We have a big fat groundhog living in our backyard. She has holes in our yard and our neighbor's yard as well. She sits out in the yard all summer, chewing on the greenery.

I really want to plant a garden this summer, but I figure there's not much point since she will eat everything I plant (and I'd prefer not to put up a fence, and I don't know for sure that a fence would keep her out.)

What can I do? If I trap her in a humane trap, am I legally allowed to release her somewhere else, and if so, how do I decide where? If I pay an animal service to come capture her, won't they kill her?

Call a regional DNR office to ask about where you can release a live trapped groundhog.

My husband has done this before with other critters and only said that he "takes them for a drive". In other words, he drops them off somewhere in a state park, far from home turf.

Do you have or know someone with a dog? It worked ofr us with rabbits and groundhogs to put the dog poop in the hole! Sounds mean, but I figure then they can go to where ever they want and it will keep skunks from moving into the holes when the other critters move out.