http://www.groundhog.org/
DON'T DRIVE ANGRY
Seen plenty of woodchucks/groundhogs/marmots but never got to do any hunting of them even though my spouse wanted to do that - it's unclear whether I may get a future opportunity but it is 2 February and an interesting time to think about them in the context of meteorological prediction as I get ready to shovel snow.
All I can think about is varmint hunting and getting outdoors. Even though I’ve been varmint hunting for over 40 years, my excitement for the sport swells from year to year. In anticipation of groundhog season, I spend at least four to six weeks preparing for the hunt. It not only feels good to get outside and walk the fields after a long, hard winter, but it also increases the likelihood that I will get "lucky."
Problems, Solutions and Health Concerns:
Groundhogs can cause major damage to farmers and home gardeners. They love to eat vegetables and leave the soil weak in areas where they burrow, resulting in damage to farm equipment and injuries to horses and livestock. In extreme cases, groundhog burrows have even been known to damage the foundations of barns, garages, or homes.
Rabies can also be a concern for people who have groundhogs on their property. They are mammals, making them susceptible to the disease.
There are a few solutions available to folks who are having a problem with groundhogs. Installing a wire mesh fence can deter groundhogs from browsing your gardens and crops. You must, however, make the fence extend down into the ground at least two feet. Because groundhogs are excellent diggers, installing a simple fence from the ground up may not do the trick. You should also extend a one-foot, angled section from the top of the fence. Some groundhogs have been observed climbing short, vertical fences.
Ammonia soaked rags are another good groundhog deterrent. Groundhogs will mistake the ammonia for a predator’s urine, and will steer clear of your property. Place the rags close enough to your garden that the groundhog can smell them, but not so close that the ammonia will leach into the soil around your crops. A few feet from the perimeter of your garden is a good rule of thumb. If you’re worried about the ammonia burning your lawn, you can place them on pieces of wood. If you have a cat, used kitty litter will serve the same purpose.
If all else fails, you can also live trap and remove groundhogs from your property. Always check with your state wildlife agency before relocating any animals from your property. There may be laws in your area prohibiting you from doing so. Relocating groundhogs is illegal in some states, due in part to fears of spreading rabies.