Groundhog

[stepnstone]

We have a young groundhog in the neighborhood destroying gardens, chewing holes through fences to get through to each yard. Neighbors are out to "get it"!
It has come to my yard several times and was even so brazen this morning to actually come to my back door and was looking in. I convinced the one neighbor who had the trap (havaheart) to allow me to place it in my yard to try and capture it. I have put in a can of cat food, piece of apple and an ageing tomato for bait.
I am aware they are a rabies vector species, it does not appear sick in any form. If I can capture it, it will live as I will relocate it. If neighbors capture it, it won't. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[4skwerlz]

We have a young groundhog in the neighborhood destroying gardens, chewing holes through fences to get through to each yard. Neighbors are out to "get it"!
It has come to my yard several times and was even so brazen this morning to actually come to my back door and was looking in. I convinced the one neighbor who had the trap (havaheart) to allow me to place it in my yard to try and capture it. I have put in a can of cat food, piece of apple and an ageing tomato for bait.
I am aware they are a rabies vector species, it does not appear sick in any form. If I can capture it, it will live as I will relocate it. If neighbors capture it, it won't. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I wish I had a cute groundhog in my backyard to chew holes in my fences...:)

But I know how most folks think. If the choice is death or relocation, then obviously, relocation. I believe groundhogs are mostly solitary, and as long as the habitat is appropriate, he should be able to adjust. I would imagine that any large tract of public land with woods/fields/creek would do.

Others with more groundhog experience might have more suggestions for you.

[SammysMom]

As with any other creature in the spring just be sure it isn't a nursing mom. Don't want hungry babies somewhere looking for mom. Good luck!

[UDoWhat]

I'll check MD info but my current info says we can handle even without RVS. I am looking for 2011 info. I'm reading 01/2010 MD,RVS info now . Can't locate right this minute, of course. I will keep looking and looking and looking... They, MD DNR, puts out new RVS instructions every year. Still looking. May take a minute or hour. :rotfl

[Jackie in Tampa]

Fred said he has been chased by a Ground hog...the vision kills me:rotfl

poor little guy...
thanks for helping to relocate him...:Love_Icon
good luck to all:rotfl

[UDoWhat]

We have a young groundhog in the neighborhood destroying gardens, chewing holes through fences to get through to each yard. Neighbors are out to "get it"!
It has come to my yard several times and was even so brazen this morning to actually come to my back door and was looking in. I convinced the one neighbor who had the trap (havaheart) to allow me to place it in my yard to try and capture it. I have put in a can of cat food, piece of apple and an ageing tomato for bait.
I am aware they are a rabies vector species, it does not appear sick in any form. If I can capture it, it will live as I will relocate it. If neighbors capture it, it won't. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You are exactly right! Checked 2011 RVS list. It does include groundhog. If you can, just trap and take in trap to release site at a park with woods with a water source it should be fine. Just can't leave in trap too long. Poor little guy.:sanp3

[stepnstone]

As with any other creature in the spring just be sure it isn't a nursing mom. Don't want hungry babies somewhere looking for mom. Good luck!

I'll be sure to check that out but I personally think from it's looks/age this is an off spring of a resident groundhog down the way from us. The woman who's (huge) yard that one is in has no problem with it's residency and even feeds it from her garden. :D
If it were up to me I'd just let this one be but unfortunately it came to the wrong end of the island, some of the neighbors are in an uproar over it. My one neighbor had loaned the trap to the "ugly neighbor", I have no doubt in my mind he would have killed it if he trapped it. I convinced my neighbor to get it back and allow me to trap and relocate. My only concern is getting it into an area where it can roam free without threat of being harmed, I have several groundhog compatible safe areas already in mind. :thumbsup