Killing pests in PA

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dtownknifekid

Joined
Dec 21, 2006
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Not sure if this is the right place but i guess it is kind of wildernessy. I have a groundhog in my yard that is destroying our gardens and property. My dad wants me to take care of it so i was wondering; what are the laws in PA about killing a pest.
 
Call a private animal removal expert. In many jurisdictions, you need a trapper's license.

If you choose to do it yourself, how do you plan to remove the animal? Many places also have laws against discharging a firearm if you have less than a certain amount of acreage.
 
I'm from PA and i say just shoot it :) but seriously...got this off of the game commssion site "WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except: Sundays; during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons; and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season."
 
bmilla35 said:
I'm from PA and i say just shoot it :) but seriously...got this off of the game commssion site "WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except: Sundays; during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons; and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season."
Click to expand...

Hunting and pest removal are usually considered two different things.
 
And I believe if we're on the hunting perspective(which I am), a law that could hinder the use of a gun is the distance of the nearest house and road. I believe the distance is 150 yards. I know many people that shoot them anyways...but am not suggesting it in any way.
 
Are they considered game or a pest? If they are a pest, you can use lethal traps on them. We had them tearing up a soccer field and used what looked like mouse traps almost to kill them off. A couple of cats would have a field day with them btw...

PeACe
Dougo
 
My cousin has the same problem. She purchased a trap, that kept catching racoons. Then one day when I wasn't around to release the raccoon she called the authorities to get remove it and was given a warning for illegal trapping. Oops

Needless to say the Woodchuck is still around, I know its illegal over here but I think shooting it is the only way she's gonna get rid of it.
 
Oh and I heard that giving them juicy fruit or something works too...it clogs their system. Slow and painful death I imagine...but worth a try if you don't mind. To keep them out of your garden try sprinkling some animal hair(preferably human or dog) which might be enough to deter them
 
I used to shoot groundhogs out of my parents bedroom window...but granted we live at the end of a street and own 10 acres, so its not like anybody was in danger or the cops would be called.

Believe it or not, i also clubbed several groundhogs with a baseball bat. If you can get between them and their hole, they'll just hunker down and try not to be seen but then you can run up and club them.
 
i like your style lazerboy...i have a bat drilled out and filled with lead that i use when trapping. one shot to the head and its lights out
 
I was planning on using my crossbow because i would rather not have my dad spend money on a trap we are probably going to use oce. Besides i dont want the $100 i spent on my nice new reddot sight go to waste
 
Not sure about the laws in PA, but here in my parts, we use .17HMR's to hunt groundhogs throughout these summer months. But YMMV.
 
You have a crossbow? so im guessing you have a license, or atleast hunter safety permit? If thats the case i think you only have to be 50 yards away from any establishment...legally ;)
 
if you can find the hole(s) where it lives and plug all but one after its in the hole you can put a lit road flare in the open hole and cover it with dirt. an old man showed me that trick which works fairly well.
 
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