No matter what you call it, whether it’s the woodchuck, groundhog, whistle pig or any other local tag you hang on it, it remains the most widely hunted varmint in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

It is not as wily as the coyote or as elusive as the crow, but I can guarantee more hunters have started out on the woodchuck as combined on all other varmints.

The woodchuck hunter will tell you all areas are the habitat of the groundhog and most hunters are very welcomed by landowners to hunt these rodents, keeping in mind safety considerations.

Many new and youth hunters sharpen up their marksmanship skills with the popping up of groundhogs from their burrows to have a look around many a farmer’s hay fields. Gardeners know the voracious appetite of this mammal and the damage it can do in a morning feeding spree.

They can eat a row of new greens faster than you can pick them and they absolutely love young bean plants and clover. In pasture and hay fields, they pose significant risks to both farmers and livestock as they create dangerous situations with their large burrows/holes.

Horses and cows can step into a hole and seriously damage or break a leg, which spells trouble for large livestock.

Hunters can befriend local landowners by developing a mutually beneficial relationship built on trust. It’s a win-win situation as the hunter gains access to hunt varmints while the farmer get a pest eradicated while knowing who’s on their land and setting the rules for access times and safety issues.

The Pa. Game Commission requires that hunters follow safety guidelines with regards to wearing orange, safety zones and proper licensing requirements before hunting. The hunters can really become proficient with their rifles and become excellent marksmen by having numerous opportunities at a relatively small target.

Some groundhogs are very savvy and you must wait them out as they have keen eyesight and hearing. Sometimes they will fall for a sharp whistle and stand up to take a look, giving the shooter an expanded target.

Long range shots can be the norm, but I personally have taken woodchucks with everything from a .22 caliber to a .270 and many caliber in between. The general rule for your choice of a rifle is that it must do the job depending on the range you wish to cover.

While a .22 may dispatch a hog in the garden, it will not do with a fresh mowed hay field that stretches out hundreds of yards. There are varmint hunters who can reach out 400-500 yards with a bull barreled and high powered scope.

Shooting sticks, bipod or tripod stands are a beneficial aid in taking the long shots. Regardless of the distance, always keep safety in the forefront of your mind. Check out that target carefully and also the background for safety concerns. If you have a doubt, do not fire and wait for another day when you can be safe and sure.

Some of the old-timers tell me about eating their woodchucks, that they are very tasty pan fried. I can not vouch for the dish, but apparently the younger chucks are the preferred choice of the chefs.

I can not see any reason other than psychological or social issues with people to avoid them. They dine on a fine diet of young garden plants, clover, soy beans and other vegetables and fruits.

I would try it if a skilled chef placed it in front of me, but until that time I’ll just help out my neighbors with varmint control and try to sharpen up my marksmanship.

Until we meet again, get that new license and wear an orange cap out in those fields!