Why do country people dislike the woodchucks?
This morning I saw a woodchuck harmlessly eating grass on my back lawn. It looked cute and appealing in a ‘Disney’ animation sort of way. Why, one might wonder, do country people hate them?
We all know the woodchuck or groundhog, because folklore says that he is able to predict the end of the Winter! Each Spring the media delights in bringing us live broadcasts of woodchucks like ‘Punxsutawney Phil’ and his ilk being hauled from his ‘burrow’ to see his shadow- or not, to declare the arrival of an early or late Spring. That is, what a lot of people believe.
You do not see them in the wintertime because they hibernate from October to April in their special winter quarters. These are below the frost line where the temperature is stable and well above freezing. In Spring they emerge with some remaining fat to live on until the warmer Spring weather produces abundant plants for food.
We all know the woodchuck or groundhog, because folklore says that he is able to predict the end of the Winter! Each Spring the media delights in bringing us live broadcasts of woodchucks like ‘Punxsutawney Phil’ and his ilk being hauled from his ‘burrow’ to see his shadow- or not, to declare the arrival of an early or late Spring. That is, what a lot of people believe.
You do not see them in the wintertime because they hibernate from October to April in their special winter quarters. These are below the frost line where the temperature is stable and well above freezing. In Spring they emerge with some remaining fat to live on until the warmer Spring weather produces abundant plants for food.
You often see them in early morning or late afternoon near the house eating grass. Their range extends as far north as Alaska, and southeast into Alabama. Woodchucks typically grow to 17-26 inches (42- 65 cm) long, including a relatively short five-inch (12.5 cm) tail. Woodchucks have a stocky build, and adults average 4 to 9 pounds (1.8 to 4 kilos) .
One of the woodchuck's most distinctive behaviors is its habit of standing upright on its hind legs to watch for danger. If a threat is sensed, woodchucks will let out a high-pitched, whistling call to warn the rest of the burrow and then dive back into their burrows. This is why they are known as "whistle pigs" in some areas.
One of the woodchuck's most distinctive behaviors is its habit of standing upright on its hind legs to watch for danger. If a threat is sensed, woodchucks will let out a high-pitched, whistling call to warn the rest of the burrow and then dive back into their burrows. This is why they are known as "whistle pigs" in some areas.
Woodchucks can live up to six years with two or three being average. Their predators can include wolves, cougars, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, bears, eagles, and domestic dogs. They usually breed in their second year from early March to mid- or late April, after hibernation, but a small number may breed in their first. A mated pair remains in the same den throughout the 31- to 32-day gestation period. The young venture out in April or May.
So why are they so hated by landowners? Well, It is not what they eat- most of the time, it is what they do. Woodchucks are well adapted for digging, with short, but powerful limbs and curved thick claws. They dig their burrows for sleeping, rearing their young and hibernating. The burrows have usually two to five entrances, providing them their escape routes from predators. Their burrows are particularly large, with up to 46 feet (14 meters) of tunnels buried up to 5 feet underground. They are marvels of engineering. When possible, they are built into a slope, with at least one opening high on the slope and the others further down. Excavated dirt may be mounded high around the highest opening to help enhance air drafting from breezes, which pulls fresh air through the system, pulled in from the lower openings. And there is the rub!
So why are they so hated by landowners? Well, It is not what they eat- most of the time, it is what they do. Woodchucks are well adapted for digging, with short, but powerful limbs and curved thick claws. They dig their burrows for sleeping, rearing their young and hibernating. The burrows have usually two to five entrances, providing them their escape routes from predators. Their burrows are particularly large, with up to 46 feet (14 meters) of tunnels buried up to 5 feet underground. They are marvels of engineering. When possible, they are built into a slope, with at least one opening high on the slope and the others further down. Excavated dirt may be mounded high around the highest opening to help enhance air drafting from breezes, which pulls fresh air through the system, pulled in from the lower openings. And there is the rub!
The large burrow openings (often hidden in the hay) are big enough to swallow a person’s or livestock’s leg and snap it. They pose a threat to agricultural equipment, frequently breaking axles and wheels during harvest, and residences by undermining house foundations. Stumbling into a woodchuck hole can ruin your day!
They not only eat the grass on your back lawn- and perhaps some of your expensive landscaping, they are also fond of vegetable gardens. After destroying my young plants, we decided to fence in our garden and replant everything.
And most people don’t know that they can also get rabies! They are docile, shy creatures that are not normally threats to pets or people. They can be very cute to watch as they stroll about munching the grass. So you might be tempted to approach one that appears in distress. Don’t! If they are infected with rabies, it usually is manifested by listless, sluggish behavior- not ‘rabid dog’ frenzy. It may appear partially paralyzed and have difficulty moving about. Do not approach it! Call an animal control expert to evaluate it immediately. The fact that is slow and disabled may attract a dog attack, which will infect the dog.
They not only eat the grass on your back lawn- and perhaps some of your expensive landscaping, they are also fond of vegetable gardens. After destroying my young plants, we decided to fence in our garden and replant everything.
And most people don’t know that they can also get rabies! They are docile, shy creatures that are not normally threats to pets or people. They can be very cute to watch as they stroll about munching the grass. So you might be tempted to approach one that appears in distress. Don’t! If they are infected with rabies, it usually is manifested by listless, sluggish behavior- not ‘rabid dog’ frenzy. It may appear partially paralyzed and have difficulty moving about. Do not approach it! Call an animal control expert to evaluate it immediately. The fact that is slow and disabled may attract a dog attack, which will infect the dog.
When in danger, if they cannot make it to their burrow, woodchucks are able to swim and climb trees. So what do you do if you have a woodchuck family move in and eventually start causing damage? In most rural areas, they are considered ‘varmints’ under local wildlife laws. So they are not protected by hunting seasons and can be taken year-round. Dogs are usually a good deterrent, as they will chase them on sight and the woodchucks will seek out a more peaceful setting.
Abandoned dens may be taken over by new arrivals. Undisturbed, maturing young will create new dens nearby. We have had good success dumping the wood ash from our woodstove down the openings (usually a heating season’s worth). No one has reclaimed these dens. It seems the fine ash is too off-putting to re-excavate. I’ve been told that cloth bags of human hair from your barber shop pegged next to the borrows works. I’m not sure about that, but it is a good deer and bear garden deterrent.
In more suburban settings, garden supply stores sell large “Havahart” style live traps- but then you will be dealing with a live woodchuck to dispose of. Depending on the time of year, this may be more inhumane than you might consider if you think it through. Given the time of year, without enough time to establish a new territory and dig a deep enough shelter, you may be condemning it to exposure and starvation. You can always hire a local pest removal business.
In more suburban settings, garden supply stores sell large “Havahart” style live traps- but then you will be dealing with a live woodchuck to dispose of. Depending on the time of year, this may be more inhumane than you might consider if you think it through. Given the time of year, without enough time to establish a new territory and dig a deep enough shelter, you may be condemning it to exposure and starvation. You can always hire a local pest removal business.
Our Siberian husky has taken care of our woodchuck problem. She is very territorial and patrols her realm several times a day to see whether there is an intruder. We watched her ‘tree’ a couple woodchucks! Of course, the woodchuck senses the danger and moves on to safer grounds, away from the house and away from our gardens. I am glad we could solve the woodchuck problem the natural way.
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