Also known as: Groundhog, whistle pig
The woodchuck is a medium-large rodent with short powerful legs and a medium-long bushy somewhat flattened tail. Its coarse fur of the back is a grizzled grayish brown with a yellowish or reddish cast, and it belongs to the squirrel family (Sciuridae). Total length ranges 16-27 inches and weight 4-14 pounds, lightest in spring after hibernation and heaviest before winter. When alarmed it can give a loud shrill whistle.
Habitat & Range
Woodchucks dig burrows along borders between timbered areas and open land or along fencerows, heavily vegetated gullies, or streams. The main burrow entrance is often by a tree stump or rock with a mound of fresh earth, and tunnels lead to a nest chamber 3-6 feet underground. They are found statewide but rare in the Mississippi Lowlands where the water table is too high for denning.
Life History
Almost a complete vegetarian, eating leaves, flowers, soft stems of grasses, clover, alfalfa, wild herbs, and garden crops like peas, beans, and corn, and occasionally climbing trees for apples and pawpaws. They hibernate in burrows from late October into February, then breed soon after emergence with a 31-33 day gestation producing a single annual litter of 2-9 young in late March. Lifespan in the wild is usually only 2 or 3 years, though captive individuals have lived to 14.
Status, Trends & Threats
Common. The woodchuck is one of the best-known wild mammals in Missouri. Their digging aerates and mixes the soil, improving soil quality and water absorption, and their burrows are used by skunks, foxes, weasels, opossums, and rabbits. No major population threats identified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can woodchucks be hunted in Missouri?
Woodchucks are classified as a furbearer in Missouri and may be hunted or trapped. There is no closed season for hunting woodchucks on private land with landowner permission, though a valid Missouri small game hunting permit is required. Many hunters consider them a varmint species due to their burrowing damage in fields and pastures.
What is the best method for hunting woodchucks in Missouri?
Woodchucks are commonly hunted with a .22 rifle or varmint-caliber rifle, often by spotting them near their burrow entrances in pastures, hayfields, and along fencerows. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times when they emerge to feed. Long-range shooting with scoped rifles is a popular approach for experienced varmint hunters.
Are woodchucks edible?
Yes, lean young woodchucks are considered edible by some hunters. The meat is dark and can be prepared similarly to rabbit or squirrel, often slow-cooked or braised. Older animals may be tougher and have a stronger flavor. As with all wild game, proper field dressing and cooking to appropriate temperatures is recommended.
