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I friend of mine has a serious problem with groundhogs. They are tearing his garden to pieces eating whatever they like. Problem is he's one of those guys that doesn't like to hurt animals. Anybody have an idea to a humane way to get rid of these rodents?

The only humane thing that I can think of would be for him to put a fence of chicken wire all around his garden. Make sure he buries it 12"-18" below ground though, because otherwise it will be a waste of time. I hope this helps your friend.:smile:

There is a humane trap that you can purchase that will allow you to catch the critter and then safely haul it out in the country and turn loose. These can be purchased at Tractor Supply or Farm Supply stores. You place bate such as carrots, apples, etc. in the cage and when the groundhog enter to get a free meal, he trips a spring that closes the back door and he is trapped. Just be aware that other critters (skunks, possoms, rabbits, etc) sometimes are caught as well. It is a perfectly safe and harmless for the animal and you. It causes not ill effects to the animal.

danny57 said:

There is a humane trap that you can purchase that will allow you to catch the critter and then safely haul it out in the country and turn loose. These can be purchased at Tractor Supply or Farm Supply stores. You place bate such as carrots, apples, etc. in the cage and when the groundhog enter to get a free meal, he trips a spring that closes the back door and he is trapped. Just be aware that other critters (skunks, possoms, rabbits, etc) sometimes are caught as well. It is a perfectly safe and harmless for the animal and you. It causes not ill effects to the animal.

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ASK FIRST - most farmers and many others will not appreciate you dropping off a groundhog (woodchuck) on their property ! Their holes are known to break horse and cow legs and break tractor axles and damage other equipment as well as cause a big jolt if the hole is hit without being seen. :thumbdown:

That's a very good point, I am against catching and releasing animals elsewhere because it causes such problems for others. Maybe you should explain to your friend that he would be creating a problem, and maybe he'll look at it in a different way. I'm completely against cruelty to animals, but a pest problem should be dealt with properly. Not pushed onto others.:thumbsup:

BKBrown said:

ASK FIRST - most farmers and many others will not appreciate you dropping off a groundhog (woodchuck) on their property ! Their holes are known to break horse and cow legs and break tractor axles and damage other equipment as well as cause a big jolt if the hole is hit without being seen. :thumbdown:

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22 magnum-----HEAD------QUICK AND CLEAN--WE USED TO PLANT 5 ACRES OF CABBAGE AND THESE GUYS COULD DESTROY MORE PLANTS THEN ONE CAN COUNT IN ONE EVENING

I agree with jimbo 22 Mag. The problem is there are more and more every year.

I know someone who use the humane trap to catch the groundhogs and then he has been trying to teach these groundhogs how to swim. So far, none of the groundhogs have learned how to swim. He is determined to keep trying though.

dcgrazier said:

I know someone who use the humane trap to catch the groundhogs and then he has been trying to teach these groundhogs how to swim. So far, none of the groundhogs have learned how to swim. He is determined to keep trying though.

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Teaching them to swim while still in the trap ??? :confused2:

LOL. If he keeps that up long enough, they will probably evolve to be able to swim before long. I prefer my .22 rifle to take care of the problem though.:wink:

dcgrazier said:

I know someone who use the humane trap to catch the groundhogs and then he has been trying to teach these groundhogs how to swim. So far, none of the groundhogs have learned how to swim. He is determined to keep trying though.

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I use a propane fogger with a cup of ammonia. Trust me; they will leave.

Some facts about Groundhogs othewise known as Woodchucks.

Groundhog burrows are important shelter resources for red fox, gray fox, opossum, raccoon, and skunk, most of whom do not dig their own burrows, but simply occupy those of groundhogs.

Over the course of the last 300 years, as forests have fallen to farms, the population of woodchucks and mid-sized predators such as fox and raccoon, have skyrocketed.

All of these animals are classified as "edge" creatures that thrive on multiple food sources found where forests meet field and yard.

Today, there are more groundhogs, red fox, gray fox, opossum and raccoon in the United States than at any previous time in U.S. history.

State of Virginia regs are pretty extensive. The fish and game regs are online. Check into those before doing anything. Groundhogs are a nuisance species in Virginia but trapping regs may still apply. Check with state and local laws regarding moving any animal to another place, when messing around dens, setting traps, shooting anything anywhere for any reason. Local regs can be even more complicated than state and fish and game regs can be more complicated yet. Little things like not discharging firearms on certain days of the week, license, tags etc. can all become a problem if one does some things no matter how innocent or ignorant of any and all rules.

T J Blazek said:

I use a propane fogger with a cup of ammonia. Trust me; they will leave.

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Chootem Chootem Chootem.:thumbsup::laughing: