groundhogs
Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 4:45 pm
Groundhogs are a nuisance in this part of the country, with armadillos now beginning to join in also. In case you are not familiar with ground hogs, they are also called whistle pigs, and dig holes leading to burrows frequently having several entrances. We have mostly gravel, rock and red clay around here, and their claws are quite aggressive. Livestock, especially horses, stepping in the holes and breaking a leg is a frequent problem. The holes can get bad enough to nearly bounce you off a tractor at times.
Ground hog hunting is a favorite sport around here, though the coyotes have pretty much cleaned out the best spots to hunt. A friend bought the farm next to me 3 or 4 years ago, and has been cleaning it up, as well as clearing where the old house used to set and build a weekend place there. His son lives a couple hundred yards further up the road on the same farm. They have been having some ground hog problems in the draw and weeds near the cabin, but with the new cabin there coyotes will not come around that area. Not being able to do a whole lot lately I have been easing down there on my golf cart and waiting for groundhogs. Had to put a cushion on the seat the first day or two due to my hip being so sore. So far out of 4 trips down the score is 1 very probable. I put it that way because I was on target when I fired (about 100 yard) , but it was far enough out in the weeds and brush I did not feel like going to check the body. 2 definites, both in about a 40-45 yard range and out in the open where I could see them. Could even drive up to them to verify. The son has been going down and disposing of the ones close to the cabin when I call him, and he has decided he does not want to make me mad at him, after both of them having part of head missing. Being lucky works just as well as being good. There is at least one more down there that I have not gotten a shot at. It is about the biggest ground hog I have ever seen, but very wary. That one may take a while, but unfortunately the good weather for this year is about over.
Ground hog hunting is a favorite sport around here, though the coyotes have pretty much cleaned out the best spots to hunt. A friend bought the farm next to me 3 or 4 years ago, and has been cleaning it up, as well as clearing where the old house used to set and build a weekend place there. His son lives a couple hundred yards further up the road on the same farm. They have been having some ground hog problems in the draw and weeds near the cabin, but with the new cabin there coyotes will not come around that area. Not being able to do a whole lot lately I have been easing down there on my golf cart and waiting for groundhogs. Had to put a cushion on the seat the first day or two due to my hip being so sore. So far out of 4 trips down the score is 1 very probable. I put it that way because I was on target when I fired (about 100 yard) , but it was far enough out in the weeds and brush I did not feel like going to check the body. 2 definites, both in about a 40-45 yard range and out in the open where I could see them. Could even drive up to them to verify. The son has been going down and disposing of the ones close to the cabin when I call him, and he has decided he does not want to make me mad at him, after both of them having part of head missing. Being lucky works just as well as being good. There is at least one more down there that I have not gotten a shot at. It is about the biggest ground hog I have ever seen, but very wary. That one may take a while, but unfortunately the good weather for this year is about over.