Family of 5 dies - 3 relatives die too.

[wilmsmeyer]

In the woodchuck world yesterday, a twisted rifleman laid waste to a small community of furry little woodchucks. His weapon was a .243 shooting 60 sierra HP's at about 3800 fps sub MOA.

Mom and 4 pups were grazing peacefully at 155 yds away when suddenly Mom took a round to the midsection. The pups scattered but soon appeared. Thinking Mom was just sleeping, the pups reappeared and began munching again. Pup #1 took the 2nd round and pup #2 just stood up. He took round 3. 2 minutes later pup #3 waddled out and stood by dead pup #2 and took the 4th round. Pup #4 finally came out a little further away (165 yds) and stood up facing the rifleman who methodically rejoined him with his family.

Within the next 1/2 hour 3 more relatives in the same feild fell victem to the giggling madman. The 1st 2 were short shots taken with the .17 HMR. One at 75 yds and one at about 40. The gunman was letting the other barrel cool down. Lastly a lone survivor appeared at about 275 yds and calmly fed. With the crosshairs solidly on the rump of the "going away" gopher. a Texas heart shot was registered in Western NY.

A very good day. 8 chucks....8 shots. Took some pictures on the cell phone but they were deemed too gory for the forum.

[Kevin B.]

Great shooting Wilmsmeyer! The coyotes have et up our whistle pigs!

[ozark]

That is good shooting and I can understand how it is rewarding to you. Zero misses at a variety of ranges is impresive. That is the caliber of rifle I would use if I attempted to equal your feat. Here, seeing that many in a year is unusual. I didn't know they were good swimmers until about ten years ago. I was fishing and one came out of the brush, crossed a wide gravel bar and I stood there watching and thiniing it was going to get a drink. Instead it reached the ecge of the water, entered without hesitation and swam about 20 yards to the opposite side and climbed up a bank. I have killed only a few. I guess where there are large grain fields and fewer predators they get thick. Good shooting Wilms. Ben

[richard]

Boy, I'm missing my groundhog shooting down here is NC. We got them, but not like in NJ. Had a varm with soybeans only 15 min. from the house. Boy those groundhogs love young bean sprouts. ;D Also, I don't have any places to go. Only one time got out with a casual friend and poped one with my .223 Ackley XP-100 pistol at 240 yards. Thats it! Been here over eight years now
Richard