Poor Groundhog

[MysticalMom]

The groundhog was gone by about 7:30.

So groundhogs can climb. Go figure.

 

[Magnum]

Groundhougs, or woodchucks are harmless, do not carry rabies and live in family groups.
When scared, they will run up a tree.
Like cats, they do not "back down" a tree well.
Find a plank or log and prop it up near the woodchuck and allow it time to turn around and scamper down the tree.
If you shot it, you may just hurt it and not kill it.
Then a wildlife rehabber will have to come out, rescue the animal and deal with a wounded animal. Something a rehabber would not care to do.
Give it a means to escape, use the hose if needed and let it go in peace.
Thanks...
A wildlife rehabber

I do not agree with with this. They are harmful in lots of ways. They dig holes which people, or animals can set in and break ankles or legs, dig out foundations around barns, houses and sheds. My cousin used to pick me up on the weekends to go set up on his porch in the morning to shoot them. They would tear up crops and make it hard to work the land. Just another Varmit in my eyes.

When I was a kid I was chasing one through the woods with my 22, wasn't going to kill it because it wasn't near our land. After running after it a bit it jumped and climbed a tree and started hissing at me. Now when your like 6 or 6 and see this big 'ol thing called a GROUND HOG you would never think it would climb a tree Scared me half to death

 

[Vince]

If it wasn't deer season, pheasant season, rabbit or squirrel, it was always ground hog season. The farmers would always let us hunt their fields for the elusive ground hog.

 

[Magnum]

If it wasn't deer season, pheasant season, rabbit or squirrel, it was always ground hog season. The farmers would always let us hunt their fields for the elusive ground hog.

I remember some used to pay us like $5 for everyone we killed then we weould go sell them for $20 to some guy that used to eat them.

 

[aps45819]

Groundhogs are not a pest species, do not damage property, (digging holes for denning not considered damage)

When the axle on your tractor breaks because a wheel dropped into a den hole, that's property damage.
When your driveway washes out because a den hole runs under it, that's property damage.

 

[desertrat]

IP, can you tell me what good they do? I'm not being smart, just wanting to know. In my experience I cannot think of a single thing they contribute to but a few bad things they cause.

Same could be said about a lot of people.

 

[Nanny Pam]

If it wasn't deer season, pheasant season, rabbit or squirrel, it was always ground hog season. The farmers would always let us hunt their fields for the elusive ground hog.

Many years ago, my Dad & I would go groundhog hunting. Acres & acres of "targets." The farmer was grateful, and we had fun.

 

[Vince]

I remember some used to pay us like $5 for everyone we killed then we weould go sell them for $20 to some guy that used to eat them.

Believe it or not, groundhog is very good if it's cooked correctly. Not too many old folks left around that know how to cook it. Very greasy unless you cook it right.

 

[desertrat]

Believe it or not, groundhog is very good if it's cooked correctly. Not too many old folks left around that know how to cook it. Very greasy unless you cook it right.

Trailer Park Groundhog

Take gun (.22 cal is good). Load with bullets and accurately fire at head [Ed. Note: We're assuming the groundhog's head, not your own].

Skin groundhog and gut him. Clean out carcass with waterhose.

Cut critter into quarters.

Make up a big batch of your favorite marinade (make sure it has oil and vinegar to help tenderize the groundhog).

Throw marinade and critter pieces into plastic trash bag and marinade around 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Take out marinated critter pieces and throw on the grill on low heat. Cook until rare to medium rare. Do not overcook, critter will dry out.

And no one likes their critter dry.

 

[Vince]

IP, can you tell me what good they do? I'm not being smart, just wanting to know. In my experience I cannot think of a single thing they contribute to but a few bad things they cause. Aren't they allowed to be killed 365 days a year? Just seems to me if there was any value to them DNR would put some restrictions on them. Just asking in hopes I'll learn something else I"m not aware of.

In Pa. it was groundhog season all year long. We did not use a .22. We didn't want to wound it. Used a .22-250.

 

[Vince]

Trailer Park Groundhog

Take gun (.22 cal is good). Load with bullets and accurately fire at head [Ed. Note: We're assuming the groundhog's head, not your own].

Skin groundhog and gut him. Clean out carcass with waterhose.

Cut critter into quarters.

Make up a big batch of your favorite marinade (make sure it has oil and vinegar to help tenderize the groundhog).

Throw marinade and critter pieces into plastic trash bag and marinade around 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Take out marinated critter pieces and throw on the grill on low heat. Cook until rare to medium rare. Do not overcook, critter will dry out.

And no one likes their critter dry.

Alright DR!! Sounds good.

 

[Nanny Pam]

Alright DR!! Sounds good.

Where in PA did you come from? Pottstown area for me.

 

[Vince]

Where in PA did you come from? Pottstown area for me.

Easton

 

[Tinkerbell]

...Groundhogs are not a pest species, do not damage property, (digging holes for denning not considered damage) many den up in fox holes or skunk dens.
They winter over becasue pf the lack of a food supply.
Mainly eat veggies and a few grubs and bugs.
Fur/pelt not worth anything, never has been. So groundhogs are just left alone unless it is injured.
Basically, they are big rodents and of no value as a commerical product.

Are you kidding me? They sure do enough damage on our farm. If my hubby, brother in law and father in law didn't go around trapping/shooting them, it's not even funny the damage they do to the crops, garndens and outbuildings. We've had foundation of two sheds back by the barn undermined by their dens. We've lost entire gardens. They go after the crops. Between them and the deer, it's surprising we have any crops left at the end of the year. I'd hate to think what it would be like if they didn't kill the dozen or so they get every year. Oh, and DNR told us they are considered varments and we can kill them all day, every day.

 

[mingiz]

I do not agree with with this. They are harmful in lots of ways. They dig holes which people, or animals can set in and break ankles or legs, dig out foundations around barns, houses and sheds. My cousin used to pick me up on the weekends to go set up on his porch in the morning to shoot them. They would tear up crops and make it hard to work the land. Just another Varmit in my eyes.

When I was a kid I was chasing one through the woods with my 22, wasn't going to kill it because it wasn't near our land. After running after it a bit it jumped and climbed a tree and started hissing at me. Now when your like 6 or 6 and see this big 'ol thing called a GROUND HOG you would never think it would climb a tree Scared me half to death

The other half has killed about 6 of them that have hung out in our pasture. They aren't little things either. Dead GH better than horse with broken leg. I saw a fox the other day that from a distance looked like a german shepard. He was big and not afraid of the tractor coming at him. He's next

 

[Vince]

I saw a fox the other day that from a distance looked like a german shepard. He was big and not afraid of the tractor coming at him. He's next

 

[Magnum]

The other half has killed about 6 of them that have hung out in our pasture. They aren't little things either. Dead GH better than horse with broken leg. I saw a fox the other day that from a distance looked like a german shepard. He was big and not afraid of the tractor coming at him. He's next

One time I shot a tiny groung hog, at 65 yards I hit it in the neck and almost blest it's head clean off with the 22 HP, couldn't believe it. I think that day alone we killed 5 on the farm.

I saw bright Orange Fox once when I was hunting. I have never seen one with colors like this. I almost shot it to get it stuffed but I did not, It was early morning opening day so I didn't want to scare the deer away. At my work in Rockville I swear I have been seeing Coyete's or something there's 2 of them that are always right off Shady Grove

 

[rack'm]

In Pa. it was groundhog season all year long. We did not use a .22. We didn't want to wound it. Used a .22-250.

Didn't want to skin it either huh?


I've used everything from a .270 to a 30.06 to take out the rodents........and I've picked up my share of hay that got dumped off of a wagon because the wheel dropped into a big hole too.

 

[itsbob]

That was a joke wasn't it? I tried it though.

He squeeled at me. I ran.

I think I'll just leave him alone.

But do you think he can get down by himself? Poor little thing.

Our landlord said to shoot any and all we see....but I won't let B do that.

What's your landlords name, I'll come shoot em..

 

[keekee]

Groundhougs, or woodchucks are harmless, do not carry rabies and live in family groups.
When scared, they will run up a tree.
Like cats, they do not "back down" a tree well.
Find a plank or log and prop it up near the woodchuck and allow it time to turn around and scamper down the tree.
If you shot it, you may just hurt it and not kill it.
Then a wildlife rehabber will have to come out, rescue the animal and deal with a wounded animal. Something a rehabber would not care to do.
Give it a means to escape, use the hose if needed and let it go in peace.
Thanks...
A wildlife rehabber

Groundhogs can carry rabies.

http://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/fyiwb/RabiesAlert-web.pdf