Gopher Hunting - Advice Requested

In MB and SK, they're gophers. If you knocked on a farmer's door and asked about shooting some RGSs on his land, he'd look at you like you've got two heads.
 
Gophers are cannibals. I've seen it hundreds of times. They are at there worst early in the season... you drop one in a group of three, and the other two are tearing at it's flesh before it hits the ground. Pretty sick little buggers.

If I 'recovered the carcasses' of the gophers I shoot, I'd fill the bed of my truck in a day. There is no way I'd even touch a dead rodent with blood and crap all over it. It will disappear in short order.
 
TimC said:
I hope that you recover the carcasses. Over here a few farmers used t lamp rabbits from 4wds and leave them all over the felds, poor adverts for managing the countryside and encourages the foxes to come to his farm for a feast. Not even looking at the potential for disease. if I have deer or rabbit guts that I want to use for fox bait I'll place them where I need them otherwise they get binned or buried.
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I've eaten one or two and they taste like green grass. As others have said, the raptors, ravens and other ground squirrels make quick work of the carcasses. I've shot 200 in one afternoon and then returned the following morning to see no carcasses left in the open.
 
I don't know anyone who calls them RGS, although I guess technically, thats what they are. I hear you about the skeeters last year. They were BAD!!!
 
Anglinfool said:
I don't know anyone who calls them RGS, although I guess technically, thats what they are.
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Well... I'm on a ####in mission here. :p Too many people call 'magazines' 'clips' and too many people call 'squirrels' 'gophers'. Hell, I used to be one of them. They are different than prairie dogs, pocket gophers etc etc. We don't call horses or bulls 'cows' and we don't call Wendy or Allen Rock 'smart'. Liebrals ain't 'right' either!!
I'm layin down the law on the squirrels damn it! :D

(The Truth is Out There....)
 
Grouse Man said:
In MB and SK, they're gophers. If you knocked on a farmer's door and asked about shooting some RGSs on his land, he'd look at you like you've got two heads.
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I know, but MB and SK are closer to Ontario :p Who knows what the full effects of proximity to that place'll do...
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canuckgunny said:
. We don't call horse's ass or bulls 'cows' and we don't call Wendy or Allen Rock 'smart'. Liebrals ain't 'right' either!!
I'm layin down the law on the squirrels damn it! :D

(The Truth is Out There....)
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It sure is. Just look for it.....:p
 
Yes, most of us are aware of them being of the species Richardson Ground Squirrel. However, they have been referred to as 'gophers' for ever. Kind of like when you go 'chicken' hunting...I think for the most part we are privvy, just accepting of the reference that is older then father time himself. ;)

I'll be sure to refer to ####hawks by their real name from now on, the common public knows them as seagulls, however we all know there is NO SUCH THING as seagulls right? In fact, they are herring gulls! I will be sure to refer to them only as such....


just ribbing you cg ;)
 
bladerogers said:
Yes, most of us are aware of them being of the species Richardson Ground Squirrel. However, they have been referred to as 'gophers' for ever. Kind of like when you go 'chicken' hunting...I think for the most part we are privvy, just accepting of the reference that is older then father time himself. ;)

I'll be sure to refer to s**thawks by their real name from now on, the common public knows them as seagulls, however we all know there is NO SUCH THING as seagulls right? In fact, they are herring gulls! I will be sure to refer to them only as such....


just ribbing you cg ;)
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That's it... LINES for you all!

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A gopher is the dumb kid at work... Gopher this and then gopher that...

edit: Speak of the DEVIL... just got an invite to go the Dead Rear! Quick road trip on a Friday night sounds like fun! (Whisky WILL be involved) I'll keep my eye's open for any 'gophers' JUST for you guys :)...
 
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Getting Squirrly

Hey Guys,

First note - THANK YOU - for all of your awesome advice - I appreciate it a lot. I feel like I've shot hundreds of RGSs (or Gophers, or prairie dogs, or rats or ground squirrels or whatever the hell you want to call them).!!!!!

The note on the skeeters was important too - would not have thought of this - will make sure I bring the DEET shower!!!

Holy crap - I didn't mean to start a riot with this thread - it sure was hilarious to read through the banter!!!

Yes, it is an Ontario squirrel on my avitar. Sorry about those black squirrels in your back-yard. I didn't put 'em there but I'll help you shoot them!
The same pic is my profile picture if you want to check it out in a larger view.

Thanks again guys - see you in Alberta! SD
 
My neighbour and I each shoot 1500+ in one year. He owns several thousand acres on various ranches. I sold my 22WM for another 22LR. One a day's shoot, I take 3 rifles with me, all 22LR. I have a lot more fun for a lot less money. He shoots a combination of 22's and 17's. The centerfires are fine, but you have to be careful of the residences in the area. Bring lot's of jerky and some cool refreshments, the bug spray is good too. He also claims that they like country music :rolleyes:
 
gitrdun said:
I take 3 rifles with me, all 22LR. I have a lot more fun for a lot less money. He shoots a combination of 22's and 17's. The centerfires are fine, but you have to be careful of the residences in the area.
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Actually, Ricochets are FAR more likely with Rimfires then with the 22 or 17 Centrefires when loaded with "varmint" bullets, tis a fact.
Just for those that may not know ;)
 
bladerogers said:
CG, with a quick glance at your avatar I thought it was a bird of some sort, but upon closer inspection, I see it is actually a 'gopher' with a 'bullet' in his mouth. *snickers*:evil:
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Oh Geez, don't get me started on that one! :D


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"Gophers"... Hey Ontario Guy....

Hmmm no one has mentioned to our Eastern friend yet... if you're comin all the way out here you'll have to hit the 'gopher museum' No I'm not kidding. I've actually never been there but apparently its all the rage. Is it still open? I'm not sure.... someday I'd like to go.


“There are animals that need saving,” she said. “But the gopher is not one of them.”

Boyles disagrees. “It shows a lack of respect to show animals this way. God put them on earth for a purpose.”
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emphasis mine... :evil:
I know their TRUE purpose! (Why else would God make so ####in many of them?)
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~gauntlet/eg/features/stories/torrington/torrington.html


Oh ya... and go early in the morning... wind always pics up in the afternoon on the Prairies and I don't have to tell you what that means... also cools down quick in the afternoons most days and unless the grass is real short they will have had their fill by 1 or 2 in the afternoon. I believe squirrels live for 'the afternoon Siesta'.
 
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One of the reasons they are gone is not totally the part of coyotes but as I heard it "they do eat their own" or at least drag them back into a gopher hole(and not necessarilly their own.)
.22 long rifle is a must but once the range is increased, .222, .223, .22-250, .243 and 6mm. Mind you, a .338 stops them in their tracks too but regardless you will have fun and make a number of friends in the process.
 
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