Woodchuck Hunting

**Ragnar Danneskjold** · 03-16-2012, 07:14 PM

In a constant effort to avenge farmer's crops, I have taken up woodchuck hunting. Tomorrow will be my first hunt with an experienced hunter and his Sako-action 22-250. I just got off the phone with the land owner and he was so thrilled that he opened up all of his properties to me and is anxious to show me the best spots. Hundreds of acres of future soybeans, which he said they absolutely destroy in the areas around their dens.

Anyone else on here woodchuck hunt? If so, any tips for a first-timer? I've been scouting and have seen plenty of fresh excavation going on at the den sites.

Or does anyone have any woodchucks they want me to get rid of?

**timmyp** · 03-16-2012, 07:30 PM

No, but how do I get in on a hunt like that with you?!!

**KSB** · 03-16-2012, 09:12 PM

Woodchuck hunting has to be my favorite hunting. Been hunting them since I was old enough to shoot. Started out with a .22 rimfire. Been using a Whinchester model 70 (.222) now for years. Early morning or late afternoon is the best times to hunt. Midday seems to be to hot for them.

**Evild** · 03-16-2012, 10:01 PM

They are kinda dumb critters, landed shots right next to them and they didn't budge till the next shot hit them. Hardest part is finding them and getting an angle so you have a safe shot.

**Doc8404** · 03-16-2012, 10:07 PM

if they are running, whistle loudly or even take a shot. More than half the time, the idiot stops and sometimes even stands on its hind legs offering an even better shot. another tactic i used was that if they ducked into their hole, I'd walk up to it at the ready...and about 25% of the time, the super-idiot would be looking at me....Great times!

**Ragnar Danneskjold** · 03-16-2012, 11:08 PM

They're pretty timid out here so I'm hoping for somewhat of a challenge. Although I've heard that this time of year they're pretty dumb and only concerned with moving dirt out of their holes.

From the sounds of things the primo spots that the land owner is going to show me have quite the population established. This could be a fun summer.

And this will likely lead to bowhunting permission for the Fall as well. What a score.

**Transporter7220** · 03-16-2012, 11:46 PM

A few of my Dad's friends are into it, so much so that they wait for them to have enough time to raise their litter before shooting any... like they will ever run out... lol

Granted they are in it for the shot, more than the hunt. Most of their shots are 4-600 yards with 25-06's. Crazy old guys, but man can they shoot.

I've never really gone out purposely to shoot any, but when I see them running around the back yard there is always a .22 near by

**varmint** · 03-17-2012, 07:39 AM

absolutely the most fun....i'll take 3 rifles with me, a 17 mach iv, a 223 ackley and a 22-250. I have a heavy barreled 25-06 but I have not yet found a vaporizing bullet.

**BUCKrub91** · 03-17-2012, 08:38 AM

Id like to try it sometime

**gizmo** · 03-17-2012, 11:49 AM

I've taken a few with a .22 WMR that were causing trouble. I would think a .17 HMR would do the trick out to about 150 yrds. Any thoughts?

**KSB** · 03-17-2012, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by gizmo

I've taken a few with a .22 WMR that were causing trouble. I would think a .17 HMR would do the trick out to about 150 yrds. Any thoughts?

I forgot I used a .22 mag before the .222. What fun that was. The .17 is supposed to be the a very hot cartridge for the critters. But when it comes to hunting them it really does not matter what you use. Just getting out there is a blast. I just purchased my first AR and plan on setting it up to hunt coyotes and woodchucks.

Its just getting harder and harder to find spots to hunt them.

**gizmo** · 03-17-2012, 12:33 PM

I have a few spots that should be promising, and was thinking of the new .17 Hornet. It is supposed to have the same ballistics as the .223, with a muzzle velocity of 3600 fps, and would be cheaper to shoot. So many options so little money and time.

**Gunner57** · 03-17-2012, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by gizmo

I have a few spots that should be promising, and was thinking of the new .17 Hornet. It is supposed to have the same ballistics as the .223, with a muzzle velocity of 3600 fps, and would be cheaper to shoot. So many options so little money and time.

Giz - you provide the spots and I will provide the toys! I have a Contender with a 17 Rem centerfire barrel on it that wants to play.

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**gizmo** · 03-17-2012, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Gunner57

Giz - you provide the spots and I will provide the toys! I have a Contender with a 17 Rem centerfire barrel on it that wants to play.

I need to scope them out better to see how many are there but I have access to almost 100 acres of field woods and a stream :-)

**varmint** · 03-17-2012, 04:14 PM

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**Ragnar Danneskjold** · 03-17-2012, 07:09 PM

My first woodchuck. 150 yard poke. That gun is unreal but unfortunately it's not mine.

We had zero luck on my grounds and my buddy said we should stop at a farm he used to shoot Woodchucks on years ago. So we did and the kind lady said, "Kill them all." We ended up seeing over 20 fresh holes which should start to get active in the next week or two.

2012-03-17_17-08-25_604.jpg

**BUCKrub91** · 03-17-2012, 10:32 PM

If somebody would shoot me a pm and give me some info on how to find places to hunt these critters that would be great... Would be nice to put my .17hmr to good use

**Ragnar Danneskjold** · 03-17-2012, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by BUCKrub91

If somebody would shoot me a pm and give me some info on how to find places to hunt these critters that would be great... Would be nice to put my .17hmr to good use

Well after speaking with two landowners and having both tell me to shoot all of them, I'd say you should just ask a local farmer. Farmers hate woodchucks.

**KSB** · 03-18-2012, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Ragnar Danneskjold

Well after speaking with two landowners and having both tell me to shoot all of them, I'd say you should just ask a local farmer. Farmers hate woodchucks.

Yep especially dairy farmers or any farmer with livestock.

**jayroget** · 03-18-2012, 09:58 AM

I have used my bow before and stalked them. Have gotten a few like that. Now I use a .204 ruger with a 6.5-20 X 50 leupold vari-x lll LR with varmiter cross hairs. ( windage/ranging) I also used a spotting scope , binos and range finder. Bi-pod on the gun is a must as far as I am concerned and head shots only. Pink mist.......

**Ragnar Danneskjold** · 03-18-2012, 01:22 PM

Heading back out with the. 22 and 9mm to try and get the critter who didn't cooperate yesterday.

**Bob** · 03-18-2012, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Ragnar Danneskjold

Anyone else on here woodchuck hunt? If so, any tips for a first-timer?

Make sure you use the pedal on the right, not the one on the left.

**Jeff** · 03-18-2012, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Ragnar Danneskjold

Heading back out with the. 22 and 9mm to try and get the critter who didn't cooperate yesterday.

You can borrow my AR if you need a longer range rifle than the 22 and don't have that other gun.

**BIG flash** · 03-18-2012, 03:14 PM

killing woodchucks is like swatting flies, i've killed way more than i could count. haha little bastards
with tools ranging from a hammer to .30-06

but my .22 loaded with hollow points have claimed the most kills within reasonable ranges.

if you ever want someone to go out with you let me know.
i don't have as nice of a long range varmit gun as a lot of these guys here though. maybe some day

nice work with that 22-250 btw, that's gotta be a great woodchucker