Wood chucks/ground hogs

[Ronin.45]

I never liked the spring traps. Humane killers, but huge pain to set the bigger ones. I'd rather use a live trap and just shoot them after they're caught.

Hadn't really thought about cage/live traps so thank you for that. That solve another problem. I have a woodchuck living under my shed behind my suburban house and was wondering how to get him without shooting him outright. Can't use a spring trap because of all the damn cats that go in and out of the yard. I guess I could but all the neighbors' cats would start to disappear.

I like cats well enough, but outdoor cats are fair game. People don't realize how much damage they do to the wildlife in this country. I've seen estimates in the billions of small game and ground nesting birds killed by domestic cats annually.
I once had to clean out a friend's farm. They had over 50 strays on the property. They were getting diseased and generally making a mess of the place.

[Mac66]

I never liked the spring traps. Humane killers, but huge pain to set the bigger ones. I'd rather use a live trap and just shoot them after they're caught.

Hadn't really thought about cage/live traps so thank you for that. That solve another problem. I have a woodchuck living under my shed behind my suburban house and was wondering how to get him without shooting him outright. Can't use a spring trap because of all the damn cats that go in and out of the yard. I guess I could but all the neighbors' cats would start to disappear.

I like cats well enough, but outdoor cats are fair game. People don't realize how much damage they do to the wildlife in this country. I've seen estimates in the billions of small game and ground nesting birds killed by domestic cats annually.
I once had to clean out a friend's farm. They had over 50 strays on the property. They were getting diseased and generally making a mess of the place.

Very good point but as my wife pointed out it's not like we are running out of birds and other critters.

Edited to add. While sitting in my family room one day I watch a flock of about 50 small birds land in the holes in the chain link fence in the back yard. The lowest ones were about a foot off the ground. The woodchuck came out, walked along the fence and when he got to the birds he reached up and snatched one out of a fence hole. He began eating it while the other birds continued to sit there. Didn't expect that.

[Mac66]

The trap caught a groundhog while i was gone for 2 weeks. Nothing left of the chuck when i got back. I have a vulture on my trail cam eating it.. i reset the trap but shot another chuck tonight. They are now in my barn as well. The FF&H store is out of traps and none of the other stores in town have them. Amazon doesn't carry connibear traps but they do carry live traps.

[Ronin.45]

The trap caught a groundhog while i was gone for 2 weeks. Nothing left of the chuck when i got back. I have a vulture on my trail cam eating it.. i reset the trap but shot another chuck tonight. They are now in my barn as well. The FF&H store is out of traps and none of the other stores in town have them. Amazon doesn't carry connibear traps but they do carry live traps.

If you're going to be gone for weeks at a time, I think the connibear is a better idea. Leaving an animal trapped in a cage for weeks is cruel even if they're pests.

[Mac66]

The trap caught a groundhog while i was gone for 2 weeks. Nothing left of the chuck when i got back. I have a vulture on my trail cam eating it.. i reset the trap but shot another chuck tonight. They are now in my barn as well. The FF&H store is out of traps and none of the other stores in town have them. Amazon doesn't carry connibear traps but they do carry live traps.

If you're going to be gone for weeks at a time, I think the connibear is a better idea. Leaving an animal trapped in a cage for weeks is cruel even if they're pests.

I agree

[Mac66]

I shot another WC a 3 days ago. Last one ive seen either in person or on camera. I filled in all their holes and havent seen any more digging. Keeping fingers crossed

[Ronin.45]

You may have cleared out this season's crop. More will move in eventually.

[Mac66]

You may have cleared out this season's crop. More will move in eventually.

Yeah and I've been hanging around for a week. As soon as i leave next week they'll be be back. Need some more traps.

[Mac66]

Went up to the WH last Thursday and checked the trap.It had been up for about 12 days. A dead chuck was in it. Again, not much left of it.

Took the trap home to set up for the chuck under the shed last night. I built a tunnel up to the entrance with landscaping blocks then covered it with wood. I don't think a cat would go into it and under the shed.

Just checked it...BINGO! Got the chuck. He's a big one.

Chucky checking out the trap and getting ready for his dirt nap



If my count is right, that makes 9 between the woods house and home. I reset it just to make sure. Will take it back to the WH this coming weekend.

There is a thread on a local sportsman forum which has recipes for woodchucks. I think I'll pass this time in that it's 87 and I don't know how long he's been baking in the sun. Maybe try to cook one in the fall when the weather is cooler.

[Bmyers]

Need you yo come to the farm and clear them for us. I have count four at one time, so I don't know how many is actually out there in total.