WyoCoyoHunter: You touch upon a very valid point/subject!
Your quote: "In the mountains, they hurt almost nothing.." - that being said I get to Hunt them maybe once a year anymore.
Here in Montana Rock Chucks are considered "Varmints" and can be Hunted leagally year round and 24/7.
There is NO limit and NO license required and manner of harvest is unregulated.
It has been this way for half a century that I know of and the Rock Chucks are still doin pretty well.
I agree with your point that high country Rock Chucks are not destructive to man and crops like their low-land cousins are (Prairie Dogs, Ground Squirrels and low country Chucks).
Not try'in to wipe em out just try'in to Hunt them from time to time.
And I do also agree they are a trophy Varmint.
My crew and I have have a couple of "low-land" (6,000' to 6,500' elevation) Rock Chuck Colonies we Hunt - we limit ourselves to ONE Chuck a trip and that Chuck must be retrieved and photographed by the Hunter.
Then off we go Coyote, Fox, Badger and Ground Squirrel Hunting.
Have a good season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
