Is it Legal to Trap A Groundhog?

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One of the most important things that you will need to know before you start trapping any pest animal, including groundhogs, is what the local regulations are and whether you will be breaking any laws by doing so. There are several different areas of the trapping process that may break the law, so make sure you check out what you can and can't do in your area. The most important factor in many states is that the process must be humane, so this means that you will need to be checking the trap regularly to ensure the animal doesn't suffer, even if you are using a lethal trap.



Are You Using Lethal Or Cage Traps To Catch The Animal?

In the vast majority of states and counties, lethal trapping of pest animals remains legal, as long as it is done in a responsible and humane way. If you are intending to use a lethal trap then make sure that it is suitable for killing groundhogs, and that it is sturdy enough not to do half a job and only injure the animal, which is precisely what you will want to avoid. Cage traps are also legal, but it is still important to check, as a small number of jurisdictions do have rules that indicate only a professional can carry out pest removal work, and in this case you may need to hire a registered animal removal expert to carry out the work.

Finding Out More About Your Local Regulations

Trawling through years of documents from local and state legislators is the last thing that you will want to do, so the most reasonable thing to do is to speak to a local animal services department. They should be familiar with all of the local regulations are, and may even be able to suggest areas where you can dispose of a groundhog's carcass, as some areas where relocation is prohibited will offer an incineration service.

Relocation Or Euthanasia

If you are looking for a way to avoid killing the groundhog, then cage trapping and removal is a good option, but it is important that you find a good location where you can release the animal, and where it won't become a problem for someone else. In some cases, regulations will prevent you from relocating the animal, so in this case look at options to kill the animal humanely.

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