Porcupines?
 

I was just flipping through the PA digest when I discovered I can hunt porcupines until March 31. I see them quite a bit outside, but when I actually go out with a gun I don't see them. Does anyone know what lures/baits/calls to use? Also, what should I look for (tracks, droppings, etc.)? Is a .22 good enough?

Thanks in advance!

I tend to see them closer to dusk and dawn. I run into them from time to time walking to and from my stands. The things are pretty defenseless besides their quills. I don't think it much matters what you use. They can't outrun you. A big stick or baton would work. Not sure what you would do with them.....we don't like them because they kill the few hardwood trees that we have.

That's the same reason I want to get rid of them. I'll probably be going out later this week, maybe get some squirrels as well.

PA actually has a season on those vermin? I kill every one I see when I'm hunting up at my place in northern MI and there is no closed season on them, but you do need a small game license!

They have a love of the wood on my outhouse at camp. Last year my brother went out to take a crap and opened the door and there was a huge one in there. We had him trapped and tried to do a number on him with a "Pork" stick but he almost ran up a leg and got away. Went up a tree. It was bow season and I wasn't about to waste a 20 dollar arrow on him.

I was always told Porcupine tastes pretty good.

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They have a love of the wood on my outhouse at camp. Last year my brother went out to take a crap and opened the door and there was a huge one in there. We had him trapped and tried to do a number on him with a "Pork" stick but he almost ran up a leg and got away. Went up a tree. It was bow season and I wasn't about to waste a 20 dollar arrow on him.
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***That is exactly why I shoot every one I see. When I first bought my20 acres up in northern MI back in 1973 I built a nice outhouse out of expensive marine plywood the first year. The next Spring when I got up there they had eaten two sides out of it and I ended up making major repairs and then creosoted it good. Once that started wearing off after a few years they were back and I covered the whole thing in steel before they could do any more damage. Ever since then I shoot every one I see because of the damage they do to the trees, etc.

12 ga. is the way to go. Sometimes in the winter you can spot the up in the hardwoods. Trying to gather heat from the sun I guess.

I'm not a fan of them either.


ATB

I have hunted them out in Wyoming a few times and every time we went it was around 12-1 in the morning. We would drive around the hay fields and shine them. That was the best way to get them out there anyways.

We left them be as kids,were allways told leave them for lost folk to eat!
Catch them sunning during the day.porky den trees will have quite a pile of droppings in its hollow base.
Any thing humans touch around a camp can get knawed. Missing bark,looking like some one cleared a patch off with edge of chain saw when fresh a good indicator along with droppings,have seen porkys feeding on more than bark too.
There was a market for certain quills and hides,research could give you ideas for preservation for buyers.
I believe its their liver you never want to eat,to much vitamin A?or something.