The Indiana Hog Board

[VaRandy]

I realize that Indiana Groundhogs on this site show no activity since 2013 or much earlier. Hopefully it is not a joke similar to the Bermuda Bobsled club! I have been looking for some time for someone that has shot them in Indiana within the last 2 years to no avail.

I will be finding out first hand this season reasonably close to the line with Ohio. Best I can tell I will be primarily over beans. I will likely start looking about May 1 and expect to spend a couple of days picking the best area. I know that traps have been taking many of them, maybe as much as to Coyotes.

If Indiana does not work out, I will slide into middle Ohio to give it a solid try, and if needed middle Pa later in the season. If there are any long range capable Indiana shooters whacking groundhogs, contact me before May 1.

 

[357Mag]

VaRandy -

Howdy to all !

Here's a note I received from the Indiana DNR, answering questions I had about "Soybeanus Digestus"....


Mr. Werling,

We have little data on groundhogs because they an exempt species, meaning there is not a traditional harvest season for them, but people can remove them without a permit or license year-round.

We have not heard concerns from the public that they are declining, nor have staff expressed concerns that they are declining. Most areas with suitable habitat seemed to be occupied with groundhogs. There are some places in Indiana where they are just not common because a high water table discourages burrowing species, but they seem to be common when the habitat is suitable.

However, as I said, because of their status we tend to direct the limited funds we have toward those of higher interest, such as species with strict season limits like deer, or those of higher concern like endangered bats. As such we have little data for groundhogs.

Groundhogs get woodchuck hepatitis, but it rarely kills them. They can also get rabies, but we haven't documented rabies in a terrestrial species like a groundhog in a decade or two, so that is likely uncommon to nonexistent here currently. I don't know of much research regarding groundhog diseases or effects of chemicals on groundhogs, though.

Coyotes can eat groundhogs, but in the numerous studies done nationwide on coyote diets, groundhogs are detected infrequently, so it seems an uncommon food source. I would not expect coyotes to have a detrimental effect on groundhog populations, though they likely eat them if they can catch them. Their extensive burrow systems make the catching part challenging, though, which I would guess is why they are uncommon in coyote diets.

From what I've read and seen, the number one killer of groundhogs is cars/roads.

Thanks and let me know if you have any other questions.

Geriann Albers
Furbearer Biologist
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
5596 E State Route 46
Bloomington, IN 47403
Office: 812-822-3304
Cell: 812-320-5596



-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2018 12:44 AM
To: DFW <DFW@dnr.IN.gov>
Subject: [website inquiry]


IDNR -
Can you verify whether Indiana groundhog populations have seen asignificant decline over the past few decades ?

If the numbers of groundhogs has indeed decreased, does IDNR orother institution(s) attribute this to:
- Predation, especially by coyotes

- Groundhog exposure to agricultural chemicals

- Other causes, such as disease

Please let me know you response.


With regards,
Kevin J. Werling

 

[KMart]

However, as I said, because of their status we tend to direct the limited funds we have toward those of higher interest, such as species with strict season limits like deer, or those of higher concern like endangered bats.

Bats. Now there is a species we should spend all of our tax money on to protect. We had a kid die here locally a couple of years ago, from rabies provided by a bat bite. I can't think of a worse way to die.

 

[357Mag]

VaRandy -

Howdy !

Well..... hopefully I'm not too late....w/ the following info:

Please be advised that NE Indiana has had a cooler and somewhat wetter Spring than what is typical.
* For these reasons, the amount of soybean acreage already planted has likely been suppressed.
Planting will thusly occur later in May than what is usual, and of course.... soybean emergence
will by delayed commensurately.

I put a call in to the Allen County Extension office ( Purdue University ), to ask their "AG Educator"
if he can up-date current status on the soybean situation.
Just this past weekend, my East Allen Co shooting buddy noted that soil temps had been too cool to accommodate soybean germination.

I also have input the same questions seen in the IDNR inquiry to the Ohio Dept of Wildlife.
Hopefully, there response will be forth-coming.

Here's a lit of ODNR Wildlife Officers by county:
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/about-contacts/contact-information/wildlife-officers-by-county.


With regards,
Kevin 357Mag

 

[357Mag]

VaRandy +all-

Howdy,

I did hear back from the Purdue Univeristy AG Educator....

He stated that despite the cooler than normal Spring experienced in NE Indiana, about 40-50% of the soybeans are in the ground.

Soybean “ vegetative emergence “ runs anywhere from 5 to 14 days, dependent on things like soil type, soil temp soil moisture level; etc also.

Groundhogs are particularly fond of the initial “ cotyledons “ that become the first 2 “ leaves “ of the bean plant. The follow-on foliage leaves are also quite popular !

*** In a normal NE Indiana Spring, one would find soybeans in the 2 leaf stage typically going into Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The sow’s reproductive timing seems in near lock step w/ the initial emergence of the new soybean crop, and she quickly introduces the pups the joys of soybeans.

Again... in a typical NE Indiana Spring - Summer.... one should be able to engage “ Soybeanus Digestus “ right up to July 4th, after which the crop will be too tall to permit seeing standing ‘hogs.

My point:
The extent of soybean acreage planted will continue to increase in NE Indiana for the immediate near future (May 2018 ).


With regards,
357Mag