Morning HMR Rock Chuck Walkabout
Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 12:48 pm
The local 'weather-talker' promised a nice sunny day today, so it seemed like a good idea to take my Anschutz 1517HB 17HMR for a walk to see if any rock chucks were out sunning themselves on their favorite rock pile. It turned out to be a very good idea....for me that is, not so much for the chucks. 
I was greeted by the east slope of the Cascade Mountains in the morning sun, and both sage rats and chucks out and about. Each rock pile you see potentially holds a family of chucks. Each pile visible through the junipers is usually populated well.
It didn't take long to score on a chuck on each rock pile. I usually only take one per pile to ensure there's enough left to continue their romances. When using the 17HMR, head shots are a must, as body hits usually result in the chuck slithering back down some rock cave. Headaches prevailed today.....
Collective rock chuck headache:
Looking across a meadow at a long, low rock pile that always has chucks basking in the morning sun. I'm estimating that in all the years I've shot this place, I've probably taken over 50 chucks just off this one rock pile, as there's chuck dens the entire length of the outcropping. Pretty much a 'chuck condo' as it were.
On the way home from this mornings fun, this little guy was peeking out of his den on a hillside, not 400 yards from the homestead. I stopped the truck and grabbed the camera with a 200mm lens aboard and shot him out the window.
He's safe 'n sound. I like being able to see the local guys and keeping them safe, as it works as my personal "chuck barometer", as if these guys are out, it's safe to say his country cousins are also out enjoying the springtime too. Selfish motives, I know. All in all, it was a good morning to be out 'n about with a rifle.
I was greeted by the east slope of the Cascade Mountains in the morning sun, and both sage rats and chucks out and about. Each rock pile you see potentially holds a family of chucks. Each pile visible through the junipers is usually populated well.
It didn't take long to score on a chuck on each rock pile. I usually only take one per pile to ensure there's enough left to continue their romances. When using the 17HMR, head shots are a must, as body hits usually result in the chuck slithering back down some rock cave. Headaches prevailed today.....
Collective rock chuck headache:
Looking across a meadow at a long, low rock pile that always has chucks basking in the morning sun. I'm estimating that in all the years I've shot this place, I've probably taken over 50 chucks just off this one rock pile, as there's chuck dens the entire length of the outcropping. Pretty much a 'chuck condo' as it were.
On the way home from this mornings fun, this little guy was peeking out of his den on a hillside, not 400 yards from the homestead. I stopped the truck and grabbed the camera with a 200mm lens aboard and shot him out the window.
He's safe 'n sound. I like being able to see the local guys and keeping them safe, as it works as my personal "chuck barometer", as if these guys are out, it's safe to say his country cousins are also out enjoying the springtime too. Selfish motives, I know. All in all, it was a good morning to be out 'n about with a rifle.
