Groundhog kill - Semi-urban hood

[Bob Kontak]

Groundhog lives under my shed. Chows on my grass daily. I want to get rid of it and have no issues with snuffing it.

However, I have a large Have-a-Heart trap and an old 16 gauge Belgium Browning, Sweet Sixteen, semi-auto.

What can I use for bait in the trap. Would like to try this round one. Overnight with apples, carrots and lettuce catches racoons.

What ammo should I use that if shot from my six inch open kitchen window, say 10 - 20 inches back, will not AUTOMATICALLY cause the police to get summoned from percussion in a sorta semi-rural neighborhood. I can handle some risk.

Here is my crib:



Here are the only shells I have. Adequate if necessary?:

[RWebb]

it mows your grass for free and you want to get rid of it???

[Bob Kontak]

Pop goes the weasel. On way or the other.

[matt f]

A goat mows for free and doesn't make holes, not a grunt sow. I don't suggest firing from inside the house without earplugs. A .22 would be perfect, of course observing safe firing protocol.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

...What ammo should I use that if shot from my six inch open kitchen window, say 10 - 20 inches back, will not AUTOMATICALLY cause the police to get summoned from percussion in a sorta semi-rural neighborhood. I can handle some risk.....

I think you'd be fine with the #6 shot. Semi-rural area, I wouldn't sweat it, and even go outside if you can get a closer/better shot (and retreat back inside immediately). Had a coyote around my back fence a few months back so I was prepared to do the same with a rifle (he/she moved on). Asked my LEO tennant what they'd do if they got a call about a shot in the night. Send a cruiser out...if they don't see nuthin', keep cruisin . Ya gotta do what ya gotta do...

ps: I live in the city limits...but did see two bucks (one a nice 8-pointer) at my back fence two weeks ago...

pps: I also pre-warned my adjacent neighbors about the 'yote and not to worry if they heard a shot at night...YMMV

[RWebb]

why not get a pet badger?

[matt f]

I like the badger idea, but first try taking a whizz in the hole and DOMINATE the little bast.rd. Of course, a diet that puts you in ketosis (low carb), and eating asparagas will make your urine extra alpha stinky.

[911dean]

Originally Posted by RWebb

why not get a pet badger?

That's funny...My boxer would probably do the trick. He's not to fond of vermin.
Dean

[masraum]

why not get a pet badger?

Or a bobcat and three mountain lions!

[GWN7]

Garden hose. He will either come up on his own or the tunnels will collapse. If he comes up on his own a stick is all you need.

[Evans, Marv]

I eliminated most of the ground squirrels around my house with my air rifle. I'd take the screen off of a window the night before & check back in the morning when they'd be in the yard. I'd crack the window, stick the muzzle barely outside or even with the window frame & pop them. I also have lots of rabbits in the yard mornings & evenings which I don't shoot. The muzzle sound wouldn't disturb them & they'd just keep on eating as the squirrels went through the process of dying. Air rifles are really good for that, but it takes time to reload if you have to. Borrow one if you can & give it a try. It should work on ground hogs just fine, & the ammunition is cheap.
P.S. I tried the garden hose with gophers & was successful in getting a few, but others come in shortly and their tunnels weren't damaged at all.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

I eliminated most of the ground squirrels around my house with my air rifle.

These suckers are kind of chunky. I have a Gamo but am kinda skeered of only wounding it. Gamo is dead on for 20 feet but after that, it's anyone's guess.

Where should I try to place the shot if I use the Gamo?

[Brian 162]

Originally Posted by GWN7

Garden hose. He will either come up on his own or the tunnels will collapse. If he comes up on his own a stick is all you need.

At my friends farm when I was a teenager (long time ago). We positioned ourselves at the ground hog holes. We dumped water in one end. Sure enough he came out of one of the holes. One hit of a pitchfork then finished it off with a shovel. Fell right back in the hole.
We got lazy with the next one. Once it popped out of the hole the shotgun finished him off.

Good times

[id10t]

Get a adapter to allow 22lr in your 16ga. Yes, they make 'em. OUR COMPLETE LINE OF SHOTGUN INSERTS TO INCREASE THE VERSATILITY OF YOUR SHOTGUN

Then get a box of CCI Quiet - CCI Ammunition - Product Detail

I've had air rifles louder. I fired off a few rounds a few feet away from the wife, separated by a window. She didn't realize I had shot.

[andrew15]

Gophers Pest Control | Moles Burrowing Rodents @ Rodenator

That is all.

[Evans, Marv]

I'd take a bit of time & a target & zero it in at the range you need to make the shot & go for the upper body. I think my air rifle would even be OK for ground hogs. It's an AWS mod. 48 zeroed at about 125 ft. & shoots the pellet at 1,100 fps. I have to aim a little low at something in my yard & can actually hit about as good at 100 ft. or so with iron sights. Any ground squirrel within 150 ft. or so is fair game. I'd also stuff the critter down its hole & cover it up if you are OK with that & maybe deter others for awhile.

[Bob Kontak]

Nice. Water is good but it's undrr my shed.

Rodenator is awesome but still leaves the stinker in the hole. Big bucks too.

I really wanna kill it so the Gamo is going to be dialed on for longer range in the AM.

However, I do like the thoughts if turning his little fuzzy coat inside out with the 16 ga. without an option to run wounded.

Yep, shotgun with earplugs.

[andrew15]

Nope - I demand the rodentator!

[pavulon]

even Bill Murray made peace eventually...just say'n!!

[MT930]

Your neighbors will thank you. Kill it fast and quiet.

Have a Heart traps can be dropped in a large bucket or water.

I prefer man to rodent with a pistol. Use your discretion.