Ground hogs

Shootester · 12-16-2007, 01:48 AM

I was thinking of going after these guys. Anyone here hunt them? Any info on them other than the stuff anyone can find in a text book?

webs · 12-16-2007, 06:02 AM

I don't see many Ground Hog in my area anymore.The Coyote showed up here in the early 1970's and both Ground Hog and Fox populations have declined. I use to hunt them a lot, and one of my favored methods was to stake out a bean field when the plants were about 6 inches high and taller.My favorite rifles were the .22-250 and the .243.Had some good times hunting them.

samuel · 12-16-2007, 06:51 AM

It is winter and they havnt been out for two months.They come out in april and last up to early november.As to hunting them,you can use any method or firearm you please.For the most part I set up where U can see for about 500yds and ambush them with any flat shooting rifle that I have practiced with enough to be certain of being able to hit a 2" square at the longest range.I use rhe most accurate,most frangible bullet I can which is 40gr VMAX Hornadys in .20 or .22cal. and 58gr VMAX Hornadys in 6mm.Camo is highly important in this method as I have seen them stand and stare at me at 15yds and run like crazy at 300yds.If they see you they will run and they can see a long ways.Other methods are setting up with a shorter range gun like a shotgun or muzzle loader at about 100yds or so where you know they are at.This takes not only camo but something to break up your outline.the other method I use is with a handgun,walk the edge of cover areas and try to draw,aim and fire when I surprise them and they try to run.I have used everything from a .454casule to a Hi Standard 2shot derringer that uses .22mags.which I have killed several with even tho it has a da trigger with extreme poundage.I try to get boars up until the beans are up pretty good so the mommas have their young.The half grown are more fun because they are smaller targets and more of them.I average 75% with a varmint rifle,50%with a muzzle loader,and about 20% with a handgun.It takes a lot of patience and I may go out 10 times and see nothing and one time and get 30+.It,s great fun and you are helping the farmer.By the way,a.22rf works out to 60yds for lr and 100yds for mags. sam.

Shootester · 12-16-2007, 11:32 AM

Thanks for the info. This will be alot of help.

Rem 742 30-06 · 12-16-2007, 11:39 AM

12 ga point blank with #4 shot works pretty good.

Shootester · 12-17-2007, 12:35 AM

I've been doing some research guys, and I read that the pelt has little to no value. Can I still make SOME money off the pelt? Does it have any meat?

webs · 12-17-2007, 04:14 AM

I am not sure you could find a fur buyer who would take them.Never heard of anyone selling their hides around here.They can be ate but they are not my favorites.I would rather have a squirrel or rabbit.The young ones of the year are the best and they are about the right size in July.

samuel · 12-17-2007, 07:01 AM

While nothing is absolutely useless on earth and I give as many as I can to the Amish to eat the groundhog comes close.They rank right up there with prairie dogs,gophers,mosquitos black flies,politicians,liberal hollywood actors,peta,and people that could be good citizens but keep voting gun grabbers back into office.I believe all of the above should be delt with severly. sam.

Shootester · 12-17-2007, 12:57 PM

Since the pelt can't be used. What kind of meat can I get from them? Steaks or what?

webs · 12-17-2007, 07:32 PM

Cut up into 6 pieces and fry, bbq or stew.

Shootester · 12-17-2007, 11:11 PM

Kk thx

Poset · 12-21-2007, 09:03 AM

Samuel- Sounds like you are not too far away... I'm in South Central PA... lots of Mennonite farms, not many Amish.

GH hunting is a principal warm weather sport... although my experience is slightly different than yours. We usually drive along the edge of a field, stop where there is a good view, and shoot off the truck; most shots are 150 - 350 yards, occasionally up to 600 yards (these are the good ones). Also, as you say, a GH sometimes pops up closer. Occasionally we walk/hunt, usually thru orchards, 20 - 100 yard off hand shots.

We don't do camo or anything really sneaky. Our theory is the hogs don't scare easily at a distance, unless they've been poorly hunted (lots of shots and misses) by other hunters, of course. Also, we're not picky... we shoot any we see.

When we're done for the day, we drop the dead into their holes so they don't get caught up in farm equipment. Like you, I know of no use for them, except to decimate agriculture and entertain gun guys.

Goal is 100 per year, and the regulars make it about early August - although ity takes a lot of time in the field to get that many.

samuel · 12-21-2007, 09:17 AM

When the baby,s first come out and are about pd size is when it is most fun,but ir is fun anytime and you are helping the farmer.It may lead to deer hunting permission. sam.

chainmailleman · 12-30-2007, 05:13 PM

I used to, but the areas have all been hunted out. My town I live in has doubled in size in the past decade. I have to go up towards the bighorns to get them.

Now Jackrabbit hunting has evolved to a sport where my friends and I almost have points based on distance, destruction, class, shots taken, and creativity (i.e. I took a softpoint and a jewlers saw. I cross cut about 1/4" down the bullet, 7.62x54R, and it works nicely for a close range)

12-16-2007, 01:48 AM	#1
Shootester Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 218	Ground hogs I was thinking of going after these guys. Anyone here hunt them? Any info on them other than the stuff anyone can find in a text book?

12-16-2007, 06:02 AM	#2
webs Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 275 Images: 3	I don't see many Ground Hog in my area anymore.The Coyote showed up here in the early 1970's and both Ground Hog and Fox populations have declined. I use to hunt them a lot, and one of my favored methods was to stake out a bean field when the plants were about 6 inches high and taller.My favorite rifles were the .22-250 and the .243.Had some good times hunting them.

12-16-2007, 06:51 AM	#3
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,237	It is winter and they havnt been out for two months.They come out in april and last up to early november.As to hunting them,you can use any method or firearm you please.For the most part I set up where U can see for about 500yds and ambush them with any flat shooting rifle that I have practiced with enough to be certain of being able to hit a 2" square at the longest range.I use rhe most accurate,most frangible bullet I can which is 40gr VMAX Hornadys in .20 or .22cal. and 58gr VMAX Hornadys in 6mm.Camo is highly important in this method as I have seen them stand and stare at me at 15yds and run like crazy at 300yds.If they see you they will run and they can see a long ways.Other methods are setting up with a shorter range gun like a shotgun or muzzle loader at about 100yds or so where you know they are at.This takes not only camo but something to break up your outline.the other method I use is with a handgun,walk the edge of cover areas and try to draw,aim and fire when I surprise them and they try to run.I have used everything from a .454casule to a Hi Standard 2shot derringer that uses .22mags.which I have killed several with even tho it has a da trigger with extreme poundage.I try to get boars up until the beans are up pretty good so the mommas have their young.The half grown are more fun because they are smaller targets and more of them.I average 75% with a varmint rifle,50%with a muzzle loader,and about 20% with a handgun.It takes a lot of patience and I may go out 10 times and see nothing and one time and get 30+.It,s great fun and you are helping the farmer.By the way,a.22rf works out to 60yds for lr and 100yds for mags. sam.

12-16-2007, 11:32 AM	#4
Shootester Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 218	Thanks for the info. This will be alot of help.

12-16-2007, 11:39 AM	#5
Rem 742 30-06 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Wisconsin Posts: 390	12 ga point blank with #4 shot works pretty good.

12-17-2007, 12:35 AM	#6
Shootester Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 218	I've been doing some research guys, and I read that the pelt has little to no value. Can I still make SOME money off the pelt? Does it have any meat?

12-17-2007, 04:14 AM	#7
webs Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 275 Images: 3	I am not sure you could find a fur buyer who would take them.Never heard of anyone selling their hides around here.They can be ate but they are not my favorites.I would rather have a squirrel or rabbit.The young ones of the year are the best and they are about the right size in July.

12-17-2007, 07:01 AM	#8
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,237	While nothing is absolutely useless on earth and I give as many as I can to the Amish to eat the groundhog comes close.They rank right up there with prairie dogs,gophers,mosquitos black flies,politicians,liberal hollywood actors,peta,and people that could be good citizens but keep voting gun grabbers back into office.I believe all of the above should be delt with severly. sam.

12-17-2007, 12:57 PM	#9
Shootester Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 218	Since the pelt can't be used. What kind of meat can I get from them? Steaks or what?

12-17-2007, 07:32 PM	#10
webs Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 275 Images: 3	Cut up into 6 pieces and fry, bbq or stew.

12-17-2007, 11:11 PM	#11
Shootester Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 218	Kk thx

12-21-2007, 09:03 AM	#12
Poset Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 12	Samuel- Sounds like you are not too far away... I'm in South Central PA... lots of Mennonite farms, not many Amish. GH hunting is a principal warm weather sport... although my experience is slightly different than yours. We usually drive along the edge of a field, stop where there is a good view, and shoot off the truck; most shots are 150 - 350 yards, occasionally up to 600 yards (these are the good ones). Also, as you say, a GH sometimes pops up closer. Occasionally we walk/hunt, usually thru orchards, 20 - 100 yard off hand shots. We don't do camo or anything really sneaky. Our theory is the hogs don't scare easily at a distance, unless they've been poorly hunted (lots of shots and misses) by other hunters, of course. Also, we're not picky... we shoot any we see. When we're done for the day, we drop the dead into their holes so they don't get caught up in farm equipment. Like you, I know of no use for them, except to decimate agriculture and entertain gun guys. Goal is 100 per year, and the regulars make it about early August - although ity takes a lot of time in the field to get that many.

12-21-2007, 09:17 AM	#13
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,237	When the baby,s first come out and are about pd size is when it is most fun,but ir is fun anytime and you are helping the farmer.It may lead to deer hunting permission. sam.

12-30-2007, 05:13 PM	#14
chainmailleman Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Evanston, Wyoming Posts: 24	I used to, but the areas have all been hunted out. My town I live in has doubled in size in the past decade. I have to go up towards the bighorns to get them. Now Jackrabbit hunting has evolved to a sport where my friends and I almost have points based on distance, destruction, class, shots taken, and creativity (i.e. I took a softpoint and a jewlers saw. I cross cut about 1/4" down the bullet, 7.62x54R, and it works nicely for a close range)