A sad way to make my first kill :(

Big Tom · July 6, 2010, 11:16 AM

Ok I like just got home from work today. I was riding my bike home because of the extremely hot weather here in Bear, DE today (102 F). So I am riding as fast as I can listening to Rammstein on my Ipod. I am going a good 20-25 mph. When all of the sudden I notice something moving. A groundhog freezes in motion as I yell "OH S**T!" Before I could stop the bike I had ran it over, hearing a crack as I swerve off into the road and barley miss getting hit by an on coming car. I freeze for a second and then pull off my headphones. The skin on my back had goose bumps and I was sweating real bad. I then took a deep breath and turned around. I saw this ground hog kicking its legs but unable to get up. I approach it an see that its been pretty much crushed....I knew wut had to be done. I raced back to my house, loaded my pellet rifle and raced back to the seen. Poor thing was still breathing. I just said "Im sorry little guy, I didnt want for this to happen. I took aim and fired two shots to the head. Then everything stopped. I have never hunted be4 thou I do plan on going for whitetail for the first time come time for it. But still I felt bad. I wasnt out to hurt the poor fella and he was probably just looking for food or water when all of the sudden 300lbs of me comes riding right over him. The worst part was the poor thing had to suffer....my biggest regret...

fisherman66 · July 6, 2010, 11:19 AM

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Dave R · July 6, 2010, 11:25 AM

That is a sad way. Condolences. But you should take comfort in the fact that you did the right thing, to put the animal out of its misery.

longranger · July 6, 2010, 11:27 AM

You are human with a soul.It disturbs most people/hunters to have to deal with the accidental death of wildlife. Their is a connection between animals and humans mostly on the humans part because we experience empathy for all living things animals do not.The groundhog population allows fo a certain amount of animals to be removed by accidental death.Your actions were humane and appropriate in my view.

davlandrum · July 6, 2010, 11:29 AM

Glad you didn't end up as a hood ornament!

You did the right thing, and no one ever said the right thing is always the easy thing.

Big Tom · July 6, 2010, 11:35 AM

thanks guys, I feel a little bit better now.

Pahoo · July 6, 2010, 11:41 AM

Big Tom
Let me enforce the thought that you did the right thing and didn't make the same mistake I once did.

A few years back while coming home from work, I passed an animal on the median of a highway. I realized that it was a large Badger and he was hurt. Went back, picked him up and took him home whre I put him in one of my empty rabbit hutches. Spent the next hour trying to find a Vet. that would look at him, to no avail. Contacted two conservation officers and they told me that I should not have picked him up. Thought that the Badger might recover so watched him for another four hours and he got worse. Finally put him down and to this day, regret that I did not do it sooner.

Be Safe !!!

Brian Pfleuger · July 6, 2010, 11:46 AM

The only good woodchuck is a dead woodchuck.

Suffering, bad.... dead, good.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

Legionnaire · July 6, 2010, 12:43 PM

For future reference, easier to simply stand on a wounded critter; it will suffocate quickly. Works for wounded-but-not-dead-yet small game animals like groundhogs and squirrels. No need to take the time to retrieve an air gun (or .22, or shotgun, etc.).

Good on ya for wanting to put it out of its misery quickly. Glad you didn't go over the handlebars! I took my first whitetail with a Yamaha 750 ... and have been working on getting even ever since!

Old Grump · July 6, 2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

The only good woodchuck is a dead woodchuck.

Suffering, bad.... dead, good.

Sounds like a man with some land. Bad enough the piles of dirt in my yard and field, you should see Fermilab. Wild flowers, white deer, squirrel, rabbit and groundhogs, (woodchucks), galore, enough to repopulate half the midwest if there was a woodchuck calamity and they were the only source of specimens.

I'm with the kid though, better to not let an animal suffer no matter how much I don't mind it's dying. Shows character.

Brian Pfleuger · July 6, 2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Grump

I'm with the kid though, better to not let an animal suffer no matter how much I don't mind it's dying. Shows character.

I don't have any land, but I am friends with a lot of farmers.

I agree. Suffering is bad, but people go a little hog-wild with the "humane" killing business.

I've had people claim that I'm being "cruel" by using a gun that blows these critters into chunks. Seriously? Insta-kill is "cruel"? People are weird. I've had people (right here on this forum) say that it's cruel to kill one with a car. A car kills them just as dead, just as fast, as a gun. Dead is dead. The method is irrelevant if the lack of suffering is the same.

Anyway, yes, you should feel bad about an animal suffering but you should not feel bad about killing a woodchuck, no matter how it got dead.

dabigguns357 · July 6, 2010, 01:15 PM

I have 3 acres but have 2 gardens that have to be watched constantly because of these critters,they love to eat everything in site and stink to high heaven.My son and i use them for target practice.As long as they stay on their side of the creek i don't bother them to much,but when they cross to my side and head for my gardens i have to do what i have to do.

Btw aren't they also called whistle pigs.

Big Tom · July 6, 2010, 01:18 PM

well since I live in a highly populated suburban area I felt it best to use the air gun. Point blank, 2 pellets, not gonna live from that one. Plus its quiet and it give me the time to leave without anyone hearing or noticing a thing...

Brian Pfleuger · July 6, 2010, 01:45 PM

Have you ever seen a woodchuck hit by a car? It kills them quickly.... and no, I don't go out of my way to hit them with a car. As a matter of fact, I have personally never hit one with a car, intentionally or otherwise.

BUT, I would not go out of my way to miss one either, and I have been in a car that hit two in the same day, completely by accident.

Guess what though!? Every single one that I've ever seen that has been hit by ANYTHING bigger than a bicycle.... was dead. "Instantly."

RGR3/75 · July 6, 2010, 01:49 PM

ranchers in colorado will give you $5 a pop for ground hogs. i guess if they're destroying your land you'd have a different opinion about them...

fisherman66 · July 6, 2010, 02:06 PM

When ya come across a skunk in the road you aim fer it's head. Bad juju happens when you miss.

Who will love a little (INSERT FEATHERED OR FURRED CREATURE)?
Will no one write her eulogy?
"I will," said the Earth,
"For all I've created returns unto me,
From dust were ye made and dust ye shall be."

markj · July 6, 2010, 04:48 PM

My dog kills them fast, I hit them on my motorcycle, do I stop? Why I am not gonna eat the durn thing.

Had a bird fly into the bike this morning, spit it out dead. Happens. Dont give it another thought

Chris_B · July 6, 2010, 05:13 PM

I accidentally ran over a sparrow once. Little f'er had just landed and I guess the part of a bird's brain that handles "landinglandinglandinglandinglandinglanding" couldn't shift gears into "ohcraptakeoffohcraptakeoffohcraptakeoff" fast enough. It actually popped like a balloon, and I felt terrible

stargazer65 · July 6, 2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

I've never met him, but I can just picture Big Tom dancing off into the sunset with his woodchuck pal.

S&W Kinda Guy · July 6, 2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

markj PETA???? didnt know they posted here.

You didnt? ALOT of People who Eat Tasty Animals post here.

To Big Tom, it happened its done. Nothing you can do about it. Now he's doing what ever Groundhogs do, and eating what ever Groundhogs eat in a better place. At least you had the integrity to go back and finished what you started.

Art Eatman · July 6, 2010, 05:56 PM

Some folks work too hard at either misunderstanding or attributing non-existent motives.

And this thread is not about hunting, from the git-go...

July 6, 2010, 11:16 AM	#1
Big Tom Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2009 Location: Northeast, Maryland Posts: 441	A sad way to make my first kill :( Ok I like just got home from work today. I was riding my bike home because of the extremely hot weather here in Bear, DE today (102 F). So I am riding as fast as I can listening to Rammstein on my Ipod. I am going a good 20-25 mph. When all of the sudden I notice something moving. A groundhog freezes in motion as I yell "OH S**T!" Before I could stop the bike I had ran it over, hearing a crack as I swerve off into the road and barley miss getting hit by an on coming car. I freeze for a second and then pull off my headphones. The skin on my back had goose bumps and I was sweating real bad. I then took a deep breath and turned around. I saw this ground hog kicking its legs but unable to get up. I approach it an see that its been pretty much crushed....I knew wut had to be done. I raced back to my house, loaded my pellet rifle and raced back to the seen. Poor thing was still breathing. I just said "Im sorry little guy, I didnt want for this to happen. I took aim and fired two shots to the head. Then everything stopped. I have never hunted be4 thou I do plan on going for whitetail for the first time come time for it. But still I felt bad. I wasnt out to hurt the poor fella and he was probably just looking for food or water when all of the sudden 300lbs of me comes riding right over him. The worst part was the poor thing had to suffer....my biggest regret... __________________ ANTI-GUN is ANTI-AMERICAN!

July 6, 2010, 11:19 AM	#2
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,679	Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

July 6, 2010, 11:25 AM	#3
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	That is a sad way. Condolences. But you should take comfort in the fact that you did the right thing, to put the animal out of its misery. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

July 6, 2010, 11:29 AM	#5
davlandrum Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Lane County Oregon Posts: 2,547	Glad you didn't end up as a hood ornament! You did the right thing, and no one ever said the right thing is always the easy thing. __________________ U.S Army, Retired Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. -Potter Stewart

July 6, 2010, 11:35 AM	#6
Big Tom Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2009 Location: Northeast, Maryland Posts: 441	thanks guys, I feel a little bit better now. __________________ ANTI-GUN is ANTI-AMERICAN!

July 6, 2010, 11:27 AM	#4
longranger Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2008 Location: Buffalo WY Posts: 1,056	You are human with a soul.It disturbs most people/hunters to have to deal with the accidental death of wildlife. Their is a connection between animals and humans mostly on the humans part because we experience empathy for all living things animals do not.The groundhog population allows fo a certain amount of animals to be removed by accidental death.Your actions were humane and appropriate in my view.

July 6, 2010, 11:41 AM	#7
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Big Tom Let me enforce the thought that you did the right thing and didn't make the same mistake I once did. A few years back while coming home from work, I passed an animal on the median of a highway. I realized that it was a large Badger and he was hurt. Went back, picked him up and took him home whre I put him in one of my empty rabbit hutches. Spent the next hour trying to find a Vet. that would look at him, to no avail. Contacted two conservation officers and they told me that I should not have picked him up. Thought that the Badger might recover so watched him for another four hours and he got worse. Finally put him down and to this day, regret that I did not do it sooner. Be Safe !!!

July 6, 2010, 11:46 AM	#8
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	The only good woodchuck is a dead woodchuck. Suffering, bad.... dead, good. Don't sweat the small stuff. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

July 6, 2010, 12:43 PM	#9
Legionnaire Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2000 Location: Central TX Posts: 1,503	For future reference, easier to simply stand on a wounded critter; it will suffocate quickly. Works for wounded-but-not-dead-yet small game animals like groundhogs and squirrels. No need to take the time to retrieve an air gun (or .22, or shotgun, etc.). Good on ya for wanting to put it out of its misery quickly. Glad you didn't go over the handlebars! I took my first whitetail with a Yamaha 750 ... and have been working on getting even ever since! __________________ Cogito, ergo armatus sum.

July 6, 2010, 01:15 PM	#12
dabigguns357 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Location: Ona,West Virginia Posts: 1,215	I have 3 acres but have 2 gardens that have to be watched constantly because of these critters,they love to eat everything in site and stink to high heaven.My son and i use them for target practice.As long as they stay on their side of the creek i don't bother them to much,but when they cross to my side and head for my gardens i have to do what i have to do. Btw aren't they also called whistle pigs. __________________ it's better to have a gun on your hip than one to your head Last edited by dabigguns357; July 6, 2010 at 01:22 PM.

July 6, 2010, 01:18 PM	#13
Big Tom Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2009 Location: Northeast, Maryland Posts: 441	well since I live in a highly populated suburban area I felt it best to use the air gun. Point blank, 2 pellets, not gonna live from that one. Plus its quiet and it give me the time to leave without anyone hearing or noticing a thing... __________________ ANTI-GUN is ANTI-AMERICAN!

July 6, 2010, 01:45 PM	#14
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Have you ever seen a woodchuck hit by a car? It kills them quickly.... and no, I don't go out of my way to hit them with a car. As a matter of fact, I have personally never hit one with a car, intentionally or otherwise. BUT, I would not go out of my way to miss one either, and I have been in a car that hit two in the same day, completely by accident. Guess what though!? Every single one that I've ever seen that has been hit by ANYTHING bigger than a bicycle.... was dead. "Instantly." __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

July 6, 2010, 01:49 PM	#15
RGR3/75 Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2009 Location: Colorado Springs CO/Columbus GA Posts: 154	i didn't know we were so touchy feely about groundhogs ranchers in colorado will give you $5 a pop for ground hogs. i guess if they're destroying your land you'd have a different opinion about them... __________________ True Grit

July 6, 2010, 02:06 PM	#16
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,679	When ya come across a skunk in the road you aim fer it's head. Bad juju happens when you miss. Who will love a little (INSERT FEATHERED OR FURRED CREATURE)? Will no one write her eulogy? "I will," said the Earth, "For all I've created returns unto me, From dust were ye made and dust ye shall be." __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

July 6, 2010, 04:48 PM	#17
markj Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2005 Location: Crescent Iowa Posts: 2,971	My dog kills them fast, I hit them on my motorcycle, do I stop? Why I am not gonna eat the durn thing. Had a bird fly into the bike this morning, spit it out dead. Happens. Dont give it another thought

July 6, 2010, 05:13 PM	#18
Chris_B Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Posts: 3,101	I accidentally ran over a sparrow once. Little f'er had just landed and I guess the part of a bird's brain that handles "landinglandinglandinglandinglandinglanding" couldn't shift gears into "ohcraptakeoffohcraptakeoffohcraptakeoff" fast enough. It actually popped like a balloon, and I felt terrible

July 6, 2010, 05:56 PM	#21
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Some folks work too hard at either misunderstanding or attributing non-existent motives. And this thread is not about hunting, from the git-go...