Here in western NY state, many of the small farms have been incorporated into large farms and not as many small fields are cultivated.
Along with the cattle not being pastured so much, the woodchuck friendly areas are a bit more scarce. Where this area was at one time completely dairry country, now much is devoted to cash crops..corn, soybeans, wheat, oats etc. and those fields are only woodchuck conducive around the edges, which usually have tall weeds during woodchuck hunting weeks.
When most farms ran from 100-400 acres, there was much open hunting, especially for known, local residents. Now, with the farm consolidations, many of them are getting into the "hunting lease" game heretofore played mostly in the south and west.
I have several .22LRs, 2@ ..22 mag, 2@ .17 HMR, 2@ .223 and a .243 all ready for them...but I like to match gun to game. Close range, 22LR and so forth on up, as the range increases.
I am the administrator for our local cemetery and the cemetery is a hot spot for them. I have secured the permission of any who live within 500 ft (state law), so I keep them cleared out. Rather than to rub it in, I generally use subsonics on them there. I got 9 around the cemetery alone last year.
I have gotten the "season opener" this year, with my new Savage 93, .22 mag.
I'll back off now for a few weeks, since they are breeding now. I shot one last year which had a "moving belly".. full of babies.. I was angry with myself over that....and rather disgusted.
I cannot imagine what an abortionist must wrestle with , if he/she has anywhere near a normal conscience.
