I have two duke cages, how can I make em work for groundhogs. I only need these for a job or two then I can get some comstocks

Bait trap them. Put the trap where the woodchucks will be.

Positive set at the burrow or crawl under at deck, shed, etc. 99% no bait needed. With only two cages, other blocking may be needed. I only use single door cages, I like to know which way the animal came from, not that it really matters. But, if doing exclusion too, it's nice to know they are all out before sealing.

I will catch all the ghogs I want with a well baited / lured cage set near a den or feeding area. A dab of good ghog gland lure will seal the deal all the time.

Like trapping any other animal. Give them what they want and like and they are caught.

Makes sense yall thanks

I see a number of Jameson's woodchuck lures and baits on WCS...I assume those are yours Bob. Can you divulge what the very best combination is? Does one seem to outshine the others?

Took 29 off 1 clients place using fresh cut alfalfa and a carrot slice all with single door cages, found that whistlepig lure had zero effect

Interesting, I might have to try that

Also I caught the groundhog plus a big coon by positive setting with the one door cages

You can always set a single at the den opening, but if the chuck is coming form the other direction you surely could miss him. It's now been 17 years of baitless and lureless trapping for me for chucks. Still working super. More and more trappers are realizing the value in double door cage traps used without bait. At times a dirty trap out in the open will take them if there are no dens readily available. The double door traps are best because chucks sometimes won't return for days or even weeks. It's like using conibears without the worry of catching a neighborhood cat. We provide a 10 page write up on "how to" for chucks for anyone looking for ideas.

I have had very good success with 2-door comstocks at the den for chucks. My suspicion is that I am catching them on the way out, but I would love to know how often they are going in. Not sure if any of you have used cameras or some other technique for being able to tell if the chuck is coming or going? I've often wondered what the chucks would do if they want to go in the den and see that cage...will they shy away or oblige me by entering the cage. Coming out, they have little choice since they need food and water. They have to come out eventually. Going in would be a different story. Any info on this?

we set all den entrances but usually not blocking the holes we use different types of cages and always try to cover the bottom of the cage with grass or leaves or dirt because chucks have toes on there pads of there feet and some times are hyper sensitive io the wire
alot of the time it doesnt matter but the few times it does its better to have the bases covered it will make a difference we set the back with some eye appeal (apple melon or cabbage leaf)or any type of sweet oil we finish the set with woodchuck gland and a touch of urine
i know that seems like alot but every year we load are bags to have what we need on hand woodchucks can be crazy terratoral and more often then not we have already caught the animals as we head to the next call
you wont miss many using that combination

Dusty, they have no problem going into the cage on the way in, if it's the only way for them to get to the hole. As I said above, I only set single door cages, set in both directions. I get just as many going in as going out. No bait.