Unbaited cage traps set near openings with boards or logs to guide the woodchuck are also effective. Groundhogs will not leave your property unless they are trapped and relocated. Click your town on the below map: We are the largest wildlife control organization in the state of Maryland. Opossum Removal Opossums are known for giving off a strong odor. However, permission is required from the landowner before releasing into suitable habitat. Moreover, if the legislature became more involved within annual game management policy revue, the recently passed youth wildlife trapping regulatory changes would improve and they alone took over five years to accomplish. Change or refresh baits daily. Groundhogs have rounded claws used for digging. This free permit can be obtained by calling the Maryland Nuisance Wildlife Hotline at 877-463-6497. It is against the law in Michigan to transport a live wild animal. Why isnt this approach as humane and effective as it seems and what other options do caring people have when wildlife conflicts arise? The face has a blunt nose, small rounded ears, and medium sized eyes. When the ground is too hard for burrowing, groundhogs will take shelter where it is dark and quiet. Nuisance groundhogs can be live-trapped and relocated with permission of the landowner. When relocating problem woodchucks, take into account the breeding season and the potential for young being left behind. Are you prepared to kill the trapped animal? A groundhog usually travels no more than 150 feet from its den to feed. Although "nuisance" might not have been your first thought to describe them. Groundhogs prefer to live in open country areas that are nearby edges of woodland. To find a rehabilitator near you, then please refer to the linked list below. Besides, it's just a groundhog, what harm could it actually do? Georgia Law allows the taking of certain native species -- namely rats, mice, armadillos, coyotes, groundhogs, beaver, freshwater turtles, venomous snakes, frogs, spring lizards, fiddler crabs, freshwater crayfish, freshwater mussels, and nutria -- because of their status as a nuisance or other reason. You . To report nuisance, injured or sick wildlife, call toll-free in Maryland 1-877-463-6497. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service Tawes State Office Building, E-1 Annapolis MD 21401 410-260-8540 Toll-free in Maryland: 1-877-620-8DNR, Ext. Make sure all animals are out before sealing off any space. Please note: Homeowners are strictly prohibited from trapping and shooting wildlife outside regulated seasons, unless the animal has been actively causing property damage or is an obvious threat to public health and safety. After an inspection, we give you an estimate detailing the work needed to remove the groundhogs and reinforce the exterior of your home, including: Ask a Maryland groundhog removal specialist at K.P. The woodchuck, or groundhog, is a creature built for living underground. However, this is not something you should allow to go on for very long. They like woodland areas that bump up against more open areas. They eat almost any plant material and are especially fond of tomatoes. The network of tunnels can cover an area underground ranging from 8 to 66 feet and is used for several years. Description: The woodchuck, also called groundhog, is the largest member of the squirrel family in the state. Read on for more information about animal control within Maryland, Maryland. Please enable JavaScript in your browser. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. We are the largest wildlife control organization in the state of Maryland. Read on for the answersand some solutions! The deadline for applying for most likely a dangerous opossum wildlife trapping hunting certificate on public might be September 16. The first thing you'll need to trap a groundhog is a live animal cage trap in a size that is suitable for them. You are not allowed to set a trap within 5 feet of a muskrat house, a muskrat den, or a beaver house, and you are not allowed to set a trap within 5 feet of an active beaver dam. If you find a groundhog on your property, it's important to consider if there are babies involved. without permission. Although homeowners mean well, wild animals do not settle in quickly to new surroundings, no matter how inviting that habitat may seem to humans. Make no mistake, groundhogs have no place on your property cute as they may be. This restriction is necessary to prevent human-assisted spread of this disease and is an important component of the states nuisance wildlife control program. Again, Striped Skunk also gave exclusive authority of all wildlife trapping regulations back to the National Trap Coalition. Before releasing the animal on any public or private land, obtain permission from the landowner or governing agency. Sometimes, it is necessary to learn how to prevent frequent visits by wildlife to your home or neighborhood. You should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before beginning any wildlife control activities. This way the occupant will have to push the obstruction aside to get out or come back in. Litters can, and will, be moved if disturbed. Their customer service was exceptional and they provided daily follow up until the job was completed. Please add product to your wishlist to see them here. Wildlife also handles: If youre having issues with a groundhog in Queen Annes County, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, or anywhere in Maryland for that matter, these frequently asked questions might shed some light on the situation: Groundhogs typically burrow around six feet underground which is deep enough to damage buried pipes, power cables, phone lines, and fiber optic wiring. It sounds like a good idea, but the sad truth is that live-trapping and relocation rarely ends well for wildlife, nor is it a permanent solution. Nuisance Wildlife Sometimes, it is necessary to learn how to prevent frequent visits by wildlife to your home or neighborhood. The Game Commission recommends not relocating rabies vector species because of the increased possibility of spreading disease to a new area. Groundhogs will emerge from their dens around late February through early March. It is illegal to touch, move, or possess any part of the nest or eggs without the proper permit. A landowner permit is needed to trap chipmunks, opossums,porcupines, rabbits,raccoons, skunks,tree squirrelsand woodchucksin Maryland. We service over 50 state locations. The groundhog is the largest member of the squirrel family. JavaScript is required to use content on this page. Despite this there might be no free Maryland animal services for wildlife within Maryland County. This free permit can be obtained by calling the Maryland Nuisance Wildlife Hotline at 877-463-6497. As defined in Minnesota statute, taking is defined as: ".pursuing, shooting, killing, capturing, trapping, snaring, angling, spearing, or netting wild animals, or placing, setting, drawing, or using a net, trap, or other device to take wild animals. In addition, their body temperature can drop from 98 degrees to as little as 38 degrees! A 2004 study of grey squirrels who were live-trapped and relocated from suburban areas to a large forest showed that a staggering 97 percent of the squirrels either soon died or disappeared from their release area. Anne Arundel County Animal Removal Services: Annapolis (21401, 21403, 21409), Arnold (21012), Crofton (21114), Crownsville (21032), Gambrills (21054), Glen Burnie (21060, 21061), Hanover (21076), Jessup (20794), Pasadena (21122), Severn (21144), Severna Park (21146). Whenever possible, habitat alteration (e.g., capping chimney) and education of the homeowner in order to allow release on site is encouraged. Though groundhogs are not generally aggressive, one might attack if it feels threatened. Epsom Salts. ", Here's your complete guide to the 2019 fall hunting season in Pennsylvania, Committee members vow to change votes as tempers flare at Sunday hunting hearing, Lifting antler restrictions, expanded seasons part of Game Commission's CWD response plan, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. For squirrels, it is a death sentence, since they would no longer have access to their food cache on which they survive the winter. If the animal is released, it should be relocated at least five miles away from the trap site and in an area of suitable habitat where it is unlikely to cause damage problems. FREE SHIPPING ON ALL US ORDERS! By Illinois law, a property owner or tenant needs a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit to trap and remove most species of wildlife. . There is alwaysthe option of hiring a certified Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator, though homeowners might be reluctant to pay for services. If you find a groundhog on your property and there is the potential that there are babies involved, the best thing to do would be to wait and see if the mother moves them. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to groundhog removal. Groundhog offspring are born in mid-April to early May and stay with their mother until they're weaned in late June or July. Be tolerant and wait a few weeks until the family has vacated the premises and youll prevent orphaning of the young altogether. Choose an area that provides cover so that your groundhog will not want to travel far to make a new home. Encountering wild animals usually fills people with excitement and wonder. If youre lucky though, you live in a state that allows you to relocate the groundhog. We also provide professional service in over 600 locations. Groundhogs may NOT be relocated off the property they were trapped. These holes are more than just an eyesore they can also be a tripping hazard. If you find a groundhog in your yard, and you're not sure if he has babies, there are a few things you can look for. Remember, during the spring and summer months, it is extremely likely that the animal denning under your steps or elsewhere around your home is a female with dependent young. Massachusetts law prohibits the capture and relocation of wildlife off your property. Is it legal to relocate raccoons in Michigan? An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. In most cases, nuisance wildlife need not be brought to wildlife rehabilitators. Before you start trapping this burrowing animal, look up your state laws on trapping groundhogs and the procedures you must follow. It has a broad rounded body with short powerful legs and a short, flat, bushy tail. 1 Is it illegal to kill groundhogs in Maryland? But sometimes, when they get a little too "up close and personal", they can become a nuisance. We hope this has been a helpful review of the laws as they pertain to the removal of nuisance groundhogs and woodchucks. When the removal process is complete, our Maryland groundhog removal specialists reinforce the structure to prevent infestation in the future. A box trap is good but stake it down well. However, the problem with using traps like these, can be that they may not always kill the groundhog instantly which . However, such restrictions are relaxed if bothersome animals such as groundhogs and other varmints damage personal property. You can trap a woodchuck using a wire cage trap or wooden box trap with minimum dimensions of 10 x 12 x 32, either single or double door, with the double considered very effective when set as a pass through trap. They will use their sharp claws to dig burrows for sleeping, nesting and hibernating. Smaller snakes eat worms, slugs and insects, while larger snakes eat small mammals like mice and ground squirrels. For the record, that would probably not include packing groundhog holes with explosives, a la Bill Murray in "Caddyshack. Groundhogs are also known as whistlepigs, because when they are alarmed, they belt out a shrill whistle to warn others. The Maryland conservation officer feels strongly about this issue. Since skunks - as well as raccoons, bats, groundhogs, foxes and coyotes - are rabies vector species, they should not be relocated like other wildlife. Range: The woodchuck's range extends from eastern Alaska, through much of Canada, into the eastern United States, and south to northern Georgia. "Consequently, the wildlife officer of the M-trappin' agency became responsible for managing and protecting the state's natural resources, wildlife, and environmental protection. Though groundhogs dont typically attack people, groundhog-human interactions are common. Groundhogs are normally in their burrows at night. Epsom salts sprinkled near or around the burrow entrances or exits will keep the groundhog away. This stocky, medium-sized mammal is built for digging with short, strong legs and long . Terms and conditions. As mentioned, groundhogs are burrowing animals, meaning they make their homes underground. Groundhogs are also common throughout Maryland. The size of the denning space and the amount of ventilation will largely influence if such repellents will work. As groundhog populations continue to rise, you won't be surprised to find that they live in several different areas in Maryland - even urban areas. They can damage fences, sheds, and other structures on your property. Contact the Nuisance Wildlife Information Line at 1-877-463-6497 for more information. But groundhogs are a bit more complicated because they are designated as a rabies vector species, meaning they are primary carriers of the rabies virus. 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