Author Topic: Time to declare war on the local groundhogs. (Read 1103 times)

lakota · « **on:** July 23, 2012, 06:00:29 AM »

All spring and summer I have had no problems. Now out of the blue I had to kill a funny acting one who tried to have a go at my dog and then at me. Now they are tearing up my beans and carrots. Well the .22 rifle and a box of ammo is by the back door(this is a special occasion so I have dipped into my stash of CCI small game bullets!) and I have several box traps baited with the beans they seem to like so much. We'll see who comes out on top!

bulletstuffer · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2012, 10:38:22 AM »

Sounds like you need a pop up blind, a comfortable chair, a good book, a tripod and your favorite rifle for some garden ground hog reduction fun

Best of luck!

Bulletstuffer

336SC · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2012, 01:12:40 PM »

My wife and I live on an acre and a half lot out in the country. Never put out a garden yet in the 26 years we live here. In the 26 years
we're here, my tally on groundhogs is right at 84. That includes the one's I've shot with pistols, .22 RF rifles, 17HMR rifle, deer rifles,
shotguns, trapped, bludgeoned to death and ran over with the lawn mower. Now 84 doesn't side like many till you figure they were the
ones directly on my property and how many that I didn't see? I hate the digging little buggars!
336SC

shaner · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2012, 12:46:42 AM »

Quote from: bulletstuffer on July 23, 2012, 10:38:22 AM

Sounds like you need a pop up blind, a comfortable chair, a good book, a tripod and your favorite rifle for some garden ground hog reduction fun

Best of luck!

Bulletstuffer

ol bulletstuff has the right idea, they dont take a lot of out thinking, their bellies do the thinking , wait a while in the evenings or mornings u will see them,

Ranger J · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2012, 03:32:33 AM »

We don't have much trouble with groundhogs as the coyotes keep them pretty well thined out. The dillas are another thing. The problem with then is that they usually only come out at night. Can't do much reading while waiting in the blind.

RJ

lakota · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2012, 04:13:13 AM »

So far they are evading the traps
I wonder if the bean eater has been shot at before. He stares at me defiantly until I raise the rifle then he takes of like a bolt into the woods and he does it every time.

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bulletstuffer · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2012, 04:56:06 AM »

lakota,

You must be sitting in one of those see through blinds

Good luck,

Bulletstuffer

lakota · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2012, 03:34:04 PM »

This sucker is smart. He tripped the door on my trap but didnt get caught. I baited the trap with slices of apples I left a trail of them all the way to the back of the trap. He got all of the apples. I reset the trap and stuck a carrot down through the mesh over the pedal in the trap. If he wants it he will have to sit on the pedal and eat it. He would do better to just get caught in the trap that way he could go for a ride to a field but if he doesnt he will leave the garden the hard way.

I tried to shoot him twice today but he is quicker on the draw than me.

lakota · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2012, 08:15:07 AM »

Score 1 for me. Such a friendly critter

shaner · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2012, 12:58:52 AM »

Quote from: lakota on July 26, 2012, 08:15:07 AM

Score 1 for me. Such a friendly critter

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gottem! oh they are real friendly , i bet u could just reach right in there an pet the critter !!!!! $:-\$ $:-\$

GeneRector · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2012, 04:30:45 AM »

Howdy! Did you re-locate the one you caught in the live trap? If so, I hope you took it at least 5 miles away as the crow flies. Otherwise, it might come back. Always, Gene

reliquary · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2012, 08:54:40 AM »

When I let the dog out about 9pm last night for the "last piddle", he took off toward the vineyard and began barking. I went over and found a big possum up in the muscadine vine, munching away. My standing there with a flashlight didn't seem to bother him that much...but a .22 sure ruined his day.

We're not bothered with groundhogs down in this area, but have more than our share of possums, raccoons, and squirrels.

GeneRector · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2012, 09:39:35 AM »

Howdy! I'm not sure how far South is the range for groundhogs. I've seen some in North Central Arkansas, but not in my part of Texas. However, we have plenty of possums, coons, squirrels, and armadillos. Always, Gene

lakota · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2012, 04:18:03 AM »

Yep I took him about 6 miles out before I dumped him. So adorable making that nasty clicking and grinding noise they do with their teeth when they are threatened. So counting the one I killed thats 2 gone. I havent seen a sign of one since. Could those 2 have been all of them?

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336SC · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2012, 11:57:27 PM »

Got number 85 off my property yesterday morning. Used the 20 guage over/under and 3" Magnum 1.25oz of #6's. Worked great!
336SC

lakota · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2012, 07:04:00 AM »

I caught a cardinal in the trap this morning. I thought that was odd. The trap was baited with carrots and it seems that little bird ate them all. I didn't know they liked carrots.I released her unharmed right back into the yard. At least that tells me that I have the trigger on the trap set nice and sensitive.

shaner · « **Reply #16 on:** August 01, 2012, 09:32:41 AM »

Quote from: lakota on August 01, 2012, 07:04:00 AM

I caught a cardinal in the trap this morning. I thought that was odd. The trap was baited with carrots and it seems that little bird ate them all. I didn't know they liked carrots.I released her unharmed right back into the yard. At least that tells me that I have the trigger on the trap set nice and sensitive.

carrots?

well i guess proof's in the puddin , never heard that before but hey maybe she was hungry??

shaner · « **Reply #17 on:** August 01, 2012, 09:33:30 AM »

Quote from: 336SC on July 31, 2012, 11:57:27 PM

Got number 85 off my property yesterday morning. Used the 20 guage over/under and 3" Magnum 1.25oz of #6's. Worked great!
336SC

336 should work fine on them also!!!!

336SC · « **Reply #18 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:31:30 AM »

Quote from: shaner on August 01, 2012, 09:33:30 AM

Quote from: 336SC on July 31, 2012, 11:57:27 PM
Got number 85 off my property yesterday morning. Used the 20 guage over/under and 3" Magnum 1.25oz of #6's. Worked great!
336SC

336 should work fine on them also!!!!

Yes it does, I know from personal experience! The one I got Tuesday was at 0630 and I was in my jammies. The little bugger was making a home under my motorcycle shed. The commit suicide when they do that. I had to laugh about the Cardinal being caught in
the trap cause several years ago I caught a Robin in a leg hold trap I had set for a Groundhog. I guess curiosity killed him.
336SC

Cornbelt · « **Reply #19 on:** August 29, 2012, 02:14:09 AM »

We don't have much problem w/groundhogs here since the coyotes came. No cover for them, but before the coyotes got here, they were a nuisance. One groundhog could eat a quarter acre of soybeans.
Did you nueter him before you turned him out?