Woodchucks

[Jstpssng]

I'll pass on the Conibears, because they aren't at all forgiving. I only keep them around for underwater sets. I thought about a subsonic .22, but would be shooting within clear view of the road and the police patrol through there regularly. That's not a bad thing though, it gives my mother piece of mind. (I did attract a little attention last fall while using my bow to put lights on a 30 foot fir tree. )

 

[radios1]

A havahart trap is quiet and allows you to release anything you want to,
when you catch what you don't want the disposal means should be one that doesn't burden others with something they do not want.

it is illegal to relocate some animals in some states, putting the problem on someone else is not the answer..

 

[radios1]

I see two options, switch to Conibears, that will kill them for you, or get some of these,

Out of a rifle, they are as quiet or quieter than a pellet rifle and have more power.

I regularly kill trapped coons with them, no one will even know you are shooting them.

SR

I believe my .25 caliber air rifle exceeds these specs by quite a bit.. Muzzle Velocity 590 Feet Per Second
Muzzle Energy 16 Foot Pounds mine is like this, but an older model. Hatsan 125 Air Rifle, Black Stock, Vortex Piston | Pyramyd Air

 

[Jstpssng]

it is illegal to relocate some animals in some states, putting the problem on someone else is not the answer..

That's also what he was saying... I believe that we are on the same page here. OTOH if I relocate the woodchucks in question they wont be anybody else's problem.

 

[MossRoad]

My father waged a war on the little buggers all of his life... most likely from growing up on a farm which used draft horses back in the Depression. They also are just plain destructive.
As the nearby city ofAuburn spread out, the homestead became a "no firearms" zone and he eventually started livetrapping and relocating them... something which I tried to discourage.
After he passed away my mother was talking about moving so I told her not to worry about them; the property will likely become a subdivision when she's done with it and they weren't hurting anything.

Less than 3 years later I'm eating my words. She decided to stay in the house my grandfather built, and which she and my father lived in for 40 years. The greenhouse is being leased, the little bastards are everywhere including in his seedlings. There are at least 3 active dens within 100 yards of the house, and they are getting obnoxious.
I'm seriously considering putting out a couple of good 1 3/4 Victors the next time I'm down but what do you do with a woodchuck in a leghold, when you can't shoot him? I also would have to make the set so that my dog doesn't go into it, and the last time I set a woodchuck trap down there 40+ years ago I caught the neighbor's cat. OOPS.

I've had good luck trapping woodchucks that make burrows in my back yard by digging out the entrance of the hole and placing a live trap in the hole. Place some patio blocks over and around it, and they have little choice but to go through the trap to get in or out. Then I deal with them as needed, and fill in the burrow.

Sub sonic rounds or air rifles behind the garage and no one hears a thing. Slamming a trash can lid is louder.

Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

 

[Jstpssng]

I believe my .25 caliber air rifle exceeds these specs by quite a bit.. Muzzle Velocity 590 Feet Per Second
Muzzle Energy 16 Foot Pounds mine is like this, but an older model. Hatsan 125 Air Rifle, Black Stock, Vortex Piston | Pyramyd Air

After my comment above I realized that air rifles are probably just as taboo in a no-shoot zone as a .22. My revolver would be a lot less conspicuous, and a box of those are a lot less pricey than a quality air rifle.

I've had good luck trapping woodchucks that make burrows in my back yard by digging out the entrance of the hole and placing a live trap in the hole. Place some patio blocks over and around it, and they have little choice but to go through the trap to get in or out. Then I deal with them as needed, and fill in the burrow.

Sub sonic rounds or air rifles behind the garage and no one hears a thing. Slamming a trash can lid is louder.

Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

I may try what you suggest... I'm only down there occasionally and somebody else can tend the live trap. The other advantage vs a leghold is that it's much easier to put them down... just put the cage in a barrel with, a hose from the truck exhaust and they go to sleep.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

A box of what?

Nothing is quiet in a revolver or any short bbl...

SR

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^^
A box of subsonics.
Good point, it would be better in my Mark II. I would just need to single load...

I was just reading about "Critter Ridder", as she also has been inundated with chipmunks this year. Has anybody tried it? I"m not sure if it would be a deterrent, or like putting salt on fries to keep me from eating them.
Apparently this spring has been beneficial for rodents.

 

[MossRoad]

Something else I've had relatively good success with is filling in the burrows every time I see it opened again. Sometimes takes 5-6 times, but they eventually get the message. However, they just move off to the other side of the yard or back to the woods where they came from. Doesn't keep them from coming back to the garden to munch. Just a longer commute.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I emplore you, to have empathy for these poor critters.

It's one of the few regrets in life that I have. It tortures my sole, that I can't undue the past. My disregard and terrible treatment of these feeling creatures.