USDA Wildlife Services, Northern Wisconsin: 800-228-1368 (in-state) or 715-369-5221. If you really dont want to kill the groundhog, you may decide caging and relocation is the way to go. Its important to note that there are some animals migratory birds, big game and threatened and endangered species for which protection is not removed because of damage to personal property; so they cant be killed by homeowners in the same manner, More:Here's your complete guide to the 2019 fall hunting season in Pennsylvania. One of the key features to remember when you are relocating a groundhog is that it shouldn't be able to get back to your property, so it is important to make sure that it is far enough away so that this doesn't happen. The Illinois Department of National Resources is tasked with conservation and management of wild species in Illinois. Despite this there might be no free Maryland animal services for wildlife within Maryland County. How to Market Your Business with Webinars? There are a number of groundhog repellent and poison products on the market, but none of them work as advertised. We look forward to helping you with your Maryland animal problem. Take it from the animals' point of view: In the meantime, their helpless young are slowly dying. If you are having problems with groundhogs, then you should consult the nuisance wildlife hotline at 1-877-463-6497. If possible, delay removing the mother until the young are active. Wild animals have a sophisticated knowledge of their home ranges (the area in which they spend almost their entire life). The burrow system is also where they raise their young. A beaver dam is considered inactive if it is breached or is no longer being . Message and data rates may apply. This is meant to keep both wildlife and people safe. Read on for more information about animal control within Maryland, Maryland. These large rodents can get up to 2 feet long and can weigh up to 14 pounds. Although homeowners mean well, wild animals do not settle in quickly to new surroundings, no matter how inviting that habitat may seem to humans. Groundhogs may attempt to infiltrate your home by burrowing along the edge of the foundation. All killing of nuisance wildlife must be in a. Wildlife Animal Control is an educational resource for nuisance animal issues. 2) If I'm understanding correctly, a groundhog is a rabies vector animal and relocating them is not allowed. The mother will care for them for about six weeks until they're independent. Groundhogs in Michigan are found living under decks, in rock walls, and in hills. Please add product to your wishlist to see them here. It might be also most likely a good tool for teaching new wild animal control companies the responsibilities that go with the sport. They can burrow under homes and gardens, causing significant damage. There is alwaysthe option of hiring a certified Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator, though homeowners might be reluctant to pay for services. They can also be live-trapped with fresh fruit or vegetables used as bait. 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. Releasing a skunk or a raccoon can be a risky situation. Habitat: Groundhogs prefer to live along forest edges where timbered areas are bordered by open fields. General Characteristics Physical Characteristics Groundhogs weigh around 7-14 lbs and are around 25 inches in length, including the tail. For those who want to abolish the rule of Striped Skunk, doing so would certainly reduce public input. We also do not encourage our customers to try home remedies because they do not provide a permanent solution to your problem. However, permission is required from the landowner before releasing into suitable habitat. These burrows provide homes for other animals like skunks, foxes, opossums and rabbits. i think its illegal to kill them but i dont think hurting them is but the squirrels have to be alive and running. Since skunks - as well as raccoons, bats, groundhogs, foxes and coyotes - are rabies vector species, they should not be relocated like other wildlife. If you think you have found a sick or injured animal, then please visit our page on Thus, shooting nuisance groundhogs on personal property is justified. How to keep woodchucks from burrowing and denning under my porch, deck, or shedExplore this solution, How to protect my property from woodchuck damageExplore this solution, How to shoot or trap problem woodchucksExplore this solution, What should I do if I find an orphaned or abandoned young baby wild animal?Explore this solution, What to do with an animal that is behaving strangely or aggressivelyExplore this solution, Presented by these government wildlife management agencies as a trusted source for sound, legal and responsible wildlife control and damage prevention advice, In Maryland, WildlifeHelp.org is supported by the Wildlife Management Institute, the Northeast Wildlife Damage Management Cooperative, the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. If there is a temporary delay in releasing a trapped groundhog the trap should be moved to a shady area to provide relief from the ultraviolet sun rays that can be very harmful to a caged animal. You cannot live trap an animal and release it in a park, on State land or anywhere other than on the property where it was captured. Nuisance groundhogs can be live-trapped and relocated with permission of the landowner. It is illegal for you to move or relocate an animal off your property. It is against the law in Michigan to transport a live wild animal. Once trapped from your home its recommended to relocate the raccoon at least 20-30 miles away within the County, MI to prevent the spread of diseases. It is actually against the law to trap and relocate Rodentia. The groundhog's feeding and burrowing habitssuch as in hay or crop fields, home gardens, orchards, and nurseriescan result in conflicts with property owners. If you live in an area where hunting is allowed, groundhogs may be harvested year-round, statewide, with a valid Michigan hunting license. 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). 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. The height of the fence above ground should be at least 3 feet. To find out about safe and legal ways to deal with these problem animals or to locate individuals or companies who are licensed by the Wildlife & Heritage Service to handle wildlife complaints, please call USDA Wildlife Services 1-877-463-6497 from Maryland or 410-349-8130 from outside of Maryland, visit , Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 08.03.15.24, Maryland Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators, Raccoon in trash by Alexa Clark, Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0, Bubble deer by Maryland Department of Natural Resources. If youre lucky though, you live in a state that allows you to relocate the groundhog. 8540 , National Human Trafficking Hotline - 24/7 Confidential. The main entrance is often the most conspicuous, with a large mound of freshly dug dirt nearby. Do you know how to properly dispose of an animal carcass? For squirrels, it is a death sentence, since they would no longer have access to their food cache on which they survive the winter. Colorado is the only state entirely above 3300 feet of elevation. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to groundhog removal. A nuisance wildlife control permit is needed to relocate them. 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. If you're lucky though, you live in a state that allows you to relocate the groundhog. Instead, you will see varying forms of yard damage usually holes spread around the property. Groundhogs are herbivors who only eat plants. (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. You'll want to drop him off in a clearing that is about 2-5 miles away. Epsom salts sprinkled near or around the burrow entrances or exits will keep the groundhog away. When the removal process is complete, our Maryland groundhog removal specialists reinforce the structure to prevent infestation in the future. Their body is covered with grizzled, grayish brown fur down its back. When the only other option is killing, we sometimes agree that relocation, which gives the wild animal at least a chance, is acceptable. This law has been in effect for many years. We set traps at the entrance created by the groundhogs, and our groundhog removal experts relocate the animals to a safe place. where regulations may be more restrictive, especially as it applies to discharge of firearms, transport of animals or use of trapping equipment. Groundhogs have short, powerful legs with dark brown feet equipped with heavy claws specialized for digging. From the small snakes less than a foot long to large, 6-foot-long black rat snakes, Iowa's snakes vary in size to serve the needs of the ecosystem. Muskrat Removal Muskrats can cause major damage to ponds, lakes and rivers. Do you know what bait should be used to ensure you catch the targeted species? The short answer is YES, you should.Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive animals that . Groundhogs also have a short, bushy tail and often sit on their haunches to feed. The first thing is the availability of food and water . Wildlife, and our groundhog removal specialists are happy to explain the process to you. What happens when you relocate a groundhog? It is against the law in Michigan to transport a live wild animal. This is not a humane option, as the animal suffers greatly from your actions. This means that, once you manage to trap the groundhog (easier said than done), you can transport him or her to an area recommended by your wildlife game and fisheries department. Again, Striped Skunk also gave exclusive authority of all wildlife trapping regulations back to the National Trap Coalition. 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. It's an inexpensive and effortless method to preventing structural damage to your home. However, permission is required from the landowner before releasing into suitable habitat. They dig burrows that can be 6 feet (1.8 meters) deep, and 20 feet (6 m) wide. I highly recommend this company and will be a repeat customer, should a similar issue arise.. To prevent woodchucks from scaling the fence, you can add an electrified wire 45 inches off the ground and 45 inches from the outside of the fence. Groundhogs are not a protected or endangered species; they are very common in the United States. Consideration should be given not to relocate groundhogs during spring while the young are in the den or in the autumn immediately before hibernation when there may not be time to establish a winter den. It is not illegal to trap and release groundhogs. Woodchucks are common and abundant in Massachusetts. Smaller than one might imagine, most of the animals are less than two feet long and weight less than ten pounds. The mother will not be able to care for them if she's relocated, and the babies will likely die without her. Kevin and Mike were dedicated to resolving my problem. Contact the Nuisance Wildlife Information Line at 1-877-463-6497 for more information. Smaller snakes eat worms, slugs and insects, while larger snakes eat small mammals like mice and ground squirrels. Beginning in late October and early November, groundhogs will hibernate. Below, we have provided links to information on how to deal with nuisance wildlife and sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. Taking includes attempting to take wild animals, and assisting . Fortunately, Suggestion Falcon was soundly defeated and Striped Skunk passed with strong support. Nonresidents, ages 10 to 17, are allowed to purchase resident hunting certificates. Relocation of rabies-vector species (raccoon, skunk, and fox) is prohibited under the Frederick County Animal Removal Services: Frederick (21701, 20702, 21703, 21709), New Market (21774) , Mount Airy (21771), Urbana (21704), Ijamsville (21754), Walkersville (21793), Libertytown (21762), Damascus (20872), and more. JavaScript is required to use content on this page. No permit is required to trap a groundhog. They breed in March and produce a single litter of two to six young. If you euthanize the groundhog, which is legal, make sure you do it in a humane way (quick & painless) and legal way. 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is it illegal to relocate groundhogs in maryland