Plain and simple, I'm a groundhog freak. Taken over 13,500 with my handguns. I've studied these crafty varmints for 44 years.
Most hunters realize they have an alarm whistle. Over the years I've noticed a different pitched whistle which I think is a "who are you" whistle. I've managed to imitate this with my mouth and a varmint call (my mouth is better). If I approach a hole, 50-70 yds., and not seen, I've been from 50-75% successful in calling them out of the hole. The past 2 weeks my success has rocketed to 90%!!!
I've chased this certain groundhog for 3 years on this small farm. Whistled before with no success. This day was cold and windy. I whistled and in 90 seconds I could see a head from eyes to crown. Had my Quiet Gun (Ruger MK III suppressed). Rested my elbow on my knee, 25 yds. Pop! His back legs started kicking and he came out of the hole (sign of a low brain stem hit)
In the next photo you'll see a V shaped tree in the upper part. I sat between the Vs for some camo effect. Need all the help I can get
I was on a roll. I went to my next farm with my "new gun". I lost 2 Colt Anacondas in my house fire in 2002. Paid $350 for the in 1980. By 2002 the prices were going up. I got a Dan Wesson .44 Pistol Pak. It's a good looking accurate gun, but it's not an Anaconda. A friend turned me on to a auction site. A 6" .44 Anaconda was going for a low price. I was very hesitant. I finally put in a bid a hour before the auction was over. I won it! Now I was wondering if I just bought a piece of garbage. It was in excellent shape. Even had an UltraDot on it. It only shot 3/4" groups at 50 yd. I did good.
At the next farm I whistled. One came out, but stayed low on the ground. He would not raise up. 56 yds. Should I? When he raised his head a little I put the Dot on #6 and fired. I doubled eyed him. Lucky shot? Accurate gun? Maybe a little of both.
Over the last week I've whistled out 4 more 'hogs using my Anaconda at 26, 36, 42, 48 yds. I guess that makes me a 'Hog Ace!!
Recently I read an article on Nosler's new Independence handgun, a plain version of their custom gun. Comes in any color you want as long as it's black barrel and grey stock. Calibers are 22 Nosler, 24 Nosler, 6mm Creed, 7mm-08, .308. Not in 6.5 Needmore. I was thinking about the 24. It's about 150 fps faster than my 6mmAI.
I went to this farm that had a large plateau that I lay on with a very good view. It's in the top rear of the photo
I'm looking back to where the photo was taken at an old farm building. Hunted here for 35 yrs. and never seen anything. Well, here's this 'hog with his head laying on his front feet. 396 yds. I've done 2 deer that far with the AI, so here goes.
Notice the 'hog is facing away. His head was on the top board. The 70 gr. BT hit just under his chin and flipped him 180*. Cool or what? Big 'hog, nice shot
So, do I need a 24 Nosler? Not so sure now. Both the 400 deer dropped instantly. My 55# javelina ran 5 yds. A 150 yd. deer dropped. If I was shooting 500 groundhogs a year like the old days, then a 24 might be in my future. For now, I'll pass.
