OT: 22lr strikes again

[JReed]

Well I have been doing some pest control around the house and my neighbors pond with our Win mod61. Well got home today and our resident ground hog was out in the yard. I have been waiting for an opportunity to take him and today he obliged. I crept out the front door rifle in hand knowing that these are viscous beast and can charge at a moments notice so I used the bushes to sneak around for a good shot. All the while I could hear the beast savaging the lawn. When I popped around the edge of the bush he spied me. As he sat there eying me at 30 yards I could tell he was gathering him self for the attack. I calmed my nerves and coolly placed the brass bead of the front sight center chest as he faced me and applied steady pressure to the trigger Bang! The creature reared up and flopped on its back and lay twitching while I worked the pump to reload. I approached to find that it was still fighting for life so I finished with a point blank shot threw the brain pan. Apon examining the monster it is one of the largest ones I had seen and most definitely male good thing I got him before he found a lady friend to move in with him.


Here is one to make YK happy oh I wear size 13 just for scale.

[Old Ironsights]

Nice shoe... but didn't you feel undergunned Gunny? I'm sure the Corps could outfit you better than that.

[John in MS]

Fun story, nice groundhog, and great rifle -- excellent!! Thanks for sharing!
Out of curiosity, what ammo were you using, and did the chest shot exit?
John

[Old No7]

Nice shot Gunny!!!

Did'ja eat 'em???

Some folks do..........................

Old No7

[JReed]

John
I used federal bulk HP's it was a frontal shot no exit. I didn't open him up but I imagine the inside of the chest cavity was nothing but paste. I did the finisher simply out of respect it was not needed.

Daryl
No buried him in the garden to help push up the daises.

[JReed]

Nice shoe... but didn't you feel undergunned Gunny? I'm sure the Corps could outfit you better than that.

Nah its all about shot placement.

[jnyork]

Chesty Puller would be proud!

[Dave]

A fine looking Model 61! Just the ticket for dangerous game like whistlepigs.

[Blaine]

Did your blood curdle when looking that toothsome killer in the eye? I'm proud you did that without an Army Scout along

[2ndovc]

John
I used federal bulk HP's it was a frontal shot no exit. I didn't open him up but I imagine the inside of the chest cavity was nothing but paste. I did the finisher simply out of respect it was not needed.

Daryl
No buried him in the garden to help push up the daises.

Bury 'em deep! My Lab used to dig them up and bring pieces into the house.
Best one was a whole front leg from paw to shoulder.
She spit it out right in front of the "Ice Queen". That was Awsome!!
Still makes me laugh!!

jb

[rjohns94]

well done and a nice model 61.

[Rusty]

Good shootin Jeremy. Glad you got him anchored right. I hear they charge when they're wounded.

[JReed]

Jason we don't have the dog any more so don't need to worry about special presents.

The 61 is my oldest boys he got it last year from my Dad for his 10th Bday. It is a tack driver the stock is still a little long for him but he shoots it well out to 100 yards.

[gamekeeper]

Nice shoe... but didn't you feel undergunned Gunny? I'm sure the Corps could outfit you better than that.

Nah its all about shot placement.

I would still want a bayonet...

[Nath]

Nice 61, that tale was as good as Kirks recent ground hoggin do.

I am a bit surprised you neglected to call for air support or at the very liest a mortor crew. Some smoke would of been good, no?


Well done friend

N.

[AJMD429]

Bury 'em deep! My Lab used to dig them up and bring pieces into the house.

...BURY it...?

When we used to have groundhogs (haven't seen one in these parts in 20 years) we'd EAT them!

Good to grind and make into patties for burgers or for meatloaf, or stew.

Ecologically, they're just big, slow rabbits, and people eat rabbit meat.

[Hobie]

That is a nice 61! They still go for a pretty penny around here. Lucky boy you have there...

[madman4570]

Jeremy,
Nice shooting friend!
Keep an eye out for the relatives of his
Those bugers hold grudges when you wax one of their own!

[iceman]

Nice shooting. I have planted lots of those varmints after using a 22lr. I use a 22 hornet now (less chance of being charged if wouned due to increased range) and have basically cleaned up the local hay fields. If the weather holds today I might just go check this years crop.

[TedH]

Nice job!

There's a couple of those buggers that live in my neighborhood on some empty lots. They've become more like pets though as my daughter likes to try and spot them in the field when we drive by. They start any projects on my property they won't be looked upon as friendly.

[jdad]

The lowly 22 gets vidicated again.


You don't want to d&t that 61.....too nice. If it's prewar (the top tang will be d&T'd) I agree with Hobie that it's worth a whole lot more than a pretty penny.

[Ysabel Kid]

Very cool! Yep, the second picture is a must!!!

[Chas.]

My uncle tells of the time my Mom was charged by one of those. It seems she was in the kitchen of my paternal Grandparents house. They owned a farm in Virginia and my Mom and Dad were there visiting for the weekend. This was long before I was born. She had just finished baking and decorating a cake and had set it on the table in the kitchen. This viscious monster came running into the kitchen and charged her, chattering frightfully. In her panic, she jumped on the table and sat on the aforementioned cake. Although aware of groundhogs in the area, she didn't know that my uncle, who was younger than my dad and stilled lived at home, had one for a pet. It seems he(the groundhog) was looking for a serving of cake and was somewhat impatient. This groundhog was let into the house occasionally and according to my uncle, if you dozed on the sofa, it would climb onto your chest for a doze himself. Anyway, the cake was destroyed, Mom was furious, and the groundhog was well fed.

[2ndovc]

Bury 'em deep! My Lab used to dig them up and bring pieces into the house.

...BURY it...?

When we used to have groundhogs (haven't seen one in these parts in 20 years) we'd EAT them!

Good to grind and make into patties for burgers or for meatloaf, or stew.

Ecologically, they're just big, slow rabbits, and people eat rabbit meat.

Ain't got that hungry yet Doc!


jb

[madman4570]

I feel the need to come clean.
Under my bicycle shed there is a woodchuck(called buddy)he is huge(fat)
He gets a banana/apple/orange usually every day.(one at a time)pineapple is his favorite.
When I whistle he comes running out and gets his fruit as I throw it out!

Can't bring myself to shoot this one(he reminds me of one of my favorite uncles)

[Blaine]

I feel the need to come clean.
Under my bicycle shed there is a woodchuck(called buddy)he is huge(fat)
He gets a banana/apple/orange usually every day.(one at a time)pineapple is his favorite.
When I whistle he comes running out and gets his fruit as I throw it out!

Can't bring myself to shoot this one(he reminds me of one of my favorite uncles)

I had a huge cockaroach that lived in the base of my lamp in the barracks at Schofield Bks in 1974.....I would put out crumbs and such. I watched as a resident lizard ate him.....ah, the call of the wild.

[Doc Hudson]

You might want to try this recipe rather than let all that meat go to waste.

Braised Groundhog in Spiced Red Wine Sauce
Larry “Doc” Hudson
1/2 lb. bacon; finely chopped
1 5-lb groundhog, cut into serving pieces; or use 2 or 3 3-lb groundhogs, cut into serving pieces
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup wild onion, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. garlic, finely chopped
1 cup dry red wine
1 cup chicken stock
2 tbs. brandy
1 tsp. red currant jelly
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp. dried rosemary
1/4 tsp. dried thyme.
In a heavy flame-proof 5-quart casserole, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp. Drain and set the casserole aside.
Wash the groundhog quickly under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the pieces with salt and pepper and then dip them in the flour, shaking off any excess flour. Heat the casserole until the fat sputters.
Add the floured groundhog pieces a few at a time and brown them evenly on all sides. As they are done, transfer the groundhog pieces to a plate. Pour off all but two tablespoons of fat from the casserole and in it cook the. onions and the garlic, stirring frequently for 6or 7 minutes. Pour in wine and chicken stock and bring to a boil over high heat, scraping off any brown bits stuck to the bottom of the casserole. Stir in the brandy, currant jelly, bay leaf, rosemary and thyme. Return the pieces of groundhog to the casserole, add the drained bacon, cover the casserole tightly and simmer over low heat for two hours or until the meat is tender but not falling apart. Pick out the bay leaf and taste for seasoning. The dish should be quite peppery.
Serve the groundhog directly from the casserole.