Alberta gophers...

QuickDraw16

QuickDraw16

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What's the regulations surrounding a non resident hunting gophers in Alberta? I have a WIN card if that counts for anything.
I might be doing a road trip through Alberta and would like to get a chance at gophers, if anyone would be willing to take this BC boy out for the day it'd be appreciated! (supposing its legal and all)
I'd be bringing my .243 if I could arrange something.
 
You'll need an out of province tag and a registered guide during the open season. Maybe a bigger rifle too.
 
Nick0danger said:
You can shootem to your hearts content no license needed. They are vermin!
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We did that 4 years ago. the kids had a blast (pun intended). Hopefully we will be back in early August this year. My son is loading 55gr 243s like there is no tomorrow. Last time we were in a pasture that called for only 22s. We are going to try and find a field where we can use the 243 this year. He wants to see gophers jump higher and farther.:D The 22s will also be coming along.
Have a blast QuickDraw16.
 
I still wouldn't know where to go to shoot! We would be doing the 3rd weekend in august.

What do you mean that your had to shoot .22s? Was it a farmers request?
 
These guys are yanking your chain. Although at least a .338 is recommended, a loaded up 30-06 will get you by.:p

Seriously, a .22 is all you need for a good gopher shoot. Especially where they are thick, it actually the best, as ammo costs and logistics can get you down. This year, the gophers are hard to find, and in a lot of cases, the ones you do find are in tall grass and/or skittish.

Depends where you are shooting, a .243 may not be all that welcome. A few years back, I was shooting in the southwest of SK, and a couple of guys were shooting bigger calibers not too far off, and it was a bit disconcerting.

A brick (500-525-555 rounds) is usually $20-$30, compared to, say, .17HMR @ $12-$17 for 50. Having said all that, I broke down and bought a CZ .17HMR this year, and also use a 12 ga. for gophers! :p

The main things are to have fun, be safe, stay legal. :)
 
kjohn said:
These guys are yanking your chain. Although at least a .338 is recommended, a loaded up 30-06 will get you by.:p

Seriously, a .22 is all you need for a good gopher shoot. Especially where they are thick, it actually the best, as ammo costs and logistics can get you down. This year, the gophers are hard to find, and in a lot of cases, the ones you do find are in tall grass and/or skittish.

Depends where you are shooting, a .243 may not be all that welcome. A few years back, I was shooting in the southwest of SK, and a couple of guys were shooting bigger calibers not too far off, and it was a bit disconcerting.

A brick (500-525-555 rounds) is usually $20-$30, compared to, say, .17HMR @ $12-$17 for 50. Having said all that, I broke down and bought a CZ .17HMR this year, and also use a 12 ga. for gophers! :p

The main things are to have fun, be safe, stay legal. :)
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A 12 gauge shotgun is awesome with a tight choke and #6 shot up to 50 yards for those shots around the farm yard buildings. Hell even a 410 is great up to 20 yards but the shells are more expensive.
 
QuickDraw16 said:
I still wouldn't know where to go to shoot! We would be doing the 3rd weekend in august.

What do you mean that your had to shoot .22s? Was it a farmers request?
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You can use a .50 BMG if you wanted, but a lot of farmers have wishes regarding calibres. Most are alright with anything rimfire, some will let you use small centre-fire, and others are so sick of them they'll let you use anything.

There is no legislation in Alberta concerning gophers. They are vermin, and are free for extirpation.
 
GeoTrekr said:
You can use a .50 BMG if you wanted, but a lot of farmers have wishes regarding calibres. Most are alright with anything rimfire, some will let you use small centre-fire, and others are so sick of them they'll let you use anything.

There is no legislation in Alberta concerning gophers. They are vermin, and are free for extirpation.
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So I don't need a hunting license?
 
QuickDraw16 said:
I still wouldn't know where to go to shoot! We would be doing the 3rd weekend in august.

What do you mean that your had to shoot .22s? Was it a farmers request?
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It was a safety issue. We had a highway on one side , the farm buildings behind us and flat land on the other two sides with neighbouring ranches in the distance.
 
QuickDraw16 said:
I still wouldn't know where to go to shoot! We would be doing the 3rd weekend in august.

What do you mean that your had to shoot .22s? Was it a farmers request?
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At that time of the year you are essentially wasting your time. Gophers start to disappear in late July and even when they are up, the long grass makes them impossible to see.

We were out on the weekend and our fields have 2-3 feet of grass. Only shot 4 or 5 in two hours.
 
Suputin said:
At that time of the year you are essentially wasting your time. Gophers start to disappear in late July and even when they are up, the long grass makes them impossible to see.

We were out on the weekend and our fields have 2-3 feet of grass. Only shot 4 or 5 in two hours.
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This. Peak activity is mid may to mid july and it starts dropping off after that. You could still get some shooting by the 3rd week in august if you shoot in pasture that has been grazed down, but the gophers aren't nearly as active by then.
 
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