Alberta dangerous game

[Yotarunner]

After scar270 posted his buff hunt video with these same rifles I went to link this thread and found it wasnt on here so here's part of the reason he was able to get so many fast well placed shots on that buff!

Not many people are aware of the dangerous game here on our own continent! The Richardson's ground squirrel or (gopher) is not to be taken lightly!
These dangerous and underestimated critters have very little fear of humans and demand the use of proper firepower to dispatch them.
Our prefered caliber of choice is the 500/416 nitro express loaded with hard cast bullets. The flat meplat on the cast bullet ensures proper expansion on these hard to kill rodents. Seen here next to a gopher skull. Note the sharp pointed teeth.
image000004 by brad harder, on Flickr
In small areas of Alberta these creatures can be hunted and if caution is observed can be quite sporting. Preserving meat is not advised as recovery and meat preservation is tricky
image000005 by brad harder, on Flickr

image000001_01 by brad harder, on Flickr

Stay on your toes as hard chargers are the norm. Here you can see a large male being launched back over the fence from whence he came.

image000000 by brad harder, on Flickr

A partner is advised as some pastures can be plentiful and the chance to shoot 2 at once can be quite the experience.
image000006 by brad harder, on Flickr

For those of you that are trophy hunters do not fret. After long hard hunting some impressive tuskers can be found. This trophy male was taken a few years back. To preserve the hide for taxidermy it is advised to shoot under the animal killing him with shock rather than the bullet itself.

image000003 by brad harder, on Flickr

 

[geologist]

 

[Norton]

I know its high risk & dangerous, but I still prefer the good 'ole .22 to preserve their tasty tasty beef

 

[XCR User]

...

 

[Grain]

That tusker reminds me of the good hunting decades ago. After years of foreign trophy hunting, they are getting harder to find in my part of the world.

 

[PSE]

I do have a Sako 375 H&H that I would like to use on the Richardson Ground Squirrel otherwise known as the gopher but am worried about using too light a bullet. Good bullet selection is very important - especially in the tall grass where ranges can be quite short and the action is fast and unpredictable. I'm thinking of stepping up to the 300 grain Hornady Dangerous game round.

I know some folks use the soft point but am thinking best to play it safe and go for a good monolith.

 

[Scar270]

I do have a Sako 375 H&H that I would like to use on the Richardson Ground Squirrel otherwise known as the gopher but am worried about using too light a bullet. Good bullet selection is very important - especially in the tall grass where ranges can be quite short and the action is fast and unpredictable. I'm thinking of stepping up to the 300 grain Hornady Dangerous game round.

I know some folks use the soft point but am thinking best to play it safe and go for a good monolith.

While i appreciate the wit, in all seriousness, if you can find the old hornady 220gr flat nose designed for the 375 win, at 375H&H velocities that light jacket makes a marvelous varmint round. Its just delightful on gophers.