I've seen 'chucks out as late as firearms deer season, (Potter County, one of those years it was in the mid-50s) and as early as the first week of March here at home. Earliest I ever whacked one in Tioga County was mid-March. Blasted that one off'n a snow drift on a pasture bank with a 22 Hornet. Males usually emerge first looking for some action and to establish breeding territories.

Never did hit 'em too hard in the spring because it tends to lessen the number available later in the summer if ya kill too many mama-sans, ripe with young. Favorite time is right after hayfields have been cleared off, usually late June or early July, up north.

Been kinda lax the past few years, figure to thump a bunch this year like I always did for many, manyyears. Lost my longtime'chuck hunting pard in 2001, been giving the little rodents time to get caught up since then.

[8D]