Some marmots died

doggin coyotes

Well-known member
Our marmot season opened the 10th. So Monday I made the long trip to my secret high country rock chuck hangouts. Spent 3 days up there and never saw another human or vehicle. I could actually get used to that. Pretty damm nice. Couldn't of asked for nicer weather either.

Last year I found plenty of whistle pigs to keep me and my buddy(the dog)happy. This year seemed like there was even more. Much greener and a tad cooler this year. Grass hoppers by the bazillions.

A few random pics.

This was a big old chuck.




Dead center in the mouth.


225 yard head shot.


There are 4 marmots among those rocks in the distance.


A double from those rocks.


Young coyote that should of been paying less attention to the dog and more to the guy with a gun.


This one won't be pooping in that toilet any more.




Short audio/video of an upset marmot in the rocks.(click on it)







 
I spent a lot of time in the CO high country as a kid and I sure do miss it. I recall fondly spending many an afternoon chasing whistle pigs around rocks slides and grassy slopes. Just had a .22 back then, so I had to get in close and make it count. Nothing like a wekend of shooting whistle pigs and catching brook trout.

What's their deal in CO now? What are the current license requirements and bag limits?
 
Originally Posted By: DesertRamI spent a lot of time in the CO high country as a kid and I sure do miss it. I recall fondly spending many an afternoon chasing whistle pigs around rocks slides and grassy slopes. Just had a .22 back then, so I had to get in close and make it count. Nothing like a wekend of shooting whistle pigs and catching brook trout.

What's their deal in CO now? What are the current license requirements and bag limits?

Oh yeah. Those times, many moons ago, when a .22 rimfire was all I had hold some great memories. Had a lot of mortally wounded chucks get away back then.

Things have defiantly changed since those days. Gone are the days of killing as many as you want to and whenever you want to.

Need a small game license of course, and now days there is a season. Opens Aug. 10th and ends Oct 15th.

A bag limit? You betcha. 2 per day.

I don't disagree with the season or a limit. I think it's a good thing. There are some rock piles up in this area that were loaded with marmots 40 years ago. Not a one to be found in those places now. Those rocky areas were all closer to some of the more traveled roads. I would guess the marmots in those easily accessed places were wiped out over the years by indiscriminate killin. He11, I used to do it! Now days I won't take more than two from of any family rock pile. Gotta save a few for seed.

Lots of great times in those hills.
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Originally Posted By: TripleDeuce660What caliber did you hit them with?


Used the Winchester .223 this trip. Sierra 52grHPBT.

This is the rifle I had the barrel shortened to 18" this summer. And THAT made a very handy rifle outta the old Winny. Really like it. Gonna be a dandy for calling coyotes this winter.
 
From the looks of the pictures those 52 gr. matchkings opened up very well. Do you use them in the .223 all the time?
Joe
 
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Nice photos.. I like to see the limits on chucks.. Here they seldom cause damage to ranches.. Some guys kill everyone they can.. Haven't shot a one this summer, but haven't been in good chuck country.. When I worked for ranches in the summer, I killed some when they were digging in irrigation ditches, etc.. They are fun to shoot, but I always looked on them as trophy varmints to be shoot sparingly... there are places they do damage, but that is a different ball game.. Nice shooting
 
Originally Posted By: WyoCoyoteHunter
They are fun to shoot, but I always looked on them as trophy varmints to be shoot sparingly...

Exactly the way I feel in my older, somewhat wiser years.
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I usually pick and choose when it comes to chucks, like u said some places used to be loaded with them. Some of that was my own doing but I try to just shoot every other one or maybe just the big ones, depends on the mood
 
Originally Posted By: doggin coyotesOriginally Posted By: TripleDeuce660What caliber did you hit them with?


Used the Winchester .223 this trip. Sierra 52grHPBT.

This is the rifle I had the barrel shortened to 18" this summer. And THAT made a very handy rifle outta the old Winny. Really like it. Gonna be a dandy for calling coyotes this winter.



Looks like fun buddy. Did the old Winny get a new stock?
 
Sweet! I keep reading that chucks go down mid/late summer and are rarely seen after that. But apparently not? I need to get back up to my chuck spots and see if they're still out! Thanks for the inspiration!
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Originally Posted By: DiRTY DOGSweet! I keep reading that chucks go down mid/late summer and are rarely seen after that. But apparently not? I need to get back up to my chuck spots and see if they're still out! Thanks for the inspiration!
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If you have them... you will see them into October.

Of course, we don't have them anymore so we don't see them anytime
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