Ground Hogs

[MMC]

I believe this to be true also regarding coyotes driving them to buildings.

I believe 220 conibear traps are illegal above ground for the reasons you stated. Made for underwater for beavers. But as you mentioned they will do the trick better than anything.

If you don't have pets or neighbor pets running around and you're doing it inside of a barn, I think that's the way to go.

We do not have the groundhogs we used to and I believe it is because of coyotes.

When I was about 16 I would trap them for farmer just for something to do. I set traps inside of barns and along bean fields and checked them on my dirt bike.

I would agree you should check your state's laws on traps. But, in Kentucky, the University of KY Extension Service has a prepared paper on groundhog control and suggests the Conibear as a go to solution. My results concur. Not saying judgement is not called for, hence the caveats. Here's a good paper: http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/for/for44/For44.pdf

 

[ning]

My father had a lifelong war on them. It got a lot harder when the city limits were moved and he could no longer shoot them. Then he live trapped and relocated them for somebody else to deal with.
When he passed away in 2017 I told my mother not to worry about them, she didn't have a garden for them to bother.

Fast forward 7 years, they are everywhere. Last month she had somebody come in and try to remove the woodchucks living under her porch stairs but the animals won. I've got some nice 13/4 coilsprings I'll have to put out, although I'm not sure what to do with a POed chuck that I can't shoot.

Too bad they don't make a subsonic .22 round...

Is an air rifle out of the question there?

 

[MMC]

The .17 HMR is great rifle that I can shoot without ear protection. I've got a Savage model with bull barrel.

While old, and not the shot I used to be, I purchased a Savage .17 Magnum just out of curiosity. Frankly, without wind, at 100 yards, sandbagged, and a scope, that rifle is amazing for a cheap gun. And I assure you, the 25 grain round would put any groundhog down. That said, a Conibear doesn't often miss...

 

[Jstpssng]

Is an air rifle out of the question there?

Somebody else mentioned that, also. I'd like to have one anyways and may consider it.

I'm not big on Conibears as they aren't very forgiving. A well placed leg hold is just as effective, and you can release non target animals. I once caught the neighbor's cat in a #1 1/2 double longspring I had set for a woodchuck next to my sister's house. My father put a grain bag over it's head and stepped on the springs. That cat was gone like a shot... Father didn't get a chance to check it over but said that it sure didn't seem to be hurt.

 

[newbury]

Where I grew up in Vt. from age ~8 to 18 there were lots of open pastures with woodchucks. I lived on a dirt road (now named Sleepy Hollow Rd, Essex Center, Vt) and I had a mile stroll south to the next road. No other houses in that mile. There were usually about 6 or more woodchucks offering target practice. Almost like a private shooting gallery. What a way to spend my summers before I could drive.
But cars, girls and jobs put a stop to that.

 

[gstrom99]

Anybody else having trouble with ground hogs? The last two weeks I have sent 6 of the critters on a vacation to heck. They sure are making a comeback in my neck of the woods. Just curious if anyone else was having troubles with them.

They were thinned out in the 60's and 70's. The surrounding counties had bounties out on them and almost every high school boy had a .22 rifle behind the seat of his truck or car so they could shoot at the varmints. They would save up the tails or ears, each county demanded different types of proof. They would then turn them in on so they could have gas money to run around on Friday and Saturday with their girls.

A .17 HMR with a head shot does a fine job eliminating them. The wife is upset with them, they have trimmed up the garden very well and have eaten most of her flowers. The orders were passed down and she said she would buy all the ammo I needed to solve the problem. Recon I need slow this problem down. A happy wife makes a happy life.

I thought I was done with them 2 years ago, but noooo...

I took one out just the other day. Ruger .22LR American Rifle worked just fine.

 

[Texasmark]

Anybody else having trouble with ground hogs? The last two weeks I have sent 6 of the critters on a vacation to heck. They sure are making a comeback in my neck of the woods. Just curious if anyone else was having troubles with them.

They were thinned out in the 60's and 70's. The surrounding counties had bounties out on them and almost every high school boy had a .22 rifle behind the seat of his truck or car so they could shoot at the varmints. They would save up the tails or ears, each county demanded different types of proof. They would then turn them in on so they could have gas money to run around on Friday and Saturday with their girls.

A .17 HMR with a head shot does a fine job eliminating them. The wife is upset with them, they have trimmed up the garden very well and have eaten most of her flowers. The orders were passed down and she said she would buy all the ammo I needed to solve the problem. Recon I need slow this problem down. A happy wife makes a happy life.

Our pest here is Armadillos. They dig up your yard but at night they go under your house and find a pad on which a footing is resting and dig a hole, spend the night and ransack your yard the next day then fine another pad to sleep under.....getting tired of paying foundation guys to fix their messes.

They are hard to catch at night as you never know when they will be out. Then when you find one, it takes a couple of 12 gauge #4 high brass shot to stop them so that they won't run under your house and die.....big stink for weeks.

 

[5030]

While old, and not the shot I used to be, I purchased a Savage .17 Magnum just out of curiosity. Frankly, without wind, at 100 yards, sandbagged, and a scope, that rifle is amazing for a cheap gun. And I assure you, the 25 grain round would put any groundhog down. That said, a Conibear doesn't often miss...

I put a Leupy 2-10 rifleman scope on mine (have the same cheap Savage) and it shoots lights out. Too bad the mag don't hold more however. Tiny little rimfire cartridges with an amazing FPS rating and death on wood hogs, coons and even squirrels.

 

[masseyrider]

I've had a family living under my firewood pile for years.
No damage done.
The one that's been around for several years comes running to the back door expecting treats when I come out. Just loves watermelon rinds, carrots, celery and firm fruit.
Me and Whistle Pig are buddies. If he doesn't come out all I have to do is start chattering and he's right there.
I have a picture of him sitting on my tractor seat, leaning on the steering wheel chewing on an apple looking like he owned the place.
If someone shot him I'd have to return the favor in kind.

 

[dodge man]

I have a unique problem… at least I hope it’s unique. I’m 98 % certain a ground hog has eaten the wiring in my cars engine compartment even the sensors on top of the engine.

I took it to a local garage and they told me there were too many error codes and to take it to the dealer because it would be faster… and maybe cheaper since they know the car.

I stopped at the dealer to get a rough worst case idea of cost … could be upwards of 6 to 8 k cdn.

So needless to say I want to kill this mother fn animal… haven’t had luck with traps but have not made a concerted effort yet.

I doubt a groundhog is eating your wiring. Most likely mice.