I thought my last post on this thread would be my final post: I was wrong. Marmots began emerging from their dens around mid-April this year and it was like the bell was rung and the match began. Through the end of June I had trapped an additional 60 marmots and so far this July added another 3 for a total to date this year of 63. If I add the previous three year’s total of 214 to this year’s “harvest”, I have trapped and otherwise disposed of 277 of the critters. I’m not sure I can comprehend it all.
The result of this year’s infestation is the total destruction of my garden, with the exception of the rhubarb and tomatoes, and breaking down of most of the raspberry neocanes, so they can eat the newly emerging leaves. This year’s neocanes are next year’s fruiticanes, so unless the plants can overcome the damage, the 2025 raspberry production will be significantly reduced.
An interesting side note regarding this year’s marmots is that most of them are juveniles, either newly born over the winter or yearlings. I have seen very few of the giant porkers I got the first couple of years; mostly juveniles and some mid-size adults. We had a mild winter, so maybe that had something to do with it.
I know there is no final answer to the problem as long as I continue to live on this little cultivated oasis with basalt cliffs to my back and front. Nothing marmots like more than lots of rocky nooks and crannies to den-up in and lots of well-watered vegetation to feed on. If I weren’t retired and have the time to patrol the property, I would consider moving on.
As my 4-year-old grandson has gotten older, he loves to accompany me on my frequent walks around the barnyard and back pasture. I think this year I will get him up on the tractor to help move some rocks around and clear the area where he has a small seasonal wading pond. Life is good.