best way to get groundhogs out of there hole?

whats the best way to get ground hogs out of there hole? ive been playing cat and mouse with one for about 4 days now. theres about 12 different holes all in sets of 2-3 some are old but 3 of the sets seem to be in use. any ideas on being able to get this guy out of his hole after I spook em? also is there away to bait them to get them to come out into a field? I want to try and get him with bow which seems possible as the gap from the field to the edge of the bush is about 30 yards. the field is planted with winter wheat and theres a couple crab apples trees with some crab apples on the ground from last year. any ideas guys and girls?

TSC sells smoke bombs you light and throw in and cover up. Should push him out.

Borrow someone's Jack Russell Terrier :)

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Originally Posted by Dobermanhunter

whats the best way to get ground hogs out of there hole? ive been playing cat and mouse with one for about 4 days now. theres about 12 different holes all in sets of 2-3 some are old but 3 of the sets seem to be in use. any ideas on being able to get this guy out of his hole after I spook em? also is there away to bait them to get them to come out into a field? I want to try and get him with bow which seems possible as the gap from the field to the edge of the bush is about 30 yards. the field is planted with winter wheat and theres a couple crab apples trees with some crab apples on the ground from last year. any ideas guys and girls?

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You want to draw them out into the open so that they're within archery range? Are you simply wanting them gone, want the challenge of taking one with a bow....or both? The will come back up on their own, and WILL come right out of their holes~just give them time. Don't expect them to stick around if you're close by and out in the open. They're pretty good at avoiding danger, and don't tend to take many chances. I've spooked them at over 200 yards and had them NOT come back up no matter how long I wait...with a rifle. :) Most of them~if I stay out beyond 100 yards, and conditions outside are nice, they're usually eager to see if the danger has passed at least, so...often, the shot you'll get is literally the tops of their heads when they come-up only that far. Sorry for the long sentence....turkey-induced rambling. :)

smoke him out

Used to hunt them 35 yrs ago when they were plentifull,when they spook and go down the hole,try whistling,they are curious and will stick there heads out to check it out.mac

If you see them and they go back in the hole, set up down wind of them in a different direction and wait. When they come out of the hole, they will be facing where you were.

Sounds like a good way to hone your stalking and waiting skills. never mind the smoke.....let them come out on their own and be proud when you beat him at his own game!!

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Originally Posted by GrouseWhisperer

You want to draw them out into the open so that they're within archery range? Are you simply wanting them gone, want the challenge of taking one with a bow....or both? The will come back up on their own, and WILL come right out of their holes~just give them time. Don't expect them to stick around if you're close by and out in the open. They're pretty good at avoiding danger, and don't tend to take many chances. I've spooked them at over 200 yards and had them NOT come back up no matter how long I wait...with a rifle. :) Most of them~if I stay out beyond 100 yards, and conditions outside are nice, they're usually eager to see if the danger has passed at least, so...often, the shot you'll get is literally the tops of their heads when they come-up only that far. Sorry for the long sentence....turkey-induced rambling. :)

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farmer wants them gone and I want the challenge of taking them with the bow haha, my bother , a buddy and I set out today for them came really close to getting him. also found more active holes in the field tried throwing some old crab apples around the holes that I found on the ground that were still semi solid, might try again tomo afternoon for them. this guy seems to be a one show ground hog which is probally how hes made it this long haha. seen a dead one on the side of the road today when I was going to set up. kind of wondering if their maybe starting to make a come back in population.

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Originally Posted by Sharon

Borrow someone's Jack Russell Terrier :)

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Ya and I would think you're going to be calling me one day to come help you dig up the field at parkwood looking for your dog..:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Snowwalker

Ya and I would think you're going to be calling me one day to come help you dig up the field at Parkwood looking for your dog..:rolleyes:

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No. I got the message. We're working at improving Hullet now. :) CKC earth dog tests start soon.

PS A good terrier owner always takes a shovel.:moose:

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Originally Posted by huntermac

Used to hunt them 35 yrs ago when they were plentifull,when they spook and go down the hole,try whistling,they are curious and will stick there heads out to check it out.mac

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Agreed. When I was a kid we had a certain whistle that used to work pretty good, but damned if I remember it now lol.

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Originally Posted by smitty55

Agreed. When I was a kid we had a certain whistle that used to work pretty good, but damned if I remember it now lol.

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Thats the ticket. My dad taught me this when I started shooting groundhogs.


When you see the hog go down his hole, Walk right over to that exact hole. Kneel down on one knee and have the gun ready. Take a stick and poke it in the hole like your diggin at the sides and give some whistles imitating the groundhog.


I bet he is up standing on his hind legs looking at your from his back up hole in about 45 seconds from about 50 yards LOL.


Doesn`t work everytime, But most are curious enough to come up for a look.

Or you could do it the old fasion way,,,,,,,Sit and wait him out, He will be back out shortly if its a nice day.

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Originally Posted by Sharon

Borrow someone's Jack Russell Terrier :)

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My Grandfather's mutt terrier would do that... problem was the dog would come back up; but not the groundhog... saved the lead.

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Originally Posted by SongDog

Thats the ticket. My dad taught me this when I started shooting groundhogs.


When you see the hog go down his hole, Walk right over to that exact hole. Kneel down on one knee and have the gun ready. Take a stick and poke it in the hole like your diggin at the sides and give some whistles imitating the groundhog.


I bet he is up standing on his hind legs looking at your from his back up hole in about 45 seconds from about 50 yards LOL.


Doesn`t work everytime, But most are curious enough to come up for a look.

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im going to try this interesting idea tomorrow.

We used to walk down rail-road tracks making lots of noise...........and one guy stay behind and pop him when he surfaces,,,,,,worked 50 years ago

if farmer wants them gone send some dry ice ice down the hole and cover with a board they will not come up again ..thats how they got rid of them at north bay hospital where traps were not a option

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Originally Posted by Dobermanhunter

whats the best way to get ground hogs out of there hole? s?

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C4 works and loosens up the soil nicely

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Originally Posted by Doug

My Grandfather's mutt terrier would do that... problem was the dog would come back up; but not the groundhog... saved the lead.

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Ive got a 7yr old Jack Russell. The prey drive is SO HIGH that the sight of a Marmot going down a hole would consume his mind. He wouldn't leave it alone until it was dead (or he was).

Guys in England sometimes use the oil-rich mixture of a chainsaws exhaust. The chainsaw blade is removed and a short hose is attached to the exhaust pipe. You could even use a weed-whipper exhaust, I suppose.

I was in Ottawa last week. I saw dozens of them.


Theyre a PITA. Good luck

During ~60 years of hunting I've shot a few thousand of them with assorted armament . My favorite groundhog-slayers were the 6mm Rem. (700 Varmint) and the 22WMR (24 Savage and 922M marlin) . I dispatched quite a number of them with different 12gauge-poppers as well (1100 Rem. , Fox-double and Ithaca 37) . I was always looking for new opportunities and canvassed numerous farms . After a while I had ''gathered'' a pretty good circle of hunting-land . As soon as the farmers were confident in my ability to distinguish between a cow and a groundhog they recommended me to other farmers etc . --- I never found it too difficult to approach the groundhogs to be within range when I carried the shotgun ; especially if hay-bales were in the field . In case I was detected I just froze and eventually eased up on them (while they were observing me) taking a step every 10 seconds . At ranges of 20 feet to better than 400 yards not too many hogs got away . Shooting them at 100 to 200 yards was pretty ''ho-hum'' but stalking them at short range with the 12gauge or bowling them over at 400 yards with the 6mm turned my crank . --- Making my rounds (from farm to farm) I usually had some excitement . The most ever (during 1 day) was 67 ; as a matter of fact that took place during the mid-60s . They used to be quite plentiful in Durham County . --- At that time we didn't see too many coyotes in Ontario . --- Nowadays , I'm living in another area and barely ever see a groundhog . --- I've always practised PUBLIC-RELATIONS WHEN DEALING WITH THE FARMERS . --- It happened many times that I showed up at a farm and discovered the farmer was in the process to do some haying or whatever . In that case I left the gun in the vehicle and helped the farmer . On some occasions I took my arc-welder along and repaired some broken equipment for them . --- Yeah , I was always welcome to come back . ------ To answer your question : SOME-TIMES I managed to whistle them out of the hole .--- Sorry I got carried away reminiscing !