Looking for a place to hunt them. This part of Indiana the coyotes have taken over.This is an animal I have wanted to hunt for a long time. Very rare in my parts. Where and how! Thanks Steve
Good luck, I'm just visiting here but wanted to do the same. The locals tell me they are about gone these days due to the farmers cutting the hedge rows down to make more room for corn/soy bean.
I've seen one and it was at a county club.
Do you hunt the coyotes? They even have a season on those. You would think that a state that is trying re-establish Turkeys and Pheasants they would want to keep the yotes in check. I've never seen a season on coyotes before.
??
PA has alot of them.Farmers usally give permission to hunt them on their fields.A lot of game lands have to.Coyotes are huntable all year.
Steve, Mike,
There getting patchy for sure around here. I shot 2 last summer near Cayuga. Let me ask around and see what I can come up with. I know a few spots but getting permission is getting tough!
Mike for the record IN and IL coyotes can be hunted year round with the land owners permission by the way.
I used to hunt groundhogs with bows, rifles, and pistols. I enjoyed sneaking around old barns and outbuildings as a teen with my bow or pistol and catching them by surprise. They would stand up and just look at me, oftentimes staying put just long enough to get off a shot. Or, most of the time scurrying to their hole, which usually wasn't too far away. I always described them as looking like a "furry hunk of liver" because of the way they look when they're scurrying close to the ground as they try to make it back to their den. Never killed one with a bow, but bagged many a one with the pistol and rifle as a youngster.
We also have plenty here in WV at least in my part.I love to stalk them an do it quite a bit.My best year I stalked and killed 17 I should say stalked 50 to kill 17.Other things use'lly get the shot.
Used to have tons of them. Killed 35-40 a summer with the .17 Rem. I still kill a few with bow! shawn
You just made me realize that I don't see many of them anymore. It seems to me that there were a lot more of them when I was young.
I haven't killed one in ages and you also have me remembering how good they were to eat.
They were big game to me as a 13 year old with a fibre glass longbow.
Boy, going back in time I can feel the sun on my back and the sweat on my palms as I slowly try to get close enough for a shot. Praying for another undetected step nearer to that furry statue. Suddenly it comes alive and sends a short shrill whistle right through my (then) skinny chest.
I use to hunt them a lot with bow and arrow but I got away from it and part of the reason is that coyotes and foxes have cleaned them out and there doesn't seem to be as many around here either. :(
Iused to hunt them a lot as a teenager with a bow. That was before there were enough deer around here to hunt. Great fun and sure taught me a lot about stalking. Won several awards by taking 12 or 15 a year back them with a bow.
I grew up hunting them in Ohio. I suggest you try railroad tracks.
Okay, I give up, I can't even find the regs for groundhogs....
I see 'em along the tracks and around the city edges.
The two I killed were in a brush pile at the back of our horse lot. We have a big ditch that runs through our property and I see lots of fresh holes in the spring. Stalked one last summer but no luck. They aren't easy! Watch the wind and movement like any other varmint.
Oh, and use a broadhead.
Here in SW PA, a few buddies and I hunt groundhogs with a passion. We get started early Spring and don't let up until Fall deer season.
Of course, it would be cheating to use anything other than a recurve or longbow. I use any cheap broadhead I can find at a swap meet.
Billy, I don't think there are any regs on groundhogs.
Didn't think there were. But, we do live in Indiana :D
QuoteOkay, I give up, I can't even find the regs for groundhogs....
Page 14
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-hg_generalinfo.pdf
Wouldn't ya know it...
a Texican found it.. :wavey: :campfire:
Thanks, Mike.
First, thank you to all! I also killed hogs as a kid on squirrel hunts with my rifle. This was in the '70s., but that was on a whim. I know habitat has changed, thanks to man. But what goes around, comes around! I've seen two in the past weeks, both at the edge of towns, next to their dens under barns. Usually,in this day and age, you see what few are out along the highways in the right-aways- No Hunting! I always loved the stories of guys in Bowhunter mags hunting them in Penn. and Maryland and other eastern states. Hoping to find someone who has a place to hunt these little "bears". Thanks, Steve
First, thank you to all! I also killed hogs as a kid on squirrel hunts with my rifle. This was in the '70s., but that was on a whim. I know habitat has changed, thanks to man. But what goes around, comes around! I've seen two in the past weeks, both at the edge of towns, next to their dens under barns. Usually,in this day and age, you see what few are out along the highways in the right-aways- No Hunting! I always loved the stories of guys in Bowhunter mags hunting them in Penn. and Maryland and other eastern states. Hoping to find someone who has a place to hunt these little "bears". Thanks, Steve
QuoteWouldn't ya know it...
a Texican found it.. :wavey: :campfire:
Thanks, Mike.
Well I've been working out here in IL. & IN. for about 8 months now so I checked out all the regs. seeing what I could chase with my bow while I was here. Ground Hogs were on my list too.
I'm overrun with them in MD. Used to kill 12 or more each year with a .22 but missed three easy shots this year with a bow. Elbow injury does not allow me to practice or shoot full weight bow yet. That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
One technique is if you scare one and he runs into his hole, silently creep up on the backside of hole and just wait. 10-15 minutes he will peek up to take a look around and he should be facing away from you and that's when you take your shot. They are very tough animals and usually tear the arrows up before they die.
Ive hunted and successfully taken a doz. or so groundhogs w/ bow in Souther Mich. Hay fields are their perfered habitat here as they likely are in Ind. When you see hay fields stop and ask farmer if he has groundhogs prob. Ask permission to hunt w/bow, and you often will get it, as they cause farmers probs. Spring is the best time to hunt them, as males spend alot of time away from their holes seeking females. Ground hogs also are out and about just before rain -(1/2hr to 1hr previous) and often feeding durning rain if it is more like drizzal.(I think they like their tender alfalfa shoots w/ a little water) We call them "Whistle pigs" because of the sharp whistle alarm they often make. They are pretty good eating-- cook like a beef pot roast(leave just a little hair on 'em.) Cold Whistle pig sandwichs w/ mustard the following day makes for some mighty fine eating! You do wind up loosing some arrows as once you stick one, he heads for his hole, which usually is not far off, either taking your arrow down w/him, or it just gets broken. You can have some really great spot and stalk hunts. You can also set up near their burrows, early to mid morn. and get a shot, or before rain. I have caught them out in the open with me between them and their hole-- I have chased them up a tree more than once--you got them then. They really do make for some great hunting adventure. Iam suprised more archers do not seriously hunt them-- but I imagine this is because of their reduced numbers. Spend some time scouting and you'll find a place or two.
I spend a significant amount of time chasing them around in the summer. One field that I hunt is full of them. I killed 17 last year in this particular field alone.
They can be pretty dificult to hunt if the hay has been recently cut.
The very best time to hunt them is right after they cut the hay, but leave the bales in the field for awhile. The farmer that cuts this particular field has the large square bales. When they are in the field, it is like shooting fish in a bucket. YOu can get shots at 6-8 groundhogs/evening.
Only ones I see anymore around here are in the highway medians.
PSUBowhunter! Sounds like GROUNDhog heaven!
PSUBowhunter
Where are you finding G-hogs dumb enough to hunt them in open fields? Take me there! LOL. Sounds like you have found a honey hole!
Around my hunting grounds, 100yd and sometimes 200yd is the closest you can get in the fields. I hunt them inside the edges of the woodlots. Most holes are within 10yd of the edge. I still hunt deer trails or paths that I have made. I keep them clear of twigs and leaves for silent stalking. I know where all the holes are and glass them as I approach. If a pig is out then the real hunt begins. Getting within stickbow range is a real challenge and very rewarding if you make the shot.
Two years ago I was layed off through the Spring and early Summer. I shot 36 that year. I call it my "Summer Of Love". Last year I was back to work and worked hard to get 18. Most years it is less than a dozen. Sure makes the farmer happy. Me too. :)
Good luck this season!
Coyotes are year round season in IL. Not sure about the Chicago area. Groundhogs aren't even listed, but they are big sport for varmint hunters along with prairie dogs. Don't know if there is much difference. A lot of groundhogs are gone with the lawn chemicals that are used. So you have to find an area with lawn and no chemicals to get them. Used to hunt them with a bb gun.
sam
I used to hunt them a lot as a kid in Western NY.
One of my first trad kills(ca 1980?) was a woodchuck using a Black Bear, cedar arrows and MA-2 broadhead.After I shot it, it reared up and looked like it was going to charge my friends and me! It was like a scene out of Monty Python(the killer rabbit).
They were everywhere back then. I still see quite a few when I go back trout fishing in the summertime.Maybe I'll bring my bow this summer? hm......
It's quite a challenge to get in bow range of a woodchuck.They have great eyesight and are on edge all the time.
QuoteCoyotes are year round season in IL. Not sure about the Chicago area. Groundhogs aren't even listed, but they are big sport for varmint hunters
Coyotes...closed in counties with open firearm deer season.
WoodChucks..6/1-9/30
http://www.dnr.state.il.us/admin/pdf/season_dates.pdf
Come to my house I have holes all over the yard. My garden said they got to go.
QuoteOriginally posted by Red Beastmaster:
PSUBowhunter
Where are you finding G-hogs dumb enough to hunt them in open fields? Take me there! LOL. Sounds like you have found a honey hole!
Around my hunting grounds, 100yd and sometimes 200yd is the closest you can get in the fields. I hunt them inside the edges of the woodlots. Most holes are within 10yd of the edge. I still hunt deer trails or paths that I have made. I keep them clear of twigs and leaves for silent stalking. I know where all the holes are and glass them as I approach. If a pig is out then the real hunt begins. Getting within stickbow range is a real challenge and very rewarding if you make the shot.
Two years ago I was layed off through the Spring and early Summer. I shot 36 that year. I call it my "Summer Of Love". Last year I was back to work and worked hard to get 18. Most years it is less than a dozen. Sure makes the farmer happy. Me too. :)
Good luck this season!
This field has alot of small hills and mounds in it that allow you to stalk them. I have also found that if you scare one back into its hole, go stand about ten yards from the hole and within a few minutes he will stick his head out to take a look around.
One thing that helps is there is a walmart about 1/4 mile from the field, so no one hunts it with guns.
Man I sure wish I had them around home. I love to hunt them and a young one is some of the finest game to put on the table.
Tough on arrows as others have said. In my experience, if it's not a passthrough or a head shot, it's gonna break the arrow. I have yet to have one hit in the body that died right there, even spine hit; and quite often we've had to dig them out. One vary wary and tough critter for sure.
Bullet Bob, Thanks for the offer, I wish I could go out there! How's the string doing for ya? Well, I'm thinking of posting something at the local bullentin boards for a place to hunt them. The farmers I have talked to haven't seen much either. It's one of my archery goals this year! I also have read of some guys using treestands near a den area. JC, that's another reason , iwould like to try the meat, anybody canned them? How about some pictures of "hog" harvests!
So groundhogs are listed as Woodchucks. Thought they were different. Isn't one blind during the day?
You're right I didn't remember but coyotes are off limits during the shotgun season.
Rest of they year open game. The farmers don't care when it is. If they see one near their cattle the drop it and usually with a rifle.
sam
"Isn't one blind during the day?". Nope.
Groundhog: woodchuck, dirt pig, whistle pig, G-hog, afalfa chicken, sod poodle, ground grizzly. Did I miss any?
Nuisance
Beastmaster, you included a couple that I hadn't heard before!
Chucks and carp are a good way to get your bowhunting "fix" in the summer time! I personally like chucks over carp.
I wish I could go to Virginia for some good chuck hunting!
My first kill was a chuck in July with a self fletched, carbon arrow and a WW broadhead. He nearly made it the fifteen yards back to his den before giving it up. It was a perfect heart/lung shot. I was in a ground blind of old hay bales, in full camo and playing the wind.
My second was in a natural blind of a tree with some weeds around it. It was a 26 yard shot and I center punched him! Same bow and arrow set up. Used my Fox longbow and a 550 gr. arrow. Those Woodsmans sure make a big hole.
Bona
QuoteOriginally posted by Red Beastmaster:
Groundhog: woodchuck, dirt pig, whistle pig, G-hog, afalfa chicken, sod poodle, ground grizzly. Did I miss any?
Yep...we also call them "delicious" :D
Never had them canned but I've had them just bout everyway something can be cooked. I like them young tender ones on the grill with the seasoning/salt of your choice. Smooked is really fine too but you have to keep sopping to prevent drying.
Can't remember the recipe exactly but my grandmother used to crock pot the older ones with onions and ? along with some heinz 57 and a portion of a can of mountain dew. Sounds crazy but over rice it was...well....one of the reasons we called them "delicious".
Yes PA has no shortage of groundhogs.
make shure you check regs. i got in trouble one time thinking there were know rules, because there big smelly rodents, here in MI you need to have a small game license. I usually find them around buildings on the edge of town, if you drive around till you see one, then ask permission most people will let you go after them with a bow.
QuoteDid I miss any?
Marmot, Rock Chuck & Target
:D
JC, I'm hoping to get the presure cooker out! B. Glass, chucks and carp, your pulling at my heart, no bowstrings. Bowfishing is one of my favs. Anyone shoot suckers? It's about time for the run! Great things in late April! Rooms, Turkeys, Suckers, Spring in general etc. etc. oh and my birthday, and not in that order!
String is great tx. But I'm waiting on a new bow a Black Swan Hybrid. (if it ever gets here lol)
C'mon over. I've smartened-up the ones that're left. Neighbors cheer when they hear my 'whoop!' (they like their hydrangeas and nasturtiums, I like my vegetable garden--so do the 'hogs).
It's finally feeling like spring here is SE PA. Saw some hogs last weekend digging up some of our fields. Need to get out soon and do something about it.
Here is one from last year.
(http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm216/Reese_26/gh52008.jpg)
Frank , that's what I want to see! Thank you! Nice looking bow too. What make, like that riser!
Going out in a liitle to do some scoutin for my son's youth hunt. Maybe find some rooms and do some stumping or shoot some ground squirrels.
Keep the photos coming guys and gals. And good shootin to all, Steve
Me and my buddy went out yesterday and had a good day. My friend stuck a nice ground hog, but wrestled around and drug his arrow done its hole. We tried to dig him out, but just could find him.
I was able to put a great stalk on a nice whistle pig from about 150 yards. I got well within bow range; ten yards actually. But my shot was a touch too high and I shot over him.
Here's a pic of one I got last year with my new bow.
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k282/dlbowers/website%20pics/Self-Bow-09001.jpg)
They all moved into suburbia New Jersey. :biglaugh:
Sweet, Dave thanks for the pic! Recurve 50 that is true around here, they have adapted to the city, Highway right-aways and ditches. I see one hog sitting on a culvert top waving to traffic at the edge of town, all the time. Drive By? Keep the pics coming, Steve
We have 6 of them in our backyard. We have railroad tracks behind the house and they have their tunnels all over back there. The wife and I sit out back and watch them all the time. Our son wont let me shoot them because he was born on groundhog day. I'll get somes pictures next time they are out there.Its only 40 yards to where they come out......Roy
Wow, can't believe it's been over 5 years since I posted this topic!
Guess who's eating 'hog! :D
I see a lot in Ohio
dont hunt them anymore. Use to with a gun, but now I let them be.
frank,
Quite a few G-hogs are taking harp lessons in hog heaven since you first posted this thread. :)
I'm having a rough season so far this year. I'm only 2 for 15, not a good batting average. I found two dumb ones that let me get close but most of my shots have been at 30-40 yards. I took a 105yd shot at a true monster last evening and fell short. I've been after this guy for a couple years and this is as close as I can get.
Like I said 5 years ago, lol, a good way to stalk them is to sneak around old barns and outbuildings and catch one feasting on clover and nab him before he takes off running to his hole, usually underneath the foundation at the side of the barn.
If he gets to his hole before you can get a shot off, just find a good hiding place and wait for him to come back out of his hole.
It's very difficult to get within bow range in the open fields if you choose to spot and stalk. I would much rather setup near their hole and wait for him to come out.
What a great posts. Boy it brings back great memories . Hunted them hard back in the 70s. Up Montana mountain in nj And the gap. Buts and bows. Archery shop had a contest very year winner would get a free hunt somewhere ! Best trick we had was in the sommer when we had tans was to take are shirts off and stalk. Them like browsing deer we were the same color . Got real close and when they stood up like little bears we shot. Bear Kodak 1966. 2219s. And oo3 heads. On. Microflite shafts. Man take me back please. ,
That's a cool story, Dan! Love to hear different ways to stalk and hunt!
Ate the liver and heart last night, and as Andy would say, Ummmm, Goooood!