Woodchuck/Groundhog damage

[donnamatrix]

Well, on May 2 while mowing lawn in evening, I inadvertently stepped into what is a 18-inch wide, and about 3 foot deep woodchuck burrow in our back lawn. I knew we had a woodchuck, seen evidence of him keeping his teeth in shape by gnawing away at wood trim at my garage. Now, I know they can have up to 5 exit burrows, so I figure there are burrows all throughout the lawn. I nearly snapped my knee when I stepped into the hole. We were going to get a Hav-a-Heart and trap it, but my hubby is afraid we'll get a skunk, so Alpha Omega will come and eradicate.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Catching a skunk isn't nearly bad as you think. You just walk up to it quietly with a sheet or something to cover the trap and you can move it anywhere, or just open the trap and let it go.

Your other option is to keep the trap set from morning until just before dusk. I've had great luck with that. Make sure you bring him far enough away, so that he cannot find his way home. At least five miles, I would say.

Option three is the less humane... gas the little rodent. Relocating it to another local might bring this unfortunate guest upon another and that's just not nice. It also might be illegal in NH, so check on that.

Good luck! Let us know how you make out.

Cel

[egatlake]

Critters and Critters

[AC2717]

"Hey you Woodchucks, Quit Chucking my Wood"


But seriously though, good luck, those varmits are tricky to get rid of and there usually can be more than one

[hilltopper]

RG is correct. Trapping a skunk isn't as bad as it sounds. Just cover it and open the trap. This worked great for me but it took the skunk a couple of hours to leave the trap.

Anyway, I don't have many neighbors, and I'm a good shot, so I'd take that route.

[donnamatrix]

First, we live in a neighborhood where the houses are close enough to preclude us from using a gun. Second, I would probably miss, ricochet off a rock and shoot myself. Third-we don't own a gun.... so I guess that's out.

RG: I can just see Bailey and Mac with a skunk. Where is that tomato juice?

[Lakesrider]

Who you talkin' 'bout Willis?

[Argie's Wife]

We found a very, er... organic... way to get rid of woodchucks...

We have two indoor cats and two litter boxes. When Argie cleaned the cat boxes one day, he put the litter in a couple the woodchuck holes, and placed some dirt on top (mainly to keep the kids from stepping in it). The litter isn't the scoopable-type of litter - it's the regular ol' clay mix. But he'd read somewhere that this could "evict" woodchucks - and it seemed to work. We have a tiny lot, almost in town, so it's not like they relocated on our property.

[donnamatrix]

Well, the darned rodent was around this weekend, because we found new "chew" marks on the trimboard around the garage... I know they have to keep their teeth from overgrowth (like a beaver), and a helpful tool is evidently gnawing wood. Alpha Omega Wildlife is back out at the house today resetting traps. AARRGGHH!

[WeirsGuard]

DonnaMatrix,

I live in a residential neighborhood and have had yearly problems with these little guys. I used Have-A-Heart traps and have caught 8 over the past couple of years but they kept returning. (I guess they have a good communication system on the best gardens to raid.) I also tried filling their holes, smoking them out and predator urine, none of which worked. Last year I finally decided to go deadly.

Since I can't use a gun within proximity of my neighbors, I purchased a "Break Barrel", high velocity air rifle designed for varmint hunting. It's alot like a BB gun on steroids and it is legal to kill woodchucks year round. I won't go into details, but the first shot fired with the new gun has been the last.

So far this year there has been no sign of the "Furry Little Brown Rodents" as Sandy of Caddyshack called them.

I know alot of folks are averse to a mortal solution, but it appears to be effective in my case. If it is a choice between damage to my property and grounds and a little bit of hunter's remorse, I'll be bummed out for a few seconds and then remove the carcass.

By the way, the advice on how to handle a skunk in the trap is right on the money. I've caught several while trying to get "Mr. Gopher".

[Lakesrider]

I just realized something from the picture I posted. maybe i should mow my lawn a bit more often..... Maybe I wouldn't get all these little furry woodland creatures in my yard.

[donnamatrix]

Hi WeirsGuard: Tell me more about the air gun... as you can see, I am not familiar with any kind of weapon. Does it just shoot AIR? How is that harmful unless you hold the barrel to the rodent's head?

[nightrider]

WeirsGuard, I'm cuious, what's the muzzle velocity of the projectile fired from this air rifle?

Originally Posted by WeirsGuard

DonnaMatrix,

I live in a residential neighborhood and have had yearly problems with these little guys. I used Have-A-Heart traps and have caught 8 over the past couple of years but they kept returning. (I guess they have a good communication system on the best gardens to raid.) I also tried filling their holes, smoking them out and predator urine, none of which worked. Last year I finally decided to go deadly.

Since I can't use a gun within proximity of my neighbors, I purchased a "Break Barrel", high velocity air rifle designed for varmint hunting. It's alot like a BB gun on steroids and it is legal to kill woodchucks year round. I won't go into details, but the first shot fired with the new gun has been the last.

So far this year there has been no sign of the "Furry Little Brown Rodents" as Sandy of Caddyshack called them.

I know alot of folks are averse to a mortal solution, but it appears to be effective in my case. If it is a choice between damage to my property and grounds and a little bit of hunter's remorse, I'll be bummed out for a few seconds and then remove the carcass.

By the way, the advice on how to handle a skunk in the trap is right on the money. I've caught several while trying to get "Mr. Gopher".

[nightrider]

Originally Posted by donnamatrix

Hi WeirsGuard: Tell me more about the air gun... as you can see, I am not familiar with any kind of weapon. Does it just shoot AIR? How is that harmful unless you hold the barrel to the rodent's head?

Just did a little research. That high powered air gun packs as much wallop as a 22 short. I got to get me one of these.

[WeirsGuard]

Donnamatrix / nightrider,

Sorry I couldn't post before you did your research. These airguns have a muzzle velocity equivelant to a .22 firearm but with a much shorter range. The projectile is an hour glass-shaped pellet with a bullet-shaped nose. I paid about $80 for mine at WalMart. When you look for them, they are not marketed as a kid's target gun but as a varmint gun. As they are not a firearm they are legal for use in most, if not all, localities. Check with local police if you have concerns.

I used mine at a distance of about 50 feet and it was immediately effective. My guess on an effective kill range would be up to 80 - 100 feet depending on the size of the target. Ground Hogs are very perceptive with great hearing. But they are also not so smart. They will return again even if you shoot and miss. Be patient.

Not my favorite means of getting rid of the critter, but Ground Hogs tend to be persistant and destructive. If this is a viable option for you, I know some folks prefer non-lethal methods, you'll be rid of Mr. Ground Hog very quickly.

[dowshill]

You need a dog, all your woodchucks will disappear.

[donnamatrix]

So far, we have trapped a little red squirrel, and a very fat, extremely irritable raccoon - but no woodchuck (5/16/11). The darn thing is still chewing the trimboard on my garage. I am baiting the trap every day, but maybe should be using mahogany or another type of wood! He doesn't seem to be coming after the cabbage, carrots, beans, etc. Good grief.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by donnamatrix

So far, we have trapped a little red squirrel, and a very fat, extremely irritable raccoon - but no woodchuck (5/16/11). The darn thing is still chewing the trimboard on my garage. I am baiting the trap every day, but maybe should be using mahogany or another type of wood! He doesn't seem to be coming after the cabbage, carrots, beans, etc. Good grief.

My Dad has acres of lawn nearby, and several woodchucks. I have an all-forest acre, and no woodchucks at all.

Woodchucks don't have a long lifespan as it is, but their babies are cute in their own specialized way.

[Natt]

Originally Posted by donnamatrix

So far, we have trapped a little red squirrel, and a very fat, extremely irritable raccoon - but no woodchuck (5/16/11). The darn thing is still chewing the trimboard on my garage. I am baiting the trap every day, but maybe should be using mahogany or another type of wood! He doesn't seem to be coming after the cabbage, carrots, beans, etc. Good grief.

When my Mom had a problem with a woodchuck, I googled for what kind of bait and it seems they like...strawberries. But we never caught the sucker either. Ended up getting rid of it via a friends .22, hate to see that happen but it was under mining the house and the barn with its digging.