Porcupines?
#1
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!
Thanks in advance!
#2
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.
#4
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Allegan, MI
Posts: 8,019
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!
Last edited by Topgun 3006; 01-14-2013 at 05:12 AM.
#5
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.
#7
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Allegan, MI
Posts: 8,019
#5
Champlain Islander
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: On an Island in the west coast of New England
Posts: 13,994
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.
__________________
Ice fishing keeps me in Vt during winter
***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.
Champlain Islander
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: On an Island in the west coast of New England
Posts: 13,994
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.
__________________
Ice fishing keeps me in Vt during winter
***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.
#9
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.
#10
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.
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.