WEST VIRGINIA GROUNDHOGS????

[Tumbleweed419]

I live in NE Ohio, and the groundhogs have just about been wiped out by the coyotes here. I have been thinking about spending some time in western WV and see how the population is there. Anyone have any info on WV areas that have a good population? Just looking for some good shooting.

 

[wright brothers]

Sounds like the coyotes are day hunters. Maybe hunt those.
I watched a red fox pick off a young ghog. Good puppy lol.
It slung it over it's shoulder and ran to den with head held high.

 

[Seamaster31]

The groundhog population is very low in every place that I have seen in WV. I don't know what happened to them, but they are scarce in places where they once were plentiful.

 

[Tumbleweed419]

Thank you for the reply

 

[David Conder]

All the groundhog in North Carolina or on the sides of the highways hard to shoot them there lol

 

[Gary in MD]

Populations of them are low here too as compared to 30-40 years ago.

 

[357Mag]

I live in NE Ohio, and the groundhogs have just about been wiped out by the coyotes here. I have been thinking about spending some time in western WV and see how the population is there. Anyone have any info on WV areas that have a good population? Just looking for some good shooting.

Tumbleweed -

Howdy !

You can try asking " WV Hitman " here on these forums, and see if he'll respond.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[sam da man]

Somebody told those aliens taste like chicken

 

[1911nut]

Forget West Virginia g-hogs, get that Punxsutawney jackass. Here it’s been 15 to 25 degrees above average for the last 2 months and our snow melted 2 months early. 6 more weeks my ass.

 

[WV Hitman]

Western WV MIGHT be OK, but you can forget eastern WV. That's my territory and some FOOL (ME) has done a number on them. I used to kill 500+ each spring (best year 636). This year I'm up to 49 with a lifetime total of 16,606 with handguns since 1976.
I know I'll hear someone boo-hooing about killing the females too early. These farmers want dead groundhogs either by me or poisoning. I've only taken 2 females out of the 49. The females come out very early or late, usually. I'm so old those times interfere with my bedtimes!!
I had to solve this problem by going to ID for rockchucks. My handgun friend and I go 5 days a year past 7 years. Our totals are a little over 3500. We ran out of ammo last day last year at # 544. Thanked all the farmers (7) for hunting. They demanded we return since rifle guys weren't doing what we do. Reservations already made this year. We're taking a little more ammo.
Where are we hunting??? That's highly classified and "none of your bees-wax".
The first year we had 1 farm to hunt. The owner was impressed. He spread the word. 7 now and working on more. One farmer harvests 7 MILLION pounds of pototoes. He really doesn't like chucks. He's our best "customer".

 

[painter]

I live in NE Ohio, and the groundhogs have just about been wiped out by the coyotes here. I have been thinking about spending some time in western WV and see how the population is there. Anyone have any info on WV areas that have a good population? Just looking for some good shooting.

They are just about gone here in Marshall co WV. I have not hunted them for several years.

 

[Tumbleweed419]

Guess I better plan a trip to ID this year. Wonder when the best time to is?

 

[SeabeeKen]

Sounds like the coyotes are day hunters. Maybe hunt those.
I watched a red fox pick off a young ghog. Good puppy lol.
It slung it over it's shoulder and ran to den with head held high.

They dont hunt in the day, they dig the ghogs out

 

[Alguapo]

Just to chime in on the Idaho Rock Chucks. The Ranchers and Farmers that we have contacted are very particular who gets on there property. The locals at coffee shops and gas stations won;t share info even if you buy the coffee. Have your Rock Chucks in a row before you make the drive. WV Hitman did it right. Make a contact and let the Rancher /Farmer spread the word.

 

[Gary in MD]

They dont hunt in the day, they dig the ghogs out

No doubt that happens. But the ground hogs will also come out at night. I always thought they didn’t but I’ve got them on my deer cameras at night enough times to see that it isn’t a fluke. Easy prey for the coyotes then.

 

[rebel]

On WNC groundhogs, find a farmer who plants soybeans, you have about a month window before they get too tall. Then you have to take to higher ground.

 

[wright brothers]

How far does a whistle pig borrow?
I've not seen a dig out.
I have seen several farmers using gas, by the dozen.

"Ya see that flat rock over the hole..."
In the past sets there were the best on that farm. After gas, nothing.

Farmer cares about cow legs and tractor front ends much more than my special barrel, load, or some stupid female alpha rodent.
It is about his money, not MY hobby.

 

[Richard308]

I live in NE Ohio, and the groundhogs have just about been wiped out by the coyotes here. I have been thinking about spending some time in western WV and see how the population is there. Anyone have any info on WV areas that have a good population? Just looking for some good shooting.

SE Ohio is the same.

 

[WV Hitman]

Groundhogs dig their holes down at a 45* angle, usually about 3 feet or so, then a wider bedding angle, then a skinnier "up"exit hole.
My part of WV had a 500 year flood years ago in Nov. Most of the fields had 3 to 15 feet of water over them for many days. I was worried about them dying. The next spring was one of my 500 spring kills.
Many don't realize that groundhogs have multiple sounds they make. I've determined at least 2 I'm sure of. One is a warning whistle. The other is a "who are you " whistle. I've learned to imitate this. If I can get 20-30 yds. from a hole without being seen or shooting I can do it and bring a 'hog out about 60% of the time. I use only my integrel suppressed Ruger MKIII for this. The look on their face is priceless seeing this giant groundhog just before I do a head shot. I know groundhogs. I'm on their s...t list.

 

[SeabeeKen]

The safest place for a gh around here is next to the rd, until he gets in the rd