Tough groundhog wouldn't die: Glad I have cool neighbors!

[busta biggun]

First of all, you have to understand my neighborhood. Semi-gated golf course community, yuppie cars, uptight housing association rules, etc. I also have these ground hogs that like to hang out in my back yard. I don't mind so much,...until they get a little too cozy. I had one burrowed in under the rocks next to my back porch. He has been tearing up the barbecue grill to get the grease out of the grease traps, plus this thing looks all scarred up and mangy looking. We have a fox terrier that is too stupid to know any better and this groundhog is not afraid of the dog, so I am anticipating a dog maiming if I don't do something.

I am in my office today and hear the dog growling. She is looking out the window and this mutant groundhog is standing on my rocks. I put the dog away, got my colt woodsman .22, and slowly opened the door. I had a small window of fur to shoot at cleanly. I shot it and it jumped straight up. It was wounded and was trying to crawl back in the hole. I didn't want a dead groundhog rotting under my rocks so I shot it again. It takes off running into my next door neighbors back yard. I shot it two more times and it flips over on it's back, dying. I am thinking it's all over so I go to get a trash bag to throw it in the garbage, and it's still alive. I shoot it in the head this time. NOW it's over, but what I expected to be a quick, discreet, dispatch of a varmint turned into a very loud, indiscreet shootout which I am sure attracted a bit of attention. Fortunately my neighbors in my cul-de-sac all have CCW's aand are very cool. Not sure who all was home, but I haven't had any phone calls or police visits so everything must be ok,

[Gooserbat]

Your mistake was not shooting it in the head.  Something about a CCI Stinger to the noggin gets them every time.

[busta biggun]

He didn't offer up a head shot. He was standing on the rocks between my grill and the stairs coming down from the deck. All I could see was from his chest down. I shot one before doing the same thing and he dropped like a rock. I obviously didn't get him in the heart. Guess I live and learn.

[renegade19]

They're tough.  I live in suburbia in similar circumstances.  Had one gnaw a hole in my giant pumpkin.  Took me 3 shots with 22 long rifles.  Nobody said a word.

[WNY Bowhunter]

I'm glad that I live out in the country... .

[jblackburn]

I'm glad that I live out in the country... .

Yep!  No problems with neighbors where I am at.  Armadillos, now that's another story.

17 hmr is wicked on those things!

[Old Gobbler]

[jblackburn]

I cannot believe I did not think of that!

[busta biggun]

That is hilarious Shannon! I guess when you look at it,...I did a LOT less damage than Carl did to get rid of my gopher!!!

[DirtNap647]

[WV TURKEY THUG]

I shot a skunk 3 times with a 22 mag once all placed behind front shoulder still didn't die. Had to get the 308 to finish him off. I think a skunk and groundhogs are some tough animals. If I was u I would be getting some remington cbs and use them just make sure u shoot from inside of ur house make sure to keep the barrel inside also it traps the sound inside somewhat. No one will hear it if there inside there house. Subsonics ain't as loud as regular bullets also. Or u could just use a bow lol.

[tomstopper]

Havent seen that movie in a long time......

[surehuntsalot]

I'm glad that I live out in the country... .

Yep!  No problems with neighbors where I am at.  Armadillos, now that's another story.

17 hmr is wicked on those things!

Armadillos and racoons are bad around here   the 7.62x39mm HP's love it when they come around

[RutnNStrutn]

Not sure who all was home, but I haven't had any phone calls or police visits so everything must be ok,

Funny story!! Made me laugh!!

[Uncle Nicky]

Man, this story hits close to home with me. 

I live in the same kind of neighborhood, and since I've moved here, I'd shoot on average 6 groundhogs a year, they burrow in the township-owned woodlot that borders my property, I'd shoot them in the noggin with a .22 rifle, really only just sounded like a firecracker going off.

Last year I removed the old maple that was dying in the yard, not even thinking that the leaves muffled the sound of the shots....I had one heck of a surprise when I shot one earlier this year, it sounded like a .243 going off, BIG non-no where I live. I guess it's going to have to be crossbow only now, I did manage to hit one last night in the neck, little @#$%^&* ran off with my $6 arrow.