Got my first groundhog of the season..about 25 minutes ago..

[ironglow]

  Usually the first ones out in the spring type weather are rather dopey, but they don't appear to be that way this year..they are quite wary right off at the start. This one doesn't look to be in too bad shape, fairly fleshy yet.
  The shot was about 100 yards from a bi-fur-pod I just made. He dropped right off because I believe I hit the heart; .17 hole in, about a .20 hole out the back. I was using CCI ..TNT 17 gr hollowpoints. He bled quitye profusely out the hole in his back.
   I used an NEF .17 HMR last couple years but this year I added a Savage 93R17GV..and this is the first kill for the Savage.I think the Accu-trigger makes the rifle worth much more than it's actual price.
  For what it's worth, I prefer the V-Max HMRs for groundhogs, since they seem much more explosive. I doubt a V-Max would have passed clean through..judging by the ones I got with my NEF.

[Savage_99]

Here in New England the woodchucks are scarce.   We never had coyotes here before and now we do.  Now the chucks and rabbits are gone.

Chuck hunting was my favorite real rifle sport.  Books have been written on chuck hunting by Estey,  Landis and others. 

[j.k280]

that is the way it is here in nepa, used to have good chuck hunting but now coyotes, bobcats, and the long tailed cats (that do not exzist here) have taken over  guess that means new targets    ::)john

[streak]

ironglow,
Just had to get the jump on them didn`t you??
Just couldn`t let him make it through spring! 

Good shooting, those Savage`s will surprise you most of the time with accuracy.

[bigvarmnt]

Good shootin, his diggin days are over I've been watching two on my backstop. Set up the spotting scope today. Easier to watch them than with binocs. When the young come out I'll probably take a couple shots Don't want them to get to my garden.

I used to see cats around here but not many around anymore
Somethin must a got um

[ironglow]

Yeah somethin...

[Glanceblamm]

Groundhogs have become more scarce around these parts with Coyotes being part of the problem but mainly the fencerow to fencerow tilling practices that have also reduced the Phesant population.

I did see a couple ground Squirrels out and about last week...They did not seem to get much rest (or hibernation) this year as I knew they were still on the prowl within the second week of last Nov.