Groundhogs PA !!!!!!!!

[steveyrock]

Chino
yes belonging to the NRA is a must for all gun owners but just as important is getting our youth involved in shooting.

as hunting is on the down side with declining deer an game populations many people don't see a need to buy firearms and most youngsters will never be introduced to the shooting sports as their fathers had no interest in it.The only thing they will see is the negative aspects of crimes and violence committed with guns.

We must remember there are GROWING segments of the population who never respected firearms or another persons life for that matter.They never hunted or needed a firearm for anything but crime,gang violence and senseless killings.That's whats going to bring gun control to us. I truly believe the anti gun advocates will win just because today's society is letting our youth be manipulated by this segment who promote crime, violence and disrespect for law enforcement and it's glorified through gun play.

 

[chino1969]

steveyrock,
I agree with everything you just said. In my area of Pennsylvania, there are still enough farms that have not turned into developments. Many of these farms have sufficient groundhogs to keep a varmint hunter busy if one plays their cards right. Every farm that I hunt, I hunt as if the property were mine. I develop a rapport with the farmer, walk every acre down, always have a backdrop, don't shoot near animals, houses, etc. The way I look at it is that the farmer has trusted me enough to let me hunt on his land and I am going to show him that I am an asset. Groundhogs decimate soybean, alfalfa, and create potential places for livestock to cripple or maim themselves by stepping into a hole. Treat others property with respect and show your gratitude and the word will spread from one farm to another. By the way, my total number as of 6/28 is 22 hogs. It has been raining heavy all week and humid. As soon as the sun comes out they should be out.
Chino69

 

[steveyrock]

Hey Chino
Better hurry because when that sun comes out after all that rain those bean fields are going to explode and the hogs will have tall cover very fast.I like to hunt the edges of railroad tracks in mid to late summer,that rail -right of way -is a groundhog haven.I only have 12 for the season but I have been working a shift where I can't get out in the evenings.They built a shingle plant next to my most productive rail spot now and my access is posted NO TRESSPASSING.That plant chewed up 80 acres of prime farm land.I am thinking about putting together a 20 vartarg based on the 221 Rem fireball case,very little noise and alot of speed. Good luck chino and put the hammer to um.

 

[chino1969]

steveyrock,
The 20 Vartarg sounds like just the ticket for urban areas. I've been kicking around the idea of a .221 Fireball for exactly the same reasons. I use a Winchester Model 43 in .218 Bee as a walkaround rifle and it does a good job; light, quick to shoulder, and effective out to 150 yds. There was actually sun last night,6/28) and I managed to get out into soybean. The soybean is just as you said and if we have a week of sun it will be too high to see them. Fortunately, alot of farmers have also planted alfalfa and it will be ready to be cut again. Alfalfa fields are great for hunting after they have been cut because the groundhogs are out in the open feeding. There are railroad tracks close to me that border an Amish farm and I intend to ask permission to hunt there. Crows come back into season on 7/1 and they will add variety to the summer varmint hunting.
Regards,
Chino69

 

[chino1969]

Hey steveyrock,
The soybean here in southeastern Pa. is high enough now to conceal hogs and it has been hot and humid as hell. Alfalfa fields are now the best bet, as they are cut several times. Total count as of 7/13 is 25. Unless it cools down some, I won't be going out at night. Crows are now in season on Fri., Sat., and Sun. only. An owl decoy with about a dozen well placed crow decoys and an electronic caller will bring them in 'madder than a hornet' and ready for a fight. A 50 grn. Nosler Ballistic Tip coming out of a .22-250 A.I. at 4100 ft/s. will provide the next best thing to chuck shooting.
Chino69

 

[steveyrock]

Hi Chino
ah yes crows,I do love to watch the feathers fly when they get pierced by a fast bullet.When you pick um up looks like they swallowed a firecracker,lol. Good luck and shoot a few for me as I can't get out working 6 pm to 4 am.

 

[Freestate101]

Hi Guys, good groundhog stories! We call them Woodchucks here in VA, I'm having a 6.5 Grendel barrel made up for my switch-barrel gun, want to see what it will do with 123gr'ers. I can't bring myself to shoot crows, we had a pet one when I was growing up. The darn thing thought my mom was his mother, even called her mom. One of the sick neighbor kids coaxed him down with some bread, then gunned him down with a shotgun. He knew he was a pet too! "Gabby" flew home and lay on the porch calling "mom, mom, mom" till my mother found him, he died in her arms, it broke her heart.
Jim

 

[chino1969]

Freestate101,
That's pretty damned sick to shoot a pet crow! I hunt wild crows when I can't shoot groundhogs anymore and have a great deal of respect for the bird. I just finished reading a great book called; 'Of Crows and Ravens'. It is a fascinating look at one of the most intelligent birds and goes into their language, problem solving skills, etc.
Regards,
Chino69

 

[85grBTat3500fps]

Hey Mikeinct,

What part,town) of southwestern PA are you hunting groundhogs in. I make trips to my parents place in a town call california,washington county). I hunt on an old friend of my fathers farm 250 acres. my first season hunting there between us we got 35 hogs in 3.5 months. my best kill has been with my 25/06 ruger #1 with a 6.5 to 20x scope and 85 grain BT the shot was just under 600 yards.

 

[chino1969]

PA has alot of good hunting and there are still vast areas to hunt groundhogs and crows. My season ended at only 30 groundhogs and I'm done for the season; next year is a different story. Crows are an especially fun varmint to hunt and I'll rotate into crows to take up the slack.
Chino69

 

[mikeinct]

 

[Rustytigwire]

Yeah that!

 

[Lone Hunter]

Mike, where are you hunting ghogs at? Looks like PA. My wife's family is from Potter County and that looks a lot like that area. I got to go vist a lot but never had the chance to hunt up there. Saw a bunch of ghogs and deer. Her grandfather had a dairy farm but sold it before we got married. Real pretty country up there with opportunities for long shots. Miss going there because of the gorgeous scenery. Never been to CT so I couldn't say it looks like PA.

 

[mikeinct]

That is down in Washington county Pa.. The owners son is my 'Guide" too funny. Ct used to be cool for hunting, almost/kinda. Better trout streams up here, but very crowded. mikeinct

 

[bobinpa]

That is down in Washington county Pa.. The owners son is my 'Guide" too funny. Ct used to be cool for hunting, almost/kinda. Better trout streams up here, but very crowded. mikeinct

Hey, that is my turf! Don't be killin' too many!

 

[mikeinct]

The owner of that farm has 4 sons. I'm lucky to be shooting there when I want to. He took me to his Nephews farm [mostly soybeans] one fine day. I Quote farmer buddy Al. God Bless Him.. speaking about me. " Fo a City Boy, He Can Shoot!" The old guy saw me whack one at over 500 yds. behind where we were sitting, then [he takes me, half hour drive]to where I flattened one on the run on his nephews farm at just over 200/225 yds. Got a few more walking thru the nephews soybean plots down there. It was a great day to be me. & Al Bought The Beer !! mikeinct

 

[snert]

I learned long range groundhoggin near McDonald PA back in late 70s. My guide moved from there to Washington PA and says his groundhog farms are all dried up due togas Wells, no mowing. I've not hunted since I moved back to pathree years ago. Going to ny in early June.

 

[Mark W]

I learned long range groundhoggin near McDonald PA back in late 70s. My guide moved from there to Washington PA and says his groundhog farms are all dried up due togas Wells, no mowing. I've not hunted since I moved back to pathree years ago. Going to ny in early June.

I took part in drilling and producing hundreds of wells in Washington and Greene Counties and I promise you it’s not the wells that have hurt the groundhog population. If anything stopped the fields from being mowed, it’s that the younger generations don’t work like the old guys did. Even on the well maintained farms you really don’t see groundhogs except for around the homes and barns.

 

[CaptainMal]

Holy Cow!

You started this same thread about 14 years ago, came beck and revived it. You hardly look much older than that. Where did you find the fountain of youth or is that the owners' son?

I know. Hunting groundhogs. Good.

 

[fyrewall]

I took part in drilling and producing hundreds of wells in Washington and Greene Counties and I promise you it’s not the wells that have hurt the groundhog population. If anything stopped the fields from being mowed, it’s that the younger generations don’t work like the old guys did. Even on the well maintained farms you really don’t see groundhogs except for around the homes and barns.

I have noticed that the western rock-chucks like to hang around farm buildings and especially places where old farm machinery and vehicles are dumped. I remember one morning when I shot several that were under an abandoned and wrecked school bus. Another time I shot a bunch that were under, beside, and on-top of a pile of wood boards. I have seen chucks (eastern groundhogs) and western rock-chucks climbing trees.