Groundhog hunting with a .22

[ROCK-IT3]

It*s not much of an issue if you learn to be a good shot*

Is this directed at me?

[57springer]

I use 22mag on them close to the house , effective up to 100yds easily . If out in the fields , 222 rem.

[Delkal]

It*s not much of an issue if you learn to be a good shot*

Groundhogs are at the upper end of an instant kill with a .22. Sure with a headshot you can kill anything but for every one of them there is another running to their den for a slow death. With a high velocity center fire rifle you can be a little off and they will still instantly blow up and die. .

[Bang]

Had a friend with whom I bow hunted deer. One day he called suggesting let's go for groundhog. With a bow? Yeah. That'll never work! But off we went. Damned if we didn't get a shot as one stood erect deciding what to do about us at about 30 yards. Missed. Gone. But I learned it can be done.

When young my Dad had a friend sporterize a SMLE and presented it to me for deer hunting. Up until then I had been using a single break-open 16 gauge. I used the .303 British for groundhogs at some pretty good distances. Instant death.

[JaySmith]

I trap groundhogs, take them to the creek, spray paint them orange. If I catch an orange groundhog, it's a .22 and dump the body. Nasty bastards, but I give them a fighting chance.

[JaySmith]

I trap groundhogs, take them to the creek, spray paint them orange. If I catch an orange groundhog, it's a .22 and dump the body. Nasty bastards, but I give them a fighting chance.

[cdi]

Is this directed at me?

Yes- but I*m just breaking your stones.��

[ROCK-IT3]

Yes- but I*m just breaking your stones.**

Gotcha! I am a pretty good shot, and that was the only groundhog who gave that much trouble. I thought the first shot was good, and he didn't move for 10 seconds, but after he came to, he was the toughest SOB I ever saw.

[R L Suehr]

I used to use a 22mag when we cleaned them out at the farm. Worked pretty well at 75-100yds we used to get shots at on the fence rows. Since you can use semi-auto now, I'd probably take an AR. I have one setup for longer range and it would be my go to. 223 is devastating on whistle pigs out to 4-500 yds even.

[Qtrborecrazy]

I*m a 17hmr kind of guy because speed kills. I*ve shot ground hogs with 22 and they run back to their hole, shoot them with the 17 and they die where they feed.