Author Topic: Groundhog in backyard (Read 1024 times)

ed1921 · « **on:** May 16, 2006, 05:50:57 PM »

I have a new resident in my yard.
To many neighbors to use a .22, but what about my .22 RWS springer.
Any chance I could kill him with a well placed shot or will I just be torturing the critter.
If so(to kill), where would be the best place to aim.
I'd like to get him before he finds my veggie garden.
My dog wants him, but I'm pretty sure which one will come out on top. I really don't need the vet bills.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2006, 02:59:44 AM »

My guess is that in all likelyhood you will wound the critter with an air gun if you don't hit him just right. If you can get him standing up looking at you then try to hit him right between the 2 front paws for a heart shot. Second choice would be a head shot, in the eye, or ear.

I doubt very seriously that you'll get a bang, flop and the animal will probably make it back into his hole. I'd suggest you use a shotgun, or "gasp" (I don't believe I'm saying this) call animal control and see what they tell you. However, once you get animal control involved it's hard to get them to leave you alone.

Are you bound by a firearm discharge law and thus prevented from discharging a fire arm in the city limits?

ed1921 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2006, 03:15:07 AM »

Not really bound by a discharge law, only hunting regs concerning proximity to property lines & by the fact I don't judge it safe to be shooting in the direction the groundhog lives with a firearm.
I have little concern with an airgun. Much less chance of a richocet. Like the old saying goes, you can't put the bullet back in the gun. Maybe I should get a trap & not worry about it..

victorcharlie · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2006, 09:10:35 AM »

That's why I was thinking shot gun..........if you could get up a few feet and shoot down on the critter with a shotgun then the range would really be limited.........

This is also what makes the .17HMR special. The highly accurate and very small 17 grain V-Max bullet is very explosive and usually comes apart on impact with little chance of ricochett. Not sure how you would coax a groundhog into a catch-em alive trap, but a leg hold trap place inside the hole would probably catch him easily..........I've caught them with a large treble hook on a steel wire place about an arms length down the hole......they can get out.....but get hooked in the chest when they try to get back in........careful though.....the are really p.o'ed when you drag them back out to dispatch them.

Given your situation, I'd probably try a shot with the air gun and hope for the best.

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2006, 01:22:29 PM »

Practice at the distance that you anticipate you will be shooting from and see how accurate you can be. Then you can decide whether you can reasonably expect to acheive an eye or ear shot.

Ian

S.S. · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2006, 08:25:41 AM »

A .22 rimfire CB cap is Quieter than a couple of my air rifles.
inside of about 30 yards they are quite accurate too.

lil_hunter12 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 19, 2006, 06:52:45 PM »

the cb longs r the way to go they work on about the same zero as a regular .22 long rifle. but they r quiet and powerful at about 20 yards

ed1921 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2006, 06:31:31 PM »

He seems to have moved on. I think he was displaced by some new construction in a lot down the road. He probably got tired of the dogs around here. A little to close for comfort maybe.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #8 on:** June 16, 2006, 01:33:30 AM »

He probably got ate by one of the dogs.........