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Post by jbruegge on May 9, 2014 7:08:12 GMT -6
I had a family friend contact me this morning about removing some groundhogs from her garden near Cedar Rapids next time I'm home. My first question is the legality of this. Reading through the regs, they have a continuous open season under "hunting" but can't find any info for them under "trapping". Is this like coyote where I could shoot them year round, but only trap them during general season? I do not have an NWCO license, if that will be required I would have to tell her no. I did some browsing here and read in cybball's fox den thread about using cages, funneling them in with chicken wire, using canteloupe, lettuce, peas, not tuna  I don't have any cages to use, and my first thought was using 220's over their holes. I will have to ask if that could cause issues with domestics. Would 220's and cubbies work with canteloupe or veggies? I have exactly zero experience with groundhogs and wanted to try and get a grasp on what I can do before I give her an answer. Thanks guys. |
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Post by x-demoman on May 9, 2014 20:28:29 GMT -6
Groundhog season in Iowa "is continuous open". I believe you do need a small animal hunting license. They are vegetarians, double door cages are best but they are also caught in "bait and wait cages". Funneling will help. I like the heart of a cabbage best. It is also beneficial if you can find another known groundhog den and place some dirt from it under the cage you are using, they are verrry territorial and stranger dirt and odors help.
Gene
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Post by TRapper on May 9, 2014 20:46:43 GMT -6
if using a bodygrip...use a 120 size or 160...don't use a 220...too big for most g hogs...best time to set them is right when sun is going down...best chance of having one the next day as they will be in their hole(s) by then...usually have more than 1 hole...also use chicken wire or other strong wire fence over the hole once trap is set so you are only catching the animal that is coming out
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Post by x-demoman on May 10, 2014 14:26:10 GMT -6
If there are more than one possible den set the one with flies around it.
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Post by medicdano on May 11, 2014 5:00:12 GMT -6
Call the CO and tell him he issue and he will grant you permission to trap them out of season.
Find every hole and guard it with a 220, they are not too big. 160s are a better size if you have them. Set it with trigger down, one wire horizontal and the other diagonal across the opening. Sometimes you have to be creative with securing the trap, but that method will get your woodchuckers.
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Post by x-demoman on May 11, 2014 7:20:41 GMT -6
Groundhog season in Iowa is "continuous open"
Gene
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Post by medicdano on May 11, 2014 7:42:31 GMT -6
Groundhog season in Iowa is "continuous open" Gene To hunt, not trap. Same as coyotes. |
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Post by TRapper on May 11, 2014 16:06:18 GMT -6
i operate as a nuisance wildlife control business and prefer very quick kills on groundhogs...the true 5x5 conibear is the perfect size for them...160 is the next biggest size...220's will work good when you have a big hog to catch...
I don't mind catching em in cages...and will when dealing in close proximity of towns...but out of towns I use conibears where I can set them close to sunset and catch the hog as it exits the den the next day
if using cages best to set so they have to go in the cage to get out
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Post by x-demoman on May 11, 2014 18:25:36 GMT -6
What are the dates for opening and closing groundhog trapping season?
Gene
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Post by ~ADC~ on May 11, 2014 18:54:43 GMT -6
What are the dates for opening and closing groundhog trapping season? Gene  They aren't listed in the trapping regulations. |
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Post by blaine on May 11, 2014 19:22:34 GMT -6
I don't no how many groundhogs I have caught in my life well into the triple digits I no and never had a problem with catching them in 220 conibears. Like someone said earlier set one over every hole and be done with them. If in town or lots of other non target animals around set live traps if you have them. Good luck
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Post by x-demoman on May 11, 2014 19:50:40 GMT -6
Bet that means there is no groundhog trapping season and that even better than "continuous open" for hunting.
Gene
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I don't have any cages to use, and my first thought was using 220's over their holes. I will have to ask if that could cause issues with domestics. Would 220's and cubbies work with canteloupe or veggies? 
They aren't listed in the trapping regulations. 