Ground Hogs (aka Wood Chucks) Digging in Pole Barn

[Jim Timber]

Air rifle for about 100 bucks will do the deed. I stopped arrowing live trapped coon when my second arrow got broken off in the darn critters chest by itself. Was just like Rambo - twisted sideways, broke the shafts, then pulled them out!

In the city, it's not possible to use an appropriate weapon to dispatch the darn things.

 

[Obejuan64]

I use to hunt with terriers (patterdales) use to rid farms of ground hogs, foxes or whatever in ground, dogs would go to ground we track them with locator collars n dig them out alive dispose them humanly or relocate them, depending on the land owner, no guns ,poison all the farmers were happy with my services, no charge, I got to hunt for free too.

 

[douguy]

I have a new problem in my pole barn which has a dirt floor. Ground hogs are digging everywhere all of a sudden. Other than trapping them, is there another way to rid myself of these pests? They especially like to dig under the pallets supporting my attachments -- a few spots have caved-in.

I caught one this afternoon and it looked like a half-grown one -- leading me to believe there is an entire family to dispatch.

Try placing a pile of rock and a pan of grain alcohol next to their hole....They will drink the alcohol and stone eachother to death....worked for grandpaw

 

[Notforhire]

Try placing a pile of rock and a pan of grain alcohol next to their hole....They will drink the alcohol and stone eachother to death....worked for grandpaw

That only works for Rockchucks. For Woodchucks you need to leave a pile of wood.

 

[SPIKER]

Here (Northern Ohio) we grew up knowing ALL there common names, "Wood Chuck", "Ground Hog" and "Whistle Pig" but their scientific name not so much lol. Back in the day the "Whistle Pig" WAS more common do to the warning Whistle one of them would give out to warn others in the area of a predator about. These whistle pigs soon became pretty much extinct as the warning whistle that alerted them to natural predators made them easy pickings for farm boys with a 10/22. The easy to hunt then by faking the whistle yourself would get any woodchucks nearby to stand up and LOOK which made them "ground chucks" after the projectile hit them.

I think in this area we prefer to use "Wood Chuck" more than "Ground Hog" I the term Whistle Pig has all but been forgotten around here as the ones using it have pretty much been wiped out long ago...

Mark

 

[DJ54]

I had an old timer tell me to poke holes in an apple with a fork, then soak in anti-freeze overnight. Then throw the apple down the groundhog hole. Groundhog eats the apple, and problem solved... Haven't tried it yet, but starting to see them come out already. REALLY need to thin the herd around here..!! Too many houses built around here now to shoot, and don't want the barn cats that take care of the smaller vermin getting caught in traps.

 

[Rod in Forfar]

I have a new problem in my pole barn which has a dirt floor. Ground hogs are digging everywhere all of a sudden. Other than trapping them, is there another way to rid myself of these pests?

The best long-term solution is to have a coyote take up residence on your property. Takes care of mice, rats, and any windfall pears, as well.

If you want a woodchuck to move out of a specific burrow, though, all you need to do is go fishing. Dump the entrails down the drop hole and seal it with dirt. If the chuck reconfigures his burrow to block out the guts, repeat the treatment. He'll move. Chucks hate bad smells.

 

[Jim Timber]

^ If you're going to poison them, use a proper poison. Antifreeze is a bad option.

 

[whistlepig]

I have shot several with a bow. They are not a creature of sight or smell. They do instantly detect movement and sounds. And they can sense someone walking on the ground close to them.

 

[SPIKER]

... They are not a creature of sight or smell. They do instantly detect movement and sounds. ....

They have Excellent Sight and Hearing, any noise will alert them and any movement even 100 yards out will alert them... Individual ones are often ignorant of the Human Threat however as you can on occasion get close to one and while they know you are there they dont see you as a threat.

I've hunted them since I was 7 or 8 years old.


Mark