Hi folks -- so I'm starting to feel a little bit Bill Murray! first I've got a fair amount of experience with rodents; I've removed/relocated literally dozens of flying squirrels from my attic over the years with my trusty hav-a-heart (and finally restored the exterior to keep them out) and done an equal amount of mice in the basement using snap traps. but little experience with woodchucks. I live in Northern NJ, with a big suburban yard, and lots of wildlife. deer, foxes etc. cruise thru regularly. but in my many years here I've only had one woodchuck come in the yard and managed to chase him out making a lot of noise etc. before he could settle in. now I've got this young one (judging from his size) and he's settled in under my pool's pump house. it's build on cinder blocks in the corners and open on three sides.

I've read a lot on line about this, and think I'm doing it right, but he's been dodging me for a week now.

I bought a trap from Harbor Freight, which seems to operate just fine and just like my smaller have-a-heart. opens one end only tho, but from what I've read that should be OK. I washed it to get rid of any human smell (water only so no perfume), and wear gloves when handling. I'm using cantalope for bait, and hanging it from a wire all the way in the back, since it seems my many chipmunks can slip in and get it (tho it seems they might still be getting it). I have the trap hidden in ground cover, covered with cardboard, with a couple rocks on top to keep it from rattling, and greens on top and at the entrance/inside to hide the bright metal including the trigger. I used some low garden fencing to try and direct him to the trap.

Pics attached to show both the trap and his two entrances under my pool house.

I even set up a trail cam and see him in the pics walking around (along with many birds, chipmonks etc.) but not going in. I did catch a possum one night, so now I shut the trap at dusk and open again at dawn.

All to no avail.

open to any/all suggestions, and really appreciate the help!

 

any thoughts on this one? also I have full access to where he is going so can you just chase them out? loud noises? it's my pump house to the pool and I'll be opening it up and the pump will be running constantly. will that dissuade him?

 

still hoping for some thoughts I know there's some woodchuck experts out there!

 

OK, I've been away. Is the trap set in a runway that he's using? If so, is he simply running by/around it? Maybe hard to tell.

At this point, I'd be tempted to place the open end of the trap against the hole he is using under the shed. Perpendicular to the shed, not parallel. Probably dig it down a little to line up well. Make sure the door can close. I'd fill in under the shed on that side with cardboard, stuffed newspaper, anything that will block the light on that side so that the only light he sees is coming through the cage trap. Hopefully, he will "run to daylight".

Any idea of what and where he is feeding?

 

Addendum: If you do try my idea with the trap opening directly against the shed, I'd remove cardboard on the trap to let maximum light in.

 

I used cantaloupe, hear it's their favorite!

 

thx both will give it a shot. and yes cantelope!