Chippers 43, 44, and 45 and a woodchuck!

[stonykill]

  Today I was working off of the homestead. City people my wife and I work for. I am going to replace a fence and there were a bunch of sumac tree's, weeds and a general mess to deal with. So I was running a chainsaw ( sumac trees were as large as 9 inches in diameter) and using my Gravely C12 with the brush hog attachment to chop the smaller sumacs and all of the branches into nothingness.
   When I got to the property I promptly took 3 chippers ( I have permission) that were destroying the beautiful gardens my wife tends to. All at 12 to 20 yards.

   

   I promptly got my butt to work sawing, grinding etc and generally clearing the area. I had just shut off the Gravely and needed a drink. I start to walk towards my truck and something catches my eye. I woodchuck in the middle of the driveway. I pretend I don't see it and casually walk toward my truck. I reach through the open window and grab the Big Cat .22 and a Crosman pointed hunting pellet from my back pocket. While loading the gun the woodchuck hightails it into the tall grass in the ditch. I figure it was gone. Nope, it was sticking it's head out of the tall grass and checking me out. I figured it was about 25 yards away. Turns out it was 26  .
   I lean my right arm on my truck bed, lay the Big Cat .22 on my hand, aim , squeeze and it rolls over. I can see it in a lump there. No death dance, nothing. I reload and slowly walk the 26 yards over. It isn't moving at all but still breathing so I popped it in the brain again. Again no death dance, but now at least I'm sure it is dead before I pick it up. 
   Going to be good eating 

   

   One less woodchuck on that property. They have quite a problem with them over there. 

[HatsanPhantom]

LOL@pretending to not see it..been there haha

Good shooting Tom!..I was waiting 

[dk1677]

Nice shooting Tom!

[BenjiHunter]

Great hunt!!

[DavidS]

Good hunt as usual.

You keep having good days like that and I may have to post the first kill that I get with my new to me Daisy 22X after I get done modifying it and get accustomed to shooting it .

Keep up the good shooting .

[cryptoad]

Well done, Tom!  Good shooting!

[stonykill]

 thanks guys! Post away David! Look forward to your hunts

[yak]

Good shootin'.

[Airgun.Sniper]

 Nice shooting StonyKill...glad to see you ready to take a follow up shot

[stonykill]

Nice shooting StonyKill...glad to see you ready to take a follow up shot

 thanks Jay. Always ready for the followup. Yup, one shot and dead is the rule, but you need to be ready, just in case.

[stonykill]

 when preparing this woodchuck into freezer portions I found why it did not death dance of even move other than to roll over. Due to the slight angle of the shot the Crosman pointed hunting pellet was lodged in the base of the spine/neck. Caught some brain, then into the spine.

   Guess this is why I like to hunt with .22's. The FPE holds out pretty good at distance 

[pebkac]

Can't wait to get my AG, lots of chippers to perforate at my house. I have 3 walnut trees that I need to protect

[AK73]

Nice shooting! And good grief; that's a big ol Groundhog! It ought to make some good eating!

[stonykill]

Can't wait to get my AG, lots of chippers to perforate at my house. I have 3 walnut trees that I need to protect

   Hickory tree's, Berry's and the gardens draw them in here. We have a simple rule here with the chippers. We own 30 acres and mow 3. They have 27 acres to do as they please unharmed 

[stonykill]

Nice shooting! And good grief; that's a big ol Groundhog! It ought to make some good eating!

 thanks Amos! For some reason that is my favorite shot of the year so far!

   She was a big one! Currently resting in the freezer awaiting cooking. I seriously am considering making her woodchuck chili