Woodchuck shooting tips suited for "walking" woodchuck hunting, rather than setting up for long distance as a whole, although both apply in some cases.
An example; walking being closer range calibers 22 LR, 22 Hornet, Fireball, .222 family of cartridges.
1 - Their eyesight is pretty good, so never wear a white, light gray or black shirt. They will show up against the background.
Greens, tans, olives work well. Although they might look corny, a light camo BDU jacket and blue jeans is good.
A woodchuck spots a white tee shirt worn on a hot summer evening at about eleventy hundred yards away.
2 - Walk the edges and hedge rows and stay in the shadows when possible.
3 - Pastures produce much less as compared to crop fields like alpha, hay, soy beans, etc.
4 - In hay fields; the more weeds such as clover etc. the better. I have seen many large well maintained hay fields with few weeds and few woodchucks. Often the scruffy looking fields have the most woodchucks.
5 - 'Chuck holes are where it's high and dry, not low and swamped in spring. Woodchucks will NOT make a den in ground with a high water table.
6 - Pre-scout fields when you are NOT out hunting; look for active holes. Pace off distances along fence or hedge rows in 100 or 150 yard chunks. If you can work the same farms, make a drawing of the fields and where the 'chuck holes are - pick pathways that will allow you to sneak up on the holes without walking in open spaces.
Memorize land mark distances (150 yards from the old gas well to hedge row). Mentally mark good set spots.
7 - Know the shooting hours when woodchucks are out feeding for your area and season, by keeping a note book in the car, and writing down when you see chucks as you drive.
These times changes through the season. Be there during the best hours. Woodchucks don't like to be out in the high heat - during the summer months, look for them to be out in the mornings and the evenings, and on rainy or overcast days.
8 - It is always good after a light rain. They don't drink water, they get water from the leaves of plants.
9 - Other areas to hunt besides crop fields although not as productive; railroad tracks & along streams.
10 - The average time they stand and look around is 10 seconds. When wandering back to the hole they often make one last stand up and look around, before going down for the night.
The last stand is often very upright and tall. Realize if there is a hole at his feet this is likely your last chance and be ready. If startled they won't make the last stand, but will run and dive right into the hole.
If just nervous or a little spooked ("I see you, and I know what that thing in your hand is.") they often dive right into the hole.
When grazing their way back, they nearly always do the "last stand" before going in the hole.
11 - Some hunches from experience not scientific proof; Red tail hawks follow the fresh cut fields looking for field mice (and woodchucks).
When I enter a fresh cut field, and a couple hawks are there it will be slow for awhile.
If not spooked, when they stand they are normally looking in the direction of other woodchuck "neighbors", not predators. High winds means less woodchucks out.
If you walk near or over a hole then set up for that den and wait, they won't come out. Don't walk directly over a hole and then expect one to come out that evening.
A sharp whistle often from a hedgerow row "whistle pig" woodchuck while your up and moving is a danger warning to others... sit down and wait a few minutes. It's easy to spook crows in a field.
Spooked crows will spook the woodchucks who then stand, spot the "walking hunter" and run.
If you spook the crows... sit down or stand along the hedge row cover for a few minutes and wait.
12 - Knee high hay although you can only spot them when standing can be your friend, easy to move up etc. They fear little in the taller grass and are more active.
Fresh cut fields can equal very spooky woodchucks and is better for long distance shooting. In-between is ideal for the walking hunter. Also be ready for more off hand shots in knee high hay as they suddenly pop up 50 yards from you. Have the right exploding bullet for the off hand upper body shot at closer ranges.
13 - You don't need a laser range finder for walking woodchuck hunting.
14 - Go light. Bring a day pack for binoculars, liquids, and a sandwich - DON'T use your scope for binoculars!!
Every time you walk count the paces and grid the field in your head.
15 - Know your cold barrel POI, and what to expect.
16 - In low cut fields learn to look for their heads just sticking out from the hole and snipe 'em.
They don't just casually appear from holes in Low cut fields like they do in mid to high fields... they scout first. In a heavily populated field with a fresh low cut. I shoot more in the head barely out of the hole (scouting before committing) than I do out. Look for the "little brown pumpkin" in low/fresh cuts.
17 - Aim for the ear when broadside, it helps to focus on a spot.
18 - Make or buy some shooting sticks
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