How to get rid of a BIG woodchuck

[tsewdim]

Hey Guys, first time posting in this forum. How's it going?

I've got a wooden shed in my backyard and a big woodchuck has decided to burrow underneath it and make it her home.

I live in the City and would rather not have to pay for someone to get rid of it so any suggestions?

[Tom7227]

Live trap and remove.

[KTapper]

BB gun? maybe smoke her out and get her.

[Steve Foss]

Why get rid of it? They don't hurt anyone, and the burrow's already dug anyway. I'm just sayin'.

[JIvers]

Peanut butter as bait in a live trap. Woodchucks love it.

Release it in a park or un-developed area. They're basically harmless, but annoying when they tunnel in your yard.

[hydro]

Here is a simple way to take care of it: First make sure the woodchuck has retreated into the burrow. Then look closely to see if there is a second exit hole, and securely block it. Now get a road flare and light it, tossing it into the burrow and securely cover the opening. The sulphur smoke will take care of anything in there. Fill the hole up the next day.

One thing with woodchucks is that the next one that wanders through will be able to smell the burrow and will dig it up and move right in. They can also eat your entire garden in one evening if they get a chance, so it's a good idea to keep them away if you do not want them there.

[MNGSP]

Here is a simple way to take care of it: First make sure the woodchuck has retreated into the burrow. Then look closely to see if there is a second exit hole, and securely block it. Now get a road flare and light it, tossing it into the burrow and securely cover the opening. The sulphur smoke will take care of anything in there. Fill the hole up the next day.

One thing with woodchucks is that the next one that wanders through will be able to smell the burrow and will dig it up and move right in. They can also eat your entire garden in one evening if they get a chance, so it's a good idea to keep them away if you do not want them there.

This will certainly take care of the woodchuck..along with your shed too. Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire!

[pikestabber]

Maybe try reasoning with him? "Hey, Woodchuck, I know you like it under my shed, but I would appreciate it if you would kindly move along. I will float you a few bucks until you get on your feet, but you can't stay here anymore."

Rational conversation always works!

[Jmnhunter]

Maybe try reasoning with him? "Hey, Woodchuck, I know you like it under my shed, but I would appreciate it if you would kindly move along. I will float you a few bucks until you get on your feet, but you can't stay here anymore."

Rational conversation always works!

i'm sure there are some kooks out there that would actually do that too

[pikestabber]

The sad thing is, I think you're right! My reasoning would involve a conversation between the woodchuck and my 12 gauge (I live out of town so that is a bit more of a viable option for me). I can assure you the conversation would be short lived...ol' twelve is a little hot under the collar and quick to pull the trigger.

My house borders farm land, and woodchuck burrows are bad news for cow legs...

[goblueM]

live trap it, go across a major highway or two, then release. or release into a garbage can of water and then into a fry pan

alternatively, i've heard ammonia works pretty well on them and skunks, if you put a bunch of it down the burrow it might force it to leave

[tsewdim]

I just bought a trap from Fleet Farm. I'm going to bait it with apples and peanut butter tonight. There is a garden in our backyard and that's why it must go, also the missus is also quite scared of it. I wasn't planning on killing it, but re-releasing it somewhere else...out in the boonies.

I'll keep you guys updated. Thanks for the help!

[Double D]

Plug up the other end, get a big hose, bury it in the near end and hook up to your car, mower or something else. Painless for everybody involved.

DD

[HooknHorns]

When I was alot younger I waited patiently on top of our shed. Then when the woodchucks went out to feed in the mid morning i lowered the biggest fishing net we had over their hole. Made a huge racket that brought them running back to the hole. Pulled them out put them in a portable dog kennel. Then released the by a state park. I caught 11 young ones and one adult in one summer that way. I also had alot more time when I was younger. Good Luck

[Archerysniper]

alternatively, i've heard ammonia works pretty well on them and skunks, if you put a bunch of it down the burrow it might force it to leave

+1 for the ammonia I have used it for citters alot bigger than woodchucks,otherwise if you don't like the shed you allways have propane and oxygen

[mooneyes]

IED

[hydro]

This will certainly take care of the woodchuck..along with your shed too. Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire!

I guess I figured that it would not be a good idea to do this in a combustable structure. Woodchucks usually have a burrow, so the flare goes underground where it won't start a fire. It works every time and the animal is already buried when you are done.

[picksbigwagon]

I think the live trap with peanut butter and apples is the route to go. I have a woodchuck under my shed and I have tried trapping it before but not with the apples AND peanut butter. I will give that a go this weekend. If I lived in the country, it would have met it's maker a long time ago thanks to my 17hmr

[Muskie456]

Well did you catch him? Let's see some photos

[Tom7227]

Can I ask you where your 'boonies' are. Don't be droppin that sucker in my neighborhood!!

[Muskie456]

come on, where is the update? I think woody must be winning.

[tsewdim]

Well fellas, I checked the trap and so far nothing. It hasn't touched the apples or the peanut butter, but it has been busy eating from the garden!

I saw some ammonia sticks for sale at Fleet Farm and was thinking about using them, but the shed is pretty much right next to the garden and I was thinking it wouldn't be so safe to eat any vegetables from there anymore. Also don't want a dead woodchuck rotting away under the shed.

I got time this weekend so I might have to wait it out and shoot it if need be. I hope an air rifle will suffice, if not I might just have to call in an expert.

BTW...I was thinking of releasing it at a State Park somewhere. Fort Snelling seems like a good place. Would I get in trouble for that? j/w.

More updates to come!

[snapjigger]

What city are you in? I have a arrow with his name on it...

[PEATMOSS]

I would get some plastic explosives and mold them in the shape of little woodland creatures with which the woodchuck might be friends with. Creat a daisy chain of these throughout your back yard and adjacent properties. I saw this work on a golf documentary I watched back in the 80's.

[123fish]

That right there is some funny stuff PEATMOSS.