We calculated that woodchucks colonized the central and western parts of the Platte River at about 6 miles (10 km) a year since about 2000. The most effective way to remove a groundhog is with a live groundhog trap. Female groundhogs give birth to litters of three to five pups. In urbanized and suburban locations, these animals will eat sweet corn, squash, root crops, cucumbers, and peas. From head to rump, groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 inches (45 to 61 centimeters) long, according to National Geographic. Why the shifting distributions? According to a report by UPI, a groundhog in Nebraska caused $1800 damage to a car. 919.382.0651 (No Cats & Dogs) Toggle navigation menu. Although reported as troublesome, woodchucks dig extensive burrows that, in turn, create habitats for river otters, raccoons, mice, snakes, birds and more. If you have groundhogs you want removed in the Triangle call today. Cover the live trap with burlap and wire the trap open. Yes, Christmas is only three weeks away. Unlike other sciurids, groundhogs have a curved spine, as do moles. Share your photo . Habitat and conservation: Woodchucks dig burrows along borders between timbered areas and open land or along fencerows, heavily vegetated gullies, or streams. They prefer to dig their holes in slopes or banks. Don’t be surprised if woodchucks become a regular occurrence in your area of the state, if not already. I know many of you have already winterized the boats. The most commonly-known woodchuck species, the Marmota monax or groundhog, mainly lives in the eastern part of North America but also extends into the Northwest. Sadly, it’s the time of year when many deer hunters start hanging up their gear for the season. Professor of Practice - Conservation Biologist/Herpetologist and Community Engagement Coordinator, UNL web framework and quality assurance provided by the, Apply to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Give to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Nebraska Extension: Community Environment, Woodchuck (Groundhog): Ecology & Damage Management, A Guide to Snakes, Turtles, Frogs, Lizards and Salamanders. Groundhogs are widely distributed across North America, ranging as far south as Alabama and as far north as Alaska. I think there was about a month left and didn't see them. Yes, I know it is December. But, I also know with some warm afternoons, and some are in the forecast, there will still be some folks wanting to launch... LINCOLN, Neb. … Although there are records of groundhogs living more than 20 years in captivity, the average age in the wild is 3-6 years. Fencing can help keep groundhogs off the property, but the fence must be strong, about 4 feet tall, and buried to a depth of at least 1 foot. Human development, which often produces openings juxtaposed with second growth trees that are incidentally also favored by groundhogs, often ensures that groundhogs in well-developed areas are nearly free of predators, beyond humans (through … 16. Bait options for groundhogs include cucumber, zucchini or apple. There are parts of an animal that I simply can’t use. The average groundhog excavates over 700 pounds of dirt digging just one den, and a single groundhog may have four or or five dens scattered across its territory, moving in and out of them as crops and weather change. Lt. Gov. By any standards, even with the pandemic, maybe because of the pandemic, it was a huge success. Groundhogs / Woodchucks - Nassau County, Long Island Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, or whistle pigs are rodents that are in a family of ground squirrels known as marmots. Sadly, it’s the time of year when many deer hunters start hanging up their gear for the season. As a kid in the 1970s and 1980s, I remember seeing a few individuals on the outskirts of Omaha, with one even taking up residence under a shed in our backyard in town. Until recently, many folks in Nebraska likely were unfamiliar with this species in the Cornhusker State. British blues band that backed John Lee Hooker in the mid-'60s, and went on to explor acid rock and prog during the '70s. But they don't just wreak havoc aboveground. Other woodland mammals, too, have been moving westward across the state, including eastern fox squirrels, white-footed mice, opossums and a number of bat species. The only legal way to manage groundhogs in Nebraska is to trap them. Nebraska Wildlife Information: Nebraska State bird: Western meadowlark State mammal: White-tailed deer State fish: Channel catfish State insect: European honeybee Nebraska is a state nestled in the arms of the Great Plains. One groundhog reportedly chewed the wires inside of a car in Nebraska, costing $1,800 in damage repairs. This past winter, however, we all know that the groundhogs back East did not predict the length of winter here in Nebraska, as snow cover and cold temperatures extended well into March. Western Iowa Wildlife Solutions. Video of groundhogs in the wild. Instead, groundhogs go through bouts of "torpor," when their body temperature drops to about five degrees Celsius, he says. Bait your trap in a way that forces the groundhog to fully enter it - this will ensure the animal cannot back out when the door comes down. 05 Jun, 2014 animals. Groundhogs typically live three to six years in the wild, but have been reported to live for up to fourteen years in captivity. This species lives throughout much of North America. A foraging family of groundhogs can clear a small vegetable garden in less than a week. They weigh around 13 lbs. (6 kilograms), which is about twice the average weight of a newborn human baby. While it may appear mostly flat, it does have a region of rolling grasslands in the east, carved into the landscape by retreating glaciers thousands of years ago. Where do Groundhogs Live; Where do Groundhogs Live. Large-scale changes to our prairie rivers (flood control and installation of bridges) and changes to grassland ecosystems (loss of wildfires), as well as tree plantings associated with cities, towns, farms, ranches and shelterbelts all have greatly increased trees statewide. William (Bill) Nichol signed a proclamation in 1988 designating Unadilla as the Groundhog Capital of Nebraska and thereby gave Unadilla Bill his nickname. Two live down there and one lives behind my neighbors shed. Punxsutawney Phil of Pennsylvania is likely the most famous woodchuck of all, and along with other individuals from the Eastern United States, supposedly predicts the length of winter based on seeing its shadow (or not) on Groundhog Day, the 2nd of February each year. They may wander 100 to 200 feet away from their burrows. We are not “mid-western”. They are kept in check to a suitable size due to the constant gnawing. Their fur ranges in color from dark brown or grey to reddish-brown. In the 1960s, woodchucks lived in only the eastern quarter of the state, not much farther west than York. – Nebraska’s bighorn sheep hunting season ended Friday afternoon, Dec. 4, as the state’s only permit holder found success at Fort Robinson State Park in the Pine Ridge. This large ground squirrel has short limbs and a relatively long tail. — The Martin Bay boat ramp at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area will temporarily close to public access Dec. 3. Groundhogs are cautious creatures, so keep in mind the following tips: Prevent transferring your scent to the trap by wearing gloves when handling it. Groundhogs also h… Trapping is the best alternative for managing this animal when it becomes a pest. Groundhog burrows normally have two entrances - a main hole, identified by a large accumulation of soil around it, and a second entrance, often hidden by vegetation. Description of the Groundhog. We were surprised to learn that woodchucks are now as far west as Ogallala in Keith County and are quite common throughout all of central Nebraska. I corrected them stating I was after gophers in this particular trip, not groundhogs. Groundhogs feed primarily on native grasses and forbs (flowering plants), cultivated alfalfa, and clover. Refer to the publication below for information on management and control of this animal. I know when I’m the outsider. Blue Jay Termite & Pest Control Inc. Pest Control Services Animal Removal Services. A... CRAWFORD, Neb. Village of Unadilla, Nebraska Community Website. Where do groundhogs live? Nowadays, there are many local services available to get rid of … Adult groundhogs are sixteen to twenty inches long and can weigh as much as fifteen pounds. 21. Groundhogs are among the few species of true hibernators. Groundhogs or woodchucks are the major hole-digging mammal of eastern North America. Unlike the other... “Other than family and close friends, this is what I love and had made me who I am.” – Scott Smathers, Nebraska Sportsmen’s Foundation When Scott Smathers’ social post came in front of me, it... LINCOLN, Neb. Nope, not going to be the usual holiday. Groundhogs are brownish with a grizzled appearance, reaching a length of 16-20 inches, and an average weight of 7-10 pounds.The groundhog has a short, wide head, very small ears, and a short fluffy tail. They are members of the ground squirrel family and are related to prairie dogs and chipmunks. In the wild, groundhogs can live up to six years with two or three being average. Poison baits are not registered for control of groundhogs in Nebraska. If you include the tail they measure about 40 to 60 cm (16-24 inches) long and weigh up to 4 kg (9 lbs). We had over 6,000 entries this year. The … Their burrows, in which groundhogs spend most of their time, can be 50 feet long. We have lots of folks that are... International Fly Fishing Film Festival, 2020, Grand Island bighorn sheep hunter successful, What You Need To Know For Late Season Deer Hunting In Nebraska, Lake McConaughy SRA boating access improvement to begin, Game and Parks permits make great holiday gifts, Deadline to apply for mountain lion lottery permit is Dec. 9, Virtual big game presentations scheduled across Nebraska in December, November firearm deer harvest slightly lower than last year. For those of you interested, here is a brief description on the physical difference between groundhogs and gophers. In Nebraska the town of Unadilla in Otoe County hosts an annual February celebration featuring a stuffed groundhog named Unadilla Bill. That is, sightings of woodchucks in much of the state are rather recent occurrences, unless you live in eastern Nebraska. The woodchuck, or groundhog, is one of the most common mammals in eastern Nebraska, but is still improperly identified by many people as a gopher or a beaver. The closure comes just ahead of a one-year, $3 million capital... LINCOLN, Neb. Woodchuck . Short lives in the wild. These round creatures look like little bears when they stand up on their hind legs. Some people who do recognize the woodchuck realize this rodent is a member of the same family as the squirrel and the marmots. Actually, the woodchuck is closely related to the ground squirrel. Groundhogs hibernate in winter, during which time they do not stir from their burrows. So, check it out, International Fly Fishing Film Festival, Virtual Screening:... 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