Driving to work this morning I saw the first charlie of 2006. He was just sitting on the mound soaking up the morning sun. Sure made my trigger finger itch!!! Most of the snow is gone now, and the temps are starting to climb a little. Should see more as time goes by.

I've seen one ground squirrel and one rock chuck out here, the chuck was dead, I think he came out a little early and froze to death

That's funny Dale....or weird, but I saw 2 on the highway's edge on the way home yest. afternoon. Both were 15ft. from the road and standing tall. Smiled when I saw them.

Tigger;
What part of Western NY are you in. I live near Jamestown. Ive been seeing a few chucks out along the roads myself, Cant wait to unleash the 270 JDJ on them.

Bear Hunter,

I'm about 100 miles east of you, in a little town called Andover. Wellsville is the biggest town in the county just west of me.

I saw a bunch too Tigs. I came back from Potsdam and saw a few close to the road. Can't wait til I can shoot a few of them.

I also saw a few this passed week...trying to keep it quiet though...if the XP's and T/C's find out they will be bugging me to go huntin'!! I'll wait until they are out in force to start shootin'em.

I hear ya Dan. One or two early is OK but, I like to wait till the young are coming out of the hole with mom. That makes it later in the season, but a lot more targets. Right now only the males are out looking for burrows with receptive females to breed. The female will stay underground untill the young are born and she has to feed.

The last couple of years charlie numbers have been down some here. I think alot has to do with the coyote population on the rise. So hopefully by waiting I can give the charlies a chance to multiply. Never thought I'd be saying something like that.

This is a sick post! Please remember: Charlies are people too! My God, think of the children! Oh that's right, Tigger is waiting for them to grow up and leave the den......