Groundhogs can cause real problems for home vegetable and flower gardeners. Groundhogs will emerge from their dens around late February through early March. This means that, once you manage to trap the groundhog (easier said than done), you can transport him or her to an area recommended by your wildlife game and fisheries department. Some states have year-round open season against these animals, so trapping and killing is not an issue. Groundhogs will also eat insects from time to time. Is it illegal to catch and release groundhogs? The first thing you'll need to trap a groundhog is a live animal cage trap in a size that is suitable for them. Relocating an animal may not only give someone else a nuisance problem, but spreads diseases, such as rabies and distemper, Lyme disease and West Nile virus. They may desperately search for babies that they are now separated from. But depending on where the property is, discharging a firearm could be unsafe or violate municipal ordinances. How do you get rid of a groundhog in Maryland? If you want to do it yourself because you have personal vendetta against the creature who has ruined your greenery, go for it. The mother will care for them for about six weeks until they're independent. where regulations may be more restrictive, especially as it applies to discharge of firearms, transport of animals or use of trapping equipment. Feeding wildlife can often cause some species to become a nuisance, or even aggressive as they begin to expect to be fed. Take it from the animals' point of view: In the meantime, their helpless young are slowly dying. Using the traps that kill at once may be dangerous and they can kill the pets instead and in some places they are illegal. Once the cage has been opened, let the animal run free in his or her new home, and hope you never see it again. Groundhog took a bite of a tomato If you intend to live trap a groundhog Contact the Nuisance Wildlife Information Line at 1-877-463-6497 for more information. 24/7/365. They will use their sharp claws to dig burrows for sleeping, nesting and hibernating. Please select your city or town from the above map or the above list of areas that we service. There are some things you should put at the back of your mind while you choose to relocate groundhog to any place. We're available on the following channels. Place a pile of bait behind the trigger and scatter a little bait outside the opening of the trap and just inside the trap entrance. Thereof, is it illegal to relocate groundhogs in Maryland? Although shooting a nuisance groundhog isnt considered hunting, if shots were fired within the safety zone established by another home (150 yards for firearms), it could result in a citation. Relocation of rabies-vector species (raccoon, skunk, and fox) is prohibited under the From the small snakes less than a foot long to large, 6-foot-long black rat snakes, Iowa's snakes vary in size to serve the needs of the ecosystem. We provide fast, safe and humane groundhog removal, groundhog trapping, groundhog capture, groundhog control and groundhog management in Richmond, VA and other areas of Central Virginia. With a squat body and burrowing claws, it can easily make its way through the dirt and darkness. All rights reserved. I highly recommend this company and will be a repeat customer, should a similar issue arise.. A box trap is good but stake it down well. If the animal is released, it should be relocated at least five miles away from the trap site and in an area of suitable habitat where it is unlikely to cause damage problems. Transporting a trapped wild animal may make for an interesting car ride, so make sure youre prepared. Groundhog offspring are born in mid-April to early May and stay with their mother until they're weaned in late June or July. We recommend using rags soaked in a strong smelling substance such as cider vinegar (not ammonia), lights and a blaring radio during nighttime hours to convert an attractive space (quiet, dark and protected) into one that is inhospitable. These large rodents can get up to 2 feet long and can weigh up to 14 pounds. Though groundhogs are not generally aggressive, one might attack if it feels threatened. Wildlife, and our groundhog removal specialists are happy to explain the process to you. At least, this might be what Maryland extermination companies think. Read on for the answersand some solutions! Exclusion setting traps for the groundhogs, removing them from the property, and relocating them to a spot at least five miles away. Frederick County Animal Removal Services: Frederick (21701, 20702, 21703, 21709), New Market (21774) , Mount Airy (21771), Urbana (21704), Ijamsville (21754), Walkersville (21793), Libertytown (21762), Damascus (20872), and more. Woodchucks are burrowing members of the squirrel family, which includes tree squirrels, flying squirrels, and chipmunks. These suggestions are general guidelines only. It typically takes no more than two hours, and if you have the time, it is seriously worth going out of your way. This stocky, medium-sized mammal is built for digging with short, strong legs and long . Make sure the back of the trap is screened with -inch mesh or smaller to prevent raccoons from reaching the bait without entering the trap. Groundhogs have rounded . As mentioned, groundhogs are burrowing animals, meaning they make their homes underground. Recommended methods for resolving conflicts with wildlife may depend upon additional aspects of the situation and the species involved. Iowa has only four venomous snakes, and their bites are rarely fatal if treated. Do you know how to properly dispose of an animal carcass? Please enable scripts and reload this page. If you need a wild animal removed from your property, contact a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO). The best time to trap a groundhog is in the late spring or early summer when they're looking for food. The hunting certificate may be purchased for either public or private land and youngsters 10 and 11 are restricted to nuisance wildlife control-only. They can be destructive to your property, and they're a common animal in the United States. A nuisance wildlife control permit is needed to relocate them. In that case, wire the trap door and bait the trap. Improper use of a . Groundhogs prefer to live along forest edges where timbered areas are bordered by open fields. USDA Wildlife Services, Southern Wisconsin: 800-433-0663 (in-state) or 920-324-4514. We will notify you on events like Low stock, Restock, Price drop or general reminders so that you dont miss the deal. Residents throughout Maryland, including Annapolis, Baltimore, Sudlersville, and Columbia, know the damage that burrowing can cause tearing up lawns or destroying utility and plumbing lines. They especially like fields used for agriculture. Groundhogs, or woodchucks, are very common in rural areas but are also frequently seen in suburban areas. It is generally a grizzled brown, grayish-brown, or reddish-brown in color. If you find a groundhog on your property and there is the potential that there are babies involved, the best thing to do would be to wait and see if the mother moves them. Alternative places of refuge are part of that knowledge or cognitive map. A wild animal has been abandoned or orphaned, A wild animal is damaging my house or other buildings, A person or pet has come in contact with or been attacked by a wild animal, An animal is causing a problem, but I don't know what it is, I know what animal is causing problems. This restriction is necessary to prevent human-assisted spread of this disease and is an important component of the states nuisance wildlife control program. However, such restrictions are relaxed if bothersome animals such as groundhogs and other varmints damage personal property. The first thing is the availability of food and water . Please add product to your wishlist to see them here. If you think you have found a sick or injured animal, then please visit our page on Within other words, this suggestion would transfer the regulation of game wildlife trapping back to the National Trap Coalition, which might be where the authority had been vested before the executive order was decreed." If the block hasnt moved for three to four days (and its not the dead of winter), the den has been vacated and its safe to make repairs. So, when they've chosen a place they're comfortable with, they typically don't leave on their own unless their food source is removed or you relocate the animal yourself. After the woodchuck takes the bait once or twice, add new bait and set the trap. Despite this there might be no free Maryland animal services for wildlife within Maryland County. If you choose to relocate, it is suggested that the animal be taken at least five miles away and out-of-town. Regulations for Maryland Permit Needed A landowner permit is needed to trap chipmunks, opossums, porcupines, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, tree squirrels and woodchucks in Maryland. This law has been in effect for many years. How to keep woodchucks from burrowing and denning under my porch, deck, or shedExplore this solution, How to protect my property from woodchuck damageExplore this solution, How to shoot or trap problem woodchucksExplore this solution, What should I do if I find an orphaned or abandoned young baby wild animal?Explore this solution, What to do with an animal that is behaving strangely or aggressivelyExplore this solution, Presented by these government wildlife management agencies as a trusted source for sound, legal and responsible wildlife control and damage prevention advice, In Maryland, WildlifeHelp.org is supported by the Wildlife Management Institute, the Northeast Wildlife Damage Management Cooperative, the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Keeping a tidy lawn free of wood or leaf piles and . Is it illegal to catch and release groundhogs? It is illegal to destroy or damage a muskrat house or den, a beaver house or a beaver dam. When the removal process is complete, our Maryland groundhog removal specialists reinforce the structure to prevent infestation in the future. Groundhog Groundhogs or woodchucks ( Marmota monax) are a rodent that is in the same family as squirrels. To report nuisance, injured or sick wildlife, call toll-free in Maryland 1-877-463-6497. As Certified Nuisance Wild Animal Control Operators in the State of Ohio, we'd like to help the public understand the regulations as they pertain to the removal of nuisance groundhogs (woodchucks). Since skunks - as well as raccoons, bats, groundhogs, foxes and coyotes - are rabies vector species, they should not be relocated like other wildlife. Much depends on the species involved, the time of year, the area into which relocation occurs and other factorstoo many to write a general prescription. Nonresidents, ages 10 to 17, are allowed to purchase resident hunting certificates. Before you start trapping this burrowing animal, look up your state laws on trapping groundhogs and the procedures you must follow. Again, Striped Skunk also gave exclusive authority of all wildlife trapping regulations back to the National Trap Coalition. Wildlife for more information on our trapping and relocation process. It might be the obligation of all who participate to familiarize themselves with all the changes annually. Beginning in late October and early November, groundhogs will hibernate. Relocation and release of woodchucks is not recommended because the chance of survival is poor. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Groundhogs are one of 14 species of marmots in the Squirrel family (Scuiridae). The entrances are usually well-hidden and can be difficult to find. Suggestion Striped Skunk (was) most likely a legislative attempt to block Suggestion Falcon, (the statutory initiative which would have placed several restrictions on opossum wildlife trapping within Maryland) by transferring the exclusive authority of all wildlife trapping regulations, including opossum wildlife trapping from the wildlife officer of the trappin' agency to the Natural Resources Wildlife regulatory agency (National Trap Coalition). It's difficult to visualize a little groundhog being destructive. Check with your wildlife agency or state game commission regarding relocation. Fortification we fortify your home against further infestation, closing all entry points, and using durable materials that groundhogs cannot chew or burrow through. Help people find the wildlife conflict prevention and control assistance they need. A raccoon in the chimney, a woodchuck under the shed, a skunk under the back porch when confronted with wildlife living up-close in their own homes or backyards, well-meaning but harried homeowners often resort to what they see as the most humane solutionlive-trapping the animal and then setting them free in a lush, leafy park or other far-away natural area. Releasing a skunk or a raccoon can be a risky situation. Most burrows are 25 to 30 feet long and from two to five feet deep, with . However, it is illegal in Ohio to live trap and relocate a raccoon (or any other rabies vector species; skunk, coyote, bat, fox) to a new area. If youre lucky though, you live in a state that allows you to relocate the groundhog. If you are going to animal capture on Commercial Woodland Act (CFA) land you must apply for most likely a public land documentation that allows animal extermination even though the CFA nuisance wildlife land might be technically private land. 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