While riding my golf cart back from lunch this week, from our home on the nursery property, I was startled to see a furry creature, right out of Caddyshack, running straight toward me at what seemed to be an Olympic pace. Suddenly, it stopped about 15 feet away, stood up, while giving me the evil eye. There we were in a stare down, for what seemed like a minute, before, it did a 180 degree turn, and took off into the neighbors yard. This was my first encounter with a ground hog (aka: woodchuck), a rodent pest, that just migrated south into our area in 2005. These athletic rodents can dig, swim, climb, and most impressively, whistle a tune. As cute as they look, however, they can devastate a garden, with their significant plant-based diet. To that end, we’ve already found some really great sounding Groundhog stew recipes, should we have another encounter.
I have several under a shed. I had an honest and frank discussion with them. I told them they could burrow under the shed, but, BUT, if they touch one plant they are curtains. I can sit on the porch and pick them off one by one. it’s been two years. so far they have not touched anything in the garden
wish the rabbits and deer would listen as well
Great to know they’re teachable, since they are rather cute.
Make sure you include lots of fresh herbs and red wine!
They are eating machines and causes terror when I see one. They are my number one enemy (deer don’t come close). Wiley and sneaky if they move in. Get the gun!
My Granddaddy had a farm in WVa and every night after dinner, he drove through his fields groundhog hunting! A necessary sport according to him.
Dogs are helpful. Our first year here in the Catskills in 2000, one tried to move into our barn under a platform. Our Chessie laid right there all day, coming inside only for dinner and his bed. Two days of this and the groundhog moved on. The other one we saw down by the lower barn was killed by our other Chessie. We’ve not seen another groundhog anywhere near the house since then.
you didn’t have a recipe for Brunswick Stew already? (which used to include varmits)
They also dig enormous burrows that will severely undermine your banks. Beware!
And they can carry rabies as my friends who own a dairy farm found out last year. Lead works very well, and dogs help