Rodent Discrimination!

[Rick in Oregon]

So February 2nd is Groundhog Day. But here out west we have our Rockchucks that get no recognition compared to ole' Phil back east. It's discrimination I tell ya!

I submit we have a day dedicated to the western cousin the Rockchuck! Both critters are due to emerge from their dens soon in their respective locations. Great news for riflemen (us). But of course we can't share our glee or we'll be attacked by the bunny-huggers, PETA and the media libtards. But for us in both the east and west, Groundhog Day is a grand day indeed....great shooting opportunities are not far off!



They say anticipation is half the fun. So I'm having fun counting the days till ole' Rocky comes up for a look-about soon.
Have rifle.....will shoot.

 

[Doug Casner]

O.K. Paladin, Doug

 

[Doug Casner]

Rick were showing our age if we know who Paladin is. Doug

 

[neckdeep]

I like Earth Day, the day we all should grind the sage rat into many pieces and send him back to the earth

 

[rjtfroggy]

Rick were showing our age if we know who Paladin is. Doug

How old are we if we remember having the 2 six shooters with the ricochet sound effect after you pulled the trigger. They came with black grips and dual holsters on a cartridge belt, nickel finish. Mine are long gone after my kids played with them, but I still have the "Lone Rangers" silver colt toy with the play bullets. It is at least 70 years old and looks like brand new.

 

[K22]

Here in the east, Farmers despise groundhogs. They consider us varmint hunters a "national treasure"!

When I had 9 farms to hunt, they would call me to come out. I was known as "The Ground Hog Man". Some didn't even know my real name.

Back in the early 2000's there was a farm where the farmer had it extensively posted and would not let anyone hunt. Apparently, he had some bad experiences with hunters in the past and had a reputation in the area with other farmers as "do even bother to ask".

I was going nuts because I could see hogs everywhere from the adjacent farm where I had permission. It was torture watching those monster class hogs roam around and being unable to hunt them.

One day I couldn't take it anymore, so I stop by his place. I introduced myself and gave him an outline of my hunting / shooting resume emphasizing all the other farms where I had permission and they could vouch for my behavior. He was not impressed, not the least be happy that I stop by to interrupt his day. He promptly and unapologetically rejected my request without any explanation.

I smiled, and said, "Well, it's your farm and I can understand your reluctance especially because of some of the irresponsible hunters I have seen afield." I offered my hand, and said, "Thanks anyway for hearing me out." To my surprise he shook my hand.

As I walked back to my truck he hailed me and said, "Hey, wait a minute". I turned and walked back. He said, "You're the first hunter that showed respect. You can hunt groundhogs, just be safe and check in with me first." That began a long and great friendship with many of great hunts.

"Have Rifle - Will Travel"

Those were the days my friend, I never thought they end but only the rocks live forever - Lame Beaver, Arapaho.

 

[Webster]

Here in the east, Farmers despise groundhogs. They consider us varmint hunters a "national treasure"!

When I had 9 farms to hunt, they would call me to come out. I was known as "The Ground Hog Man". Some didn't even know my real name.

Back in the early 2000's there was a farm where the farmer had it extensively posted and would not let anyone hunt. Apparently, he had some bad experiences with hunters in the past and had a reputation in the area with other farmers as "do even bother to ask".

I was going nuts because I could see hogs everywhere from the adjacent farm where I had permission. It was torture watching those monster class hogs roam around and being unable to hunt them.

One day I couldn't take it anymore, so I stop by his place. I introduced myself and gave him an outline of my hunting / shooting resume emphasizing all the other farms where I had permission and they could vouch for my behavior. He was not impressed, not the least be happy that I stop by to interrupt his day. He promptly and unapologetically rejected my request without any explanation.

I smiled, and said, "Well, it's your farm and I can understand your reluctance especially because of some of the irresponsible hunters I have seen afield." I offered my hand, and said, "Thanks anyway for hearing me out." To my surprise he shook my hand.

As I walked back to my truck he hailed me and said, "Hey, wait a minute". I turned and walked back. He said, "You're the first hunter that showed respect. You can hunt groundhogs, just be safe and check in with me first." That began a long and great friendship with many of great hunts.

"Have Rifle - Will Travel"

Those were the days my friend, I never thought they end but only the rocks live forever - Lame Beaver, Arapaho.

I wish I was 18 and starting all over again. Groundhog day.

 

[timeout]

How old are we if we remember having the 2 six shooters with the ricochet sound effect after you pulled the trigger. They came with black grips and dual holsters on a cartridge belt, nickel finish. Mine are long gone after my kids played with them, but I still have the "Lone Rangers" silver colt toy with the play bullets. It is at least 70 years old and looks like brand new.

While perusing some old photos someone commented "why do you have a gun in every picture"? Guess I was just born to hunt and love to shoot.

 

[K22]

I wish I was 18 and starting all over again. Groundhog day.

Me too!

 

[OMW57]

AH.....PETA....
People Eating Tasty Animals!!!

 

[Doug Casner]

Have gun will travel. I had several toy guns growing up. My dad being a gun nut, watched all the westerns. I had single action colts , tommy gun, lever action rifle, snub nosed 38, most of them had Mattel wrote on them. Wasnt trying to hijack . Get to shooting them whistle pigs. Doug

 

[LHSmith]

Not a word was said by PETA when de Blasio dropped the NYC zoo's groundhog and killed it (might have inner-bred with the cities rats).
Prior to that episode Bloomberg was bitten trying to get a photo OP. Will new mayor Madmani do the photo OP?

 

[357Mag]

Doug -

Howdy !

Hey… the first M-16 I ever shot said “ MATTEL “ on it !

I too had the toy revolvers that shot caps, while dispersing plastic bullets from spring-loaded cases. I also had the associated “ carbine “.

I was gifted both 2 Christmases in-a-row, after wearing the first guns out in short order.
Wore the revolvers during visits to various cousin’s houses. They called me “ Tucson “ !


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Rick in Oregon]

By the looks of responses on this thread, it appears there's lots of of us into "geezerhood" talking about Mattel, Fanner 50's, favorite cap guns and the like. I'm not immune either, remember the Mattel Thunderburp Tommy Gun? Pestered my parents to get me one, then drove them nuts with it. It had a simulated full-auto fire sound to annoy any parent or unsuspecting adult within a 50' radius.

But we're talking rodents here, specifically the burrowing one we love to see come up in spring; east or west.

Being an old fart myself now (I'm told), here's a good day in spring of 1980 here with my Sako Vixen L461 223 that I remember. That chuck went 16lbs. A big one for this area where they don't tend to live to a ripe old age (grin).



Being a bit of a photo-nut too, some pics to entertain....



Another good day indeed. This time with my Cooper 20VT and Nosler 32gr Varmageddon's over RL-7:



About this time of year, every year, I start checking my "chuck barometer" near the house. A large rocky bank near our high school has a colony that I use for photo ops. When they start showing up, I know it's time to head for my favorite ranch that I have exclusive permission to shoot near home.

A shot from last spring when momma chuck came up with her new brood of three young-un's:



Ahh, springtime....don't you just love it?