Anybody Hunting Woodchucks Yet?

Whitetail Addict · March 03, 2015, 10:19:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
I was determined to kill one last year.

after 4 blown stalks due to skeeters, I finally worked my way into a pair of young ones. I became soft and passed on the shot at 10 yards.

I give you credit for passing on the young ones. I'm the same way. When I was younger nothing was safe. You can always carry a few arrows tipped with magnus bullheads and flu flu's in your quiver for the skeeters. :D

Bob

Hummer3T · March 04, 2015, 10:52:00 AM

No wonder spring is not coming, he keeps dyeing on his shadow. Our's are a good two months away from even coming out.

Very nice chucks!

kbetts · March 04, 2015, 02:20:00 PM

They have good eyes and ears but I've killed a good number while sneaking up on them from behind. I swear they have a good nose but if the wind is just enough in your face to keep the noise down and you totally freeze if they turn to look towards you....it can be done. They put a lot of confidence in themselves in picking up movement. Stay still and you got'em. Hitting them, well that's a different story.

March 04, 2015, 02:33:00 PM

We have them south of here a few miles. They should be getting active next week with the warm weather coming in. With the long winter in the mid south maybe longer, climate change is a terrible thing, when it changes to bad conditions. Just for the record, it is the sun that causes it, not co2,and there is no tax that will over power the sun. However, last spring they burnt a hill east of me for weed control and planting native grasses. The hill was perforated. It had large grey ground squirrels and woodchucks all over checking out the blackened neighborhood. We never knew they were there before.

Wudstix · March 04, 2015, 07:57:00 PM

Would be great to have a few in Texas. Just have to settle for hogs.

Whitetail Addict · March 05, 2015, 03:22:00 PM

I was just re reading this thread, and I noticed Tony has a pair binoculars around his neck in some of his pictures. They're a huge help IMO.

Man, I'd like to do a little hunting. I wonder if I could entice one to come out if I shoveled the snow away from a hole and set the kerosene heater next to it? :D

Bob

hawkeye n pa · March 05, 2015, 05:51:00 PM

The only holes I'm seeing so far are pot holes! But I'm patiently waiting.

Wudstix · March 07, 2015, 02:37:00 PM

I use binos to detect whistle pigs and play a stalk.

Wiley Coyote · March 08, 2015, 10:12:00 AM

They are still sleeping in Ontario!!!

Etter · March 08, 2015, 10:54:00 AM

They are still sleeping here in GA. I imagine the rest of you have some time left

T Sunstone · March 08, 2015, 12:35:00 PM

Males come out first to check for females usually first of February. The length of day gets them up not so much the temp.
This one made the mistake of taking another look out his hole, head shot with a hammer head.

Whitetail Addict · March 08, 2015, 12:53:00 PM

Nice shot, thanks for posting.

Bob

March 08, 2015, 02:34:00 PM

What do you do with a wood chuck after you shoot it? I have never heard of anyone eating them, but I am assuming they may taste like a squirrel.

Whitetail Addict · March 08, 2015, 05:09:00 PM

I like to eat one every now and then. My favorite way to use them is in chili.

Bob

frank bullitt · March 10, 2015, 12:38:00 PM

Well, their moving here! Just left for lunch, and found one hit not far from the entrance here at work. Will be sharpening up some Big Game heads and carrying bow and arrows in the truck to work!

Whitetail Addict · March 10, 2015, 12:49:00 PM

Please post pics Frank, It's the only thing keeping me going right now lol. Thanks.

Bob

Tony Sanders · March 10, 2015, 04:17:00 PM

This one actually bit carbon arrow in half before he succumbed to the effects of the broadhead. I shot him from the treestand and the arrow pinned him to the ground.

Tony

Whitetail Addict · March 11, 2015, 10:00:00 AM

They have some sharp teeth for sure. Another nice picture Tony, thank you. I hope to add a picture or two myself when this snow melts. I'm starting to see a bare spot here and there in the fields around the house. Spots where the wind moved it from one place, and dumped it in another this winter. Thanks again.

Bob

Krex1010 · March 11, 2015, 10:33:00 AM

I saw one yesterday feed in a spot where the snow melted. The one thing about woodchucks is they are tough critters and they make it back to their dens pretty fast, a pass through shot will likely result in a dead groundhog buried in his den, so anchor them or don't shoot if he's right next to his den.

Krex1010 · March 11, 2015, 10:40:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by pavan:
What do you do with a wood chuck after you shoot it? I have never heard of anyone eating them, but I am assuming they may taste like a squirrel.

My father in law hunted them for years when he could still get around well. He said they are good in stews, chilis and pot pies.