Author Topic: A very bad day Groundhog hunting!!!!!!!!!!! (Read 1320 times)

DalesCarpentry · « **on:** October 06, 2007, 05:37:55 PM »

I have not been out Groundhog hunting or to the range for about a month. I realized today just how out of practice you can get in such little time!!!

My back has been killing me and missed a few days work this past week because of it. I have been going stir crazy so I decided to drive out to a few farms I hunt Groundhogs. I can sit in the truck till I see one. Then I get out and pop him. This does not hurt my back much.

I saw three this morning and missed two. I never even got a shot off at the third. I was shooting off the hood of the truck with a bi pod. The first one was about 300+ yards. I shot and never saw him run. I walked to the place I shot him and found no signs I hit him. He may have made it back in his hole before I could find him in the glass again. I could have still hit him but I am not sure. The second one was about 100 yards. I have my rifle sighted in at 200 yards so I would be nearly .75 high at 100 yards. I may have just shot over him. Not sure. I know I would not missed either of these shots a month ago. All I can say practice practice practice. If you just lose a little time at the range or a field you will notice. The good thing that came out of this though is I know where three more of them live and they won't be living there much longer!!!

Dale

Mac11700 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2007, 08:26:13 PM »

Yup...Practice makes Perfect...

Then again...as my good wife always says to me..." Everything for a reason..."...Maybe you was supposed to miss them...so they could make merry and more little Ghogs...Or ...so you would practice more so you won't miss that big ole 14 pointer when the time comes...either way..you did get out and set in some shooting...It's not all about the "kill" is it...ehh

Mac

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 07, 2007, 12:32:08 AM »

Have you shot off of your hood before? A truck (or car) hood has bounce to it. It maybe enough to throw your shot. A bi-pod reacts differently to different surfaces. It will shoot differently off a hard surface than a soft one. Then again you may just be a poor shot and need some more trigger time.

;D

just bill · « **Reply #3 on:** October 07, 2007, 02:41:56 AM »

May want to try a rear bunny ear bag with the bi-pod.

I took three last evening on a little hike out back with the 17hmr.

This is the last, nearly a black one about 135-140 paces.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/Bill1227/IMG_1986.jpg

17hmr / 20gr HP

Indian summer up here. Hockey season started and the Woodchucks are still out

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #4 on:** October 07, 2007, 04:26:08 AM »

Yea I have shot a bunch of them off the hood. Many past 300 yards. I new when I squeezed the trigger I pulled the shot. Dale

Steelbanger · « **Reply #5 on:** October 07, 2007, 04:50:07 AM »

Dale,

Seems to me that you are from PA. If that's the case I will try to save you from embarrassment and paying fines because it's against the law to have a loaded rifle IN or ON a motor vehicle. You'll find that information on page 20 of the current book of regulations. There are exceptions for holders of handicapped permits and carry permit holders but these don't apply to long guns unless you would also have the handicap permit.
Over the years I have known of several people that have been arrested while sighting in their rifles from the hood of their vehicles.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #6 on:** October 07, 2007, 08:26:32 AM »

I do not think this applies to private land but if it does I will stop. Many times I use a folding saw horse from the back of my truck. Dale

quickdtoo · « **Reply #7 on:** October 07, 2007, 09:04:07 AM »

Washington state law is the same as Pennsylvania...

Loaded Firearms and Vehicles

A firearm is considered loaded when there is live ammunition in either the chamber or attached magazine. It is unlawful to (1) have a loaded firearm in, on or against any motor vehicle, regardless of whether the vehicle is moving or stationary;

http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=466&q=152078

Odinbreaker · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2007, 11:36:51 AM »

In Wisconsin the gun must be unloaded and in a case if in or leaning against a vehicle. It is a $207 fine and the DNR loves to give them out. I carry a folding chair to put my guns on.

glwenzl · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2007, 11:54:18 AM »

I thought shooting nuisance critters like GHs is practice... Practice that is for real hunting

It is important to know the laws and abide by them.... In some states it is legal to be on private property and shoot from a vehicle that is not moving... Some farmer/ranchers use this method on PDs to thin the pest out some but unfortunately most are resorting to poison now-a-days

Poor method to shoot on windy days but works real well if it is calm out. There is a nice bag on the window...

Sometimes it is nice to be able to take a close drive by out in a pasture with something like this, my 5mm Mag or an Anschutz 10" 17 HMR but I mostly prefer to shoot from a bench or better yet from the prone using a bipod but off hand shooting PDs is great practice too

Graybeard · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2007, 12:03:01 PM »

In Alabama the law allows you to shoot from your vehicle so long as the motor is not running and you are off the right of way of the road and you do not shoot across or down the road. That allows old farts like me that can't walk the hills any longer at least a wee bit of a chance to pretend we're still hunting.

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 07, 2007, 02:46:35 PM »

Check it out!

This is why I'm glad I hunt in Texas!

http://blog.uripides.com/2007/10/05/texas-hunting-vehicle/

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #12 on:** October 07, 2007, 02:56:26 PM »

Very cool!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you think it is a boat also? I just don't approve of mixing alcohol and firearms. Dale

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 07, 2007, 03:01:28 PM »

I wouldn't either, but you'd have to admit anything that would show itself when this rig came by would probably require using your 1000 yard rifle, and then it would be an unethical running shot to boot!

Naw I doubt those who are using this rig really care about shooting anything but the bull!

Can't believe there would be a landowner who would allow it, but this is Texas and stranger things have happened!

Ditchdigger · « **Reply #14 on:** October 07, 2007, 03:24:54 PM »

If I ever win a big powerball lottery,I'm buying me the biggest,badest,elephant to hunt from.They do it in India,so why not here?

You could have the elephant carry you game out for you in its trunk and it could even hold Stimpylu up.

Digger

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #15 on:** October 07, 2007, 04:36:35 PM »

That thing looks like a combination modified V flatbottom grain wagon fertilizer spreader Congrats on the 1000 posts Digger.

trotterlg · « **Reply #16 on:** October 07, 2007, 04:49:19 PM »

You know Dale, if you had been shooting a Handi instead of that RemChester you would have nailed them all. Larry

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #17 on:** October 07, 2007, 05:10:43 PM »

Thanks Larry I can always count on you to bust my ba**s. That's ok I know you are just having fun with me. I do have a camera working now and took some pictures of my new 243 Rem SPS if you want to check them out over there at the Rem. forum. You should love them I painted the stock camo. http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,127732.0.html Dale

PartsMan · « **Reply #18 on:** October 08, 2007, 04:58:36 AM »

Hey, a bad day in the woods is better than a good day at work.

We have all missed before.

mitchell · « **Reply #19 on:** October 08, 2007, 08:31:54 AM »

Quote from: PartsMan on October 08, 2007, 04:58:36 AM

We have all missed before.

miss whats that ?? i don't miss i use handi rifles they don't miss. after all the handi rifle is god rifle of choise

Fred M · « **Reply #20 on:** October 08, 2007, 11:56:50 AM »

Right on Mitchell.

Ditchdigger · « **Reply #21 on:** October 08, 2007, 12:20:04 PM »

I did'nt know there was such a word as miss,until I started shooting Handi's.

Digger

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #22 on:** October 08, 2007, 12:40:32 PM »

Quote from: Ditchdigger on October 08, 2007, 12:20:04 PM

I did'nt know there was such a word as miss,until I started shooting Handi's. Digger