How to Catch Woodchucks

Woodchucks or groundhogs --- whatever you call them, these small rodents can cause extensive damage to agricultural crops and gardens. They usually inhabit fields or suburban lots and feed on grass, legumes, vegetables flowers and fruit. Woodchucks build underground burrows with three to five openings and rarely move more than 50 feet away from the burrow. They are most active in the morning and early evening.

Live trap

Apples, lettuce or carrots

Set live traps, also known as cage traps, out in early spring before new vegetative growth emerges. The woodchucks will be hungry and more likely to enter the traps at this time, and trapping them in early spring before new young are born is critical for controlling woodchuck populations.

Set the traps near the main opening of the burrow, identified by a large mound of soil and rocks. Bait it with carrots, apples or lettuce, and conceal the trap with brush or black cloth.

Check the trap and add fresh bait everyday. Release captured woodchucks at least five miles away from your property.

Catch woodchucks by using #2 foothold traps or #160 or #220 bodygripping traps. These traps may injure or even kill woodchucks --- do not use them near pets or children.

Some landowners prefer to shoot woodchucks to control them. However, in suburban areas, shooting woodchucks is not a safe option, due to the close proximity of humans and pets, and may also be illegal.

Gas cartridges dropped in burrows are also used to control woodchucks. These cartridges may harm other wildlife and should not be used near buildings or homes.

Trapping, shooting and gassing woodchucks are usually ineffective methods for controlling woodchucks when compared to barrier methods. Additionally, bobcat urine, sprayed on trees or along fences, deters woodchucks and in one Cornell University study was found to have reduced damage by up to 98 percent.

Install 3-foot-high fences around gardens to deter woodchucks. Make the fences out of 1-inch mesh chicken wire and bury the chicken wire 12 inches deep in the ground. Above ground, bend the chicken wire outward at a 45 degree angle, or add an electric wire, to discourage climbing.

Because woodchucks may carry disease, such as rabies or the plague, always wear protective clothing and gloves before handling a trapped woodchuck.

Check local laws to find out the legality of trapping varmints, even on your own property.

Check local laws for information regarding the release of woodchucks. (In New York for example, only game officials can transport woodchucks off your land.)

Always ask permission before releasing woodchucks on private land.