How to deal with problem Woodchuck in Connecticut

Woodchuck (groundhog, chuck, whistle-pig, whistle pig)

Woodchuck

Woodchuck in backyard
Woodchuck

Woodchucks are large (up to 10 pounds) rodents native to much of North America. They inhabit open areas, backyards, and woodland edges and forage on grasses, flowers, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and crops.

Woodchucks are well adapted for digging, and live and hibernate in burrows, which typically have a main entrance and one or more escape entrances. They also are good climbers and can scale fences and climb low trees. Woodchucks have few natural predators. When threatened, they prefer to retreat to their burrows, but will climb and swim away as well. They are active during the day and sleep at night, and enjoy basking in the sun. True hibernators, they enter their dens in late October or November and reemerge in late February or March. Woodchucks damage garden vegetables and fruits, eat ornamental flowers, and debark trees. Their burrows can undermine foundations and fences and pose a hazard to equipment, animals, and people. They give birth in April and May with litters averaging four to five pups.

Solutions for woodchuck problems

How to keep woodchucks from burrowing and denning under my porch, deck, or shedExplore this solution

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Laws and regulations to be aware of

Regulations for Connecticut

Trapping and shooting general information for homeowners

Outside of regulated seasons, homeowners are strictly prohibited from trapping and shooting wildlife, unless the animal has been causing property damage or is an obvious threat to public health and safety. If trapping and/or shooting is undertaken under these circumstances, homeowners must still comply with the state’s regulated season trapping laws, which regulate trap types and sizes, baits and lures, location and placement, and how often traps must be checked  Homeowners must also comply with regulated season firearms laws, which regulate allowable weapons and ammunition, and discharge and shooting times.  Finally, homeowners must comply with all state and local firearms regulations and restrictions, and any other applicable local ordinances.  For regulated season trapping and shooting regulations and any other information on the regulated season, see the CT Hunting and Trapping Guide.  Please see the CT Law Library for information on state firearms regulations. Contact your municipality for information on local firearms restrictions and other applicable local ordinances.

Regulated hunting season

In Connecticut, there is a legal hunting season for this species.  Shooting may only be done by a licensed hunter or the landowner of the property, and hunters must follow all laws and regulations regarding allowable weapons and ammunition.  Check the CT Hunting and Trapping Guide for information on season dates and required permits, and for any special conditions.
While we attempt to provide guidance about state and federal regulations pertaining to specific species and control techniques, we do not provide information about local jurisdictions (city, town, county, etc.) where regulations may be more restrictive, especially as it applies to discharge of firearms, transport of animals or use of trapping equipment. Contact your local city or county government to inquire further. No guarantee is made that information (or lack of information) associated with a species or control technique is completely accurate or current. You should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before beginning any wildlife control activities.