Annual Groundhog tally for 2011

Went out this evening on a farm near the house that wants them gone early. The fields are really getting tall. I saw two, both within 50yds. I tried to video myself shooting the both, but was unsuccessful. It's a lot harder to do by yourself than it looks. I missed the first off the shooting sticks and got the second from prone. I learned that it doesn't do any good to video tape the hunt unless you move the camera to follow the groundhogs. I got so wrapped up in the shot I forgot to follow the groundhog and shot it off scene.
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Saw seven today but was only able to get a shot on two and then only put one down. If the wind keeps up, I'm going to have to find a heavier bullet. Starting to feel like i couldn't hit a barn with a bazooka.
 
Between the rainstorms and the wind,I've somehow been able to squeeze out 8. Nothing to write home about on distance: none have been over 100 yards. Missed twice on a windy day with the brand-new LVSF Fireball, other than that all 1-shot DRT kills. Most notable was the one peeking out from a hole dug 12' up vertically in an old river bank 80 yards away: gave him "popeyes" with a 40 gr. RWS .22 Mag HP; man, do those rounds make 'em bleed! I have a new camera in the pipeline, sorry no pics...
2-.204 Cooper M21
2-.221FB M38 Cooper Phoenix
1-. " " Rem. LVSF
2-.22WMR Marlin 983 VS-CF
1-.17HMR NEF Sportster
 
Well, got another Saturday, but it wasn't pretty. It took me a couple of shots. I tried the old smoke pole on him and dazed him on the first shot, then connected on the second. It was 70yds from prone off a bipod. Luckily I was near the truck and grabbed the AR and put the coup de grace in him as the muzzleloader didn't do a great job. I was shooting 245gr. Powerbelts with 100gr. of 777 pellets. The hit was a glancing blow taking out the shoulder but missing the vitals. I'll post up a video as soon as I figure out this editing thing, LOL. I saw two more while toting the AR, both at 300yds+. but neither offered a good shot.
 
This one is from a few hours ago. I had to sneak up on it out to our grain bins. I took my dads old Colt because it was some close quarters shooting. It makes #5 for me here in south east Mich. I was only able to confirm 4 kills, even though I know the first one that managed to make it down the hole is dead. It was a high shot, but it's been a few weeks and there hasn't been any activity at that hole since.
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This one was shot last week at my uncles with the .204. It was a 75yd shot from prone. I originally only had a shot at half of it's head which I was going to take, but then she stood up for me and I let a 40gr Berger BTHP fly.
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#4 135 yards with my 22-250 36 gr Varmint Grenade
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Nice damage for a small bullet.
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#5 175 yards 22-250 again 36 Varmint Grenade
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Entrance wound but no exit.
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Okay, so as promised I am providing video of my muzzleloader groundhog kill from Saturday. First off I'd like to praise those that shoot video like my friend David Vance. I had no idea what was involved until I tried it recently. My hat's off to all those that do hunting videos out there, especially the one man crews. It's way harder than it looks. I hope to make this a trend this year instead of my standard still pictures. The shot was about 70yds., although it looks closer. The camera is about 15yds behind me. The first shot goes a little right of the chuck. You'll see my boot sole in frame as I try to reload my 28" barreled muzzleloader from the prone position. If you want a challenge, try it some time. The load doesn't drop down the barrel when you're laying down, it adds a whole different aspect to muzzleloading. I'd like to say this was a DRT shot, but it wasn't, I finished him with the AR just after filming to make it a quicker ending for chuck. Believe it or not, the first load in the rifle was a follow up quick load after shooting a hen turkey this winter. The rifle hadn't been cleaned since then.
 
Originally Posted By: wahoowadThat was good, Corey! Looked like that beast was coming back to attack you after the first shot!

Yeah, though I may have to whip him with the ramrod if he didn't quit running
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. That's why I was hunting those sabertoothed groundhogs with a 245gr. bullet
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.

On a serious note, I may try to take atleast one groundhog with every reasonable weapon in my stable this year while I wait on the 243 to be finished. It'll be interesting to see if I can do it. My kill ratios are going to be horrible, but it's more about fun for me anyway. I think the 7mm08 model 7 Remington is going to be up next. Of course the AR will be along on these trips incase I get too frustrated
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.
 
I lured him back to me with smoke and mirrors Eric, well actually just smoke this time
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. Looks like I got close the first time. He acts like he's been flash banged, LOL. This video stuff is fun and challenging. It adds another angle to the whole hunting experience when you can share it.
 
Corey,

That footage is hilarious. I'm like Wahoowad, I thought you were going to be attacked before you could reload.

That groundhog sure did stand up proud and tall for the shot.

Good footage.
 
I confess. No bonus point due on this one. You'll laugh. Maybe 35 feet. The actual difficulty was that my scope does not dial down that far, so I was shooting at a small fuzzy blob and trying to figure out the hold. I honestly had no idea what it was at first. Either due to it's diminutive size or my ever fading eye sight, I had to glass it to see what it was. Even then I thought I was only seeing the head of a normal size hog. Really surprised it didn't outright explode.
 
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