Gophers

I seen them even out on this cold day around Olds. Playing in the snow. Easy to spot with some white on the ground. Not wanting to kill yet. I am allowing the population to get back up a bit.
 
We gotta hook up, Super Tenere.

I know a property that needs to get worked over a bit more than I have time to commit to it at the moment.
 
a few weeks back 6 of us went a little ways south of lethbridge and spent 6hrs shooting. everybody lost count but we figured it was 200+ that day. I'm thinking the gophers are out.
 
Last year out by Nanton i couldnt reload fast enough. Nothing like getting out of the truck to hear the wonderful endless "squeaks" and just see the fields moving on their own. :D
 
I know of 2 Ontario gopher-slayers that are AB-bound this spring. Some guy and his nephew. :) A one week gopher-safari, can't wait. There will be a gopher report, you have my word. :)
 
metalbender said:
Reading these posts, I'm starting to vibrate. Got to make a couple of calls.
Click to expand...

got good gopher land around here? there isnt much that i can find other than 1 pasture that is absolutely riddled with gophers. it usually keeps me busy for most of the year, but unless the cattle have been in there a lot, the grass starts to get pretty long near the end of the season.
 
.22LRGUY said:
I know of 2 Ontario gopher-slayers that are AB-bound this spring. Some guy and his nephew. :) A one week gopher-safari, can't wait. There will be a gopher report, you have my word. :)
Click to expand...

good luck! To me that would be more fun than a big game hunting trip if there were no gophers in my area. looking forward to the report.
 
metalbender said:
Reading these posts, I'm starting to vibrate. Got to make a couple of calls.
Click to expand...

You aren't the only one buddy! I'm going to have to give it a few more weeks, then make a trip down south and start scouting out a couple of fields and see what I can get for permission to shoot!

Last year was the first year in ages I got out for gophers, found two small patches that kept us busy for a couple of trips. Nothing like some of the shoots from 15ish years ago down south. One trip my uncle and two friends from Manitoba came out and met my dad south of Swift Current. I could only make it out for the last day, but they made a 3-day shoot out of it. When I arrived after them tearing up this field for 2 days I asked where they had been shooting the last couple of days, as it looked untouched there were so many moving around, until closer inspection revealed the little bits and pieces everywhere. Between the 5 of us we shot well over 7000 centerfire and about the same in rimfire. The Manitoba boys brought some fun toys too! .17rem, .223, .22-250, a couple .243wins, .264winmag, .270win, 7mm-08, a couple .300winmags, .22lr and I'm sure I'm forgetting some.

I doubt I'll ever get to do a trip like that again, but I recommend it to everyone to do at least once! That was too much fun! :p
 
Headed out today for a few hours and pounded a few with the 22-250. The 50gr Vmax give gophers wings! after about an hour switched over to the 17hmr and rifled through 75 rounds. Far too many gophers killed to count. The seasons here boys!!! Spring gophers, My favorite time of year.
Here's some pics for your viewing pleasure.

Clean in half with the tikka T3 22-250 and leica


My longest shot of the day at about 225 yrds



17 hmr lookin purdy on the fence

More 22-250 destruction

 
Last edited:
Picked up a .17HMR and took it out yesterday and today, can't see wanting to use a .22 again to hunt gophers, love this thing.
 
Its hard to find any gopher action around here (I think they must be on the en-dangerous species list here in MB). I might have to take a trip out west to see what this is all about.
 
MrSharp said:
Picked up a .17HMR and took it out yesterday and today, can't see wanting to use a .22 again to hunt gophers, love this thing.
Click to expand...

Ya, that is pretty much my feeling as well. 22lr is still nice to have in a pinch, but 17hmr is always my first choice. Center fire hands down 22-250 is awesome though I've really been thinking hard about a 17 hornet lately.
 
Trouble with center fire rifles on gophers is the noise they make. Not making you welcome in most places. Hard enough getting a place to knock a few off without alerting everyone around for 2 kms.
 
SUPER TENERE said:
Trouble with center fire rifles on gophers is the noise they make. Not making you welcome in most places. Hard enough getting a place to knock a few off without alerting everyone around for 2 kms.
Click to expand...

True, it's definitely good to be straight up with the land owners before you you shoot. I always ask if they mind a louder boom when I'm asking permission.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom