Wildlife Damage Management Fact Sheet Series Wo odchucks Paul D. Curtis and Kristi L. Sullivan Cornell Cooperative Extension, Wildlife Damage Management Program

The woodchuck (Marmota monax)—also Habitat and Food Habits known as the groundhog or whistle pig— Woodchucks dig burrows, which they use is one of the largest members of the squir- to bear and raise young and escape from rel family and is closely related to other predators. Dens are typically located in North American marmots. Historically, open fields, meadows, pastures, woodchucks were less common than they fencerows, and woodland edges. In sub- are today. As forests were cleared for urban areas, woodchucks commonly bur- farms, pastures, and orchards, settlers row under barns, sheds, and porches. provided suitable habitat and the wood- Often woodchucks will take up residence chuck population expanded. Today, this under stone walls, woodpiles, or porches, highly adaptable mammal commonly using several auxiliary dens for shelter. inhabits farm fields, idle lands, and sub- The burrows dug by woodchucks are 8 to urban neighborhoods. 66 feet long and 2 to 5 feet deep. They normally have two or three entrances, General Biology although there may be as many as five. The woodchuck has a compact, chunky The main entrance can be identified by body supported by relatively short, strong the mound of excavated dirt and stones legs. Its tail is short and bristly. Its forefeet surrounding the entrance. A single cham- have long, curved claws that are adapted ber, used for sleeping and rearing young, for digging ground burrows where it is formed at the end of the main burrow. seeks refuge and hibernates during winter abandoned dens. The average life span of Another room is used for urination and months. Woodchucks have yellowish- woodchucks is four to five years. Primary defecation. In this way the den is kept rel- brown to blackish-brown fur. Like other predators include hawks, owls, foxes, atively clean and free from disease. rodents, they have chisel-like incisor teeth bobcats, coyotes, dogs, weasels, and Secondary entrances are dug from inside that are used to nip off vegetation. From humans. the burrow and usually do not have dirt tip of nose to end of tail, woodchucks are Woodchucks often can be observed mounds. Other species such as skunks, approximately 20 to 27 inches long and basking in the summer sun during the raccoons, and foxes will remodel vacant weigh 5 to 12 pounds. warmest hours of the day. They climb burrows and use them to bear and raise Woodchucks hibernate during the win- well and often sleep on fence posts, stone young. In addition, rabbits may seek shel- ter, beginning with the first heavy frosts, walls, large rocks, fallen logs, and grassy ter in dens, particularly during the winter which usually occur in October. They areas, all of which are close to their bur- when woodchucks are hibernating below. emerge from hibernation during late row entrance. Even feeding woodchucks Woodchucks are herbivores and eat a February or March when mating season normally do not travel farther than 50 wide variety of vegetation, including begins. After a 30-day gestation period, yards from their dens. There are excep- grasses, weed shoots, clover, alfalfa, and young are born in April or early May. tions; male woodchucks have been soybeans. They will also consume garden Litters average three to four young, and known to travel long distances to find a vegetables such as cabbage, beans, peas, by mid-June or early July the young leave mate. Occasionally, woodchucks will trav- and carrots and fruits such as apples, their home burrows and establish their el several hundred yards to forage in time cherries, and pears. Woodchucks prefer own territories, usually moving into old, of drought or to eat fallen orchard fruit. early morning and evening hours for feed-

Woodchucks, Wildlife Damage Management Fact Sheet Series, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ithaca, N.Y. ©2001 by Cornell University. ing because they depend on dew and Preventing Damage animals onto the site from surrounding plant moisture for their water intake. areas. Population Reduction Although woodchuck numbers can be Repellents Description of Damage managed by shooting, trapping, or No products are currently registered with Woodchucks can become a nuisance gassing the den, the results are usually the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency when their feeding and burrowing habits short-term. Spring is the best time to use (EPA) for use as woodchuck repellents. conflict with human interests. They fre- lethal controls because adults are active Studies in Connecticut have shown that quently damage vegetable and flower gar- and young animals may remain in their some commercial deer and rabbit repel- dens, agricultural crops, orchards, nurs- burrow. In addition, burrows are more lents, as well as some insecticides thought eries, and areas around buildings. Damage evident before annual vegetation conceals to have repellent properties, were general- to crops can be costly. In addition, their entrances, and other wildlife is less ly ineffective at preventing woodchuck mounds of dirt and holes at burrow likely to use burrows as shelter during feeding on crops. entrances can be hazardous to farm spring. Predator odors may be a useful repel- equipment and livestock. Woodchucks Shooting can be used to remove prob- lent for woodchucks. For example, bobcat are excellent climbers. They can damage lem woodchucks from fields, but it may urine sprayed on the base of apple trees fruit trees and ornamental shrubs as they be illegal or unsafe in many situations has been shown to reduce woodchuck gnaw or claw woody vegetation in near homes. New York State law prohibits gnawing by 98 percent relative to untreat- orchards. Similar to ground squirrels, the discharge of firearms within 500 feet ed trees. In addition, bobcat urine used in woodchucks may strip bark at the base of of a building without the owner’s permis- combination with electric or rope fences trees near their burrow entrance to mark sion. Woodchucks can be captured using reduced damage to cabbage fields in New their territories. #2 foothold traps or #160 or #220 body- York. In this study, electric fences alone or gripping traps placed at the burrow electric fences with cloth strips sprayed Laws and Regulations entrance. Body-gripping traps do not with bobcat urine were nearly 100 per- need to be baited. The woodchuck is an unprotected species cent effective at reducing woodchuck Live traps, baited with apples, can- in New York State. Unprotected species damage to cabbage. A single-strand rope taloupe, carrots with tops, lettuce, cab- may be taken at any time without limit. A fence sprayed with bobcat urine reduced bage, or ample amounts of fresh peas, can hunting license is required, however, to woodchuck damage by 90 percent and is also be effective. Live traps should be set hunt unprotected wildlife with a bow or a simple, low-cost approach for home- near burrow entrances. Where food is firearm. Given current Environmental owners. abundant, however, woodchucks may not Conservation Law in New York State, enter cage traps for bait. A cage trap Fencing woodchucks captured in live traps must should be at least 10 x 10 x 24 inches in be humanely euthanized or released else- Fencing can be very effective at reducing size. Double-door see-through traps where on the landowner’s property. Only woodchuck damage, but precautions should be at least 10 x 10 x 30 inches in licensed nuisance wildlife control opera- must be taken to keep woodchucks from size. It is a good idea to conceal the trap tors may transport wildlife off the proper- climbing over or digging under fencing. with canvas or grass. If baiting fails, a ty and will do so for a fee. Contact your Woodchucks may be excluded from gar- double-door cage trap can be set directly local Department of Environmental dens and other small areas with a 4-foot- in the woodchuck’s trail and concealed. Conservation (DEC) office for the name of high hardware cloth fence. To prevent All traps should be checked at least twice a licensed nuisance wildlife control officer woodchucks from digging under the a day. Live traps should be used in areas in your area. fence, the bottom of the fence should be where pets or children might be at risk. When considering shooting, trapping, buried 10 to 12 inches below ground or New York State law prohibits setting a or both to control problem animals, local the lower edge should be bent at an L- trap within 100 feet of a house, school, ordinances must also be followed, so it is shaped angle leading outward and buried playground, or church unless you have best to consult with local law enforcement 1 to 2 inches below ground. To prevent permission from the owner of the land authorities or your regional DEC office if woodchucks from climbing over the where the trap is set. you have questions regarding specific fence, an electric wire can be added 4 to 5 Lethal controls have been reported to localities. In other states, consult with inches off the ground and the same dis- have had limited success in controlling your state wildlife agency about laws and tance away from the outside of the fence. woodchuck populations. Shooting and regulations pertaining to woodchucks Bending the top 15 inches of wire out at a trapping will not eliminate woodchucks before shooting or trapping nuisance ani- 45-degree angle can also prevent wood- from a farm. In a Pennsylvania study, mals. chucks from climbing over fencing. 1,040 woodchucks were removed from a Hardware cloth can be used to exclude 600-acre site over four years without sig- woodchucks from under buildings, decks, nificantly affecting the population. and other structures. However, it may be Woodchuck numbers were unaffected necessary to remove existing woodchucks owing to increased juvenile survival, from under the building through trapping increased birth rates, and movement of or the use of one-way doors. Attach the

Woodchucks, Wildlife Damage Management Fact Sheet Series, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ithaca, N.Y. ©2001 by Cornell University. hardware cloth to the bottom of the deck ©2001 Cornell University or building in question, and be sure to bury the bottom of the hardware cloth 10 to 12 inches below ground. Bending the buried section of fence at an L-shaped This publication is issued to further Cooperative angle leading outward can help to prevent Extension work mandated by acts of Congress of burrowing under the fence. May 8 and June 30, 1914. It was produced with the cooperation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Cultural Practices Cornell Cooperative Extension; and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Human Modifying habitat in and around homes Ecology, and College of Veterinary Medicine at and gardens can help deter woodchucks Cornell University. Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportuni- and can increase the effectiveness of other ties. D. Merrill Ewert, Director. control techniques. Eliminating brush Alternative formats of this publication are available piles and overgrown areas reduces the on request to persons with disabilities who cannot amount of food and cover available, mak- use the printed format. For information call or write the Office of the Director, Cornell Cooperative ing an area less attractive to woodchucks. Extension, 365 Roberts Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853 Unfortunately, elimination of these areas (607-255-2237). may also remove valuable habitat for This information is presented with the understand- other wildlife. ing that no product discrimination is intended and no endorsement of any product mentioned or criti- cism of unnamed products is implied. References Additional copies of this publication may be pur- chased from Cornell University, Media and Bollengier, R. 1994. “Woodchucks.” In Technology Services Resource Center, 7 Cornell Prevention and Control of Wildlife Business & Technology Park, Ithaca, NY 14850. Damage. S. Hygnstrom, R. Timm, and Phone: 607-255-2080. Fax: 607-255-9946. E-mail: G. Larson, eds. Lincoln: University of [email protected]. Nebraska Cooperative Extension. A free catalog of Cornell Cooperative Extension pub- lications and audiovisuals is available from the same Henderson, F. R., and C. Lee. 1992. address, or from any Cornell Cooperative Extension Woodchucks: Urban Wildlife Damage office. The catalog also can be accessed at Control. Manhattan: Kansas State www.cce.cornell.edu/publications/catalog.html. University Cooperative Extension Illustrations by John Sidelinger Service. Produced by Media and Technology Services at Cornell University Swihart, R. K., and M. R. Conover. 1991. www.mediasrv.cornell.edu “Responses of woodchucks to potential Printed on recycled paper garden crop repellents.” Journal of 147WCFS1 225/325 3/01 2M CR MTS00028e Wildlife Management 55:177–181.

Woodchucks, Wildlife Damage Management Fact Sheet Series, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ithaca, N.Y. ©2001 by Cornell University.