Anyone Hunt Groundhogs?

[StrangeTanks]

I have a new hunting permission where the owner wants me to eliminate the groundhogs from his property. I've gotten them before but never hunted them specifically. Wanted to see if anyone has any tips, I would like to be pretty successful because I want to ask permission for further hunting later in the year.

I guess my main question is, if you see one run down their hole I've seen guys set up on that hole and wait for a head to pop back up. How long do they stay down there in general and is there any way to bait them out a little faster? I don't have a problem waiting, but I don't want to be sitting in some field for hours on end staring through a scope.

 

[BowFin83]

I usually give them about an hour. Its less time than that usually. If they see you before going down the hole then you should wait on them from a different vantage point. Happy hunting.

 

[FalzoneXL725]

I've learned through many elmer fudd experiences to make sure you observe the landscape. They make holes everywhere and are very curious so usually if they don't pop up to check you out initially they will head to a different vantage point. Sometimes it works out nice and they pop up closer for a clean shot.

 

[blackdiesel]

I'm not sure if Baxter Walton is on this board. He's on GTA and always hunting ground squirrels. He answers questions on his youtube channel so you can reach him there.
Here is a video:

 

[Mentolio]

They always have more than one exit from their dens, and they can often be surprisingly far apart. Best bet is to scout out the area and mark each potential hole so you can pick a good spot to camp out and maximize your "targets of opportunity." Also, watch the holes through your scope. Usually, when one is close to the hole's entrance, you'll see flies buzzing around the entrance. Keep watching, and you'll probably see one poke it's head out. Around my way, they typically come out in the cooler parts of the day: early morning (around sunrise) and late afternoon/early evening to feed. They will also often make an appearance right after a rain shower. As far as bait goes, I've tried numerous things and had zero success. When they run to their hole because of seeing you (once they disappear) try to move to another spot to wait them out. They aren't as dumb as they look, and they will be looking for you in the last place they saw you when they re-emerge. A spot in the shade will make it harder for them to see you when they come back. Lastly, sometimes when they reach their hole, they'll pause for a moment right at the entrance. If you're quick, you can sometimes take the bugger right there while he poses for you, just make it a good head shot. Best of luck and good hunting!

 

[KzooRichie]

I've never hunted them, but I've seen an awful lot of them. It's been my observation that they pop their heads up in a matter of seconds rather than hours or minutes.

I'd suggest putting a bead on where you would expect there head to pop up and be ready. There tough buggers and you will need a good shot to put um down.

 

[ajshoots]

Groundhogs are lazy vegetarians. Once you find their food source( hay field, soybeans, ect) and there holes, the rest is simple. They normally feed morning and evening. I find evenings the most productive. You can setup on the feeding grounds or holes. If they run to a hole, they usually will peek back out. Sometimes whistling can bring em back out for a look. Hence the nickname "whistlepig"!! Whistling will also make them stand up and look. This can help for longer shots as you have a taller target than one down on all fours feeding. If you run one down a hole, you will probably see it within minutes if it is coming back out. If this happens towards the end of morning or evening feeding, they might not come back out till its time to eat again.

 

[Chip]

+1 for morning & evenings. They're tougher than you think so headshot 'em if you can. The guys in the office who chase them, the "Chuckmasters", agree that waiting them out for 15min is the norm (no one here has the patience to wait an hour).

 

[ninja]

I am waiting for my new gun to arrive but I saw 12 to day they like their food sources and it is much easier to shoot them if they are standing up. The reason is if you aim for the head and miss low you either hit it in the neck or the heart. What the others have said so far is correct.

 

[H0rizonfire]

Any of you guys eat groundhogs? If you get them young they can be quite delicious. If cooked right of course.