I hunt groundhogs on the farmlands of NW Delaware county, Ohio, just north of Columbus. But it seems this area is void of groundhogs. I just don't see them, and the farmers tell me they rarely see them. I think the coyotes have gotten them...the farmers say they see/hear lots of coyotes.
Last night I was at my Wednesday night sailboat races. The races were cancelled because of local storms, and most of us ended up chatting it up in the shelter house. I ended up talking with an elderly lady who lives out in the country and has a problem with groundhogs. This property is about 1/2 way in between Nomad47 and me. This woman says they are all over the place..population is out of control! Her husband died in 2007 and the hogs moved in soon after that. I'm practically salivating as she's speaking. Most of my current groundhog hunts are comprised of me walking for a few miles and never taking the rifle off my shoulder. (it can be rather discouraging at times.) Now I have the chance to really get some. She also said there are coyotes in the area, and could I shoot them too? Also, dozens of deer come up to her house and eat her vegetation....I'm invited to hunt them too! She asked if I hunt rabbits...they're eating her plants too! I think this is my new favorite lady!
I looked at the satellite view of the property. (Wanted to see which direction I can and cannot shoot.) This is all going to be short range shooting. Looks like most of the shots will be under 100 yards. So the 17hmr is going to be the gun of choice. I don't need the 223 at that distance. I've never shot a groundhog with my 17hmr that wasn't dead on the spot with the first shot, and it's wicked accurate. And from what she said, the hogs have become very brazen and less afraid of humans, so I may get to use my 3 week old Remington 870 12 gauge for some very short shots. The quieter 17hmr will also be nice because there is a Bed & Breakfast right next door...very close...probably less than 100 yards from where I'll be shooting. I'm going to be a nice guy and call the B&B and talk about scheduling with them when I can come out and shoot. I don't want to damage their livelihood with complaints from customers about someone shooting next door.
The B&B also has a sort of petting zoo out back. (alpacas and goats and such) I see from the satellite view, they too have a few barns. It would make sense they will have groundhog problems too. Perhaps they'll want me to shoot them too?
Hopefully I will be able to document this whole thing with pics and I'll post them here.
Last night I was at my Wednesday night sailboat races. The races were cancelled because of local storms, and most of us ended up chatting it up in the shelter house. I ended up talking with an elderly lady who lives out in the country and has a problem with groundhogs. This property is about 1/2 way in between Nomad47 and me. This woman says they are all over the place..population is out of control! Her husband died in 2007 and the hogs moved in soon after that. I'm practically salivating as she's speaking. Most of my current groundhog hunts are comprised of me walking for a few miles and never taking the rifle off my shoulder. (it can be rather discouraging at times.) Now I have the chance to really get some. She also said there are coyotes in the area, and could I shoot them too? Also, dozens of deer come up to her house and eat her vegetation....I'm invited to hunt them too! She asked if I hunt rabbits...they're eating her plants too! I think this is my new favorite lady!
I looked at the satellite view of the property. (Wanted to see which direction I can and cannot shoot.) This is all going to be short range shooting. Looks like most of the shots will be under 100 yards. So the 17hmr is going to be the gun of choice. I don't need the 223 at that distance. I've never shot a groundhog with my 17hmr that wasn't dead on the spot with the first shot, and it's wicked accurate. And from what she said, the hogs have become very brazen and less afraid of humans, so I may get to use my 3 week old Remington 870 12 gauge for some very short shots. The quieter 17hmr will also be nice because there is a Bed & Breakfast right next door...very close...probably less than 100 yards from where I'll be shooting. I'm going to be a nice guy and call the B&B and talk about scheduling with them when I can come out and shoot. I don't want to damage their livelihood with complaints from customers about someone shooting next door.
The B&B also has a sort of petting zoo out back. (alpacas and goats and such) I see from the satellite view, they too have a few barns. It would make sense they will have groundhog problems too. Perhaps they'll want me to shoot them too?
Hopefully I will be able to document this whole thing with pics and I'll post them here.
