Wood Chucks or Ground Hogs???

[CatShooter]

OK, right out front, I'll admit this is a dumb topic.

That being said, I got into a discussion (aka argument) about whether Ground Hog or Wood Chuck was the most common name for that critter that we spend our time, devotion, and thousands and thousands of dollars trying to kill.


It seems that up north (here in the middle of Connecticut) Wood Chuck is more common by a bunch.

My friends down in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland, seem to prefer Ground Hog.

So I'm guessing the Mason Dixon line of this issue is somewhere around Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

What do you call them and where do you live... and any other thoughts on this fascinating topic.

Meow

 

[isaaccarlson]

Whistle Pigs are all over here in WI.

 

[retiredcpo]

Well here in Idaho
we have whistle pigs which are small ground squirls
and the we have rock chucks which are really yellow bellied marmots
retiredcpo

 

[SBruce]

Another vote for RockChuck. Closest thing I've hunted that would resemble the groundhog or wood chuck.

Our groundhogs in Eastern Wyoming are called prarie dogs (AKA Sage Rat) LoL!

 

[justgoto]

I'm in Ohio, and call them ground hogs.

 

[Head shot]

IN GEORGIA We callem Groundhogsgun)

 

[meatyrem]

Well it's a toss up really. I prefer to call em woodchucks, but alot of folks know them as ground hogs. And many call em woodchucks. I just like shooting them

 

[Broz]

Back in Iowa they are Ground Hogs, Here in Montana they are Wood Chucks.

 

[meatyrem]

Are they in the same habitat out west? I didn't know they were western states, I only heard of them in the Midwest and eastern states. I would think that the p dogs would keep them away from their areas

 

[SBruce]

According to WY G&F, they do exist in Wyoming.?

I've never seen one. They are considered Non Game animals here, same as prarie dogs and rockchucks.

Perhaps they live in more agricultural (farming) areas, where I hunt is considered more "natural" or range/ranch land.

 

[MT4XFore]

I personally have not seen any "woodchucks" in Montana. But their first cousin is the rockchuck, and there are plenty of them around. I was born and raised in WV and I cut my hunting teeth on ground hogs. That was the most common term for them there although woodchuck and whistle-pig were interchangeable. What I called them was FUN!!!

 

[Broz]

I personally have not seen any "woodchucks" in Montana. But their first cousin is the rockchuck, and there are plenty of them around.

I could be wrong. The guy that owned the ranch down by Livingston called them "wood Chucks" but maybe they were "Rock Chucks" anyway he wanted us to shoot them and we did. 14 in the first setting. They were in a big slash pile by a creek. Fun is right!! Especially when they do double back flips..

Jeff....gun)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[CatShooter]

OK, right out front, I'll admit this is a dumb topic.

That being said, I got into a discussion (aka argument) about whether Ground Hog or Wood Chuck was the most common name for that critter that we spend our time, devotion, and thousands and thousands of dollars trying to kill.


It seems that up north (here in the middle of Connecticut) Wood Chuck is more common by a bunch.

My friends down in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland, seem to prefer Ground Hog.

So I'm guessing the Mason Dixon line of this issue is somewhere around Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

What do you call them and where do you live... and any other thoughts on this fascinating topic.

Meow

Thanks guys...

I WAS referring to the critter in the east, (Marmota Monax) which rules out Idaho Rock Chucks, and logic should have ruled out Ground Squirrels and such wee beasties???

And the choices were between Ground Hog and Wood Chuck, not whistle pig...

But for the areas that Marmota Monax is king, it looks like it's close to half and half on the "Hog" and "Chuck" thing..

I'm real surprised (and disappointed), not to have heard from all the hog/chuck shooters in Pennsylvania.

But maybe they are out whackin' "whatever they call them".

Thanks...

Meow

 

[freepistol]

Ground hog is most prevalent among my friends.