I have a groundhog problem...

[n00b]

I have about a 30lb momma groundhog and now three babies living under my shed and wood pile. I need to eradicate said varmits, but my P226 9mm is just too dang loud. I need a 22 rifle to take these suckers out. I don't want or need anything fancy, but something that will get the job done.

Anyone have suggestions?

Side note, anyone know the rules about shooting varmints on private property? I'm out in the woods of Carroll County. My closest neighbor doesn't care but I am not sure if the folks across the way are 150 yards out or not. not sure they would care either, we hear gun fire pretty regular in these parts. I am only about 30 yards and down from the road. I'm guessing this is too close even if I am shooting in the other direction?

 

[-Z/28-]

Either animal control or the humane society can give you cages. Little less messy and no firearms discharge needed.

 

[n00b]

yeah, but I really want to shoot the little bastards!

Is that wrong?

 

[yellowsled]

id blast them with a mosin or a mauser and call it a day.

 

[-Z/28-]

yeah, but I really want to shoot the little bastards!

Is that wrong?

Well you could pick up a good semi-auto, mag fed .22lr for around $200. Remington 597, Marlin 795, and Ruger 10/22 are all good options. Or someone on here near you could loan ya one.

 

[steves1911]

As long as your not in westminster city limits you should be fine. I would lone you my 22 or my 17hmr but both just got new scopes and have not been sighted in yet.

 

[engineerbrian]

Sweet, killing groundhogs in my back yard is my forte'

I've killed about 30 (i've stopped counting) groundhogs in my backyard over the years using compound bows, pellet guns (head shots only), smoke bombs, and .22's. All of them work well, but a sub sonic .22 out of a bolt or lever gun from the bedroom window is my favorite! My neighbor and I did a test a few years ago shooting the sub sonic bullets and listening from one house to another, the sound is so insignificant its not an issue.

Oh, and the other nice thing about sub sonic bullets is that they dont have a lot of stopping power, so after you shoot the pig he may run back into the woods....no mess

As for the laws check MD DNR site

 

[dieselfarmboy]

Live traps. Just put it right by the hole.

 

[Mooseman]

I would use a .22 or a pellet rifle. Practice with either first. One shot and back in the house.

 

[n00b]

I took a pot shot at one of the little buggers with my P226 from about 30 feet. It was way too loud and that's a tough shot for an experienced hand gunner (which I'm not).

My father in Law has a bolt action 22 rifle he's going to let me borrow. He says it does not like subsonic rounds. Not sure what it is. I would guess remington.

 

[steves1911]

I took a pot shot at one of the little buggers with my P226 from about 30 feet. It was way too loud and that's a tough shot for an experienced hand gunner (which I'm not).

My father in Law has a bolt action 22 rifle he's going to let me borrow. He says it does not like subsonic rounds. Not sure what it is. I would guess remington.

Sounds to me like you have a reason for a new gun purchase.

 

[engineerbrian]

I took a pot shot at one of the little buggers with my P226 from about 30 feet. It was way too loud and that's a tough shot for an experienced hand gunner (which I'm not).

My father in Law has a bolt action 22 rifle he's going to let me borrow. He says it does not like subsonic rounds. Not sure what it is. I would guess remington.

Thats odd that a bolt gun doesnt like sub sonic bullets. Its usally the semis that cant cycle them

 

[-Z/28-]

Sounds to me like you have a reason for a new gun purchase.

 

[n00b]

I'm thinking Remington 700 Varmint, unless you guys have some other suggestions....

 

[-Z/28-]

I'm thinking Remington 700 Varmint, unless you guys have some other suggestions....

.223 might be a bit much for ground hogs. Could get messy.

 

[n00b]

From what I saw on the interwebz, it comes chambered for the .22lr as well.

I agree, .223 is a bit much and honestly if I was going .223 I'd just say screw it and get an AR!

 

[teratos]

You can also kill them with bubblegum. Double Bubble works best.....so I hear.

 

[NY Transplant]

I'm out in the boonies of Westminster and when I have a ground hog problem, I use a Marlin 925 inside my kitchen with this;

 

[Micktaco]

I'll bring over my "very quite" 22 bolt action and we could take turns...

 

[Rockerspsl]

Killed a possum with a shovel and another with a sledge hammer, I think the .22 sounds easier.