Ground hog in tree

[Charlie-NY]

I've only seen a few in trees and I've hunted them hard for many years. I just assumed that they climbed the trees to look for danger that they couldn't see from the mound.

 

[K22]

Yep, seen it only one time, a hog climbed a small tree to presumably survey the area for threats. But never imagined one would climb that high.

However, I have often seen them climb up on "blow downs" in tree lines to again presumably survey an area for threats. So, it is worthwhile to always scan blow downs. Of course, only take a shot if you have a sufficient back stop.

 

[Bill Clifton]

Ghogs are quite the multi talented animals. The climb trees, burrow in the ground and can swim. The only thing they can't do is fly. I suspect it has something to do with the lift/drag ratio!

Lloyd

I can't say I've seen one swim.

 

[SD guy]

I was Initially thinking Ground hog in a tree was only going to happen with outside help, much like ground beef.

Then when I was set straight, on we are talking about wood-chucks. Yea My dog has treed a number of wood chucks. & yes they can fly with a little assistance.

 

[1shot]

I can't say I've seen one swim.

I have seen them swim, They look like a fat uncoordinated muskrat!

 

[Richard Jones]

Ghogs are quite the multi talented animals. The climb trees, burrow in the ground and can swim. The only thing they can't do is fly. I suspect it has something to do with the lift/drag ratio!

Lloyd

Will look later, but didn't Jim Carmichel write: "If groundhogs were as big as German Shepherds, they'd rule the world".......

 

[stosh]

Have seen maybe 5 in trees in 40 years. Couple were sleeping on tree limb!

 

[nettle]

I've seen them in Mulberry trees. They like eating the leaves.

 

[hpshooter]

I’ve seen a few in trees over the years. I have shot a bunch of them sitting on top of wooden fence posts. That is my favorite shot to make.

My favorite shot is to catch one on a roll bale where I have a good hillside backstop. Wife and I have seen a couple in peach trees gorging themselves on peaches.

 

[7br]

Over the years I’ve seen a couple of them run up trees, and I mean RUN, when they were startled. One time I was hunting an uncle’s farm. It was late summer and the corn was full enough to give me good cover as I lay inside the first row, watching the tree line at the edge of a meadow downhill. I saw a young chuck, maybe two years old, climbing a small oak. He worked his way out on a lower limb and, hanging by his forepaws, started bouncing up and down. He was having such a good time I just didn’t have the heart to shoot him. I watched him for about 5-10 minutes when he let go and dropped about five feet to the ground and went on his way. Figured I’d get him later when he wasn’t having a great day.

 

[DLT]

I have seen 1 up a tree. I do have another question about animals and not trying to hijack the thread but have any of you ever seen deer in top of round bales of hay ? I have seen coyotes but never a deer in my 42 years

 

[Treerat-sniper]

I've seen that twice. Both times a neighbor's coonhound was involved. I connected on one with my little .22 Hornet.

 

[gambleone]

Yep, seen it only one time, a hog climbed a small tree to presumably survey the area for threats. But never imagined one would climb that high.

However, I have often seen them climb up on "blow downs" in tree lines to again presumably survey an area for threats. So, it is worthwhile to always scan blow downs. Of course, only take a shot if you have a sufficient back stop.

I've never seen one climb that high either. I think the only reason was that branch was the 1st one from the ground. He had to take it. There were two dogs going crazy below him, so he didn't have much choice.

 

[ISS]

About 20 years ago a friend and I were hunting Rockchucks here in SW Idaho. We watched one climb 50 feet or so up an old electrical pole and just sit up there. We saw a nice orange fox sitting at the bottom watching him instead of us. Friend drills the fox, in one ear and out the other. He took a couple pictures, and before I could stop him hammers the chuck.
They can climb if the notion strikes them!

ISS

 

[7887mm08]

I have seen them swim, They look like a fat uncoordinated muskrat!

Yup, had one swim out every day for a week at my camp. I thought it was a muskrat.
My yellow lab finally seen it and swam out and a battle ensued! He carried it back to me and
sure enough it was a wood chuck.

 

[slickshot223]

Had a beagle dog that loved to tree GH's, I would get off the school bus and hear him barking! Would go get the 22, then go help him! He loved that!!

 

[snert]

Anyone seen one at night? I have a photo of one at 10PM, eating along side the road, illuminated by the headlights of my car. This confirms they will become nocturnal to hide from me...

 

[DLT]

Anyone seen one at night? I have a photo of one at 10PM, eating along side the road, illuminated by the headlights of my car. This confirms they will become nocturnal to hide from me...

Now I have not seen that