How to shoot or trap problem woodchucks in West Virginia | Woodchuck

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How to shoot or trap problem woodchucks

In most states, woodchucks can be hunted most of the year with no daily or seasonal limits.

You can shoot woodchucks with a small to medium caliber rifle. Simply observe a burrow, favorite basking spot, or patch of grass and wait. Late afternoon/early evening is an ideal time to hunt woodchucks.

Where legally allowed, use of lethal trapping methods (body grip traps) set in the burrow, may also be considered to control woodchucks. This should be done by professional nuisance wildlife trappers to avoid killing non-target animals.

Box traps may also be used. The captured woodchuck can be euthanized using a carbon dioxide chamber or shot using a .22 caliber pistol or rifle. Shoot the animal in the head unless it is to be tested for rabies.

Commercial gas cartridges are fumigants that are registered for the control of burrowing animals. These cartridges have cardboard cylinders filled with chemicals that burn slowly and produce carbon monoxide and other lethal gases. They are ignited and placed in the burrow of the animal after all of the entrances/exits are sealed. Follow the labeling instructions carefully. Due to potential fire hazard, do not use gas cartridges near buildings, wooden sheds, or near any combustible materials. 

Assistance in West Virginia

Contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for a list of licensed Animal Damage Control agents in your area who can assist with animal removal, damage, damage prevention, and clean up.  Be aware that they charge for their services.  Your local Division of Natural Resources office can provide guidance regarding nuisance wildlife.  They can also provide you with a permit to remove or destroy certain animals, and advice on how to do so, if it is necessary or desirable for you to trap or shoot animals yourself.  Federally protected species require additional permits as noted if necessary.

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources district offices:    

District 1       Farmington              304 825-6787

District 2       Romney                   304 822-3551                                                                                                                           

District 3       French Creek          304 924-6211

District 4       Beckely                   304 256-6947

District 5       Alum Creek             304 756-1023

District 6       Parkersburg            304 420-4550

Op Center    Elkins                      304 637-0245

Trapped animals must be humanely dispatched.  They may not be relocated without prior approval from West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Laws and regulations to be aware of

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.

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