Ist groundhog of 2025

[1K6BRA]

I saw my first one today here in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Made it through hibernation just to get squashed on the road. Usually do see them out, depending on the weather by the second week of March. We have had a pretty severe winter here this year. I’m kind of surprised to see that he was out already.

 

[LHSmith]

Saw my first one of the season yesterday by my house. It was walking back and forth in about a ten foot stretch for an hour or more. I believe it may have been infected with a worm that attacks their brain commonly found in coons. Never seen that before- only other oddities were ones with mange and one with a tin can stuck on it's head which Pop removed. This AM saw my 2nd one. This is pretty typical for my locale. I rarely see any before March. Then last week the PAGC found a deer with CWD 10 miles from my home.

 

[ValleyBoy1984]

Saw my first one of the season yesterday by my house. It was walking back and forth in about a ten foot stretch for an hour or more. I believe it may have been infected with a worm that attacks their brain commonly found in coons. Never seen that before- only other oddities were ones with mange and one with a tin can stuck on its head which Pop removed. This AM saw my 2nd one. This is pretty typical for my locale. I rarely see any before March. Then last week the PAGC found a deer with CWD 10 miles from my home.

Don’t wanna hijack the thread.What WMU would that be near you. I have heard many more cases of CWD in PA. Send me a PM if you would like, it’ll keep this thread clean and to the original point. Thanks

 

[LHSmith]

Don’t wanna hijack the thread.What WMU would that be near you. I have heard many more cases of CWD in PA. Send me a PM if you would like, it’ll keep this thread clean and to the original point. Thanks

It was found in 3D, just west of Belzville Lake State Park. There were private deer farms near until a short time ago.

 

[Texas Solo]

I use to shoot about 100 per year on 1000 acre farm in MD. Then I moved to Texas, then to Alabama. I haven't seen a GH in 17 years.
Ya'll are lucky.

 

[Guybo]

I've always thought it would be fun to shoot groundhogs but i don't think we have any around here and if we do i haven't ever seen one that i know of.

 

[Richard308]

I’m also from Ohio, South-East-Central. The only groundhogs I see any more is in the ditch between the 4-lane and in front of Walmart, or "in town" as you leave the grocery drive thru where there is about four acres. There are no holes in hay or bean fields anymore. I used to average 150 GH’s a year after May 15th or later. Seldom shot one under 250-yards. I don’t waste the gas anymore. I don’t care what some people think. They disappeared after the coyote’s started showing up. I’m too old to be out coyote hunting. Be thankful for GH’s still on the MD Eastern Shore and good luck.

Same here in Belmont County. Culvert Groundhogs and Under the Shed Groundhogs.
We also have Nursing Home Groundhogs that survive on a steady diet of Lances peanut butter crackers.

 

[357Mag]

View attachment 1638041 I saw my first one today here in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Made it through hibernation just to get squashed on the road. Usually do see them out, depending on the weather by the second week of March. We have had a pretty severe winter here this year. I’m kind of surprised to see that he was out already.

1K6BRA -

Howdy !

He was out…lookin’ for love.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Kurz]

While I think that groundhogs and wood chucks make marvelous targets, they are considered to be evil and are required to be eradicated, not preserved for another season. The goal is elimination.

I am fortunate enough to have several hay farms in two states who make it a point to text me with an alert that my presence is required to start the elimination. I make arrangements to show up with my camping gear, rifles with suppressors and ammunition. Cooking smoke and my snoring doesn't bother groundhogs or wood chucks. It takes a long, intense week of shooting and rotating farms to accomplish the farmers goals. Obviously I don't get them all but their numbers are severely diminished, females included.

 

[Jonathan Zimmerman]

Got two NW of Columbus (Ohio) already in the last week. One on a 60 degree day and one Saturday when it was only 40. Seems like others in Ohio are seeing less these days, but I’ve not seen much of a drop off on my land or the farmers fields I typically hunt. These two were in my woods, so easy picking. There is hope for you others in Ohio, good luck!

 

[Treerat-sniper]

I just started "groundhog season. Got 9 so far!! with my handguns (don't own a rifle): .223, .22-250, 6mm AI Encore, .250 Sav. AI XP-100. Puts my lifetime groundhog total with handguns at 16,161.

Nice to see you posting here Doc, I always enjoyed your reports in the Sixgunner.