Groundhog Hunting in Ontario

[montec]

Hi Guys. Just wondering if anybody out there hunts groundhogs in Ontario. I've been hunting them in the Hanover area for many years now and this years was terrible. Seen 4 and killed them all my first day then never seen a one after that. Does anyone know where the population is still good??

 

[CatShooter]

I can't speak for Ontario, but I have read a number of threads on sites that are devoted to groundhog shooting and everyone from Virginia, on up the coast through New England, saying that the groundhog population is dropping fast.

In my state of Connecticut, the groundhog (aka Woodchuck) is close to being an endangered species - I have seen NONE this year.

I don't know what the cause is.

But I am building two more woodchuck rifles now. I'm an optimist

 

[langenc]

Maybe the problem is all the new woodchuck rifles and their operators!

 

[CatShooter]

Maybe the problem is all the new woodchuck rifles and their operators!

That is a strong possibility

 

[montec]

The locals are blaming yotes. In all the years I've hunted the region, never crossed paths with another shooter and I never "clean out " the fields(although the land owner with race horses says kill everyone)

 

[Raythemanroe]

coyotes

 

[MrMajestic]

Maybe the problem is all the new woodchuck rifles and their operators!

;D Good luck with that one! If the terrain and food supply support them this would be tough to do. I have shot 30+ every year for many years from the same several acre pasture bordering Train tracks. If you were to kill off a family group more just move in. I could state the similarity of certain ethnic groups however that would not be politically correct. :
The Amish farmers are so glad to see me as the Grundsow's burrows are very hazardous to their livestock. I doesn't hurt that I supply their children with candy from my Wife that works for Hershey's! ;D
Now Coyotes, that's another story due to their tenacity and range.

 

[jonbearman]

I feel the yotes are taking a heavy toll on whitetail young and woodchucks.One field I used to hunt had hardly any until a yote trapper came in and got one just under 60#'s and his harem etc.So I dont think it is disease but rather reintroduced predation caused by our very own dept of enviromental conservation idiots.

 

[MrMajestic]

Well said Jon!

 

[Raythemanroe]

Where I grew up the woodchucks were a lot more plentiful until the coyote started there come back! I don't believe in coincidences, The same places we hunt coyotes is the same place we use to shoot chucks! Just at twilight or early morning.

 

[Nomad47]

I have shot 123 in central Ohio since June 9, and I do see the occasional coyote. Well, one to three coyotes per season and I haven't seen any so far this year.

 

[argoboy]

I live in Ontario and we usually hunt around Markdale but last year was a poor year as it was so dry and this year hasn't been any better. The coyotes are there and the farmers are not keeping as many cattle so there is less pastures and less hay fields., more cash cropping going on now. The groundhog population is declining due to these reason in my opinion. We have never seen any other hunters during our visits there either so it is no due to hunter pressure.