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Punxsutawney Phil Vs. Woody The Woodchuck: Who to Believe

Author Ryan Logan
PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA - FEBRUARY 2: Groundhog handler AJ Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil after he did not see his shadow predicting an early Spring during the 138th annual Groundhog Day festivities on Friday February 2, 2024 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Groundhog Day is a popular tradition in the United States and Canada. Over 40,000 people spent a night of revelry awaiting the sunrise and the groundhog's exit from his winter den. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his den. Early spring arrives if he does not see his shadow, causing Phil to remain above ground. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

This has been a strange addiction for me over the past couple of years. Groundhog day was something I really never cared about, but for the past two years I have been all in. There is one question looming though, who should I believe. The famous Punxsutawney Phil or Howell, Michigan’s own Woody the Woodchuck?

This morning was the 138th time that Phil has called his shot at Gobbler’s Knob. Although Punxsutawney has become famous, Michigan’s Woody the Woodchuck actually has a better guessing percentage when it comes to predicating the end of winter. Yes, I know Phil has been doing this for much longer so the numbers can look a little different, but coming into this year, Phil only has a 38 percent accuracy rate, while our own Woody is at 68 percent.

So the question becomes, who do you believe? This year we had 2 different predictions, Phil predicted and early Spring, while Woody said we are getting 6 more weeks of winter. Because I hate winter, I am going to be on team Phil this year.

Here are Phil’s picks from the past few years

  • 2019: No shadow — His prediction was wrong.
  • 2020: No shadow — His prediction was right.
  • 2021: Shadow — His prediction was wrong.
  • 2022: Shadow — His prediction was wrong.
  • 2023: Shadow — His prediction was wrong.

On the other hand, Woody out at the Howell Nature center has predicted the last two years correctly. So, again this year I hope woody is wrong. I really don’t want anymore winter!

Here are both of their predictions from Groundhog day Morning.

Phil’s prediction: Cue to 54 minutes

Woody’s Prediction:

https://www.facebook.com/howellnaturecenter/videos/419380407188284

 

So there you have it, both animals picked different outcomes for the end of Spring. So, again I will ask. Who do you believe. Again, I am going with Phil because I do want an early spring. Next year, If Woody picks an early spring I will go with him.

 

Of course this has happened again:

PETA Has Once Again Called For Punxsutawney Phil To Retire

Hey It’s Ryan, let me start off by saying…YES, I was born and raised in Wixom, Michigan although a lot of listeners like to joke that I am from Arizona. WCSX has always been my radio home, I have been at the station since I was a 23-year-old intern, co-host of Big Jim’s House, married with kids. Family and radio are what I love, but don’t get me started on golf! Like some, I have become obsessed with golf and you can hear all about that on “The Ball Washer Pod” right here on WCSX. One of my other passions is helping out the Vets. Since coming to WCSX I have been apart of raising hundreds of thousands for local vet groups. Other than that, I am a goofy guy, loving life, my family and talking to you on the radio. Ryan writes about golf, family and what happens on “Big Jim’s House.”

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