Groundhogs~first outing of 2015!

[GrouseWhisperer]

we have very few groundhogs left, It never was a great area for hogs. I expect the coyotes have cleared them out. I filled several holes in yesterday with my backhoe, they weren't being used. A hayfield and ground hogs don't mix. Kind of miss them always shot a few before the grass got too high. Still a few porkys around , to clean up. old243

A little surprised to read that, especially since about 95% of the ones I shoot are in hay fields. Granted, not all hay fields are created equal. Good drainage is critical, so if there aren't allot of rocks in with the soil, you won't find many/any groundhogs in my experience. Even in a given field, groundhogs tend to take-up residence in the same few spots that offer the best conditions. As "good" as other spots might seem to be, they never dig holes in them for some reason.

Back to the drainage issue...I suspect that is key. I find lots of holes on the sides of hills, never find them in hollows/low spots. Damp conditions no good, dry/sunny spots ideal, etc.

[Tony Mo]

^^^ I think he means that groundhogs + holes dug in hay fields = hard on the farm equipment therefore need to be eliminated.

[GrouseWhisperer]

^^^ I think he means that groundhogs + holes dug in hay fields = hard on the farm equipment therefore need to be eliminated.

Just re-read that~I think you're right Tony Mo! Good catch. One farmer I know actually calls them "hay pigs" for that reason alone.

[Gaoler]

Went out today for some groundhog huntin'...
Very frustrating... Lots of 'em out, but on properties I haven't got permission to shoot on... It's like they know.
The two properties I can shoot on... not a one... Lol.

[eljefeshuntshop]

Man, would I love to do some groundhog shooting! I don't hear much around here in the Niagara region though. Anyone else have luck down my way? Only thing I've heard the last few years is that they've moved west of here and aren't spotted frequently.

-huntshop

[GrouseWhisperer]

They're in more places than people think...but in "huntable" populations? Not TOO many places I'm aware of. I took Tuesday of this week off to take a buddy out who'd never been. I gave him the first 8 we encountered (he pulled the shots on the first 3, then settled-in) and I took the last one on his insistence. Total for the day~6.

Hay is very high right now making things difficult, but I was told by 2 farmers that they hope to have it off in the next 2 weeks or so. Lots of rain on deck for this week, so that could be pushed back a little. Once it starts getting cut, it's game-on again. Putting my .223 brass in the tumbler tomorrow night!

[woody1948]

I was out again yesterday, nine only. It has really slowed down over the last week. We have finally received a little rain and the crops and grass are growing. Most of the Gophers are too hard to see now. Won't be out again until I can find a hey field that has been cut. I was going to track how many I shot this spring, but lost track. But I did shoot over 4,500 22s, that should give you some idea.

[GrouseWhisperer]

I was out again yesterday, nine only. It has really slowed down over the last week. We have finally received a little rain and the crops and grass are growing. Most of the Gophers are too hard to see now. Won't be out again until I can find a hey field that has been cut. I was going to track how many I shot this spring, but lost track. But I did shoot over 4,500 22s, that should give you some idea.

Hey Woody~that's pretty awesome. Looks like my 2015 plans to get out there have been sidelined. Some family stuff has come-up, and duty calls. However, last night..my nephew and I hatched a plan to spend a full 7 days+ out there next spring, mostly gophering...but maybe a little fishing. I guess gophers are best late May/early June...but fishing in the mountains isn't until late June..?

On an Ontario note, I've been out almost every week including this past weekend and the hay here is impossibly high right now too. 3 weeks ago, the farmers all told me they were wanting to start cutting, but we've had lots of rain, and cool nights since then...so nothing is cut. They're praying for a string of 7-9 or so dry days.

I did find a field that has traditionally been corn but this year...is in grain. Those plants are low, and it seems that the groundhogs will snack on those too. Spotted 2, the .223 made contact with one of them. Photos aren't web-forum friendly...the 53gr. V-Max hand loads are doing their job with authority.

This weekend's plans~look at fishing seasons in AB, get quotes on renting RVs, and start looking for more spots to shoot out there!

[woody1948]

GrouseWhisperer, I was down in the Provost area a couple of weeks back, that country is alive with Gophers. I am trying to talk my son in going down for a weekend next spring.
i am out with a friend tomorrow to wash out a couple of Badger holes. He has a 1,000 litre tank of water on the truck.dump it down the hole and watch where they come up, fast shooting , have to use a shotgun, we had six come out earlier this year. This is work by the way, not hunting, lol

[GrouseWhisperer]

GrouseWhisperer, I was down in the Provost area a couple of weeks back, that country is alive with Gophers. I am trying to talk my son in going down for a weekend next spring.
i am out with a friend tomorrow to wash out a couple of Badger holes. He has a 1,000 litre tank of water on the truck.dump it down the hole and watch where they come up, fast shooting , have to use a shotgun, we had six come out earlier this year. This is work by the way, not hunting, lol

Would like to be there for that kind of work, or at least...see how it's done. 2/3 farms we shot gophers on had real badger problems. Saw plenty of holes, even spotted a couple in the distance when we pulled in. Too fast though. My buddy (the Calgarian) tried to get a shot off on them though. Crazy...the size of the holes they make. Rare to find even a groundhog hole that large, but it happens.