Ground hogs have to go!!

[crown]

I bush hog approximatly 3 acres however the groud hogs are taking over those holes are big and cause the bush hog to bottom out and also if I hit it wrong it gives you a scare. I have no love loss for these animals, but I need to know a humane way to get rid of them, before they invade my finish lawn, the property is located in a subdivision.
All suggestions welcomed

 

[bbse]

If you want to do it quietly try a long barrelled 22 rifle with 22 short ammo or CB caps. With such low velocity rounds you need to be within 25 yards but they are really quiet. Or you could use a shotgun but I'm not sure what shot size to use since I have not done that. We used too hunt them a lot with high velocity center fire rifles. That would be too dangerous in a populated area. You could buy traps. My neighbor used to put traps right by thier holes and they would catch a limb on the animal. You had to check them often and if you caught one you had to do something like bash his head in or shoot him between the eyes to dispatch the animal. I don't think they were as humane as a well aimed head shot.

 

[RPM]

Try the link below - it's to a previous discussion we had on eliminating the buggers:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=rural&Number=47912&page=&view=&sb=&part=all&vc=1

I believe a head-shot is the most humane way to get rid of them.

Patrick

 

[fishman]

1 1/4 oz of #4 shot in a 12 guage and get within 30 yards. It will work every time, with no danger to neighbors. Have to catch them out of their holes though!

 

[StoneHeartFarm]

Crown

Be sporting! Crow Magnum.

http://www.straightshooters.com/beeman/bdcmag.html

SHF

 

[chief2121]

I had a problems with ground hogs too, shooting them was not an option in my town.

As strange as this may sound, it really worked. Coyote Urine, purchased in a local hardware store. A neighbor of mine recommended it and it worked real well. But since it only drives them away make sure to use it everywhere on your property, not just where they are now. May need to repeat the applications after 2 weeks. They say it has to do with natural predators etc, works for deer also.

 

[Briarwood]

Groundhogs were drilling into the earthen dam of our pond and had to be eliminated. The best method of dispatch I found was a .22-250 centerfire. However, this method is not safe in a subdivision even using a less powerful .22 cal rimfire. If you miss, a .22 cal rimfire can travel up to one mile. Be sure you are shooting in a safe direction. Shotgun is effective as suggested earlier if you can get close enough but the noise may not be acceptable in your situation either. Trapping is an option but the coyote urine idea sounds like the way to go, if it works. Whatever, get 'em before they multiply.
Briarwood.

 

[BruceW]

A large con a bear trap is quiet, does not require you to wait until the critter comes out of the hole, and because it is an instant kill trap it does not cause long suffering in a leg hold trap.

Caution: This type of trap is not selective ie: place over known critter hole.

As to Coyote urine it depends on the size of your property and the density of natural coyotes. I do battle with ground hogs regularly and also have coyote sign all over the place.

 

[Pks]

I agree, the con a bear trap is quite good at its job. But it will kill a 50# dog. A friend's Border Collie went that route.

Another method is to use a dog. My uncle had a Border Collie that nailed 28 in one calender year. He had a contest with her, he bagged 26.

One method that is a bit inhumane is to use 8 oz of gasoline thown into the main hole. You must locate the other 2 holes and plug them with dirt first. Once the fuel is in the hole, count to 5, stand to the side and pitch a lit match into the hole. I should flame slightly for a few seconds and then slightly explode. A violent blue flame will come out of the hole like a shot from a cannon. The flame may be as long as 15 feet. The flame will last about a second and then will be gone. Close the hole well to prevent oxygen from returning to the burrow.

This gasoline method is not to be triffled with. It does work but it is REALLY dangerous to everything.

Gemplers sells smoke bombs that rob the burrow of air. Those work too. That's a nice safe way to do it.

 

[RobS]

As long as you're talking chemical warfare, Pete (Boondox) mentioned tossing equal amounts of amonia and chlorine bleach down gopher holes. Chlorine gas is given off which will kill pretty quickly. Here's the thread Gophers /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif