Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
Select Gate
READ GTA FORUM RULES BEFORE POSTING
GTA Forum Help Desk
GTA Announcement Gate
Dealer Area
GRIP
AirgunWeb Airgun Videos
Airgun Repository of Knowledge
Vendors and Vendor Videos
AirGun Expo 2021
Airgun Expo 2022
Contests and Giveaways!!!
Welcome New Members
In Memoriam
GTA Contributing Members
Shot Show Videos
Hajimoto Productions
Airgun Detectives
Air Gun Gate
BB Guns and Such
"Bob and Lloyds Workshop"
American/U.S. Air Gun Gates
European/Asian Air Gun Gates
PCP/CO2/HPA Air Gun Gates "The Darkside"
Air Archery
Vintage Air Gun Gate
Air Guns And Related Accessories Review Gates
Hunting Gate
Machine Shop Talk & AG Parts Machining
3D printing and files
Buyer's, Seller's & Trader's Comments
Bargain Gate
Back Room
Target Shooting Discussion Gate
Target Match Rules
Shooting Match Gates
Field Target Gates
The Long Range Club
100 Yard Match
Discussions By States
Welcome,
Guest
. Please
login
or
register
.
Did you miss your
activation email
?
1 Hour
1 Day
1 Week
1 Month
Forever
Login with username, password and session length
Home
About
Help
Old GTA
Gallery
Search
Stats
Login
Register
Advertise Here
GTA
»
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General
»
Hunting Gate
(Moderators:
dk1677
,
only1harry
) »
Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
« previous
next »
Print
Pages: [
1
]
Go Down
Share This!
Author
Topic: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs (Read 864 times))
Mole2017
Squirrel Researcher
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 2351
Real Name: David
Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
on:
February 07, 2019, 11:29:49 PM »
After seeing the woodchucks out before February even started, I’ve been trying to get a few at my friend’s place. He’s got a piece of property that he purchased to dump tree scraps that also happens to be hog heaven. Groundhog, that is.
My first couple of hunts this year have been short mid-afternoon visits that spotted three individuals, but yielded no opportunities. A hunt on Groundhog Day got scrapped at the last minute, so looking at the weather I figured today would be a good opportunity and took the time off from work.
I had a plan this time. I figured the one or two groundhogs that I knew about on the south side of his lot might be out when I get there, but would spook at the sight of me. But…they apparently don’t spook for vehicles: John sees them all the time while dumping loads and driving his skid-steer around the place. Sooo, what if they don’t see me walking around? If I can pull up in my car and climb out on the opposite side of them, using the car for cover, maybe they won’t be onto me like they would if I was out in the open…
It was worth a try on the first groundhog at least. John also had information this week: there was one ‘chuck that liked to sit on the hill overlooking “operations” that I should be able to see as I drove in. Sure enough, I pull in, slow and scan the hillside and there he is! I pull up some more, turn and stop the car with the woodchuck in view out the passenger side window. He (as it turned out) happens to then turn himself around and waddle into his burrow! Fortunately, he soon sticks himself out again.
I roll out of the driver’s door, grab my stuff from the back seat and move to the rear of the car for the moment of truth…I stand so I can shoot over the back of my Subaru wagon, rangefinder in hand to get the range first, and the woodchuck stays put! He’s on the alert, but not spooked yet at seeing my head and shoulders. 47 yards. Doable—I’ve been practicing on the visits up here lately and this will take about ½ mildot holdover at 9x. Except that my heart is pounding so hard, lol.
I stand there staring at the woodchuck for several minutes, trying to calm down. He shifts several times, and finally presents the best side shot of his head I’ve seen yet. I figure I’m as ready as I’ll get and let fly with the BSA R10 using JSB 8.44 grain domes. I think the R10 is launching these around 950 or 970 FPS.
It’s a fine smack on the head and he face plants on the spot. I quickly send two more pellets, just to make sure. Both are good hits that jerk his head. The woodchuck doesn’t budge. He’s a smallish one, but not bad for being on site less 10 minutes. Sorry for the picture quality—I had forgotten my camera and had to use my old AT&T phone (not a smart phone!).
After that, I spent the next four hours walking the place for others and would make attempts on the lives of four other woodchucks. To tell the truth I wasn’t too concerned about recovering bodies. These burrows are such that you are likely to never to see them again if they slip backwards down a hole—the entries are steep and long. But they aren’t going to come out in the open right off either. I only got this first one because he had come out enough to raise his head to better see what is going on and had face planted so nicely.
The hiking included going down and back on the middle ridge, up the hill and down the northern ridge and into the woods. In the woods is a smaller gully (30 feet deep?) that connects to the other two gullies at the west end of the lot. In this gully are more burrows. I was pleased to see fresh dirt on many burrows this morning and made a note to come back later today to one in particular I saw in the woods. I was also pleased that it had been damp overnight--the dead kudzu and grass underfoot wasn't noisy to walk on.
Back out on the middle ridge for a second pass, I happened to look north and saw my second “contact” for the day. This one was just coming to the top of his burrow on the very steep side of the north ridge. It is 60 yards from the edge of middle ridge and I didn’t want to risk it. So, I hiked all the way back around to the north ridge to come at this one from directly above: the brow of the ridge is such I can stand 10 yards above him, almost looking straight down. You’d think this would be a piece of cake shot, but I wonder if I didn’t shoot his nose instead of drilling the top of his head. 10 yards is about 2 mildot hold over and being so close it seemed impossible that I’d have to compensate for the angle (about 75 degrees downhill), yet a practice shot afterward indicated I may have done just that. He recoiled and went down his burrow.
While stalking this one, I managed to spook another on the opposite of the big gully that darted into the brush pile under the brow of the middle ridge. I made a mental note to try to get him later too. Back on the middle ridge, I spotted one on the other side of the brook at its westernmost end, i.e. the low end of the ridge. It was about 45 yards, but I wanted to be closer and proceeded to “stalk” by moving off the ridge slightly, like I was busy with something in the other direction while in fact skirting the brow of that smaller gully headed for this guy. At about 30 yards, I sat down and readied a shot. Chuckie was presenting the side of his head just like the first one and took it with a fine smack…and slid down his burrow, presumably a goner. I checked this burrow (and number two, which was a tricky hike on that slope)—these guys went way down their holes, out of sight! If it levels out down there, I have no idea where.
A trip back along the wooded gully spotted number three. Looked like a fine one parked at the end of his burrow, but again not very far out of his burrow. This one let me get within 25 or 30 yards (I forget the number now), took his pellet with a lovely smack, spinning his head, and slid out of sight as well. (I checked this burrow too—just as steep and deep as the others!)
Coming back out, I decided I should have a sit to wait out that one I had spooked into the brush on the middle ridge. From the north ridge, I skirted the side of the hill on this property which actually separates the upper ends of these two ridges and overlooks the big gully. Coming around onto its southwest face, I took a seat…right on top of an ant nest! Swatting off the ants and taking another seat a few yards back, I waited. Actually, it wasn’t maybe 15 minutes before I detected movement. My quarry was already out, almost above the brush about 35 yards across the gully from me. Unfortunately, he saw me shifting the gun to ready a shot and sprinted away over the middle ridge, dirt flying, heading south!
I never did see him again. While search that middle ridge and the small gully on its south side looking for him, I spotted the last one for the day, just coming up from his burrow. He was at the far south end of the open area across these ridges and gullies. 65 yards—too far. But I figured I might be able to loop around behind this one too and did just that. This southern area is not steep at all, so when I got behind him, it was a ten yard shot and I applied the hold over (correctly, as a test shot afterward confirmed). I didn’t have the benefit of a great view with vines and trees ready to block the line of sight, so I drilled him in the back of the head as best as I could figure. He took it pretty hard, but like the others, recoiled down his burrow, which was also impossibly steep inside—how do these guys climb out of these?
So, it was a nice outing, turning up six woodchucks (or seven if that one that ran away wasn’t who I thought it was). In fact, only one of these was one I had seen prior to this visit. It will be a little while yet before I get back. The grass is starting to grow in places and the woodchucks will be hungry. The kudzu won’t start growing again for a while yet.
Logged
Pendleton, SC
Gamo CFX .177 and .22, old style triggers
BSA R10 MK2 .177
Crosman 1377
starlingassassin
im not NOT licking toads :)
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 2565
Real Name: chris
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #1 on:
February 08, 2019, 12:23:32 AM »
right on!!! good shot!!!
oh man i cant wait till the chucks start coming out here!!!
Logged
monessen ,PA
FX Impact M3 compact .25
diana chaser .177
ranchibi
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 9385
yes
Real Name: Randall
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #2 on:
February 08, 2019, 01:20:07 AM »
David, excellent hunting excursion and shooting on those ghogs! Very well written too
.
Logged
U.S. CA
JSAR Raptor .22 TJ slug barrel Discovery HD 5-20X50 SFIR FFP
RAW HM1000x LRT Chassis .22 Athlon Ares BTR 2.5-15x50 FFP MOA APLR3 Gen2
Beeman P17
PRod Discovery HD 4-20x50 FFP SFIR
dk1677
Squirrel !
Moderator
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 47917
"Disco Dave"
Real Name: Dave
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #3 on:
February 08, 2019, 06:31:41 AM »
Nice shooting David!
Logged
NY
22 Disco, Hammerli 850 22, Beeman RS3 22 ,Gamo viper express,Crosman 180 22 . One of many Dave's
Forum Rules-
http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=919.msg6662#msg6662
gendoc
Lowest Bama AirgunHunter
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 3181
bullfrogs with airguns....... fine eat'n !!
Real Name: john
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #4 on:
February 08, 2019, 07:44:27 AM »
great story and shooting !!!
Logged
swamp groceries rule !!
Hatsan Piledriver .457 720FPE
Ben-Rod .357 147FPE
AGT-DW Uragan-1 .30 105FPE
Huben K1 .25 88FPE
AGT Vulcan 3 700mm .25 >90FPE
AF Talon-p carbine .25 66FPE
FX Crown mk2 600mm .22 55FPE
FX Crown mk2 compact .22 48FPE
HW100 .177 20FPE
Hatsan Flashpup syn/sl .177 22FPE
Diana 48/52 .177 20FPE
Shoebox F10.....perfect !!
Shoebox F8 updated & standing by
GX-CS4
GX-E-CS2
Vevor / YH clone...it works !!
Vevor 12v portable
ATN X-sight 4K pro
sightmark photon XT
Tactacam 5.0/FTS
FX radar
Overthinking, overanalyzing, separates the body from the mind!
:Maynard James Keenan:
USA, Alabama, Lowest
Mole2017
Squirrel Researcher
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 2351
Real Name: David
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #5 on:
February 08, 2019, 10:19:40 AM »
Thanks everyone! I've been trying to figure out a way to help everyone get a sense of the size of this place. It really throws off your sense of scale to stand over the big gully--like going to the Grand Canyon. It is weird how it messes with your sense of range.
In the picture below, I'm standing on part of the north ridge, looking south at the middle ridge. Ranges to the near and far side of the bottom of the gully, the brow and "top" of the middle ridge, and the far southern area where I went for that last groundhog are marked. (That 45 yds might be placed a little too far back...) The hill rises well above my position off the left side of the picture. The entrance is a driveway in front of the house at the top left. You can see log piles there and brush pushed over brow of the middle ridge.
Here's an example of messing with your senses: that slope in the lower right quarter of the corner is not as gentle as it looks. Ok, even here is looks like 40 or 45 degrees, but I'm actually above it and the that distorts the perception. It is closer to 60 degrees. You feel like a mountain goat trying to pick your way down it. The side of the middle ridge that you see with all the burrows is almost as bad, especially near the top. The slope under my feet in the picture is steeper, maybe 65 or 70 degrees? Let's just say even I don't go
down
that, though I will traverse it and you can clamber up it on all fours (hands and feet) in places and feel like you are having a heart attack when you get to the top
The circled area was where I originally planned to ambush a woodchuck from the car, in which case I would have been parked at the very left edge of the picture, or thereabouts, on the middle ridge. However, the first ground hog was spotted on the south side side of the hill (out of view) and I pulled up alongside his location instead, also out of view, but not by much.
This picture was taken last May--three months away still. The place is not nearly as green now. Instead, it all looks like the dead area you see at the low end of the middle ridge. And the grassy area at the top end is all dirt from John's work to improve access.
«
Last Edit: February 08, 2019, 10:21:51 AM by Mole2017
»
Logged
Pendleton, SC
Gamo CFX .177 and .22, old style triggers
BSA R10 MK2 .177
Crosman 1377
longislandhunter
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 16546
The 3rd GTA Musketeer (per Gene Curtis)
Real Name: Jeff
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #6 on:
February 08, 2019, 10:27:04 AM »
Nice. Congrats
Jeff
Logged
Long Island, New York
If it was easy it wouldn't be hunting it would be shopping.
A.K.A. Tommy Boy
No High Quality Guns Here. All "Bottom Shelf" Air Rifles Small Game Hunter
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 9660
Rusty the Dog & Elvis the Cat Pals Forever
Real Name: Tom
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #7 on:
February 08, 2019, 05:09:17 PM »
Wow David.....that's quite a hunt and quite a story. I am glad that you got a few. Good Shooting & Hunting !
Best Wishes - Tom
Logged
The North Woods - We have 2 seasons, Winter & Mosquito/Tick season
********* My Menagerie of Bottom Shelf Air Rifles *********
.25 cal. Hatsan 125TH Magnum - Coil Spring
.25 cal. Hatsan Edge - Crosman NP Gas Spring (Now a Mini Magnum - Thank's to mikeyb)
.22 cal. Walther Talon Magnum - Coil Spring (A Hatsan 125 Magnum)
.22 cal. Gamo Magnum GR - Coil Spring
.22 cal. Crosman Summit Ranger - NP2 Gas Spring
.22 cal. Crosman Diamond Back - NP Elite Gas Spring
.22 cal. Umarex Surgemax Elite - TNT ReAxis Gas Spring
.177 cal. Hatsan Striker - Vortex Gas Spring
.177 cal. Stoeger S3000C - Coil Spring
.177 cal. Umarex NXG APX - Multi Pump
The Crosman Nitro Gas Spring conversion parts in the Hatsan Edge were a gift from
mikeyb
The 22 cal Walther Talon Magnum Rifle - A 22 cal. Hatsan Edge/ Striker Barrel - The Edge rifle stock on the Hatsan Striker - were gifts from
SteveP-52
A Picture of Some of My Rifles:
>
https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=202334.0;attach=413068;image
accu fan
Sharp Shooter
Posts: 629
yes
Real Name: Tim
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #8 on:
February 08, 2019, 10:49:20 PM »
Great hunt David. Nice shooting.
Logged
Chester, Plumas County, CA, USA
only1harry
One of the original 3 GTA Musketeers (per Gene Curtis)
Moderator
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 21645
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! (come and get them)
Real Name: Harry
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #9 on:
February 09, 2019, 02:29:37 AM »
1st 2019 G-hog on the GTA! Nice job. I am pretty sure this is the first (confirmed) February G-hog kill we 've ever had.
Too bad you couldn't recover the others or get a good brain shot on them, but it looks like you will have many more opportunities. Your friend's place sounds like my property when I first moved in. I would shoot a G-hog every other day and sometimes 2 in 1 day until I almost wiped them out entirely. Besides the 20+ burrows on my property I had 1 wooded acre bordering the back of my property that had G-hogs stepping on each other and fighting for realestate. They were literally coming out of the woodwork
I said "had" 1 acre of woods behind my house because they cut most of the trees down and build 2 houses 11 years ago. Most of those G-hogs that got displaced came to my property and some went to the neighbors', so I got busy shooting them again - about 30/year for a couple of years after that, until I got their numbers under control again.
Harry
Harry
Logged
Hudson Valley, NY
Pro-tuned guns:
AF Condor .25 #1, Condor .25 #2
Condor .22, Marauder .25, Disco .22 camo
RWS Diana 350 .22, RWS Diana 48 .22,
RWS 34K .20 Premium #17 of 30 custom built by Diana
RWS Diana 36 .177 (Gene & Bob tuned)
Factory stock & home tuned:
Benji Akela .22 bullpup
Gauntlet .22, Disco .22 #2,
Fortitude .22, Prod .22
RWS 350 .177, RWS 5G .177
Hammerli 850 .22, Crosman 2240KT
Remington NPSS .22, Umarex M&P 45
Crosman 66, Crosman 760, Beeman P17
Crosman Air17, Crosman 38T
Several other Umarex & Crosman CO2 pistols
walks on his dog
Shooter
Posts: 12
yes
Real Name: Jon Schaff
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #10 on:
February 09, 2019, 11:06:59 AM »
Thanks for the G-hog hunting report. Looks like a great place to hunt, lots of opportunity for shooting. I have at least one G-hog under my barn, and I would like to remove him for the place. However I never get a look at him, I see the were his is coming and going but never get a look. Maybe this spring there will be a shot at him.
Thank again.
In His service
walks on his dog
Logged
USA, MO, Ava
only1harry
One of the original 3 GTA Musketeers (per Gene Curtis)
Moderator
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 21645
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! (come and get them)
Real Name: Harry
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #11 on:
February 09, 2019, 02:23:43 PM »
Jon, to get a G-hog on your property or that lives under your shed/barn takes patience. You have to watch the structure frequently to determine the exact spot he goes under, BUT also the times he prefers to come out, which is twice a day. Usually in the morning, and late afternoon or early evening. When you have more than 1 G-hog on your property they coordinate the times they come out so they don't run into each other. So for ex. 1 will come out at 7am and 2pm, and the other at 9am and 4pm.
Once you know their entry/exit point under the structure, you have to devise a plan on how to shoot them. Select a good spot (a window is best if possible) and set up with your rifle and wait for them before they come out. What they do first is pop their head out or come out partially from under the barn for a few minutes - sometimes laying on the ground, before coming out to make sure there is no danger. During this 5 or 10 min. they also get used to the light and their surroundings because they live in the dark 90% of their lives, and also why they have average to poor eyesight. They pick up movement and sounds extremely well though, so you have to remain motionless or stay concealed. You could be 10 yards from them, and they will walk pretty close to you or by you a few feet off if you don't move, before they realize you are a human - IF you don't move. This has happened to me. I was walking in my backyard when a G-hog popped his head from his burrow 5-6 yards from me. I instinctively froze because I have been hunting them for decades. 5 min. later after looking my direction and all around he starts walking towards directly towards me. He got within 5 feet and stopped and looked at me. I had no airgun so I said boo! and scared him
He turned around and ran back to his burrow naturally, but it goes to show you how they don't register danger most of the time unless there is movement. They will flee or go back under at any sign of movement, so you could be pointing a gun at them from 20 yards, and if you don't move they will not perceive you as a threat. So setting up and getting the crosshairs on the spot they come out before they do, is very important, because that is one of the very few times they stay perfectly still giving you the opportunity to make a good head/brain shot. You can also leave a window or door partially opened 15-20 min. before you think they 'll come out. They cannot see you through a partially opened door 20+ yards out, especially if you are further back from the door or window. If you or your gun is hanging out a window, they can spot that movement, but I have done it when they look away.
Good luck!
Harry
Logged
Hudson Valley, NY
Pro-tuned guns:
AF Condor .25 #1, Condor .25 #2
Condor .22, Marauder .25, Disco .22 camo
RWS Diana 350 .22, RWS Diana 48 .22,
RWS 34K .20 Premium #17 of 30 custom built by Diana
RWS Diana 36 .177 (Gene & Bob tuned)
Factory stock & home tuned:
Benji Akela .22 bullpup
Gauntlet .22, Disco .22 #2,
Fortitude .22, Prod .22
RWS 350 .177, RWS 5G .177
Hammerli 850 .22, Crosman 2240KT
Remington NPSS .22, Umarex M&P 45
Crosman 66, Crosman 760, Beeman P17
Crosman Air17, Crosman 38T
Several other Umarex & Crosman CO2 pistols
Mole2017
Squirrel Researcher
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 2351
Real Name: David
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #12 on:
February 09, 2019, 04:33:43 PM »
Thanks for the tips, Harry!
Do you think they might go for "bait" too? I read they love cantaloupe. I've thought more than once it would interesting to lay a pile of cut up cantaloupe where I'd like a woodchuck to park for a moment...
Logged
Pendleton, SC
Gamo CFX .177 and .22, old style triggers
BSA R10 MK2 .177
Crosman 1377
walks on his dog
Shooter
Posts: 12
yes
Real Name: Jon Schaff
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #13 on:
February 11, 2019, 11:11:48 AM »
Harry thanks so much for your description of how to hunt my G-hog. I know where he is coming out of the barn, however it is on the far side of the barn so I will be making a blind that I can get to early. I guess I will also put a trail cam out by his exit hole so I can get the timing right. My G-hog also has exit holes In the barn.
Any thoughts on shot placement. I will be using my RWS 54 in 22 cal. This rifle is a one that will put five shots in the same hole at 30yd, if I do my job.
Thanks again for your help.
In His service
walks on his dog
Logged
USA, MO, Ava
only1harry
One of the original 3 GTA Musketeers (per Gene Curtis)
Moderator
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 21645
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! (come and get them)
Real Name: Harry
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #14 on:
February 12, 2019, 09:26:12 PM »
David, groundhogs will eat most greens. You can put down lettuce, corn, berries, grain/feed, including alphalpha, carrots, and many types of fruits including apples, etc. I am pretty sure they would eat melon like cantaloupe too, but you have to consider other animals eating the same too, possibly before the G-hogs get to it.
Jon, you have to hit the brain or your chances of killing or recovering the G-hog are very slim. The preferred shot is between eye and ear in the upper half of the skull, or as high as you can shoot without going to high and grazing the skull. The other is "between the eyes" but this is a tough shot unless you are in an elevated position, and the G-hog is resting with their head on the ground which they do from time to time when they partially stick their body out of the burrow or shed/barn.
If one is moving towards you feeding with its head on the ground, do not take the shot. Their head moves very fast from left to right and could miss the center of the skull or the brain. Always wait for them to stop and look around. That's when they completely freeze for a few (or just a couple of) seconds, and that is your window to take the shot. I prefer to shoot them when they are in the process of coming out from under my shed. That is when they are perfectly still for much longer than when they are out grazing. When they are feeding they make short stops of 2 to 4 seconds to check for danger and if you take the shot at the end of that small window the G-hog will have its head down while the pellet passes over it or hit another part of the body. But after you have taken a couple of them you should get good at shooting them out in the open and before they put their head back down and start moving again.
A blind is a great idea. You can get closer this way, and you can shoot him before he completely comes out from under the barn. That is when they can be still for a minute or more at a time, giving you plenty of time to take a good brain shot. Just make sure you hold over or under if you don't place the blind at 30 yards where I am guessing your 54 is zero'd for. I have shot more than a couple of hundred G-hogs with only their head or 1/3rd of their body sticking out from under my shed, and have always recovered them. Once you hit the brain, they just drop and their brain at that point doesn't work, so there is no danger of them attempting to go back under. You will find them where you took the shot, or a foot or 2 away as they tend to kick forward on pellet impact (muscles/nerves..) and dislodging themselves completely from the burrow or barn entrance in the process. If you see a G-hog crawling, or trying to turn around to go back to safety, you need take another shot quickly. It means the brain was not taken out and the G-hog is making decisions and a getaway. You do not want a dead G-hog under your barn. It will smell for weeks. You know the G-hog is dead when its tail goes straight up at 90 deg. and then slowly comes down. If you don't see this through your scope after 5-10 seconds, load another pellet and look for any signs of breathing - its chest or stomach going up/down. I had 1 G-hog that never displayed the tail sign, but was passed out after getting hit with lots of FPE. I picked him up thinking he was dead, and then I felt some vibration and movement in my hand while walking away with him. I realized it came to and dropped him. Immediately the G-hog started growling (yes they growl - pretty loudly too!). Luckily he was incapacitated or mostly paralyzed, and couldn't bite me, move or get away. The shot was a little too low, closer or almost under the ear, and not high enough or half-way between ear & eye. So his brain was not affected, but the .25 pellet made a mess inside him and probably hit part of his spine at the base of the skull paralyzing him and he also bled out slowly, but I ended it with a 2nd shot so he wouldn't suffer more.
Anyway I also suggest you look up the anatomy of a G-hog's head/skull online, so you know where to place the crosshairs. I have taken about 15 of them with my 14fpe Diana 36 .177, so your 54 .22 has plenty of power for the job as long as you make a good brain shot.
Don't forget to post the story and pics here!
Harry
Logged
Hudson Valley, NY
Pro-tuned guns:
AF Condor .25 #1, Condor .25 #2
Condor .22, Marauder .25, Disco .22 camo
RWS Diana 350 .22, RWS Diana 48 .22,
RWS 34K .20 Premium #17 of 30 custom built by Diana
RWS Diana 36 .177 (Gene & Bob tuned)
Factory stock & home tuned:
Benji Akela .22 bullpup
Gauntlet .22, Disco .22 #2,
Fortitude .22, Prod .22
RWS 350 .177, RWS 5G .177
Hammerli 850 .22, Crosman 2240KT
Remington NPSS .22, Umarex M&P 45
Crosman 66, Crosman 760, Beeman P17
Crosman Air17, Crosman 38T
Several other Umarex & Crosman CO2 pistols
walks on his dog
Shooter
Posts: 12
yes
Real Name: Jon Schaff
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #15 on:
February 15, 2019, 06:56:00 PM »
Harry, thanks for the detailed info. This will help very much. I have been looking for the right spot to set up a blind. I think I have decided to place it on the north to prevent shadows falling on his exit hole. I am also going to put the trail cam on the side near his exit hole. I will let you know how this set up works. Thanks again.
In His service
walks on his dog
Logged
USA, MO, Ava
only1harry
One of the original 3 GTA Musketeers (per Gene Curtis)
Moderator
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 21645
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! (come and get them)
Real Name: Harry
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #16 on:
February 16, 2019, 01:29:32 PM »
We are patiently waiting for your post with pics of your problem taken care of
Oh btw, where there is 1 G-hog there's plenty more, and after you kill this one, another one will move in. They have been moving in under my shed for 2-3 decades, hundreds of them, so it sounds like you will have a steady supply of G-hogs to shoot, just like me. It gets addictive too and you look forward to finding another one on your lawn or coming out of your shed or barn
You need to shoot them quickly because sometimes they get bored and start digging other burrows on your property. They can't just have 1 burrow and need at least 2 to escape to when they feel they are in danger.
Harry
Logged
Hudson Valley, NY
Pro-tuned guns:
AF Condor .25 #1, Condor .25 #2
Condor .22, Marauder .25, Disco .22 camo
RWS Diana 350 .22, RWS Diana 48 .22,
RWS 34K .20 Premium #17 of 30 custom built by Diana
RWS Diana 36 .177 (Gene & Bob tuned)
Factory stock & home tuned:
Benji Akela .22 bullpup
Gauntlet .22, Disco .22 #2,
Fortitude .22, Prod .22
RWS 350 .177, RWS 5G .177
Hammerli 850 .22, Crosman 2240KT
Remington NPSS .22, Umarex M&P 45
Crosman 66, Crosman 760, Beeman P17
Crosman Air17, Crosman 38T
Several other Umarex & Crosman CO2 pistols
Lmgunner13
magna venandi
Sharp Shooter
Posts: 698
yes
Real Name: Phil
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #17 on:
February 19, 2019, 02:09:23 PM »
Nice shooting!
Logged
Lumberton Texas
Hatsan AT44S 10 QE .25 (soon to be regulated)
PROD .22 Rocker1 LDC, .120 TP, ART TSS
Discovery 22 Boyd's Hunter stock, BNM Multi shot Breech and Shroud, Power Adjuster, 3000psi Mod, Stainless fluted hammer and pin.
Ruger Blackhawk elite 177 tuned
Benjamin Trail NP .177
Mean life expectancy for a gray squirrel at birth is 1-2 years; the average life span of an adult is closer to 6 years. Records for maximum life span are 12 years in the wild and 20 years in captivity. On my property the life expectancy is 30 seconds...
Mole2017
Squirrel Researcher
GTA Senior Contributor
Posts: 2351
Real Name: David
Re: Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs
«
Reply #18 on:
February 20, 2019, 09:35:01 PM »
Thanks Phil!
Looking at my weather forecast, I might get another chance at the groundhogs next week. They're forecasting a break from the rain. I thought about going this past Monday, but I was technically home sick so I stuck around the house. I have some sort of cold or head infection. It's a strange one--some congestion and sinus pressure, some chill and fever and even body ache, and definitely fatigue.
I see Jon might get some nice weather in his area too--good luck going after that groundhog!
Logged
Pendleton, SC
Gamo CFX .177 and .22, old style triggers
BSA R10 MK2 .177
Crosman 1377
Print
Pages: [
1
]
Go Up
« previous
next »
GTA
»
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General
»
Hunting Gate
(Moderators:
dk1677
,
only1harry
) »
Post Groundhog Day Groundhogs