I think you fixed one problem by creating another. That many rock chucks killed will affect the nearby ecosystem, as not only did you kill like 60+ of the rock chucks but their future offspring too, they produce 2-6 per year. Furthermore, Coyotes, Red Foxes, certain Owl breeds, Hawks, etc. hunt these animals too. This will change what these animals hunt, and instead hunt for rabbits, squirrels, and other animals that people would normally hunt for food. It could also cause these animals that hunt them to relocate.
We had a problem with Porcupines, they were eating the wood of my grandparent's log cabin, including the stilts that half the cabin resided on the side of the mountain. After shooting one of them and having the needles shoot out in every direction, including at gramps that also looked like a Porcupine after killing it, he tried a different approach and had installed wire mesh around the cabin. The Porcupines were interested in the salt from the treated wood.
BTW, nice shooting.
I found the stuff below online for how to deal with them without hurting the ecosystem.
1. Install an Underground “L-Shaped” Barrier (Best Long-Term Fix)
This is the most reliable way to stop burrowing.
How it works
- Dig a trench around the foundation 12–18 inches deep and 12 inches out from the wall.
- Install ½-inch galvanized hardware cloth.
- Bend the bottom outward in an L-shape (about 12 inches horizontally).
Why it works
When a marmot tries to dig next to the wall, it hits the mesh and gives up.
Tips
- Backfill with gravel or crushed stone rather than soil.
- Keep the mesh a few inches above ground level to stop surface entry.
This method protects the foundation while remaining mostly invisible.
2. Fill Existing Burrows Properly
Never just fill the hole with dirt—animals will reopen it.
Better method:
Make sure the burrow is
not occupied.
- Fill tunnels with:
Cap the entrance with:
- large crushed rock
- gravel
- hardware cloth
- or flat stones.
This collapses the tunnel network and discourages reuse.
3. Eliminate What Attracts Them
Rock chucks often live near barns because of food and cover.
Reduce these:
- Tall weeds around the foundation
- Grain spills or livestock feed
- Brush piles
- Wood or junk piles
Keep
a 3–6 ft vegetation-free perimeter around the barn.
4. Use Heavy Stone or Riprap Skirting
For historic barns this works well visually.
Create a
18–24 inch wide band of large rock around the base of the foundation.
Animals dislike digging through heavy rock layers.
5. Trapping (If Population Is High)
Where legal, trapping can remove persistent animals.
Common methods:
- Body-grip traps like the Conibear 220 trap placed at burrow entrances
- Live cage traps such as the Havahart Large 1‑Door Animal Trap
Bait with:
- apple slices
- cantaloupe
- lettuce.
Check local wildlife regulations first.
6. Avoid These Common Mistakes
These often fail:
- Flooding holes with water
- Poison baits
- Ultrasonic repellers
- Just filling holes with dirt
They usually
don’t stop established burrow systems.
- Hardware-cloth underground barrier
- Gravel/riprap perimeter
- Properly closing existing burrows
This protects the foundation
without disturbing the original 120-year-old stonework.
