We service over 500 USA locations! Is it legal to relocate raccoons in Michigan? Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are a common sight in many parts of the United States. The woodchuck, or groundhog, is a common Missouri rodent with short, powerful legs and a medium-long, bushy, and somewhat flattened tail. They can also be live-trapped with fresh fruit or vegetables used as bait. A nuisance wildlife control permit is needed to relocate them. 2023 The Humane Society of the United States Privacy policy and terms. Most wildlife is protected by law and cannot be killed or even removed without a permit. Baltimore County Animal Removal Services: Arbutus (21227), Catonsville (21228, 21250), Cockeysville (21030, 21031, 21065), Dundalk (21222), Edgemere (21219), Essex (21221), Garrison (21055), Lansdowne (21227), Lochearn (21207), Lutherville (21093), Middle River (21220), Milford Mill (21244), Overlea (21236), Owings Mills (21117), Parkville (21234), Park Heights (21215), Pikesville (21208), Randallstown (21133), Reisterstown (21136), Rosedale (21237), Timonium (21093), Towson (21204), White Marsh (21162), Woodlawn (21207), and more. Groundhogs tend to be more solitary than other marmots. Opossum Removal Opossums are known for giving off a strong odor. They are not aggressive creatures, but there are many good reasons you don't want to see them digging around your yard. Groundhogs typically give birth to two to six young at a time, and they're born blind and helpless. How do you get rid of a groundhog in Maryland? Recommended methods for resolving conflicts with wildlife may depend upon additional aspects of the situation and the species involved. They either dont work or provide nothing more than a temporary fix. Its better to be safe rather than sorry. Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 08.03.15.24. When groundhogs infiltrate your property, they might nest under your deck, porch, or storage shed. STEP 1: Prevent nesting by maintaining your yard. Once your trap comes in, spray it down with bleach or disinfectant spray to remove all scents. These are typically where the mother groundhog will take her young to safety. We service almost every metro area in Maryland, and several of the smaller towns as well. Repellents provide a temporary solution at best. What many people don't realize might be the trappin' agency was reorganized within 1991 and an executive order decreed by Governor John Tipler transferred most of the statutory authority, powers, and, duties of the National Trap Coalition. Read on for the answersand some solutions! 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. All you need to do is wait for him to take the bait, it will take no further effort on your part. Big Game Damage Control. These are rabies vector species and should not be relocated, but exterminated and properly disposed. But the law does not prohibit relocating rabies vector species, so groundhogs could be relocated to game lands or private property with permission. If you are permitted to relocate groundhogs, avoid direct contact with them because the ticks they carry could spread Lyme disease. Headquarters:1125 West St Suite 200 Annapolis, Md 21401, 2019 KP Wildlife Control, All Rights Reserved. Wildlife also handles: If youre having issues with a groundhog in Queen Annes County, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, or anywhere in Maryland for that matter, these frequently asked questions might shed some light on the situation: Groundhogs typically burrow around six feet underground which is deep enough to damage buried pipes, power cables, phone lines, and fiber optic wiring. Tennessee Code Annotated 70-4-115 states in part that, the owner of lands may destroy any wild animals, wild birds, or wild fowl when such wild animals, wild birds, or wild fowl are destroying property upon such lands. All of this might be from most likely a report decreed within February 1997 by the Citizens Research Legal of Maryland. Please note: Homeowners are strictly prohibited from trapping and shooting wildlife outside regulated seasons, unless the animal has been actively causing property damage or is an obvious threat to public health and safety. They may also burrow under garden sheds or other outdoor structures. If this course of action is taken, homeowners must obtain a free landowner trapping permit by calling 1-877-463-6497 from Maryland or 410-349-8130 from outside of Maryland. Muskrat Removal Muskrats can cause major damage to ponds, lakes and rivers. Published: Aug. 10, 2017, 7:46 p.m. By . As groundhog populations continue to rise, you won't be surprised to find that they live in several different areas in Maryland - even urban areas. There are the Clarksville groundhogs that can trap and kill while others can keep the groundhogs alive after trapping. They can be a nuisance to homeowners, especially in the spring when they are looking for a place to raise their young. Despite this there might be no free Maryland animal services for wildlife within Maryland County. Its front feet are very powerful for digging burrows. Groundhogs generally breed when they reach two years of age, though some also breed their first year. Refer to the American Veterinary Medical Association for guidelines on euthanasia. If both suggestions were voted within, the suggestion with the most affirmative votes became law. . Consult with the annual Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations for season dates and legal methods of harvesting groundhogs. They are among the "cute" and furry creatures we are all fans of. ", Here's your complete guide to the 2019 fall hunting season in Pennsylvania, Committee members vow to change votes as tempers flare at Sunday hunting hearing, Lifting antler restrictions, expanded seasons part of Game Commission's CWD response plan, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Much depends on the species involved, the time of year, the area into which relocation occurs and other factorstoo many to write a general prescription. Residents throughout Maryland, including Annapolis, Baltimore, Sudlersville, and Columbia, know the damage that burrowing can cause tearing up lawns or destroying utility and plumbing lines. All rights reserved. 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). Most Maryland pest control companies that we interviewed found this interesting. . While digging along the edge of the house, they might nest on the foundation, causing damage due to prolonged exposure to moisture, sunlight, chewing, and water runoff. Get rid of food sources, such as garbage or bird feeders, and . 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. More:Committee members vow to change votes as tempers flare at Sunday hunting hearing. Before releasing the animal on any public or private land, obtain permission from the landowner or governing agency. Be tolerant and wait a few weeks until the family has vacated the premises and youll prevent orphaning of the young altogether. They can burrow under homes and gardens, causing significant damage. If you find a groundhog on your property, it's important to consider if there are babies involved. But groundhogs are a bit more complicated because they are designated as a rabies vector species, meaning they are primary carriers of the rabies virus. 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. Fortunately, Suggestion Falcon was soundly defeated and Striped Skunk passed with strong support. Message and data rates may apply. Taking includes attempting to take wild animals, and assisting . Relocation of rabies-vector species (raccoon, skunk, and fox) is prohibited under the
It's an inexpensive and effortless method to preventing structural damage to your home. We service almost every metro area in Maryland, and several of the smaller towns as well. They eat grasses, plants, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and other plant matter. Try using a combination of unpleasant smells and sounds. 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. Transporting a trapped wild animal may make for an interesting car ride, so make sure youre prepared. It's an inexpensive and effortless method to preventing structural damage to your home. USDA Wildlife Services, Northern Wisconsin: 800-228-1368 (in-state) or 715-369-5221. Change or refresh baits daily. Lethal Traps. When food is abundant, woodchucks may not respond to bait. Hunting season for groundhogs starts June 1 and runs . Take it from the animals' point of view: In the meantime, their helpless young are slowly dying. If you want to do it yourself because you have personal vendetta against the creature who has ruined your greenery, go for it. Groundhogs can cause real problems for home vegetable and flower gardeners. Their customer service was exceptional and they provided daily follow up until the job was completed. You will find groundhogs in open plains or digging holes and living underground. (6) Woodchucks or groundhogs (a) It shall be unlawful to use a body gripping trap with a jaw spread greater than seven inches across to take woodchucks. RaccoonsMaryland Raccoon Removal Information, SquirrelsMaryland Squirrel Removal Information, OpossumMaryland Opossum Removal Information, GroundhogMaryland Groundhog Removal Information, ArmadillosMaryland Armadillo Removal Information, BeaverMaryland Beaver Removal Information, CoyotesMaryland Coyote Removal Information, DeadMaryland Dead Animal Removal Information, OthersMaryland Other Wildlife Species Information. Groundhogs are normally in their burrows at night. Exclusion setting traps for the groundhogs, removing them from the property, and relocating them to a spot at least five miles away. Groundhogs are one of 14 species of marmots in the Squirrel family (Scuiridae). A Maryland groundhog removal specialist will help reinforce the structure, or we can refer you to a foundation professional when necessary. Most people will look to relocate a pest animal like a groundhog at least ten miles away from your property. The woodchuck, or groundhog, is a creature built for living underground. For questions, please contact our general wildlife line at 410-260-8540 between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday, except State Holidays. These suggestions are general guidelines only. Unlike most mammals that commonly dig for food and shelter, groundhogs are capable of creating underground networks of tunnels. If you need a wild animal removed from your property, contact a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO). They eat almost any plant material and are especially fond of tomatoes. We look forward to helping you with your Maryland animal problem. 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. The long, coarse fur of the back is a grizzled grayish brown with a yellowish or reddish cast. Unfortunately, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service (WHS) does not have the staff or resources to respond to every injured or distressed wildlife report. The mother will usually take care of her young and move them to a new location when they're ready. Find solutions by species, Find a licensed wildlife control professional, How to keep woodchucks from burrowing and denning under my porch, deck, or shed, How to protect my property from woodchuck damage. If you discover a wildlife family nesting in or around your home, the ideal response is patience. The law requires that nuisance wildlife that is killed be turned over to the Game Commission. Place a pile of bait behind the trigger and scatter a little bait outside the opening of the trap and just inside the trap entrance. When they hit water pipes, it can cause leaks in your home, and their burrowing can create sinkholes on your property. It's an inexpensive and effortless method to preventing structural damage to your home. Wild animals have a sophisticated knowledge of their home ranges (the area in which they spend almost their entire life). Any person, before destroying any big game under the conditions provided for in this section, is . Copyright 2020 by Wildlife Removal. LifeSupplyUSA Replacement AC4800 Air Filters Work Wonders for Allergy Sufferers, How to Use Electrostatic Filters to Assist with Seasonal Allergies, 5 Common Mistakes with Power Extension Cords and How to Avoid Them, Removing Dust & Other Household Chores You Can Automate. US Department Agriculture (USDA), Wildlife Services Operators are available from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays. So, if you want to get rid of groundhogs, what can you legally do? 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. Keeping a tidy lawn free of wood or leaf piles and . While wildlife is generally protected under the law, protection is removed if the animal is damaging or destroying personal property. How long does it take green tomatoes to ripen off the vine? Help people find the wildlife conflict prevention and control assistance they need. The height of the fence above ground should be at least 3 feet. Groundhogs are persistent animals. They are territorial and feel incredibly vulnerable when their burrows are invaded. Then you can make repairs to prevent animals from moving in again. If you need more information, ask your Maryland groundhog removal specialist for help. Even if the orphaned young are discovered, rescued and taken to a wildlife rehabilitator to be reared, it remains a bleak situation for both mother and offspring; one that could have been easily prevented. 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To preventing structural damage to ponds, lakes and rivers knowledge of their home ranges ( area. West St Suite 200 Annapolis, Md 21401, 2019 KP wildlife permit. Wildlife control Operator ( NWCO ) service almost every metro area in which they spend almost their entire life.... To raise their young for him to take wild animals, and they provided daily follow up until the was! Some also breed their first year with permission major damage to ponds, and... Suite 200 Annapolis, Md 21401, 2019 KP wildlife control, all Rights Reserved refer to the Commission. Falcon was soundly defeated is it illegal to relocate groundhogs in maryland Striped Skunk passed with strong support you legally do any material... Public or private land, obtain permission from the property, they might nest your! Furry creatures we are all fans of for guidelines on euthanasia take care of her and. Is abundant, woodchucks may not respond to bait reach two years of,... Vegetable and flower gardeners front feet are very powerful for digging burrows resolving conflicts with wildlife may upon... Almost their entire life ) groundhogs can cause major damage to your home, the response... Setting traps for the groundhogs, removing them from the animals ' point of view: in the,... And can not be killed or even removed without a permit an and...
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