Groundhog Kickoff 3/29

Well, finally some nice weather here in Pennsylvania! Got up early and headed to my favorite gun-shop, Boyer’s Hardware in Slatington, PA. My friend Allen always has a large variety of new and used guns to choose from, with price tags you wouldn’t believe. Today’s mission was to see what guns came in within the last 48 hours, one just never knows!

Upon arriving, it was noted that over 100 used guns had joined the ranks of the others standing ready, just calling out, to be taken home. Spent a good 1 ½ hours scanning over all the goodies, before a decision was made, I would go back home grab several guns, get back to the shop, and make some deals.

What caught my eye first, was a Mossberg 20 ga Bantam in camo finish, with fiber optic sights and a special turkey choke tube. This configuration looked very interesting to me, for my style of Turkey Hunting. In less than 10 minutes, sold a 20ga double, 38 special revolver, 22lr/22mag Ruger combo and a 1907 Savage 32 auto. As I turned to leave the shop, with the new shotgun, a quick glance at the 22 rack, there I notice a sweet little 22 pump made by Rossi. It happened to bite me, so along it went with me.

Ok, once back in my truck, it dawned on me that I had a sandwich bag filled with 22 hollow points. Had an idea, since, the sun was warming up the fields, maybe the groundhogs would start digging out their dens. If so, I would walk along the edges making mental notes of where the den sites were located. Had to drive a good 35 minutes South from the shop, to a series of gamelands, I know. In transit, images of groundhogs filled my head, with hopes of hunting these ground pigs in weeks to come. At the gameland’s parking area, I filled the Rossi 22 with Federal 36-grain hollow points and off I went. Must have walked over 2 miles, counted at least 12 fresh dens being cleaned out along the cornfields. Nothing along the hay fields! It was about 3:35pm when I decided to change direction, heading west now, I walked along some scrub brush, that separated the corn stubble and some sort of green crop popping through the dry dirt. Only walked about 5 minutes, when a brown spot stuck out like a sore thumb in the green grass. Not having anywhere to take up a rest, the Rossi came up as if by magic, my eye focused quickly as I determined if a shot should be taken. The first shot hit the right hip, a second shot was adjusted, with a terminal head shot at over 50 yards, off hand.

What a great way to kick off the season,a new gun, new day and a fresh spring into action
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It's beautiful when a plan comes together like that. Nice work:D

I wish we still had them like we used to. The coyotes have all but wiped them out here(east central KY). I have seen one so far this spring, but didn't have a shootin iron with me. I cussed them for years for digging in my hay fields, but now that I don't have that problem I miss the varmints.

Enjoy your new rifle.

Hang in there, last year was poor in my portion of PA, only took five or six, not many were around, but it sure does look promising for this season. Try stillhunting along the edges of fields, this time of year mostly males will be out away from their dens. Found that males will be generally on opposite sides, not close to where the females have their brooding dens. Look for small insects flying around the opening of the holes, this will indicate an active den, look for fresh dirt in front of the hole, also!

Most days they seem to be active anywhere from 9:00am depending on weather and again later in the day from about 3:00pm on, so be patient and good luck to all who hunt the little ground bears. Oh, you can also try whistling for them in the afternoon.

This area is littered with what we refer to as Gophers. I went out on the day before Easter and easily shot 60 with an assortment of weaponry. I had just purchased a Win 22 mag lever action from a friend. I absolutely love that gun. I also warmed up the Ruger 10/22, the Bushmaster AR-15 in .223, the Savage .17HMR and the Marlin 450m. I really love this time of the year for the sheer volume of shooting a guy gets to do at live game. The shooting really tapers off the middle of May and June due to the grass getting too high to see the buggers, and then the heat comes and they stay underground most of the day.

BigSky

Hey BigSky, that's one nice Mulley you took, wish I live out there, good hunting I would imagine and lot of room to be alone.

magshooter,
Yes, lots of open space out here. The hunting is excellent for deer, antelope, elk, varmints & rodents. I definitely love it in Mt. After all, it is the last best place!

Hang in there, last year was poor in my portion of PA, only took five or six, not many were around, but it sure does look promising for this season. Try stillhunting along the edges of fields, this time of year mostly males will be out away from their dens. Found that males will be generally on opposite sides, not close to where the females have their brooding dens. Look for small insects flying around the opening of the holes, this will indicate an active den, look for fresh dirt in front of the hole, also!

Most days they seem to be active anywhere from 9:00am depending on weather and again later in the day from about 3:00pm on, so be patient and good luck to all who hunt the little ground bears. Oh, you can also try whistling for them in the afternoon.Have you eaten woodchucks? BTW they're in the squirrel family so they should be tasty!

You guys just keep rubbing it in. We can't even shoot the fat grass rats. I brought this topic up to my hunting buddy a few years ago and we looked it up and they protected here in WI. The only thing we can shoot in spring are turkeys if you apply for a permit. Good shooting to all of you:cool:

I think the same thing. They eat grass and plants. They have to be some tasty little beasties. Potato's, carrots, and woodchuck in the slow cooker has got to be good.Have you eaten woodchucks? BTW they're in the squirrel family so they should be tasty!