What is the best time of day to hunt groundhogs?

The best time of the day to hunt groundhogs is during the coolest parts of the day. I have people to tell me they are very active during the early morning, just after daybreak. I have always preferred to hunt them in the late afternoon and early evening.

What is the best rifle for groundhog hunting?

The 8 Best Guns for Groundhogs

• Ruger 10/22. What kind of small game gun list would this be without the most popular semi-automatic .
• H&R Sportster . 17HMR.
• Benjamin Marauder . 25 Cal.
• Savage A17. Have you ever wondered why there aren’t more .
• CZ 527 Lux.
• Savage 93 F 22WMR.
• Remington R15.
• Smith & Wesson 22 Victory.

What is good bait for groundhogs?

Place your trap near the burrow or area that the groundhog frequently visits. Then bait the trap, many people have had great success using sunflower seeds, peanut butter and corn, however cantaloupe is often the preferred bait.

Is Groundhog good to eat?

“The simple fact is, groundhogs are eminently edible and delicious,” writes Everett J. Castro in Mother Earth News. “Like rabbits and squirrels (both of which are valued food animals), whistle-pigs are vegetarians. Thus, their meat, when properly prepared, is quite tasty and tender.”

What size shot groundhog?

Groundhogs are tough critters, and they can need some killing! I’d suggest nothing less than 4’s in regular shot. 2’s might be even better. I’m sure 4 ought buck would work on them.

Is 17hmr good for groundhogs?

17 HMR proved to be an excellent round for woodchucks, typically anchoring them in their tracks.

What caliber is a woodchuck?

For a 500 yard groundhog gun a 22-250 22-250 AI, 220 swift, 22 Creedmoore, 22×47 lapua or other cartridges in this class will work but you will need at least a 8″ twist barrel so you can shoot the heavy bullets. I shoot the 22×47 Lapua with a 8″ twist barrel shooting the 80 gr.

How do you lure a groundhog out of its hole?

In Havahart® field tests, cantaloupe was the best bait for attracting groundhogs and woodchucks. Cut cantaloupe into 2″ cubes, and rub the cantaloupe juice and rind throughout the inside and outside of the trap. Set the trap with some of the fruit in the position indicated above.

Do groundhogs like peanut butter?

Groundhogs are vegetarians, though they will eat insects in times of absolute necessity. Since they enjoy plants so much, most baits are derived from berries, greens, and other sweet juices. Sometimes companies will include human foods like peanut butter, since they have strong scents and include a lot of sugar.

What do you do with groundhog meat?

Thus, their meat, when properly prepared, is quite tasty and tender.” Castro gives recipes for his traditional Groundhog Day pie and also a hearty stew. “You can use woodchuck meat in virtually any recipe calling for small game and in many other dishes as well,” he says.

Can groundhogs carry rabies?

Groundhogs are known carriers of the rabies virus. If bitten by one, it’s important to immediately seek medical attention and be treated with the rabies vaccine. Tularemia: Groundhogs also carry tularemia, which is transmitted to them by insects.

When is the best time to hunt groundhogs?

Summer Hunting: Groundhogs. Groundhogs are diurnal, but like most rodents, they only have sweat glands in their feet. If it’s too hot, they tend to seek the cool shelter of their holes, so early morning, early evening, or an overcast day are the best times to catch them out and about in the heat of summer.

Can I hunt groundhogs?

Groundhogs do not live in large colonies like prairie dogs. With prairie dogs, a hunter can shoot hundreds of shots in a day, whereas three to five groundhogs would be considered a good average for an afternoon’s hunt.

How big is a woodchuck?

The groundhog is the largest sciurid in its geographical range. Adults are 16 to 20 inches long, including a six inch tail. A large woodchuck thought to weigh twenty pounds when carried was exactly half that weight when weighed by scale.