There are a lot of guys who frequent this site who are involved in other outdoorpursuits, experts in their own narrow niche. There areplenty of these other areas of expertise thatmay beof interest to the rest of us. Hunting-related stuff that isn't necessarily big game or whitetail specific. Hell, it may not even be bowhunting-specific.

So I challenge you guys totell us something that we don't know. Something hunting-related. Something that someday, somebody might actually find useful, and mighthelp them have a good day in the field.

Get off your lazy asses and dosome research and learn something. Sharethe fruits of your laborhere. Just pick an animal and research it. Do it for yourself. Do it for your family. Do it because you're a great American hero. Do it for the love of the game. Do it for the King.

Mushrooms, animals, plants, bugs, weather, etc.... No constraints. Just randomly pick a species and put together your own little fact sheet.
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I'll start with the Eastern Marmot, t/d/b/a the Groundhog.




I happen to know a bit about groundhogs, and take great joy in blasting them with sniper hardware. What I didn't know, I looked up. Here goes:

Groundhog populations have exploded in certain areas of the eastern U.S., due to agricultural and suburban sprawl. Hardwood forests have been cleared to make room for patchy developments, golf courses, farms, and highways. With these new land features come a wide array of pastures, grassy patches, fencerows, fields, yards, lots and thickets. These places are prime groundhog territory.
[ul][*]Groundhogs are subject to extremely high mortality rates, and the average individual never sees its first birthday.[*]If a hog does survive its first year, it is likely that this particular individual has either a very paranoid, reclusive personality, or a safe den site - either of which may enable him to survive for several years thereafter.[*]Groundhogs main predators include: Foxes, Raccoons, Opossums, Humans, Motor Vehicles, Coyotes, Domesticated Dogs, Hawks, Owlsand Stray Dogs.[*]Groundhogs are very paranoid, and look around to survey their surroundings every 12 seconds, on average.[*]They can live up to 5-6 years.[*]They mate in early spring (Feb-March), with a one-month gestation period. One litter per year. 2 pups would be a small litter, 9 would be large.[*]Normally, pups will first emerge from the holes in June or July.[*]They live in family units, and even once apup is weaned, it will likely satellite sometime over the first summer, and dig its own den within a short walking distance from its mother.[*]They eat about a pound of vegetation per day.[*]Dens have multiple-exits (usually) - and holes can be over 30 feet long.[*]Hogs usually build tight 90-degree bends into their den pipes so that they can lash at would-be predators who attempt to raid the den.[*]A cornered hog will chatter its teeth, growl, bark, whistleand bite if you give him the opportunity.[*]Groundhogs can and will climb trees.[*]Even while hibernating, groundhogs wake up once every week to move around to prevent muscle atrophy. Males must awake in top physical breeding condition in early spring - so they actually "exercise."[*]In early spring, males cruise for females much like bucks in the rut. They retain their basic home range, and rarely venture into unfamiliar grounds.[*]Hole drainage is a big concern for groundhogs, so they prefer to dig their holes in high spots, hillsides or banks, as opposed to soggy bottoms.[*]Groundhogs in southern states may not hibernate at all, weather-permitting.[*]Individuals have distinct personalities - some are antisocial and mean, while others may be curious, social and sometimes intrusive upon others. Just like humans.[*]Active holes are easily identified by fresh dirt scattered around the mouth of the site. You can also smell the dirt for the stench of urine to see if it is active.[*]Woodchucks have excellent vision that is stimulated by movement.[*]They also have superb hearing.[*]Groundhogs are excellent swimmers.[*]They have huge buck teeth, which grow (and are worn down) continuously.[*]There are techniques for pulling live hogs out of their dens.[*]A big hog will weigh 11 pounds. A really big hog will scare 15. A monster hog can approach the 20-pound mark.[/ul]