Annual Groundhog tally for 2011

Good post Selemdog. Sounds like you have plenty of action left. Go get em!

What an awesome evening it was yesterday. Not as hot as it has been recently, a tad less humidity. Towards the end of the evening it started getting too dark to shoot but I just didn't want to leave. I sat there in the middle of a field listening to the sounds of summer. A lone cow mooing off in the distance, cicadas and other night bugs, a dog barking off in the distance....it made me think back to the good old days when I was kid and we didn't want to come inside after it got dark.

It helps when you've had a good evening popping a few groundhogs. This new place is still producing and last night I scored #13 there in less than a week (I've made 3 trips). I went 4 for 4 with the 2 longest being 250 and 270 yards. Last night I decided to leave the 17 Fireball at home and instead brought the Savage Predator 243. Several 'hogs were seen at less than 100 yards so I saved them for next time when I think I can set up differently for a more satisfying long shot.

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Top center in the far distance is a row of hay bales. I had to climb up on top and take my shot to clear the grass in the way.
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This one was taken at 270 yards. I had to low crawl a good distance to get a shot without risk of spooking him. As I engaged him in the scope and was trying to steady my shot I massive bead of sweat rolled down into my non-scope eye and boy did it burn! I found my shot and lobbed a 58 grain V-Max over to the hillside where he was grazing. A solid POP! echoed back and it went DRT still.
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While watching to enure the prior one didn't try to crawl off I noticed a grey head stick up from another hole, probably curious about what caused that loud noise. It was closer but only showed me his head so that is what I put the next V-Max through.
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I have had a couple of candidates applying to be #34. Missed one of them yesterday morning @ 128 yards. I have no idea how I missed that shot, but I did. It should have been a sure thing. I hate it when I do that. I watched his hole for another hour and a half but he was smart enough to stay underground.

Went back yesterday evening after taking care of the horses and dinner to see what might be moving in the evening. Second candidate didn't really want the job, appeared at 264 yards. I ended up taking 3 shots at him and missed all three. I'd shoot, he'd run 5 yards in the direction of his hole, sit up and look, I'd shoot again, and so forth. Then he ran too far up the bank so I couldn't shoot anymore. I really needed a spotter to tell me where I was hitting. At 14.5X off sticks, the rifle moves way to much to see the impact.

I really wanted to get this one, but it was a 264 yard approach through an open field between me and him. Not gonna happen.

So, deciding on a different approach, I packed up, moved out of the field keeping trees (it's really rocky here and fields have "breaks", rock ridges with trees on them) between me and where I thought he would be, got in the Jeep, drove around the farm to the main driveway, parked, took the rifle and began to stalk him. I figured he'd come back out. There was a rise between me and where I expected him to be on the other side. The plan was to walk up the rise toward where he might be, glassing full time. That is, take a few steps walking softly using the toe-heel technique, look, few more, look, ..., stop when I can just see the critter over the top of the ridge. I preset the scope to minimum power (4.5X), set the AO to 50 yards, chambered a shell, set the trigger, put on the safety.

I spotted him pretty much right where I thought he'd be. He spotted me too and while I was getting the rifle to my shoulder ran about 15 yards, slipped through the fence and stopped next to his hole in the rockpile about 2' up from the top of the grass, turned to look back (like they frequently do) which put him right where I could take a quick shot at him - I got the rifle to my shoulder and the safety off while he was running and at 4.5X was able to watch him go through the fence through the scope, so I was ready and more or less on him when he stopped. First time the cross hairs drifted across his body I touched the single set trigger and he was instantly converted into vulture food, DRT. I got out the range finder, he was ~55 yards away when I took the shot.

I'd rather have gotten him with the long shot, but I'll take the standing offhand shot and grin.

My previous best year was 31 in 2009. I'm at 34 now (I realize it isn't many compared to some, but it's good for me) and thinking I might break 40 with a little luck.

Fitch
 
Wahoo, love the picture with the old house or barn in there. That is a classic.

I was thinking that the run offs that I have had were all when they weren't standing up. I need to learn to whistle louder. Can I just yell at them to get them to stand or should I take a whistle?

selemdog
 
Originally Posted By: DogboneFitch, need pictures!

I didn't take any of the most recent vulture food contribution. It's the same young alfalfa field as in several other pictures I've posted. FWIW: young tender alfalfa seems to be a favorite ground hog food. I'm luckey it hasn't rained enough to have it grow fast. I've gotten a month or more of hunting in that field - taken 14 ground hogs there. There is another GH hunter working it as well, though not as often as I do. So it wouldn't surprise me that there were more than 20 taken there this summer between he aned I.

I'll get more pictures.

Fitch
 
Originally Posted By: selemdogWahoo, love the picture with the old house or barn in there. That is a classic.

I was thinking that the run offs that I have had were all when they weren't standing up. I need to learn to whistle louder. Can I just yell at them to get them to stand or should I take a whistle?

selemdog

Blow across the top of an empty shell casing. It makes a shrill whistle and carries a long ways.
 
Been out a time or two and just getting around to posting. Still hitting them hard at the 'new' farm as new heads keep popping up. In fact these groundhogs do not seem too bothered by gun fire

although they will run if they see me (even at 500+ yards). I've taken 17 in about a week. Last night was another good trip where I eliminated 4 more. I logged a new personal best when I took one at 330 yards. Other distances were 310, 250 and 225.

It was an evening trip and I decided to set up and watch just one particularly active field. I had discovered a great location which exposed most of the hilly terrain and afforded nice long shots. I took my foam pad so I could get comfortable and focus on scanning and shooting.


First a pic of another recent trip. I took the Browning A-Bolt 22 Hornet out for a quick trip and busted these two. Missed a third at 200 yards.
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Here was my set up. Great overwatch location. The long shots were taken when the groundhogs appeared back towards those far trees. I hung out here about 2 hours until it was too dark to shoot. It was pretty dang humid and I was sweating like a pig, especially when I was on the gun for about 10 minutes waiting for the right look at the 330 yard pig. He was in no hurry, nor was I, but the river of salty sweat pouring in my eye sure made it uncomfortable. I was glad when he showed me a clear shot at his head and I heard the bullet strike report back.
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I was shooting the Savage 243 again this evening.
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Well, I was not sure I was going to get this far this season, but Sunday was the day. Coming back in the drive, I saw yet another hog running for cover at one of my outbuilding that just keeps turning them out this year. Went in the house and grabbed the 17 HMR and thought I'd have to sneak up on him, but he was out in the open as I came around the corner. He kinda stopped, glanced at me and then went back to his clover. Quick and easy at 50 yards. The wind was beginning to pick up so I went back up to the house and grabbed the 223 and headed out to see what else was up. Pretty quickly saw one across the field at over 350 yards. Since this one would be the "dinger" for the season, I decide to get closer rather than risk missing with the wind and distance. I ended up crawling to the top of a rolling ridge and had a pretty easy shot at around 75 yards.

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Another slightly cooler evening here in Virginia so I headed out after work (OK, I would have headed out if it has been 100 again
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). I took the 17 Fireball and am glad I did! That thing is such a pleasure to carry and shoot, quieter than the booming 243 and I get to see my shots connect. I did not see as many groundhogs this evening as my past few trips but after 20 'hogs taken in just 2 weeks I guess I have begun to thin them out. That said, I have seen quite a few more or passed up shots at close ones (OK, missed a few too
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) so know this place has more to offer without worry of shooting them out. All the fencerows, treelines and woodlines have lots of holes and I've mostly shot the easy ones from out in the open fields.

Rater than walk-and-stalk (my usual method) I decided to set up from a good spot overlooking a couple nice fields with lots of holes. The first field had a 'hog waiting for me as I arrived so I had to low crawl out to a decent shooting position. The terrain is very hilly here so you have to get out to the edge of a hill so it drops away and the grass doesn't obscure your shot. So I crawl and crawl and crawl and I still think he saw me as he's gone when I finally get set and look for him again. But he reappeared soon enough so I checked the distance, dialed in 275 yards of drop and sent the tiny 20 grain Accutip his way. THWwaaaackkk! He stops moving instantly and I go back to scanning the area. After awhile I decide there are no active targets so I go find him. Turns out it was 290 yards when I shoot my rangefinder back to my firing position.

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The next shot was a groundhog I saw when repositioning to another field. I saw him but he was only 100 yards away and I just wasn't exciting about taking him at that distance. I kept on moving and checking back and he just stayed put watching me. Eventually I crested a hill and thought it would make a nice shot. I range him at 325 yards, check my range card and adjust my drop, get him steady in the crosshairs and see a clear picture of the Accutip connecting.

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This farm has a nice 400+ yard shot waiting for the right moment. It is a shot from one hillside, over a creekbottom, into a meadow next to a series of dilapidated barns. There are a bunch of groundhogs living in and around these barns and occasionally I see them grazing this meadow. Several times they have spotted me getting into position for a 450 yard shot at them so I now know to be very stealthy when moving into place for this shot. Today I see a big ol fatty 'hog out there and I start wondering if I can pull this off with the 17 Fireball. Long story short is the long hog disappeared again while I set up but I spotted another biggun at 330. I was able to drop this one, but I'm looking forward to next time so I can try to break into the 400 yard club. By now I'm about out of daylight so it was time to pack it up and head home. Another good outing with the 17 Fireball.

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For somebody that hadn't connected at 300yds+ at the beginning of the year, you're really climbing up the distance ladder. I have a feeling we'll be seeing you in the 400yd club soon enough. That Fireball is stacking up the chucks, good job
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Originally Posted By: ARCOREYFor somebody that hadn't connected at 300yds+ at the beginning of the year, you're really climbing up the distance ladder. I have a feeling we'll be seeing you in the 400yd club soon enough. That Fireball is stacking up the chucks, good job
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Yup. Simply looking further out has helped, along with intentionally approaching a field the right way to line up longer shots has helped. Also I've been using some of the shooting tips you gave me. Thanks!
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Good deal. I've just tried to passed on what others here and other places passed to me. It's the really good part of these forums. There's more combined experience around here than you can shake a dead groundhog at
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. I've learned a lot between here and the Snipers Hide.

Glad to see you after them so much, wish I had a place a little closer to the house than an hour drive. Maybe next year
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Finally got out after them again. Didn't see many, luckily all my shots counted. I saw the first at 275yds around 8:30 this morning. I dialed him up and held on his chest and let it go. He balled up then ran about 10yds and turned toward me. I put the crosshairs on his chin and let #2 go to see him bouncing around like one of those weasel ball toys. Finally I see the death flag above the grass. I walk up to him and give him a final tap on the head with the sticks and he gives me the growl. The MKII made short work of him. After flipping him over, I see my shots were low by about 2 clicks.
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I put the hog back into his hole and walked along the fence line looking into the woods and hear something walking. I look up and here is a big old bear browsing along about 75yds away. I step to the fence, get the camera out, disable my flash and try to get a picture of it. I'm estimating the bear around 250-300lbs. I catch movement out of the corner of my eye and see something I wasn't wanting or expecting, a cub on the other side of me. I stood still for a few minutes to see what they had in mind since neither knew I was there. The sow starts heading my direction and Jr. starts to follow, so I decided to spoil their fun and snap some branches and kick some brush. Luckily, momma thought it a good time to leave and gave Jr. the "woof" and took off. Here's a quick snapshot of Jr.
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I packed up and decided to hit another pasture that was starting to get a little too tall to hunt. When I top the ridge I start glassing the tree edges and catch something out of place on an old fallen barn roof. I've taken a hog off it before, so I glassed it again to see a hog with his head sticking up between the boards. I crawled to where the bullet would clear the hill in between us and put it on his neck and cut it loose. He just hung there for a little bit then slowly slinked into the crack between the boards. When I walked out on the roof, I found him there on a board below the roof line with a hole right at my POA. Shot was only 86yds, but it was a fun take.
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I managed to spot one more running about 175yds out. I didn't have time to dope him or get a good set before he disapeared. Not a bad day, but likely my last for the year. I'm getting geared up for some fall hunting and need the extra days to get ready and to finish a few projects. Not to mention I have to make this pile into 400 shootable rounds
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Originally Posted By: ARCOREYa cub on the other side of me

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Woohoo! Not a good position to be in! Glad it worked out and you got some productive time in the field!
 
#35 for the season is vulture food.

Beautiful morning. Cool (60F when I got up), zero breeze, blue sky, sunshine, the CZ practically grabbed me by the arm and dragged me to Tim's to hunt - put on some camo and my rubber boots because there was significant dew. Nothing really special in the way of a stalk - just got setup in the shade about 0800 where I've set up before, ranged on some prominant landmarks to get reoriented and refresh the memory, and started glassing the field and enjoying being there.

I'd been there about an hour when I saw a GH head pop up on the long slope up out in front of me across the valley in the same new alfalfa field where I've been hunting most of the summer. At first I was sure, but I kept the glasses on the spot and it appeared again, followed by motion in the alfalfa that indicated something was grazing there. I was sitting there wondering how to get the scope on him, it wasn't an easy place to see in the scope because the stuff all looks the same, when it occurred to me that he was in line with a branch sticking out of the break about 50 yards in front of me.

Range finder said he was 236 yards away. I took several readings, there wasn't any real hurry, if I couldn't see him, he couldn't see me.

I decided to believe the number, it kept coming back up, set the AO on the scope for a bit more than 200 yards, turned my little chair so I could rest my right elbow on the back of it wedged between me and the tube frame to give a more rigid shooting position off the sticks. When all seemed right, I kept watching the alfalfa moving and he finally put his head up again. His head was about all that showed, so I put the cross hairs on his nose because it was 12 yards more than the PBR for the rifle/cartridge, and squeezed. The rifle moved enough that I didn't see the impact, just that he didn't show when I looked at the area again through the scope. So I chambered a new round and kept looking just in case I'd missed and he was still there, and hungry. After half an hour I couldn't take it any more and walked down, across the valley, and up the other side to see if I could find a corpse.

I left my chair and sticks behind to serve as a reference point for lining up with the tree branch to make it easier to find him once I got there.

It all worked out, when I got there, after a little bit of looking around, this is what I found:

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You can see a bit of blood where the bullet went in.

Even with all my gyrations getting set up he hadn't grazed far from his hole:

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You can see how deep the foliage is, it's a bit of a wonder that I saw him at all.

Looking back to where I shot from:

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The chair is just on the ridge back where the heel of the arrow is located. It doesn't show in the iPhone picture. The branch I used for alignment was just above tha arrow on that cllump of trees that is actually blocking the view of the clump of trees about 50 yards behind it which is where I was located.

In any event, a 236 yard headshot, which is 12 yards beyond the supposed point blank range for the rifle and cartridge, is my longest headshot todate. I realize a lot of you have done them at twice that, but I'm working on it!

Fitch
 
Good post, Fitch! Love the extra detail. 236 yards is still a healthy headshot poke on such a small target!

I've took a few days off from the extermination trail but found time last night for another trip. It was a good evening, warm enough to appreciate my breathable shirt but not too hot. It was a good evening of hunting as I went 6 for 6 with the 17 Fireball, dialing in my furthest at 330 yards.

This has been a nice setup. The trailer platform gets me up a bit for a better vantage point over the tall grass. Provides some cover for me too.
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I see you, do you see me?
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The one on the left was the long shot for the evening. The tiny 20 grain Accutip is instant DRT even at 330 yards. This stock Remington Model 7 really shoots well. Fellow member Pruson hooked me up with it.
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A few more who received the Fireball treatment and won't be digging any holes. Really strange how sometimes I can't even find an entry hole, yet on others the exit hole looks like a baseball went thru 'em. Generally I take headshots if I can get one and the there is plenty skull bone to stop all the energy of that high speed little bullet.
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Sadly each evening has to come to an end...it sure is nice out there.
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