is it illegal to relocate groundhogs in maryland

When the only other option is killing, we sometimes agree that relocation, which gives the wild animal at least a chance, is acceptable. A 2004 study of grey squirrels who were live-trapped and relocated from suburban areas to a large forest showed that a staggering 97 percent of the squirrels either soon died or disappeared from their release area. We set traps near the entrance holes of the colony, use bait as needed, and sanitize your yard to prevent further infestations. Set traps at main burrow entrances or along major travel lanes. They especially like fields used for agriculture. If possible, delay removing the mother until the young are active. Groundhogs are homebodies. We will notify you on events like Low stock, Restock, Price drop or general reminders so that you dont miss the deal. Is it legal to relocate raccoons in Michigan? Also, many pest companies are called exterminators for a reason. Groundhog took a bite of a tomato If you intend to live trap a groundhog Contact the Nuisance Wildlife Information Line at 1-877-463-6497 for more information. What should I do if I find an orphaned or abandoned young baby wild animal? However, permission is required from the landowner before releasing into suitable habitat. Handling wildlife may also put you at risk for disease. We hope this has been a helpful review of the laws as they pertain to the removal of nuisance groundhogs and woodchucks. Their customer service was exceptional and they provided daily follow up until the job was completed. This way the occupant will have to push the obstruction aside to get out or come back in. If you need a wild animal removed from your property, contact a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO). 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. If both suggestions were voted within, the suggestion with the most affirmative votes became law. Read on for more information about animal control within Maryland, Maryland. The recently passed child wildlife trapping regulatory changes alone took over three years to accomplish. You should not trap and relocate a groundhog with babies. If you think you have found an orphaned wild animal, then please visit our page on 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. Look for small holes in the ground that are about two inches wide. The long, coarse fur of the back is a grizzled grayish brown with a yellowish or reddish cast. We recommend using rags soaked in a strong smelling substance such as cider vinegar (not ammonia), lights and a blaring radio during nighttime hours to convert an attractive space (quiet, dark and protected) into one that is inhospitable. Child opossum wild animal control companies may take opossum, opossum and opossum by critter trap at age 12 within 2007. Wild animal babies are unintentionally orphaned and too often die of starvation, because their mother is trapped and removed. From the PA game commission ---Landowners have a right to protect their property from damages caused by wildlife. The denning and nesting season is short. We look forward to helping you with your Maryland animal problem. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. It is against the law in Michigan to transport a live wild animal. Call us at 443.282.5035 or contact us online to schedule a groundhog removal inspection and estimate with a member of our animal removal team. Worldwide, wildlife has protection under strict laws and regulations. Groundhogs are found only in North America, from Canada down to the southern United States. 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). Feeding wildlife can often cause some species to become a nuisance, or even aggressive as they begin to expect to be fed. If relocating your groundhog, do so at least 5 miles away from your property. This rifle is silent but deadly, with a 10-round magazine and incredible accuracy at 50 yards. These are only part of the many regulations within effect this year. No permit is required to trap a groundhog. Wildlife for more information on our trapping and relocation process. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year. Litters can, and will, be moved if disturbed. 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. Next, you'll need to use proper bait for a groundhog. We also provide groundhog fencing and groundhog exclusion services to help keep them from digging beneath structures. Relocation and release of woodchucks is not recommended because the chance of survival is poor. Is it illegal to catch and release groundhogs? We take care of everything at K.P. It sounds like a good idea, but the sad truth is that live-trapping and relocation rarely ends well for wildlife, nor is it a permanent solution. Groundhogs in Michigan are found living under decks, in rock walls, and in hills. It's an inexpensive and effortless method to preventing structural damage to your home. Its better to be safe rather than sorry. If an animal must be removed, make sure you call a qualified nuisance wildlife controller. After the woodchuck takes the bait once or twice, add new bait and set the trap. Besides, it's just a groundhog, what harm could it actually do? 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. If you have a groundhog problem, you may want to consider using a live animal cage trap to remove them from your property. So, if you want to get rid of groundhogs, what can you legally do? There is alwaysthe option of hiring a certified Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator, though homeowners might be reluctant to pay for services. Be tolerant and wait a few weeks until the family has vacated the premises and youll prevent orphaning of the young altogether. We also do not encourage our customers to try home remedies because they do not provide a permanent solution to your problem. Trapping wildlife, transporting it off your property, and releasing it elsewhere is also illegal in many states, New York included. Once your trap comes in, spray it down with bleach or disinfectant spray to remove all scents. If you find a groundhog on your property and there is the potential that there are babies involved, the best thing to do would be to wait and see if the mother moves them. Make sure that mother and young are able to remain together to prevent any of them from dying cruel deaths. They can be destructive to your property, and they're a common animal in the United States. Groundhogs . If you're lucky though, you live in a state that allows you to relocate the groundhog. The best time to trap a groundhog is in the late spring or early summer when they're looking for food. Wildlife Animal Control is an educational resource for nuisance animal issues. If in doubt, click your nearest area, and give us a call! 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. We set traps near the entrance holes of the colony, use bait as needed, and sanitize your yard to prevent further infestations. Regulations for Maryland Permit Needed A landowner permit is needed to trap chipmunks, opossums, porcupines, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, tree squirrels and woodchucks in Maryland. Since skunks - as well as raccoons, bats, groundhogs, foxes and coyotes - are rabies vector species, they should not be relocated like other wildlife. Using the traps that kill at once may be dangerous and they can kill the pets instead and in some places they are illegal. Bend the top 15 inches of the fence out at a 45-degree angle for extra protection from climbing chucks. Not recognizing that dependent young may be present when live-trapping and relocating wildlife during the spring and summer often has tragic consequences. map or the above list of areas that we service. The entrances are usually well-hidden and can be difficult to find. When food is abundant, woodchucks may not respond to bait. How to Market Your Business with Webinars? Please enable JavaScript in your browser. Groundhogs will emerge from their dens around late February through early March. Know your local firearm discharge laws. is it legal to shoot groundhog in north carolina They are the largest member of the squirrel family and common throughout Indiana. Their body is covered with grizzled, grayish brown fur down its back. Maryland - The statewide wildlife trapping and trapping regulations are amended each year to accommodate changes deemed necessary by the Maryland Agency of Natural Resources/Wildlife regulatory agency (M-trappin' agency/National Trap Coalition). 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. Unbaited cage traps set near openings with boards or logs to guide the woodchuck are also effective. Groundhogs are vegetarians and eat plants, grass, flowers, and other vegetation. Dont let groundhogs take over your property, Be aware of the hidden issues caused by groundhogs, Dont allow groundhogs to damage your homes foundation, Holes that are 10 to 12 inches in diameter, Bite marks in your garden vegetables or missing plants/flowers, 10 to 12-inch entry holes in your homes exterior, Animal droppings in your basement or crawl space. Groundhogs are also common throughout Maryland. They are found throughout the state except on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. All killing of nuisance wildlife must be in a. There are many good reasons to trap and relocate a groundhog. 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. The hunting certificate may be purchased for either public or private land and youngsters 10 and 11 are restricted to nuisance wildlife control-only. It is against the law to relocate wildlife in California. 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. If you can find the entry/exit holes, an easy way to determine if the den has been vacated is to loosely cover or fill it with a light material, such as newspaper or insulation. Instead, you will see varying forms of yard damage usually holes spread around the property. Then you can make repairs to prevent animals from moving in again. The only proper way to permanently rid yourself of groundhogs is to work with a Maryland groundhog removal company. 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 Humane Society of the United States is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 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