Whistle Pig Tips

[timeout]

I have never "targeted" these before, other than trapping nuisance types around building sites. We have some, but not huge amounts. Then I seem to remember seeing in game laws many years ago they were Federally protected, which makes no sense. Are thes critters more active at particular times of the day? I'm guessing early mornings would be best and hot midday temps the poorest for activity. What say you long time G Hog hunters? Thanks!

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

Federally protected groundhogs= too much internet crap.

As for time of day...it also depends on temperature. Spring and fall...not so much early morning or late evening if it's cold. But in summer, not so much in mid day.

They feed about 4 times a day. Go scouting and look for holes (now), look for areas where soy beans have been eaten (during summer). (or small areas..maybe 3 car garage sized plots, where soy beans aren't growing well.)

Their holes are usually in high areas, not valleys as they don't want them to fill up with rain water. Soy beans are king. They seem to like that more than anything. Moist green leafs. They don't eat wheat. Some corn when the crops are young..but not mature corn. They don't drink, they get their moisture from the water in the leaves.

If you find one hole, you'll probably find a second within 30 feet.

Tree lines, or woods NEXT to crop fields are best. And where you're located (part of country) can make a difference.

Get yourself a 223, 22-250, 243...or something similar. Make sure you can hit a softball at 300 yards (or better)

You can either sit and wait with a pair of binocs (usually long shots), or slowly walk and try to sneak up on them. I'll shoot them with a 17hmr at less than 125 yards, but it has to be a head or heart shot. Otherwise, I'll stick with my 223.

 

[mshelton]

+1 to what Ohio Varmint Shooter said and I'll add in to prepare yourself for an addiction worse than crack.

 

[CatShooter]

Don't hunt woodchucks (aka groundhogs)... it will ruin your life.

But, if you should be so foolish... in the spring, they are out most of the time - they have been hibernating for 4 to 5 months and they are hungry (and horny)... you will see the males far from their holes, looking for the future Mrs Woodchuck. Mrs Woodchuck does not stray far from her hole.

You can see them most anything of day. Good times in general are after a light rain (they get their water from plants), otherwise, you can see them most anytime. Ask farmers, they will know where they are.

They like to nap in the warm sun, so look for them on rocks, hay bales, fence posts, or other places you would not think they would be.

You can find their holes out in the middle of a field, or along fences and hedge rows, and around barns and buildings. Check state laws about shooting near buildings - many require you to be 500 feet from buildings - there is one state that protects them, but I forgot which one it is - so check your hunting license regulations.

 

[MQ1]

Timeout,

They are not Federally protected, but from what I recall are illegal to hunt in Wisconsin. I did a brief stint in Wisconsin, and was disappointed that I couldn't hunt them a few years back, however I saw very few of them, and could understand that they would be protected because if their low numbers.

Hunt coyotes, and maybe the WI groundhogs will rebound ;D

MQ1

 

[CatShooter]

Timeout,

They are not Federally protected, but from what I recall are illegal to hunt in Wisconsin. I did a brief stint in Wisconsin, and was disappointed that I couldn't hunt them a few years back, however I saw very few of them, and could understand that they would be protected because if their low numbers.

Hunt coyotes, and maybe the WI groundhogs will rebound ;D

MQ1

When I moved to my state (CT), woodchucks were like lice on a stray dog... I mean it, was one of the reasons I moved here. But coyotes have wiped them out - I see less than 5 a year now, including ones along the roads.

 

[357Mag]

Timeout -

Howdy !

If you are fairly near any soybean fields ( perhaps Atigo Flats ), these are a superb place to encounter
" Soybenaus Digestus ". Look for them to appear from dens in ditch banks, along fence rows on raised ground; and along tree lines ( woods ).

Hay fields of course, are another favorite place where they chow down.

While you may see them out at any time during daylight, ( IMHO ) they appear most often
" in the cool of the evening "....... as the sun wanes towards sunset; and even into the afterglow right after sunset.

Try to position yourself so that you will not have to have the scope looking right towards the sun.

For those later encounters..... removing the scopes' sunshade can serve to lighten-up your view of the field of regard.

Best of luck in your endeavors !


With regards,
357Mag

 

[timeout]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Now the problem is I find out there can be no hunting of woodchuck, except on my own farm. Seems pretty silly what with the damage to fields and property, but the law is the law. Badgers are also protected here, but then this is the Badger state. Go Bucky! THe Badgers will be America's team Saturday night!

 

[284driver]

Don't hunt woodchucks (aka groundhogs)... it will ruin your life.

But, if you should be so foolish... in the spring, they are out most of the time - they have been hibernating for 4 to 5 months and they are hungry (and horny)... you will see the males far from their holes, looking for the future Mrs Woodchuck. Mrs Woodchuck does not stray far from her hole.

You can see them most anything of day. Good times in general are after a light rain (they get their water from plants), otherwise, you can see them most anytime. Ask farmers, they will know where they are.

They like to nap in the warm sun, so look for them on rocks, hay bales, fence posts, or other places you would not think they would be.

You can find their holes out in the middle of a field, or along fences and hedge rows, and around barns and buildings. Check state laws about shooting near buildings - many require you to be 500 feet from buildings - there is one state that protects them, but I forgot which one it is - so check your hunting license regulations.

I wonder how far south they hibernate. Reason I ask is I saw several this winter our of their holes. Snow on the ground. Temperature was cold. Maybe 20°. This was in January.
Just curious.

This is in Virginia. Did I mention there was about 10" of snow on the ground?

 

[Comeback]

C1 to what Ohio Varmint Shooter said and I'll add in to prepare yourself for an addiction worse than crack.

Big vote from me too... Ohio Shooter covered pretty much all you need to know.
I'm not new to this game, but found few tricks to add for myself also. All best!

 

[Drop Port]

Everything that's been said and I will add, they do climb at times, rock walls, fallen trees and even shot a couple out of trees 6' off the ground in the v, 1st crotch.
If I hunt hot days during mid day I focus on the shadows along the edge of the fields in the beans, grass clover etc.

 

[Bangs OH]

The once-great state of Wisconsin protecting worthless rodents? No surprise there. After all, you did elect the slimy weasel Scott Walker as governor!

 

[CatShooter]

The once-great state of Wisconsin protecting worthless rodents? No surprise there. After all, you did elect the slimy weasel Scott Walker as governor!

The "Rodents" had a better union than the civil servants.

 

[timeout]

The once-great state of Wisconsin protecting worthless rodents? No surprise there. After all, you did elect the slimy weasel Scott Walker as governor!

Yes, I proudly supported him. First poltician I ever voted for that did what he said he would! ;D

 

[hogpatrol]

I ride the waterways with my hog shooting buds We'll see one and when he spots the truck, he'll drop back down in the hole. The trick is to drop off your shooter and when they hear the truck pull away and things go quiet, they pop back up figuring the coast is clear. Surprise! Works most every time.

 

[spencerhenry]

The once-great state of Wisconsin protecting worthless rodents? No surprise there. After all, you did elect the slimy weasel Scott Walker as governor!

i sure hope that is sarcasm.

 

[markT]

This may get as good as the "Laser Range Finder." throwing politics in the mix..

 

[hogpatrol]

This may get as good as the "Laser Range Finder." throwing politics in the mix..

Yep

 

[fredo]

Here's a technique that is worth a couple laughs...

I've got a little red cur dog that is a general nuisance to all things furry. He especially hates woodchucks, and will check every hole in a field for one. If one is home, he starts diggin' them out...

Soooo....
I jump on the ATV & drive around hayfields, while the dog is "scouting" fresh holes. If he gets to diggin' on one, then I know there is somebody home! With that knowledge, we'll be heading back to sit a couple hundred yards from that hole in the afternoon. Dog, rifle, LRF, and a cool beverage
When mr. chuck pops out, he gets popped, and my dog gets to retrieve him, LOL

This may sounds silly, and doesn't really count toward amassing big numbers. But, considering there are so few woodchucks in my AO, having the dog pinpoint where those few are is a nice bonus! And we sure have a good time of it! With the dog 'scouting' hot digs, I know we're spending our time in the right spot...

Won't be long now!!!

 

[CatShooter]

Here's a technique that is worth a couple laughs...

I've got a little red cur dog that is a general nuisance to all things furry. He especially hates woodchucks, and will check every hole in a field for one. If one is home, he starts diggin' them out...

Soooo....
I jump on the ATV & drive around hayfields, while the dog is "scouting" fresh holes. If he gets to diggin' on one, then I know there is somebody home! With that knowledge, we'll be heading back to sit a couple hundred yards from that hole in the afternoon. Dog, rifle, LRF, and a cool beverage
When mr. chuck pops out, he gets popped, and my dog gets to retrieve him, LOL

This may sounds silly, and doesn't really count toward amassing big numbers. But, considering there are so few woodchucks in my AO, having the dog pinpoint where those few are is a nice bonus! And we sure have a good time of it! With the dog 'scouting' hot digs, I know we're spending our time in the right spot...

Won't be long now!!!

Some guys have it really tough!

Woodchuck shootin' is hell, but someone has to do it!