Woodchucks
Scientific
Name: Marmota monax
AKA
whistlepig, groundhog, gopher,
(The
Caddy Shack should have consulted with WDC )
Woodchucks
also known as groundhogs, have a great reputation as being difficult to control.
While it is true woodchucks can be difficult to trap, this fact is primarily
due to the laws in various states rather than any inherent intelligence on the
part of the woodchuck.
Description-
A stocky four legged
ground animal. Face is pudgy with a large nose and a black tail. Has been known
to climb trees up to 10 feet high. Weight: 7-12 pounds.
Life-Cycle
Hibernation:
November-February
Breeding Season:
Mating takes place in March.
Young disperse to
new territory in July.
Activity:
Daytime (But hibernates between November and February).
Habitat-
Open fields and
broken forests with well drained soil. Will live under decks, sheds etc.
Q. How long does it take for a woodchuck to take over a fox den?
A. I don't believe woodchucks have much fear of the scent of Fox's.I have even
caught woodchucks in using fox gland lure and Fox urine. And I also remember
a story from Susan Green of about woodchucks climbing into her fox pen on more
than one occasion. In short, 24 hours. Trapper Forever, Michael V. Page
A. I have seen Red Fox and Cottontail rabbits sharing the same den area, using
different entrances.
Tim Julien Pres. of NWCOA.
House Damage-
Woodchucks (aka groundhogs, whistlepigs, gophers) can on some occasions cdamage
homes and structures by the way they remove dirt from along the foundation of
these structures. I have personally seen a woodchuck dig a hole under a concrete
home slab so that it had a hole on both sides. While this digging is not a huge
problem in terms of numbers, it can be a huge problem in terms of dollars.
Woodchucks can also undermine pools.
Landscape Damage
Groundhogs, also
known as woodchucks, have a great reputation among gardeners. Even the hit movie
"The Caddy Shack" illustrated their reputation as being impossible to control.
Woodchucks can literally mow a garden. Chances are you may have heard about
various chemicals to keep woodchucks away from your garden or property. Think
long and hard about using repellents around plants that you intend to eat. I
would strongly recommend that you NEVER use repellents in areas where you eat
the plants that grow there.
For Woodchuck Control
Information Click Control
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help us achieve this goal. The information provided is for informational purposes
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consult state/federal officials to determine the legality of any technique in
the reader's locale. Some techniques are dangerous to the user and to others.
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literature at our Store ), and understand that proper animal damage
control involves patience, understanding that not every technique/method works
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7/4/02
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