Species-Specific Management (SSM)

Woodchuck or Groundhog

The groundhog, (Marmota monax), also called woodchuck, marmot, and whistle pig, has been considered a pest by most farmers, but with proper management can become an asset to the forested land owner. The following are recommendations for increasing groundhog numbers and utilizing this resource throughout Virginia, excepting the coastal plain where they do not occur. Special considerations are provided to avoid potential problems with groundhog management. More detailed information is available to supplement these guidelines. (Image from a 1969 Penn Wildlife (magazine) cover by Kent Pendelton.)

Increasing Groundhog Numbers

1. Create and maintain irregular shaped openings of 2 to 40 acres (1 to 16 hectares) in the forest spaced not more than 1/4 mile apart. The smaller the openings the more numerous they should be. Openings should be mowed to maintain grasses and herbaceous (non-woody) plants.
2. Plant openings with food plants:

   clover, alfalfa, pawpaw, apple trees, peas, beans, corn, plantain, various grasses

3. Lime and fertilize openings to increase site productivity and nutritive value of food crops.
4. Maintain or improve drainage to keep burrows dry.
5. Where no rocky areas exist, create piles of large rocks/boulders to provide hiding places.
6. Reduce the number of natural predators (foxes, coyotes, hawks, and snakes) through hunting, trapping, or habitat manipulation. Hawks can not be hunted or trapped. Information on habitat modifications to reduce their numbers is available.
7. Restrict groundhog hunting until after young of the year are weaned around July or August.
8. Prevent disturbance of hibernation burrows in winter.
9. Do not allow dogs or cats to run loose through the forest or openings.

   Uses of the Groundhog

10. Hunting groundhogs is a favored sport among many hunters. To maximize population size, hunting should be restricted to 78% or less of the population, and during the period specified in #7.
11. Photography can also provide hours of recreation, especially around April or May when the young emerge with their mother. Portions of the openings can be mowed to provide higher visibility for photographers.
12. Groundhog meat is edible and tasty.
13. Skins can be soft tanned for use in leather or fur garments, or hand tanned for wall hangings.
14. Stuffed groundhog can be used for education, sold as curios, or donated to museum collections.
15. Groundhog sightings can greatly enhance nature trails, guided tours, youth group outings, and other conservation education events.
16. Festivals can be arranged on Groundhog Day.
17. Domesticated groundhogs can be used as pets.

    Special Considerations

18. The groundhog can quickly destroy home vegetable gardens if not restrained. Galvanized wire mesh fencing with two feet above ground and one foot below ground will prevent this.
19. Burrows can cause extensive damage to farm equipment and serious injury to horses and livestock. Burrows should be well marked for equipment operators and horseback riders. Livestock should be excluded from groundhog areas.
20. Control may be tried with shooting, gassing dens, and using wire-haired dachshunds or other specialized dogs. Trapping rarely is effective.
21. Mowing operations will provide good visibility for hunters and photographers, but will also increase the risk of predation and reduce the forage base. Extensive mowing should be avoided, except where needed to control woody vegetation.
22. Groundhog are slow runners, which may lead to inquisitive children attempting to catch them. Wild groundhog can inflict severe bites if caught. Young children in the area should have adult supervision.
23. Groundhogs are a major component in successful management of other wildlife. They are the "housing" company of the ecosystem providing burrows for foxes, skunks, opossums, snakes, raccoons, rabbits, and other animals. To manage them is to manage other species.
24. Hunting activities should be planned to avoid conflicts and perhaps injuries with other non-consumptive uses.

A contribution of Robert Sappington (1992), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321

Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari? How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.