falex
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by falex on Jun 7, 2011 14:58:47 GMT -7
hey folks, do you all happen to know when the whistlepigs stop coming out? I thought the "season" ended around July/August but a buddy of mine said they come out up until it gets really cold out, end of November-ish. Do you know when these dudes leave for the rest of the year? That would help me plan my time out in the desert! Thanks for the info!
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Post by Timber Butte Outdoors on Jun 7, 2011 20:21:11 GMT -7
falex,
It depends on the weather patterns. But it seems that when the temperature reaches around 75-85 degrees, with direct sun, hot breezes or winds, they will call it a season when the temps go any higher than that, and retreat back underground till it cools down again. I have seen them out feeding on a warm sunny February day. Underground tempratures are in the 52 degrees range year round.
I have in the past shot them up till August, but it was not a really hot summer - and they were not out in force - a few here and there. And there were years that they disappeared in July - hot and dry - But! this year with all the water we have had, and the grasses tall and green, they will be out feeding on it till it turns really hot and dry. But the grass is so tall now, it is hard to see them, unless they are standing on a mound in the open.
Look for them about an hour or so before sundown, and an hour or so after sunrise, there may be a few out feeding.
I hope that will help you some! Good hunting!
Gary
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Post by broper on Jun 20, 2011 15:40:10 GMT -7
I went out last thursday. There were quite a few out. But the grass and weeds are so hi it's hard to see them. They were running back and forth across the roads so I knew they were there. I did manage to find some mounds on a couple bare hillsides and shot several. I took some shots at about 300 yds. with my 10/22, didn't hit any at that distance but really surprised myself at how close I was getting to them. I saw one badger too. It was running and by the time I got out and started to get on him he made it into a hole. It's surprising how fast they can run. It looked like a fairly large one, I would have liked to got that one. Anyway, lots of fun.
Bob
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Post by Timber Butte Outdoors on Jun 20, 2011 17:05:28 GMT -7
Hey broper, I am by no means an expert, but after 35+ years of shooting/hunting ground squirrels, a guy picks up a pattern or two from watching them. That is what I have done, I have watched the squirrels long enough now, I understand their patterns. I went shooting whistlepigs on June 16, you are right about the grass and weeds. The squirrels were hard to find, but we managed to find a couple places that the weeds were not all that tall or thick, and we managed to dirtnap a bunch of them. Afterward, Allen took me to lunch at the Blue Ribbon Cafe for Buffalo Burgers celebrating my B-Day and celebrating a good day shooting and fellowship. Here are a few pictures to show our success!  Here is Allen with his Savage Mark 2, 22lr Rifle.  Allen's 223 carnage!  More Carnage!  Allen Shooting his Savage Rifle in 223 Rem. with the Squaw Butte in the Background! I had a great time spending the day hunting with Allen, he is a great guy to spend the day with. Thank You Allen and Nema for the great lunch and great fellowship. Lets do it again soon! Gary |
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