Groundhogs / sunflowers

markT · May 17, 2019

Checked on my sunflower field this even and a big ole fat groundhog was lying flat soaking up the sun. Silly me didn’t have a pcp/ or firearm. My question is will groundhogs eat sunflowers?

This is the first time I’ve ever seen GH’s in the sunflower field. I have no experience with what that feed on.

GH’s are new to our area. Upstate SC. (Greenville ville SC) Not sure if people are bringing them in or they are migrating.

Thanks.

seven08 · May 17, 2019

According to their distribution map they are right on your doorstep. Don't trust them to ignore your crop. Blast them on sight.

http://icwdm.org/handbook/rodents/Woodchucks.asp

ChuckHunter · May 17, 2019

Not many people hunt or shoot them anymore! The population has exploded in the last ten years or so and there expanding their range. I remember when you would be lucky to see a half dozen all spring and summer years ago. I shot 21 last year on my sister's farm alone and I'm up to 8 so far this year! Shoot em up they eat everything and leave huge holes everywhere. Farmers hate em!!!

James from Michigan,

sonny · May 17, 2019

reminds me of caddy shack

Bluecup · May 17, 2019

I want you to go out there and shoot all the golfers!!!!! not golfers I said gophers shoot the gophers. Lol classic

Brian10956 · May 18, 2019

I remember my uncle telling me that they were best for eating just before they hibernate as their livers get larger I guess that was my uncles favorite meal. I would cook them up for my dogs.

Droptine26 · May 18, 2019

Probably not eating sunflowers. More likely eating clover that grows around the sunflower plants.

markT · May 18, 2019

I went to the field early this morning around 8:00 am and didnt see him. I also didn’t see a burrow. Didn’t see any crop damage either. We don’t have any clover (yet) in the field. There is tall fescue around the field and some planted corn about 10” tall. I’m planning on going back this evening and bring my 22-250. Maybe he’ll be in the field again.

pcparmy · May 19, 2019

If you use your pellet gun, a meal is there if you want it.

We braise or pressure cook the chucks. Basically mega squirrel, just harder to skin. Makes awesome tacos when u pull the meat!

crosman2016 · May 19, 2019

Lol. The .22-250 will make quick work of him...at 350 yards!

markT · Jun 1, 2019

Just checked on the planted sunflowers and saw a big groundhog leaving the field. Didn’t have the Steamline” ready naturally. He ran towards a creek. The grass is so tall I couldn’t see exactly where he fled to. I do see evidence of sunflower damage. He or Something is eating the bottom leaves all the way back to the “trunk” of the plant.

Question: when he fled, did he go to his burrow or just leave the field? My tractor is down so I can’t rotary ( Bushog) cut the area and can’t look for a burrow. Thanks

guod123 · Jun 3, 2019

I've had good luck locating holes by looking for structure like a shed, concrete slab, pallet, wood pile, or other debris. The bot flies are a good give away,also I find the bulk of them on a weedline, or treeline that separates properties.

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Groundhogs / sunflowers

markT

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seven08

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ChuckHunter

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sonny

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Bluecup

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Brian10956

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Droptine26

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markT

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pcparmy

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crosman2016

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markT

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guod123

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