The Nature of Things

Groundhogs a.ka. woodchucks a.k.a #@!!*&

February

I have to confess to a personal bias against groundhogs. Yeah, it’s great the weather-predicting Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow this morning, meaning an early spring.

For the woodchuck(s) that have set up home in and around my yard, though, that just means more time for me to get the vegetable garden ready so they can enjoy their usual summer smorgasbord. After several years of struggling with the creatures, I was happy to see these tips last year from the Humane Society of the United States on groundhog proofing your garden.
I printed them out and saved them for the spring. Last May, you would have found me erecting a loose fence around the garden (supposed to discourage climbing) and bending the bottom part out in an “L” to prevent digging. Alas, neither seemed to work as the lettuce, green beans and zucchini disappeared.

This year, I’m going for the electric fence.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 2nd, 2007 at 11:01 am by Mike Risinit.
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6 Responses to “Groundhogs a.ka. woodchucks a.k.a #@!!*&”

Tracey Princiotta February 2nd, 2007 at 1:44 pm
We had groundhogs at our previous house. While they ate all my strawberries, they usually left my tomatoes alone. I also planted in pots near the house, which may have discouraged them from getting too close. And our Labrador’s fenced-in play area was right next to the garden.

The groundhog definitely didn’t like our Lab, especially after he got trapped in her pen (there was a little cave-like space where the fence didn’t quite meet the ground) and she stood about 10 feet away from the little “cave” and barked at him for about 2 hours straight. It took him about 4 hours to finally get up the nerve to venture out after I put her back in the house.
Floyd Thursby February 2nd, 2007 at 2:15 pm
A head-shot with a high-powered air rifle and well-designed pellet does the trick nicely. If you’re in an area where you can legally discharge a firearm, most rifle calibers (including the .22 WMR) will do the job if the shooter does his or her part in placement.

Chucks so dispatched do not return, nor do they move on to your neighbor’s yard.

Remember, there’s a reason that chucks are considered varmints and NYSDEC allows them to be taken without a hunting license and without limit.
teetime February 2nd, 2007 at 4:23 pm
I simply shoot the critters.I am a victim of their digging,I will not sprain nor break a leg due to these varmits.
teetime February 2nd, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Also my Sicilian grandfather would shoot,skin and cook these critters,better than chicken!
Maggie Ciarcia February 2nd, 2007 at 4:30 pm
People and woodchuck should be able to coexist peacefully.

They are very shy and cautious creatures and can be humanly discouraged from taking up residense around your home.

Killing or removing them will only leave an open space for either another woodchuck family or even skunks to move in. Removing or preventing access to the place they are living in is one way to go.

I am a licensed NYS wildlife rehabilitator and I often end up with injured or orpaned woodchucks because people don’t take the time to think of alternatives to killing or removing them, especially in the spring when the babies are born.

Check out the book Wild Neighbors written by the The Humane Society of the United States. Lots of great alternatives to living with and around wildlife. A humane approach to living with wildlife, and MUCH better than using a gun.
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