First Groundhog of the Season
Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
- KirkD
- Desktop Artiste
- Posts: 4406
- Joined: Sat Apr 07, 2007 6:52 am
- Location: Central Ontario, Canada
- Contact:
First Groundhog of the Season
Well after supper this evening, I told my wife that I'd work on mudding the drywall in the bathroom, but I figured that just before I did that, I should take a stroll down to the alfalfa field to see if there were any of the Groundhogs up for an evening snack, before retiring to the many holes they have so kindly dug all over my alfalfa field. I got down my old Winchester Model 53 25-20, made in 1925 and grabbed 6 rounds stuffed with 5 grains of Unique under a 74 grain Lyman 257420 GC bullet.
Crossing the backyard, I dropped the lever and slipped one round into the chamber. I eased the hammer down, then clicked it back to half cock and made my way down along the fence to the alfalfa field. I was almost there when I saw one of the largest Skunks I've seen in a dog's age. Now we've been having trouble with skunks. They come around the house at night, steal the Pickles the Cat's food, and get into fights on the front step and three times, about 2:00 am in the morning, they've let fly right near the intake for our air exchanger. When that happens, I suddenly wake up to the whole house filling with stinking skunk fumes and I rush downstairs and turn off the air exchanger. Then, the next day, we burn candles all day to get rid of the stench. Anyway, we got more Skunks around here than you can shake a stick at, and here was one not 10 yards away perched right on the edge of a large Groundhog hole and me with a loaded classic Winchester 25-20 in my hands. Well, I eased that hammer back to full cock and laid that front bead between his eyes, there was a loud 'CRACK' from the old Winchester, and the Skunk conveniently tumbled into the entrance of the large Groundhog hole. Today was my lucky day, I guess. Of all the place for a skunk to expire, the entrance to a large Groundhog hole is about the best place I can think of. I didn't even have to drag him over to a Groundhog hole, he was already about 1 foot down into the hole, so I took a large rock and corked the hole and then added some loose dirt around the edge of the rock so I wouldn't have to smell the old boy for the rest of the summer and into next year every time I walked down to the alfalfa field, which is quite often. I imagine that the Groundhog that lives in that hole will be leaving by the back door to find some new digs shortly.
The field looked pretty deserted until I got near the far end. By cracky, there was a big fat Groundhog (compliments of the alfalfa) sitting by his hole! There was a small hamlet about a quarter mile the other side of him, and it is my policy to not shoot in the direction of a house, forget about a small hamlet, so I began to walk in a large circle around him to get between him and the hamlet. As I walked, I also spiraled in and pretended I wasn't interested in him at all. I peeked at him from the corner of my eye just to see how he was taking it. Well he took it until I was almost half way around him and then he couldn't stand it any longer and jumped down his hole. No problem, I then walked straight to my desired position and sat down, made myself comfy, and waited for him to stick his head out to take a look. I waited for a long time. Finally, I figured I'd haul out my iPhone and check out Leverguns. I just about had it up on the screen when I took a peek over at his hole. By gum, he'd got completely out of it and was sitting broadside to me not 25 yards away! I lowered my iPhone slowly down into the alfalfa and raised the hand back up to my rifle slow and smooth as silk. I pulled the hammer back very slightly with my thumb to take the pressure off, then pulled the trigger back as I eased the hammer back to full cock, then released the trigger so I could cock it without making a sound. I laid that bead on the big fat Groundhog and there was another 'CRACK' and he jumped straight up and tumbled into his hole. He made it about 4 feet in and at that point departed for the Great Alfalfa Field in the Sky. Of all the Groundhogs in my alfalfa field, that one was the hardest one to get, since he could see me coming 300 yards away. The rest should be a lot easier this year.
Crossing the backyard, I dropped the lever and slipped one round into the chamber. I eased the hammer down, then clicked it back to half cock and made my way down along the fence to the alfalfa field. I was almost there when I saw one of the largest Skunks I've seen in a dog's age. Now we've been having trouble with skunks. They come around the house at night, steal the Pickles the Cat's food, and get into fights on the front step and three times, about 2:00 am in the morning, they've let fly right near the intake for our air exchanger. When that happens, I suddenly wake up to the whole house filling with stinking skunk fumes and I rush downstairs and turn off the air exchanger. Then, the next day, we burn candles all day to get rid of the stench. Anyway, we got more Skunks around here than you can shake a stick at, and here was one not 10 yards away perched right on the edge of a large Groundhog hole and me with a loaded classic Winchester 25-20 in my hands. Well, I eased that hammer back to full cock and laid that front bead between his eyes, there was a loud 'CRACK' from the old Winchester, and the Skunk conveniently tumbled into the entrance of the large Groundhog hole. Today was my lucky day, I guess. Of all the place for a skunk to expire, the entrance to a large Groundhog hole is about the best place I can think of. I didn't even have to drag him over to a Groundhog hole, he was already about 1 foot down into the hole, so I took a large rock and corked the hole and then added some loose dirt around the edge of the rock so I wouldn't have to smell the old boy for the rest of the summer and into next year every time I walked down to the alfalfa field, which is quite often. I imagine that the Groundhog that lives in that hole will be leaving by the back door to find some new digs shortly.
The field looked pretty deserted until I got near the far end. By cracky, there was a big fat Groundhog (compliments of the alfalfa) sitting by his hole! There was a small hamlet about a quarter mile the other side of him, and it is my policy to not shoot in the direction of a house, forget about a small hamlet, so I began to walk in a large circle around him to get between him and the hamlet. As I walked, I also spiraled in and pretended I wasn't interested in him at all. I peeked at him from the corner of my eye just to see how he was taking it. Well he took it until I was almost half way around him and then he couldn't stand it any longer and jumped down his hole. No problem, I then walked straight to my desired position and sat down, made myself comfy, and waited for him to stick his head out to take a look. I waited for a long time. Finally, I figured I'd haul out my iPhone and check out Leverguns. I just about had it up on the screen when I took a peek over at his hole. By gum, he'd got completely out of it and was sitting broadside to me not 25 yards away! I lowered my iPhone slowly down into the alfalfa and raised the hand back up to my rifle slow and smooth as silk. I pulled the hammer back very slightly with my thumb to take the pressure off, then pulled the trigger back as I eased the hammer back to full cock, then released the trigger so I could cock it without making a sound. I laid that bead on the big fat Groundhog and there was another 'CRACK' and he jumped straight up and tumbled into his hole. He made it about 4 feet in and at that point departed for the Great Alfalfa Field in the Sky. Of all the Groundhogs in my alfalfa field, that one was the hardest one to get, since he could see me coming 300 yards away. The rest should be a lot easier this year.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
-
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 4923
- Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 1:08 am
- Location: Arizona headed for New Mexico
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
And using a fine rifle to boot!
-
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 5493
- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:23 pm
- Location: Batesville,Arkansas
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
That's just great Kirk, what a fine way to settle a good supper meal.
JerryB II Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
JOSHUA 24:15
JOSHUA 24:15
-
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 6747
- Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:30 am
- Location: Lower Central NYS
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
Great Job Kirk,
I hate them darn skunks,but the woodchucks I think
I have turned soft on.I have a fat one under my bicycle shed,
and everyday I whistle and he comes out stretching his paws.
He is fat and looks like a otter.I give him everyday a banana,
a apple,and a orange italian ice.
My wife somtimes says, where is my fruit to take to work?????????
Anyway all kill those skunks!
I hate them darn skunks,but the woodchucks I think
I have turned soft on.I have a fat one under my bicycle shed,
and everyday I whistle and he comes out stretching his paws.
He is fat and looks like a otter.I give him everyday a banana,
a apple,and a orange italian ice.
My wife somtimes says, where is my fruit to take to work?????????
Anyway all kill those skunks!
- Ysabel Kid
- Moderator
- Posts: 27918
- Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:10 pm
- Location: South Carolina, USA
- Contact:
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
A fine evening stroll for sure. What a great gun and round to use for those critters too!
- Borregos
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 4756
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:40 am
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
Great report Kirk, felt like I was right there with you
Pete
Sometimes I wonder if it is worthwhile gnawing through the leather straps to get up in the morning..................
Sometimes I wonder if it is worthwhile gnawing through the leather straps to get up in the morning..................
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
A very fine evening indeed.
A perfect day can only be achieved while hunting
-
- Levergunner 3.0
- Posts: 982
- Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:05 pm
- Location: New Kent County, VA
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
Great account of a walk I wish I could have made with you!
I was a mighty woodchuck shooter in my younger days in upstate New York, but I too have gone soft. Last summer we had a pear thief chuck who cleaned us out. If he returns this year, he may find out that I'm not quite THAT soft...
I was a mighty woodchuck shooter in my younger days in upstate New York, but I too have gone soft. Last summer we had a pear thief chuck who cleaned us out. If he returns this year, he may find out that I'm not quite THAT soft...
Riamh Nar Dhruid O Spairn Lann
- motto on the Irish Regiments' flags
- motto on the Irish Regiments' flags
- AJMD429
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 32276
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:03 am
- Location: Hoosierland
- Contact:
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
...do you EAT them...?
I have, and the meat was good.
I used to take frozen patties of "ground chuck" to college and cook them on our (non-microwave) popcorn-popper, just to bug my citified/vegetarian classmates...
I have, and the meat was good.
I used to take frozen patties of "ground chuck" to college and cook them on our (non-microwave) popcorn-popper, just to bug my citified/vegetarian classmates...
Last edited by AJMD429 on Wed May 06, 2009 10:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
Awesome rifle and really nice post.
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
Nice report, Kirk! Had to chuckle at the thought of the iPhone and Leverguns while waiting for a shot.
"From birth 'til death...we travel between the eternities." -- Print Ritter in Broken Trail
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
Dang good story, so you write as well as take beautiful pictures. I enjoyed that.
- gamekeeper
- Spambot Zapper
- Posts: 17474
- Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:32 pm
- Location: Over the pond unfortunately.
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
Kirk, that sounds like a perfect stroll to me.
Whatever you do always give 100%........... unless you are donating blood.
- marlinman93
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 6500
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
- Location: Oregon
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
Nicely stalked, and nicely shot Kirk!
Pre WWI Marlins and Singleshot rifles!
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
http://members.tripod.com/~OregonArmsCollectors/
-
- Levergunner 2.0
- Posts: 348
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:19 pm
- Location: Western ND
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
You should try your hand at writing books for children.
Behind every sucessful rancher is a wife with a job in town.
- KirkD
- Desktop Artiste
- Posts: 4406
- Joined: Sat Apr 07, 2007 6:52 am
- Location: Central Ontario, Canada
- Contact:
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
There's an idea .... hunting and shooting books for children. I like the idea, but I'm afraid it might be a tough sell to get them into the libraries.cowboykell wrote:You should try your hand at writing books for children.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
Excellent!
Last Tuesday I had three bunnies frollicking in the hay lot and two came to a similar end by .38-55.
A great way to end the day.
Last Tuesday I had three bunnies frollicking in the hay lot and two came to a similar end by .38-55.
A great way to end the day.
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
Me too. I surf while stand-hunting.alnitak wrote:Nice report, Kirk! Had to chuckle at the thought of the iPhone and Leverguns while waiting for a shot.
Kind regards,
Tycer
----------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.saf.org - https://peakprosperity.com/ - http://www.guntalk.com
Tycer
----------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.saf.org - https://peakprosperity.com/ - http://www.guntalk.com
-
- Levergunner 3.0
- Posts: 961
- Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:42 am
- Location: Kalifornia Sierra Nevada
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
What a great idea, using a skunk to smoke out them groundhogs!
Tom
Tom
Tom
'A Man's got to have a code...
I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted and I won't be laid a hand on.
I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."
-John Bernard Books. Jan. 22, 1901
'A Man's got to have a code...
I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted and I won't be laid a hand on.
I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."
-John Bernard Books. Jan. 22, 1901
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
Shuks Kirk, you took your iphone and no camera!
Good for you Kirk
Nath.
Good for you Kirk
Nath.
Psalm ch8.
Because I wish I could!
Because I wish I could!
- AJMD429
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 32276
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:03 am
- Location: Hoosierland
- Contact:
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
I still want to know if anyone eats groundhog, and how you guys cook them, if you do...?
Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
"first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
Want REAL change? . . . . . "Boortz/Nugent in 2012 . . . ! "
-
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 5493
- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:23 pm
- Location: Batesville,Arkansas
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
When I lived in south middle Tennessee, a couple of friends and I hunted groundhogs with Kentucky rifles. The young ones my wife would fry like rabbit, the bigger ones were cooked in the oven. That makes some great BBQ.
JerryB II Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
JOSHUA 24:15
JOSHUA 24:15
- KirkD
- Desktop Artiste
- Posts: 4406
- Joined: Sat Apr 07, 2007 6:52 am
- Location: Central Ontario, Canada
- Contact:
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
I don't have the stomach to eat mine. They are fat porkers and I just don't get all hungry when I see them. A few have had the mange and that really does not make me hungry.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
Re: First Groundhog of the Season
Tumbling one of them lead bullets through m' will put you off too !
N.
N.
Psalm ch8.
Because I wish I could!
Because I wish I could!