How to identify it
Heavy-bodied rodent about 20–26 in long with a short (about 6 in) bristly tail; 5–15 lb. [1]
Where it lives
Open fields, meadows, pastures, fencerows and woodland edges, preferring well-drained slopes. [1]
How it behaves
Active in early morning and late evening in summer. [1]
Where it is listed for legal take
These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.
Where legal take is listed
- Alberta — hunting · 2026 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations
- British Columbia — nuisance or unprotected take · 2026-2028 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis
- New Brunswick — hunting · Hunt & Trap Regulations Summary 2026–2027
- Northwest Territories — hunting · NWT Summary of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, July 1 2022 - June 30 2023
- Québec — hunting · Périodes de chasse au petit gibier 2026-2028
- Alabama — hunting · Beaver, Nutria, and Groundhog Seasons 2026-2027 (ADCNR)
- Alaska — trapping · 2026-2027 Alaska Trapping Regulations No. 67
- Connecticut — hunting · 2026 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide
- Delaware — hunting, trapping · 2026-27 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide: Small Game Hunting (official guide, linked from dnrec.delaware.gov)
- Georgia — hunting · Non-Native & Invasive Species | Georgia DNR WRD
- Illinois — hunting, trapping · Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-2027 (PDF read from cached copy of the digest linked on this page)
- Indiana — hunting, nuisance or unprotected take · Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide 2026-2027: General Information (Wildlife Conflicts)
- Iowa — hunting, trapping · 2026-27 Iowa Hunting, Trapping & Migratory Game Bird Regulations (DNR PDF; page numbers cited)
- Kansas — hunting · Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary, Fall 2025-Spring 2026
- Kentucky — hunting · Other Species Hunting | KDFWR
- Maine — hunting · 2026-27 Maine Hunting Seasons (Summary of Laws & Rules)
- Maryland — hunting · 2026-27 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping (official guide, linked from dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide)
- Massachusetts — hunting, other regulated take · M.G.L. c.131 s.5 Open seasons; rules and regulations
- Minnesota — hunting, nuisance or unprotected take, trapping · Minnesota Hunting & Trapping Regulations (effective July 2026 - June 30, 2027)
- Mississippi — other regulated take · Title 40 Part 5 Rule 2.3 Regulations Regarding Non-Game Wildlife in Need of Management (MDWFP PDF; file dated 2024-04)
- Missouri — hunting · A Summary of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026
- Nebraska — hunting · Small Game & Waterfowl Guide 2025-2026
- New Hampshire — nuisance or unprotected take, trapping · Fis 300 Wildlife Seasons and Rules
- Ohio — hunting · Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27 (effective 1 Sep 2026-31 Aug 2027); PDF read from cached copy
- Pennsylvania — hunting · 2026-27 Seasons and Bag Limits
- Rhode Island — hunting · Hunting and Trapping Regulations (250-RICR-60-00-9)
- Tennessee — hunting, trapping · Summary of Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Seasons Dates | TWRA
- Virginia — hunting, nuisance or unprotected take · Small Game Hunting Regulations and Seasons | Virginia DWR
- West Virginia — hunting · West Virginia 2026-2027 Hunting Season Dates | WVDNR
- Wisconsin — hunting, nuisance or unprotected take, trapping · 2026 Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Seasons PUB-CS-076-2026 (updated 06/08/2026)
Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.
Where it is found
From Oklahoma and Alabama north and northeast through the eastern US, and west across Canada into Alaska.
Sources
Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.
- BIOLOGICALWoodchuck
Pennsylvania Game Commission · reviewed 2026-09-30
Pennsylvania Game Commission