First Groundhog Sighting (Shooting!) - Wanna See???

[superd222]

I was out on Saturday visiting some farmer/landowner friends just to keep-up relationships.

Didn't really plan to shoot anything but I brought a rifle...just in case...

This one came out at the wrong time!!! Since I had a rifle with me (which needed to be de-flowered), I couldn't avoid the temptation!

He was at 188yds which was easy for the 22-250. I had never used a 22-250 before. I had sighted it in at 50yds and put the cross-hairs right behind his shoulder. It was bang-on at 188. Terminal performance seems to be, well, terminal - and fast acting It's an awesome cartridge!

Since there's not millions of them running around in Ontario (like gophers in the West!) I'm leaving them alone for a while now. In a couple of months when there's a fresh 'crop' up, it's going to get noisy out there!!!

Here are a few pics:

This is on the porch, right outside his door!

I moved him onto some snow for better contrast. He was pretty big but light weight after a winter of sleep and nothing to eat!

Look at the size of his teeth! I guess they grow even when he's asleep and not using them! They wear down pretty quick once he starts chomping!

 

[AKD]

nice shot ! I have a 22-250 for coyote hunting and agree, very good round.

 

[1duckslayer]

Almost had one today, only his head sticking up, down he went just as I was shouldering the 22mag!!! Did a very sick fox a favor shortly after though. I have seen about 10 hogs already this year but not with a gun in my hands. I used to use my 22 250 all the time but opt for the mag now as it is quiet and the 33gr rem vmax is deadly on them at least out to 150yds
Slayer

 

[Klunk]

Ha!!!...that will show YOU for giving us six more weeks of winter

 

[AKD]

lol

 

[gallen270]

great shooting! i only with they were a bit more abundant in NB

 

[superd222]

Ha!!!...that will show YOU for giving us six more weeks of winter

That's EXACTLY what I thought!!!!!

 

[slicknick]

That thing's got tusks!

 

[Onagoth]

Are groundhogs open year round in these parts?

 

[bunny]

Yum Yum, ground hog stew

 

[H Wally]

Odd question - but are ground hogs basically marmots that aren't living in the mountains? I've got a marmot skin from my dad, and it looks identical.

Always liked their fur. Look like they'd be tasty too, after some time munching on tubers and grass.

 

[savage112]

Are groundhogs open year round in these parts?

There is no closed season on woodchucks, but you would be hard pressed to find any between October and March.

 

[DVXDUDE]

I seen one today as well. I almost made them extinct last summer at my few honey holes. I may leave them this year and find a new spot.


but I already got that groundhog itch!!!!!!

 

[Ishodu]

I got my first yesterday, was so nice out I just needed to get out and see if I could see any. Smacked one in the head at 147 yards with my .223. Only seen the one but most of the holes in the area had a bit of activity around them.

 

[proonur]

What those guys lack in numbers they make up for in size compared to gophers!
I grew up near Ottawa and there were lots of them around. I couldn't take my dog for a run in the fields without him killing at least one or two... didn't even need a rifle with him around.
Nice hog harvest, hope you get lots more.