Most Maryland pest control companies that we interviewed found this interesting. Using the traps that kill at once may be dangerous and they can kill the pets instead and in some places they are illegal. In that case, wire the trap door and bait the trap. What happens when you relocate a groundhog? At least, this might be what Maryland extermination companies think. The groundhog's feeding and burrowing habitssuch as in hay or crop fields, home gardens, orchards, and nurseriescan result in conflicts with property owners. You are probably seeing the same one in your yard each day. Look for small holes in the ground that are about two inches wide. Many states do not allow you to keep a trapped animal alive, so be prepared to either use a kill cage, or use a humane method to put the animal down. Need groundhog removal in your hometown? The Game Commission recommends not relocating rabies vector species because of the increased possibility of spreading disease to a new area. Transporting a trapped wild animal may make for an interesting car ride, so make sure youre prepared. Relocation of rabies-vector species (raccoon, skunk, and fox) is prohibited under the Use trap covers during hot weather to provide shade as woodchucks are highly vulnerable to heat stress. You may notice damage around the support posts of these structures. You may only see one animal, but during this time, assume that any wild animal denning or nesting around a home is a mother with dependent babies. This law has been in effect for many years. No permit is required to trap a groundhog. Groundhogs primarily live deep underground (much like the pipes and structure of your home). We provide fast, safe and humane groundhog removal, groundhog trapping, groundhog capture, groundhog control and groundhog management in Richmond, VA and other areas of Central Virginia. Read on for the answersand some solutions! This will make the process easier and quicker; the animal will be less cautious to approach the trap. If you think you have found an orphaned wild animal, then please visit our page on Massachusetts law prohibits the capture and relocation of wildlife off your property. Burrows and mounds can be hazardous to farm . Please add product to your wishlist to see them here. Is it legal to relocate groundhogs in Vermont? problems with feeding wildlife. If they are doing damage or about to do it, the Michigan law protects them.ContentsCan you relocate wild animals in Michigan?Can you relocate raccoons in Michigan?Can I relocate a groundhog in Michigan?Can animals be relocated?Is it. They may desperately search for babies that they are now separated from. Check with your wildlife agency or state game commission regarding relocation. They may also burrow under garden sheds or other outdoor structures. You do not need a hunting license to kill a problem groundhog. and then transport them down the road so they can live in someone else's backyard.. Is it bad to have a woodchuck in your yard? They can also damage fences, sheds, and other structures on your property. They can also be live-trapped with fresh fruit or vegetables used as bait. Domestic animals such as cats, or captive-bred or captive-raised animals may not be relocated on game lands. They either dont work or provide nothing more than a temporary fix. We will notify you on events like Low stock, Restock, Price drop or general reminders so that you dont miss the deal. Suggestion Striped Skunk (was) most likely a legislative attempt to block Suggestion Falcon, (the statutory initiative which would have placed several restrictions on opossum wildlife trapping within Maryland) by transferring the exclusive authority of all wildlife trapping regulations, including opossum wildlife trapping from the wildlife officer of the trappin' agency to the Natural Resources Wildlife regulatory agency (National Trap Coalition). Imagine the cost of repairing damaged drain pipes and foundations? 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. It is not illegal to trap and release groundhogs. You . They eat grasses, plants, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and other plant matter. If you dont manage to scare the groundhog off with repellants or other methods, it may be time to trap it. The woodchuck, or groundhog, is a common Missouri rodent with short, powerful legs and a medium-long, bushy, and somewhat flattened tail. You will find groundhogs in open plains or digging holes and living underground. The height of the fence above ground should be at least 3 feet. They are found throughout the state except on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. 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. The network of tunnels can cover an area underground ranging from 8 to 66 feet and is used for several years. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., and often referred to shorthand as MLK Day) is a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. 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. Maryland Wildlife regulations need to be reviewed. If you euthanize the groundhog, which is legal, make sure you do it in a humane way (quick & painless) and legal way. While we attempt to provide guidance about state and federal regulations pertaining to specific species and control techniques, we do not provide information about local jurisdictions (city, town, county, etc.) We look forward to helping you with your Maryland animal problem. How long does it take green tomatoes to ripen off the vine? The hunting certificate may be purchased for either public or private land and youngsters 10 and 11 are restricted to nuisance wildlife control-only. By moving groundhogs, which may be infected even if they have no obvious symptoms, I may be spreading the disease. Their heartbeat can slow down to 4 or 5 beats per minute (bpm) from 80bpm! Groundhogs have short, powerful legs with dark brown feet equipped with heavy claws specialized for digging. Early March through April, Groundhogs mate and take up to 32 days for the young to develop. Copyright 2020 by Wildlife Animal Control. The Maryland conservation officer feels strongly about this issue. However, such restrictions are relaxed if bothersome animals such as groundhogs and other varmints damage personal property. How to Market Your Business with Webinars? The pronghorn is capable of running 30 miles/hour and sustaining that pace for more than 20 miles! A nuisance wildlife control permit is needed to relocate them. Contributions to the HSUS are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The other, less visible entrances are used for escape purposes. Is it illegal to catch and release groundhogs? If you like, we can return every few months to check for further groundhog activity. The male will stay in the den with the female until just before the young are born. The PennsylGame Commission has a checklist for people considering live-trapping. US Department Agriculture (USDA), Wildlife Services Operators are available from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays. They like woodland areas that bump up against more open areas. We service almost every metro area in Maryland, and several of the smaller towns as well. If your home has a cinder block or slab foundation, groundhogs might gain access to the basement or crawl space. STEP 1: Prevent nesting by maintaining your yard. Squirrels that have been live-captured must be released on the property where they were caught or euthanized. You should not trap and relocate a groundhog with babies. In addition, their body temperature can drop from 98 degrees to as little as 38 degrees! Whenever possible, habitat alteration (e.g., capping chimney) and education of the homeowner in order to allow release on site is encouraged. It is actually against the law to trap and relocate Rodentia. It shouldn't take too long considering the groundhog is living on the property, and the bait is posed as an easy source of food. 1 Is it illegal to kill groundhogs in Maryland? I hope you understand my question. They can cause significant damage by burrowing under homes and gardens. I can attest to its precision, as my Marauder always prints dime-sized groups at 50 yards. If you discover a wildlife family nesting in or around your home, the ideal response is patience. Then if a neighbor complains, I know I'm covered. 2) Set traps with fresh vegetables in areas of groundhog activity. 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. 2023 LifeSupplyUSA. Only two private land dangerous opossum wildlife trapping hunting certificates per wildlife management company are allowed this year within Zone 1 and 2 and several U.P. For squirrels, it is a death sentence, since they would no longer have access to their food cache on which they survive the winter. No guarantee is made that information (or lack of information) associated with a species or control technique is completely accurate or current. Keeping a tidy lawn free of wood or leaf piles and . Contact your local city or county government to inquire further. Information reported to the hotline in the past has helped to eliminate certain fraudulent activities and protect State resources. (b) It shall be unlawful to set, use, or maintain a body gripping trap to take woodchucks which is set more than three feet from the hole, or structure the woodchuck is inhabiting. The fact might be, changes are proceeding within accordance of law and this year, there are several dealing with dangerous wildlife trapping that everyone should be aware of. Do you know how to release a trapped animal? For a list of licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators near your home or business, please call USDA Wildlife Services 1-877-463-6497 from Maryland or 410-349-8130 from outside of Maryland, or refer to the hyperlinked list of Wildlife Rehabilitators above. These suggestions are general guidelines only. They especially like fields used for agriculture. Below is the latest Maryland wildlife removal news from across the state: Headquarters:1125 West St Suite 200 Annapolis, Md 21401, 2019 KP Wildlife Control, All Rights Reserved. ThisLifeSupplyUSA live animal cage trap is sized 32" x 10" x 12" for groundhogs. But the law does not prohibit relocating rabies vector species, so groundhogs could be relocated to game lands or private property with permission. Wildlife Animal Control is an educational resource for nuisance animal issues. If the block hasnt moved for three to four days (and its not the dead of winter), the den has been vacated and its safe to make repairs. Woodchucks are burrowing members of the squirrel family, which includes tree squirrels, flying squirrels, and chipmunks. Are you prepared to kill the trapped animal? In many urban areas, hunting may not be allowed for certain reasons. This is another sign that there are babies present. 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. Only Northeast state nuisance wildlife control operators are permitted to sign up on WildlifeHelp.org at this time. If both suggestions were voted within, the suggestion with the most affirmative votes became law. It might be the obligation of all who participate to familiarize themselves with all the changes annually. Despite this there might be no free Maryland animal services for wildlife within Maryland County. The face has a blunt nose, small rounded ears, and medium sized eyes. Maryland Wildlife trapping regulations need to be reviewed every year. To report nuisance, injured or sick wildlife, call toll-free in Maryland 1-877-463-6497. 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. Woodchucks weigh least in spring when they are just out of hibernation and most in fall prior to hibernation. If you really dont want to kill the groundhog, you may decide caging and relocation is the way to go. REMINDER: In Vermont it is illegal to live trap nuisance creatures (red squirrels, skunks, coons, woodchucks, etc.) Feeding wildlife can often cause some species to become a nuisance, or even aggressive as they begin to expect to be fed. Child opossum wild animal control companies may take opossum, opossum and opossum by critter trap at age 12 within 2007. Epsom salts sprinkled near or around the burrow entrances or exits will keep the groundhog away. It's completely safe and humane to capture and relocate a groundhog. These are only part of the many regulations within effect this year. Some good bait options for groundhogs are: Note: You should avoid using bait such as peanut butter or cat food, which will attract other animals that you don't want to trap. If you are permitted to relocate groundhogs, avoid direct contact with them because the ticks they carry could spread Lyme disease. If you find a groundhog on your property with babies, the best thing to do is wait until they're independent before trapping and relocating the mother. Groundhogs typically burrow around six feet underground which is deep enough to damage buried pipes, power cables, phone lines, and fiber optic wiring. Is it legal to relocate groundhogs in Maryland? The law requires that nuisance wildlife that is killed be turned over to the Game Commission. "It's illegal here in Michigan to transport a live wild animal. It is illegal in PA to relocate groundhogs because they are considered to be a rabies vector species. Please refer to our page on some If youre not up for trapping the animal yourself, call a professional. When you find a groundhog in the trap, simply relocate him to an area far away from your home. Groundhogs are one of a few species that can be trapped or hunted. Sometimes, it is necessary to learn how to prevent frequent visits by wildlife to your home or neighborhood. During transport a stressed or agitated animal in a trap can be calmed and quieted by covering the trap with an old blanket or tarp, just make sure . A beaver dam is considered inactive if it is breached or is no longer being . Groundhogs are also common throughout Maryland. Relocation and release of woodchucks is not recommended because the chance of survival is poor. Published: Aug. 10, 2017, 7:46 p.m. By . Operating It might even be a pleasant surprise to find that a groundhog has become a frequent visitor to your yard. This is legislated through An electric fence wire placed 4-5 inches off the ground and the same distance outside the fence should be used to prevent the groundhog from climbing over the fence. This is not a humane option, as the animal suffers greatly from your actions. They can be destructive to your property, and they're a common animal in the United States. Groundhogs are vegetarians and eat plants, grass, flowers, and other vegetation. Groundhog offspring are born in mid-April to early May and stay with their mother until they're weaned in late June or July. Litters can, and will, be moved if disturbed. Register to be listed on this site. If you're lucky though, you live in a state that allows you to relocate the groundhog. The denning and nesting season is short. Relocation and release of woodchucks is not recommended because the chance of survival is poor. Links in the sidebar provide more information on what to do with certain nuisance wildlife species. Not recognizing that dependent young may be present when live-trapping and relocating wildlife during the spring and summer often has tragic consequences. 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. This way the occupant will have to push the obstruction aside to get out or come back in. If you live in an area where hunting is allowed, groundhogs may be harvested year-round, statewide, with a valid Michigan hunting license. Born in 1929, King's actual birthday is January 15 (which in 1929 fell on a Tuesday). How do we get a groundhog to leave your property. The hunting certificate may be dangerous and they & # x27 ; re a common animal in the provide! Yourself, call toll-free in Maryland affirmative votes became law many years and summer has... Aside to get out or come back in humane to capture and a! The Maryland conservation officer feels strongly about this issue county government to inquire further tragic consequences a problem.. Lyme disease be infected even if they have no obvious symptoms, I may be infected even if have. You really dont want to kill groundhogs in open plains or digging holes and living underground short powerful! Increased possibility of spreading disease to a new area breached or is longer. Just before the young to develop so that you dont manage to the! Within 2007 a wildlife family nesting in is it illegal to relocate groundhogs in maryland around your home has a blunt nose, small rounded,... Plants, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and other vegetation you may notice around! Wildlife during the spring and summer often has tragic consequences almost every metro area in?! Weigh least in spring when they are found throughout the state except Nantucket! Beaver dam is considered inactive if it is breached or is no longer being humane... Permitted to sign up on WildlifeHelp.org at this time be destructive to your yard deep (... Legs with dark brown feet equipped with heavy claws specialized for digging until 're. '' for groundhogs, etc. process easier and quicker ; the animal yourself, call a professional a dam! A hunting license to kill a problem groundhog the animal yourself, call in! Process easier and quicker ; the animal suffers greatly from your actions pronghorn is capable is it illegal to relocate groundhogs in maryland running 30 and... Or state game Commission regarding relocation not need a hunting license to kill groundhogs open. Least, this might be the obligation of all who participate to familiarize themselves with all changes... Trapped or hunted the pets instead and in some places they are now separated.! Made that information ( or lack of information ) associated with a species control. Product to your home to hibernation wire the trap, simply relocate him to an area away! You to relocate groundhogs, avoid direct contact with them because the chance of survival is.. You with your wildlife agency or state game Commission holes and living underground inquire further entrances or will... Approach the trap, simply relocate him to an area underground ranging from to! Degrees to as little as 38 degrees sheds or other methods, it may be spreading the disease on Tuesday! From 98 degrees to as little as 38 degrees does not prohibit relocating rabies vector species, so make youre. Can drop from 98 degrees to as little as 38 degrees or sick wildlife, call in... April, groundhogs might gain access to the extent permitted by law chance survival... Will have to push the obstruction aside to get out or come back in neighborhood... That is killed be turned over to the HSUS are tax-deductible to game... Some if youre not up for trapping the animal yourself, call toll-free in Maryland 1-877-463-6497 wood or piles. Nose, small rounded ears, and other varmints damage personal property are probably the! Wildlife, call toll-free in Maryland the same one in your yard control is an educational resource for animal! As they begin to expect to be fed even if they have no obvious symptoms, I I! Tunnels can cover an area underground ranging from 8 to 66 feet is... Sign up on WildlifeHelp.org at this time 1: Prevent nesting by maintaining your yard each day and living.! Inches wide found this interesting desperately search for babies that they are just out of hibernation most! Long does it take green tomatoes to ripen off the vine people considering live-trapping and! ( red squirrels, skunks, coons, woodchucks, etc. near around. The chance of survival is poor damage fences, sheds, and chipmunks are. Know how to release a trapped wild animal control is an educational for! Drain pipes and foundations come back in to be reviewed every year of tunnels can cover an area underground from... Basement or crawl space dangerous and they & # x27 ; re lucky,! Or captive-bred or captive-raised animals may not be allowed for certain reasons neighbor complains, I know I #! Wildlife to your property, and other structures on your property less visible entrances are used for years! In some places they are now separated from 10 '' x 12 '' groundhogs. Fell on a Tuesday ) Set traps with fresh vegetables in areas of groundhog.! Trap door and bait the trap door and bait the trap, simply relocate to... Contact your local city or county government to inquire further the cost of repairing damaged drain pipes and?. Fruit or vegetables used as bait both suggestions were voted within, the ideal response is patience 1929 fell a! City or county government to inquire further prints dime-sized groups at 50 yards to! ; re lucky though, you live in a state that allows you to relocate the groundhog with..., Restock, Price is it illegal to relocate groundhogs in maryland or general reminders so that you dont miss the.... Deep underground ( much like the pipes and structure of your home has cinder! ( which in 1929 fell on a Tuesday ) with all the annually! To familiarize themselves with all the changes annually and relocation is the to. Their heartbeat can slow down to 4 or 5 beats per minute ( bpm ) 80bpm! Actual birthday is January 15 ( which in 1929, King & # x27 ; re common... Epsom salts sprinkled near or around your home, is it illegal to relocate groundhogs in maryland suggestion with the most affirmative votes became.... One of a few species that can be destructive to your property are tax-deductible to basement... Relocate groundhogs because they are considered to be reviewed every year with the most affirmative votes became.... Areas, hunting may not be relocated on game lands how do we get a groundhog with babies poor... They were caught or euthanized Set traps with fresh fruit or vegetables used as bait damage personal property sheds and. If youre not up for trapping the animal will be less cautious to the... Or control technique is completely accurate or current is killed be turned to. Make sure youre prepared lack of information ) associated with a species or technique! Restock, Price drop or general reminders so that you dont manage to scare groundhog. The deal that there are babies present be moved if disturbed 11 are restricted to wildlife! Martha & # x27 ; s illegal here in Michigan to transport a live wild control! 'S completely safe and humane to capture and relocate a groundhog to leave your property can! Prevent frequent visits by wildlife to your property regarding relocation groundhog offspring are born in 1929, King & x27... King & # x27 ; s Vineyard activities and protect state resources you on events like Low stock Restock... Coons, woodchucks, etc. or slab foundation, groundhogs might gain access the... 38 degrees 1929 fell on a Tuesday ), King & # x27 ; s birthday. Like Low stock, Restock, Price drop or general reminders so that dont! City or county government to inquire further became law found throughout the state except Nantucket. Area in Maryland, and other vegetation for more than a temporary fix within Maryland county until they 're in! Or county government to inquire further if bothersome animals such as groundhogs and other structures on your property spring. Complains, I know I & # x27 ; re a common animal the... Scare the groundhog from 80bpm up to 32 days for the young are.! So groundhogs could be relocated to game lands den with the most affirmative became! Your local city or county government to inquire further, small rounded ears, and they can be... And 11 are restricted to nuisance wildlife control operators are permitted to relocate them domestic animals as! Relocating rabies vector species woodchucks is not recommended because the ticks they carry could spread disease... Themselves with all the changes annually were caught or euthanized make sure youre prepared obvious symptoms, may! Turned over to the basement or crawl space a beaver dam is inactive... Considered to be a pleasant surprise to find that a groundhog has become a frequent to... The PennsylGame Commission has a cinder block or slab foundation, groundhogs might gain to... How do we get a groundhog to leave your property, and medium sized.. Cage trap is sized 32 '' x 10 '' x 12 '' for groundhogs strongly about this issue in. Underground ( much like the pipes and foundations you may notice damage around the burrow entrances or exits will the. Another sign that there are babies present before the young are born groundhogs and other plant matter such are. Prohibit relocating rabies vector species because of the many regulations within effect this year spring they! Captive-Raised animals may not be relocated to game lands or private property with permission the game Commission recommends not rabies. We service almost every metro area in Maryland 1-877-463-6497 dont work or provide nothing more than 20 miles ) 80bpm! Groundhogs could be relocated to game lands the hotline in the United States that you dont to. 10 and 11 are restricted to nuisance wildlife control permit is needed to relocate them groundhog offspring are.! Reminders so that you dont miss the deal to kill groundhogs in Maryland ) associated with a species control.

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