I also have groundhogs living under my chicken house and shed. So far they have not caused a lot of trouble. I did plant some green pole beans to grow on the chicken fence on one side and they ate those to the ground as soon as they came up, but nothing else much. They haven't found our veggie garden. It's on the other side of the property so I hope it's safe from the groundhogs. I'm doubtful about the racoons, though. The only thing in my flower garden that they eat are the weeds and are welcome to them. I thought maybe they would prevent something more dangerous to the chickens from taking up residence there, like a weasle, mink, skunk, fox, etc. etc. so I have left them alone. My dogs sure are interested in them, though! Will a couple of big cats keep groundhogs away? These are huge groundhogs! Will the cats bother the chickens and chicks and eggs? I have considered getting a couple of big guard cats, if they will happily co-exist with the chickens, chicks and eggs, which are in a covered run but I would like to let them out to free range, occasionally. I have also considered getting a big free ranging dog but need to do some containment fencing first. Will a big dog wreck the veggie garden chasing away racoons? (I do have a couple of indoor "guard" shi tzus lol!)

Today we removed some of the rocks around the shed's bottom and discovered a hole that seemed to go straight down. it's pretty hard to see under there, but there wasn't a lot of dirt piled up so we dont' think it could be much of a tunnel yet. We also have thoroughly checked within a 50 feet radius of the shed and are sure there is no other entrance. We tried putting a hose down the hole and running it for quite a while. Didn't see any water come out anywhere, but no groundhog either. We threw a bunch of mothballs and some dog droppings under the shed, but I think since the hog has nowhere to go but out into the fenced garden he is staying entrenched. I think your suggestion of a professional exterminator is unfortunately our next step. Hopefully they guarantee success? If his quote is too high we might try fencing the hog *in* by fencing all around the shed's bottom first. I have some nice 'lopes and watermelons not to mention alot of okra (which the hog appears to enjoy also) still in that garden and I don't want to lose them all. Already I am unable to plant fall stuff lest it just be nipped off as it comes up and I don't want to waste my seed and labor. It is illegal here to move trapped wildlife although recently my kids saw someone letting a groundhog go in a local park. Off the record, animal control officers have hinted that you can move a trapped pest yourself, but that may be because it's a pain for them to repeatedly come out and pick them up. There are times when we catch 'coons night after night (we have chickens). One officer said something about "go about a mile" which I guess would help avoid the danger of moving rabies all over the county. I think it is unlikely that a homeowner would be prosecuted, but we always call animal control to pick up our trapped animals. AC destroys them. Letting a pest go would violate the golden rule by giving someone else our problem. Suburbanites tend to think it's ok to drop off unwanted dogs, cats and wild animals in rural areas where they will supposedly be less likely to bother anyone. But we country farm folks don't appreciate having our fields, gardens and livestock threatened.

I found out the answer to my question about hibernating. This morning in the middle of I-29 was a partially squished groundhog. I hope the death was swift for the poor baby. I will need to rethink how I am handling the poison Ivy.

Milosmom, Sneaky is so cute. Love seeing the REAL thing. Bees-wife, too funny you send your DS out to see if he sees his shadow. LOL. 18, WOW, big milestone for you both. OA, thanks for reposting that. I have definitely saved your cloche and tablesetting pix this time. I LOVE that groundhog cloche. What fun! We don't have them in Phoenix tho do have Prairie Dogs. I fell in love with little Prairie Dogs when we moved here to AZ. Living in town now I don't get to see them like I did when we lived out in the country and I had horses. But they are so cute. And are also very loving, family-oriented little critters. They take care of each others babies, and they KISS one another. They should be for Valentine's decorating. LOL. I love how she closed her eyes for their kiss. LOL. hugs, Karen