here anymore, and I don’t think it’s because I shot them all.

 

[Hunter2678]

Yeah Ive always heard PA is/was "THE" place for them...sucks to hear they are lower in numbers for you guys out there, must mean a boom in yotes that need removed.

 

[357Mag]

A big part of my job allows me to converse with many farmers when we do transmission line rebuilds. I've offered my woodchuck removal services in these discussions as a "courtesy' when the topic arises. Many times they tell me they don't see any groundhogs most time or have an infestation, which is how 9 out of 10 of my attempts end. I finally found a farmer in need and was excited to help. I had gone to this 45-acre field to scout the activity the day before, and when I got there around 3 pm, I saw at least 8 or so of them trotting around and sunning as if they owned the place. They were a few hundred yards away as I glassed from the truck. I left for home more excited than I've been in a long time to hunt for anything. The next afternoon, I got there around 2 pm and saw 4 of them immediately, so I walked out to the middle of the field, which gave me 180° of shooting space . As expected, they weren't thrilled with my presence and scampered away to the fenclines/river edges. I set up my tripod, took note of the light wind, waited about 15 to 20 minutes, standing very still. As I scanned the edges, they started coming back out one by one, and that's when the fun started. I took 6 of them out in about 45 minutes from all directions, from 170 yds to 255 yds. I gathered 4 of them up and noticed there was a hole nearby for each. The place was a woodchuck boomtown. My 6x47L with nosler 70gn purple tips moving @3450fps were all instant DRT's and a delayed but very loud thud when they hit their mark. This was my first time hunting with a can, and man, have I been missing out all these years. That was probably the most fun I've ever had hunting anything in a looooong time.

Hunter2678 -

Howdy !

Fine job there, young man !

Keep it goin’ !


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Sounds like a dandy way to spend an afternoon....an accurate rifle and a target-rich environment. For guys like us, it just does'nt get much better.

Glad you were able to hook up with that property and have your way with the chucks. Good job.

 

[WV Hitman]

The good ol' days of groundhogs are long gone in east WV. Used to get 500+ a spring for 8 years. Best year 636. Only got 110 this year. Puts my lifetime total with 100% handguns at 16,200+. Going to ID soon to work on rockchucks. Up to 1905 of them with my handguns.

 

[Webster]

A big part of my job allows me to converse with many farmers when we do transmission line rebuilds. I've offered my woodchuck removal services in these discussions as a "courtesy' when the topic arises. Many times they tell me they don't see any groundhogs most time or have an infestation, which is how 9 out of 10 of my attempts end. I finally found a farmer in need and was excited to help. I had gone to this 45-acre field to scout the activity the day before, and when I got there around 3 pm, I saw at least 8 or so of them trotting around and sunning as if they owned the place. They were a few hundred yards away as I glassed from the truck. I left for home more excited than I've been in a long time to hunt for anything. The next afternoon, I got there around 2 pm and saw 4 of them immediately, so I walked out to the middle of the field, which gave me 180° of shooting space . As expected, they weren't thrilled with my presence and scampered away to the fenclines/river edges. I set up my tripod, took note of the light wind, waited about 15 to 20 minutes, standing very still. As I scanned the edges, they started coming back out one by one, and that's when the fun started. I took 6 of them out in about 45 minutes from all directions, from 170 yds to 255 yds. I gathered 4 of them up and noticed there was a hole nearby for each. The place was a woodchuck boomtown. My 6x47L with nosler 70gn purple tips moving @3450fps were all instant DRT's and a delayed but very loud thud when they hit their mark. This was my first time hunting with a can, and man, have I been missing out all these years. That was probably the most fun I've ever had hunting anything in a looooong time.

I'm jealous. I used to hunt in Coshocton and Holmes co. from about 1970-2020. Have not been out in 5 years because of back surgery. The last 3 times driving around my favorite area I didn't see a single GH or dirt mound. Thinking of putting the rifle in the car and giving it one last try. I can always go to the rifle range. I have to shoot at targets someone left of the target board.

 

[Hunter2678]

I'm jealous. I used to hunt in Coshocton and Holmes co. from about 1970-2020. Have not been out in 5 years because of back surgery. The last 3 times driving around my favorite area I didn't see a single GH or dirt mound. Thinking of putting the rifle in the car and giving it one last try. I can always go to the rifle range. I have to shoot at targets someone left of the target board

I shoot pretty regularly out at the Woodbury range. I scan pretty hard on the way there and on my way back for any foxes, yotes, or GH's. Oddly enough, I see more GHs next to State Route 16 than anywhere else. We've walked the state land out there a few times with minimal luck for GH's most times its too thick with tall grass to see them.

 

[WyleWD]

I shoot pretty regularly out at the Woodbury range. I scan pretty hard on the way there and on my way back for any foxes, yotes, or GH's. Oddly enough, I see more GHs next to State Route 16 than anywhere else. We've walked the state land out there a few times with minimal luck for GH's most times its too thick with tall grass to see them.

Good shoootin fella! When I lived over that way about 15 years ago I used to really enjoy a trip to the Woodbury range during the week days. Hopefully they have kept it up nicely. WD

 

[Hunter2678]

Good shoootin fella! When I lived over that way about 15 years ago I used to really enjoy a trip to the Woodbury range during the week days. Hopefully they have kept it up nicely. WD

Woodbury is still there and still kept in great shape

 

[SeabeeKen]

A big part of my job allows me to converse with many farmers when we do transmission line rebuilds. I've offered my woodchuck removal services in these discussions as a "courtesy' when the topic arises. Many times they tell me they don't see any groundhogs most time or have an infestation, which is how 9 out of 10 of my attempts end. I finally found a farmer in need and was excited to help. I had gone to this 45-acre field to scout the activity the day before, and when I got there around 3 pm, I saw at least 8 or so of them trotting around and sunning as if they owned the place. They were a few hundred yards away as I glassed from the truck. I left for home more excited than I've been in a long time to hunt for anything. The next afternoon, I got there around 2 pm and saw 4 of them immediately, so I walked out to the middle of the field, which gave me 180° of shooting space . As expected, they weren't thrilled with my presence and scampered away to the fenclines/river edges. I set up my tripod, took note of the light wind, waited about 15 to 20 minutes, standing very still. As I scanned the edges, they started coming back out one by one, and that's when the fun started. I took 6 of them out in about 45 minutes from all directions, from 170 yds to 255 yds. I gathered 4 of them up and noticed there was a hole nearby for each. The place was a woodchuck boomtown. My 6x47L with nosler 70gn purple tips moving @3450fps were all instant DRT's and a delayed but very loud thud when they hit their mark. This was my first time hunting with a can, and man, have I been missing out all these years. That was probably the most fun I've ever had hunting anything in a looooong time.

Back in the early 1980's I happened on a farm in Antietam, MD that was well off the rd that was over run with GH. Never seen an infestation like that since. Killed 400 in 2 years. I'd shoot 2 from each hole on a saturday and come back sunday and do it again. By the end of the second summer, they were much fewer. Most fun I ever had. Used a Ruger M77 in 243 with a Leupold 24x benchrest scope. It never missed a single groundhog out to 400 yds. Awesome rifle!!

 

[Hunter2678]

Back in the early 1980's I happened on a farm in Antietam, MD that was well off the rd that was over run with GH. Never seen an infestation like that since. Killed 400 in 2 years. I'd shoot 2 from each hole on a saturday and come back sunday and do it again. By the end of the second summer, they were much fewer. Most fun I ever had. Used a Ruger M77 in 243 with a Leupold 24x benchrest scope. It never missed a single groundhog out to 400 yds. Awesome rifle!!

I hope the population situation is simar in my case. Good spots are very hard to find, let alone keep.

 

[CaptainMal]

You brought back some great Pa. memories from the 1960's through the '90's. There were lots of hogs and lots of places to hunt them in Western Pa.

Moved out after retirement in 1999. Sure miss that fun.