For the past couple of months I've been bemoaning the fact that groundhogs on the family farm were in fact nearly extinct. In the past 2-3 years I believe the grand total I've personally shot is three! You would think that a family farm with 300 plus acres would have a few more furry targets than 3 especially considering the fact that no one on the farms surrounding us even considers varmint shooting.
My brother, who lives next door called about 2 hours ago and in passing mentioned that while driving past the back hayfield he noticed a groundhog moving in the tall grass just at the end of the field.
It took me all of 30 seconds to grab the CZ 527 in 223 and jump in the truck. Within 5 minutes of parking the truck, a head popped up about 140 yards out. As I positioned the rifle on my bargain window rest I noticed another form moving at the edge of wall about 160 yards out. This one was more than twice the size of the first. I decided to go for the furthest target first. The CZ has a single set trigger, push it forward and the pull adjusts to about 8 ounces. Everything went according to plan, squeeze the trigger, mamma (I found out later) flipped backwards and then rolled forward, one and done.
The little guy out at 140 but about 50 yards from mamma ignored the show. When I glassed him once more, he was busy munching grass and barely had enough time to pop his head up and look around. He also refused to stay put. Every time I set the cross hairs on him he'd move 3-4 inches. Additionally, the little window rest with side bags was anything but a rest. Without constant pressure, it shifted with the slightest movement. When he finally cooperated, my shot must have gone a bit high. He sat up, stared for all of 3 seconds and went back to his dinner and, moving just enough to keep the cross hairs off center. The followup shot must have grazed him; he was off on a dead run up the side of the hill faster than I've ever seen any groundhog move, never looking back, disappearing into the thicket.
Two lessons learned this evening, I need to spend a bit more time glassing my backyard, I think there just might be more groundhogs in Connecticut than I realized and, It's time to take a closer look at the Dog Gone Good rests. Ive heard that they provide great stability and also have one designed for use as a window rest.
My brother, who lives next door called about 2 hours ago and in passing mentioned that while driving past the back hayfield he noticed a groundhog moving in the tall grass just at the end of the field.
It took me all of 30 seconds to grab the CZ 527 in 223 and jump in the truck. Within 5 minutes of parking the truck, a head popped up about 140 yards out. As I positioned the rifle on my bargain window rest I noticed another form moving at the edge of wall about 160 yards out. This one was more than twice the size of the first. I decided to go for the furthest target first. The CZ has a single set trigger, push it forward and the pull adjusts to about 8 ounces. Everything went according to plan, squeeze the trigger, mamma (I found out later) flipped backwards and then rolled forward, one and done.
The little guy out at 140 but about 50 yards from mamma ignored the show. When I glassed him once more, he was busy munching grass and barely had enough time to pop his head up and look around. He also refused to stay put. Every time I set the cross hairs on him he'd move 3-4 inches. Additionally, the little window rest with side bags was anything but a rest. Without constant pressure, it shifted with the slightest movement. When he finally cooperated, my shot must have gone a bit high. He sat up, stared for all of 3 seconds and went back to his dinner and, moving just enough to keep the cross hairs off center. The followup shot must have grazed him; he was off on a dead run up the side of the hill faster than I've ever seen any groundhog move, never looking back, disappearing into the thicket.
Two lessons learned this evening, I need to spend a bit more time glassing my backyard, I think there just might be more groundhogs in Connecticut than I realized and, It's time to take a closer look at the Dog Gone Good rests. Ive heard that they provide great stability and also have one designed for use as a window rest.
