Groundhog Hunting

[grwitehunt]

I have the SPS in 223cal. like a bunch. Don't care for the cheap scope that came on it. So far have killed 13 hogs. My buddy has a left handed SPS 223cal. shot one at 400 yards. My longest shot taken has been 600 yards had a little bit of wind. Didnt miss by much, resting off a fence post. Just one thing I think about my SPS is that is louder than I thought it would be. And it is heavy, you have to have a rest or shooting sticks. I am not able to hold in the off hand for any long period of time to make a good shot. The farmer that I hunt hogs for says the only good one is a dead one. The funny thing is the farmer wants me to come out and shoot them,, but the grass is to high and wet to cut. I told him he has to do is part so I can do mine.. Be safe and shoot straight.

[toadyoforangeville]

I hear ya on the grass part in my spots it is waist high. and one was cut and rowed so dem little piggies beware!!!!! The hornet shall come out to play and lay out the STING!

[moose]

I have poison ivy on my ankles from this weekends fun. My buddy has some fields he uses for pheasant hunting (Game Creek) and lets me shoot his hogs during the off season. Last season was my first out there, only saw one hog and killed it. This past weekend I went out there just to scope it out and got two hogs from the same hole. First time ever seeing/doing that. These fields are covered in ivy though, gotta remember to wear pants! Got the first hog from about 150 yards, moved in and saw that a little one had popped his head out, got him from about 100yards. Shame I didn't have my camera, almost took the little one's head off. Saw a third right after I got the second, but he didn't stick around long enough to get a shot at him. Oh well, I'll get him next time! This weekend pushed me up to 16 groundhogs so far, and with a 2 week break from school coming up, hopefully I'll get to take that number even higher!

[hunter1254]

I hunt groundhogs with my dad in the blue marsh state game lands. I usually take my 17 hmr and my dad'll take the 12 gauge pump in case some crows fly over. I haven'y got a groundhog or a crow so far, I've only been hunting them for a couple of months, we even got some crow decoys and some calls, we had one crow attack the decoys and I missed him. I think next time I'm taking out the 30-06 with the same loads I use for deer and bear. Anyone have some tips?

[grwitehunt]

Hunter 1254... I think you might be better off using the 17 hmr. Unless it is a windy day,, then go with the 30-06. But also give thought to using a smaller grain bullet in the 06. That way you get the reach that you might want and yet not the recoil. It will buck the wind the better than the 17. I use to shoot a 06 with a 180 grain bullet after a good bit of shooting it got to be to much for me,, and again that me. I am glad to hear that your father takes you out. I too take my 12 year old son out for hogs. He killed his first hog last year. Using a 243cal 100gr bullet at 250 yards. Now he is hooked. He dying to shoot my new ground hog killer. Remington 700 in the 223 cal. Keep going out after them. As the famer who I hunt ground hogs for says "The only good ground hog is a dead one".

[hunter1254]

Thnx for the tips, most of my shots are at close distances so i'll probly just keep my regular load, plus the kick doesnt rly bother me. And i've have to agree "the only good hog is a dead one"