Along HWY and ramps is a popular place as well, in the GTA. Then there is always the Don River land. Sadly shooting in these places tends to get you tossed in a cell.
I've seen foxes, a few coyotes, and geese in the same places.
Gophers
- Thread starter SUPER TENERE
- Start date
Along HWY and ramps is a popular place as well, in the GTA. Then there is always the Don River land. Sadly shooting in these places tends to get you tossed in a cell.
I've seen foxes, a few coyotes, and geese in the same places.
138 today, and maybe a couple dozen "probables." It was a weird day. After 3 hours I only had about 60. The weather was right, just the little buggers wouldn't play along. I'd see them scampering around a field, but by the time I moved to within range... Nothing. They'd mostly gone to ground. Then around 5:30, BOOM! They woke up and without having to move around much at all I dropped the rest in about an hour.
Had my 795 out for the first time this season. I was impressed with its accuracy and reliability out of the box last year, even with the 25 round Pro-Mag mags. So over the winter, I redid it a bit to improve the ergo and trigger.
Boyds thumbhole stock. Man, really like the feel of this stock. Easy to point off-hand or shoot prone from a bipod. It just puts your hands where they need to be and the cheek weld for a scope is awesome.
Dip trigger and trigger guard. The trigger on the 795 was pretty awful. I find almost all North Am rimfire triggers terrible - and yes, that includes the "I wish it was banished from the face of the earth for fooling people into thinking it's a good trigger" gawdawful Savage Lawyer Action Trigger. The Dip trigger got rid of the creep, and now it's quite crisp. And the plastic trigger guard just seemed chintzy on the Boyds stock.
I have the parts for two more mods - McArbo spring kit to really dial in that trigger. It's very good now, but I'm aiming for awesome. And the Dip charging handle. I bought the Dip charging handle at the same time as the guard and trigger kit, because "why not, in for a penny, in for a pound." Running the gun heavily this afternoon, and yah, the factory charging handle needs to go. It's just a wee bit small, and not comfortable to operate.
Also on the list of upgrade: A better scope and slight lower rings to get the scope closer to the bore axis. The angle of this pic makes the height over bore look worse than it actually is, but I like to have the objective lens basically touching the bore - makes it easier to dial in a good base zero the get effective shots further out without having to worry about holdover. The Bushnell is a good scope for the price, but that was a budget price. I bought the 795 for $175 on sale, and was basically making a budget knockabout to save wear and tear on my CZ-452 Lux (which still rules my rimfire roost, in terms of accuracy), so I didn't want to drop too much on a scope. But the accuracy of the gun just far exceeded my expectations, and I'm finding myself using it so constantly, that I want as clear an optic as possible. This gun is worthy of a Leupold.
Had my 795 out for the first time this season. I was impressed with its accuracy and reliability out of the box last year, even with the 25 round Pro-Mag mags. So over the winter, I redid it a bit to improve the ergo and trigger.
Boyds thumbhole stock. Man, really like the feel of this stock. Easy to point off-hand or shoot prone from a bipod. It just puts your hands where they need to be and the cheek weld for a scope is awesome.
Dip trigger and trigger guard. The trigger on the 795 was pretty awful. I find almost all North Am rimfire triggers terrible - and yes, that includes the "I wish it was banished from the face of the earth for fooling people into thinking it's a good trigger" gawdawful Savage Lawyer Action Trigger. The Dip trigger got rid of the creep, and now it's quite crisp. And the plastic trigger guard just seemed chintzy on the Boyds stock.
I have the parts for two more mods - McArbo spring kit to really dial in that trigger. It's very good now, but I'm aiming for awesome. And the Dip charging handle. I bought the Dip charging handle at the same time as the guard and trigger kit, because "why not, in for a penny, in for a pound." Running the gun heavily this afternoon, and yah, the factory charging handle needs to go. It's just a wee bit small, and not comfortable to operate.
Also on the list of upgrade: A better scope and slight lower rings to get the scope closer to the bore axis. The angle of this pic makes the height over bore look worse than it actually is, but I like to have the objective lens basically touching the bore - makes it easier to dial in a good base zero the get effective shots further out without having to worry about holdover. The Bushnell is a good scope for the price, but that was a budget price. I bought the 795 for $175 on sale, and was basically making a budget knockabout to save wear and tear on my CZ-452 Lux (which still rules my rimfire roost, in terms of accuracy), so I didn't want to drop too much on a scope. But the accuracy of the gun just far exceeded my expectations, and I'm finding myself using it so constantly, that I want as clear an optic as possible. This gun is worthy of a Leupold.
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138 today, and maybe a couple dozen "probables." It was a weird day. After 3 hours I only had about 60. The weather was right, just the little buggers wouldn't play along. I'd see them scampering around a field, but by the time I moved to within range... Nothing. They'd mostly gone to ground. Then around 5:30, BOOM! They woke up and without having to move around much at all I dropped the rest in about an hour.
Had my 795 out for the first time this season. I was impressed with its accuracy and reliability out of the box last year, even with the 25 round Pro-Mag mags. So over the winter, I redid it a bit to improve the ergo and trigger.
Boyds thumbhole stock. Man, really like the feel of this stock. Easy to point off-hand or shoot prone from a bipod. It just puts your hands where they need to be and the cheek weld for a scope is awesome.
Dip trigger and trigger guard. The trigger on the 795 was pretty awful. I find almost all North Am rimfire triggers terrible - and yes, that includes the "I wish it was banished from the face of the earth for fooling people into thinking it's a good trigger" gawdawful Savage Lawyer Action Trigger. The Dip trigger got rid of the creep, and now it's quite crisp. And the plastic trigger guard just seemed chintzy on the Boyds stock.
I have the parts for two more mods - McArbo spring kit to really dial in that trigger. It's very good now, but I'm aiming for awesome. And the Dip charging handle. I bought the Dip charging handle at the same time as the guard and trigger kit, because "why not, in for a penny, in for a pound." Running the gun heavily this afternoon, and yah, the factory charging handle needs to go. It's just a wee bit small, and not comfortable to operate.
Also on the list of upgrade: A better scope and slight lower rings to get the scope closer to the bore axis. The angle of this pic makes the height over bore look worse than it actually is, but I like to have the objective lens basically touching the bore - makes it easier to dial in a good base zero the get effective shots further out without having to worry about holdover. The Bushnell is a good scope for the price, but that was a budget price. I bought the 795 for $175 on sale, and was basically making a budget knockabout to save wear and tear on my CZ-452 Lux (which still rules my rimfire roost, in terms of accuracy), so I didn't want to drop too much on a scope. But the accuracy of the gun just far exceeded my expectations, and I'm finding myself using it so constantly, that I want as clear an optic as possible. This gun is worthy of a Leupold.
I assuming a clearly defendable self defence shooting.
Nice rifle grelmar. I should spend a couple bucks on my Stainless 795. Got the Mcarbo spring kit which helped a lot but that stock is nice. Another guy I know tells me he shot 1600 gophers in 2 days last week down Oldman River Dam way. Told him BS. But he insists no BS. Never heard of anyone getting that many for years. Says he figured it out not by counting them but by kill ratio and rounds spent. With 2 of us counting a few weeks ago, we lost count after 250. Sounds like a #### measuring contest to me.
I assuming a clearly defendable self defence shooting.
He was coming right at me!
The numbers are off the charts this year. Mild winter, early spring... They're up and tearing fields apart. For the first time in years the Canola guys are rumbling about poisoning, out of fear of losing crops. They all hate poisoning, because they "get it" in terms of the larger impact it has on coyotes and birds of prey. But there's a sense that the numbers are way past the tipping point where just shooting them is going to have a noticeable effect on the population, and guys are worried about losing crops.
The Boyds stock is really nice, makes for a nicer gun to shoulder. Its a fair bit heavier than the factory stock, but that helps with holding things steady, and its so well balanced you don't really notice it. The Dip trigger is great, and I suspect if I swap in the McArbo springs it will take it to another level. But we're "in the season" now, so my temptation to tinker with a great rig is a bit limited - don't want to take the gun out of the rotation for any length of time.
Just returned, 4 days shooting. Shooting not as fast paced as last year, more wind & overcast. 2 things gophers dislike. Still shot a lot & had a good time (6 brickes of Yellow Jackets in my CZ and 2+ bricks in my 10-22/W VQ parts.) Partner shot about 6 bricks and his son shot with us 1 day 1 1/2 bricks. We were so close to US border we had to make sure are shots stayed in Canada.
Was out today for a few hrs. Pasture I've shot before, but the grass has grown like crazy. Gophers chirping all over, hard to see. Got some to stand up with the call. Managed 63 with a bonus magpie. The magpie was in a bit of a hurry to start feeding on a dead gopher. Musta thought he'd died and gone to heaven, and by the power vested in my gun, so it came to pass. Still had part of his last meal in his beak. Wasn't more than 60 yrds.
Thats why a semi is the way to go in Alberta for gophers with fast follow up shots. Had my new Lever Henry out yesterday for the 1st time. Very impressive little rifle even with a cheap 4x on it. Tagged about 25 with it and another 25 or so with my Stainless Delux Sporter 1022. My pal shot another 60 with his Browning semi. Waiting for a recoil spring for my main Go To gopher gun, my Stainless 795 Marlin. By the way blue 795s on sale right now at Bass Pro here for $169.
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Was out today for a few hrs. Pasture I've shot before, but the grass has grown like crazy. Gophers chirping all over, hard to see. Got some to stand up with the call. Managed 63 with a bonus magpie. The magpie was in a bit of a hurry to start feeding on a dead gopher. Musta thought he'd died and gone to heaven, and by the power vested in my gun, so it came to pass. Still had part of his last meal in his beak. Wasn't more than 60 yrds.
^Quote of the day. lol Love the biblical lean.
Got out today. Too windy. Spent the entire afternoon wandering around to get a little over a dozen (and with the wind... I'm not going to say how many rounds went downrange to manage that total).
Still, a bad day shooting gophers beats a good day at the office.
Still, a bad day shooting gophers beats a good day at the office.
Looking to go out and shoot gophers for the first time this year. Unfortunately, I don't have any friends with land or a farm nearby. Got any suggestions as to where I should go exploring by Calgary? I'd love to help
Chris
Thats something you have to cultivate over time. Make friends, preferably with farmers and ranchers that have gophers.
Looking to go out and shoot gophers for the first time this year. Unfortunately, I don't have any friends with land or a farm nearby. Got any suggestions as to where I should go exploring by Calgary? I'd love to help
Chris
I suspect the process out there is the same as it is here in Ontario. Drive around, knock on doors, chat with land owners to see if they're receptive to the idea of having you shoot gophers (Groundhogs here) on their property. Make sure to mention that it's all you hope to shoot on their property, will call ahead if the land owner prefers...leave gates on the property the way you found them, etc. etc. I also mention what I plan to shoot them with. Also helps, in my opinion, to not have an expectation to shoot the day you're there...but it doesn't hurt to have the gear in the trunk.
If it's a target-rich area, access to neighboring properties might come easy if you prove yourself to be safe/responsible etc.Xopher, Google earth is a valuable asset. You can locate pastures that are full of gopher mounds. Print off a screen shot, grab a rm map a or use gps and go visit. Remember that a first impression is all you get with people. The sideways hat won't cut it. No graphic t shirt, nor a Rambo outfit. It's much like a job interview, but casual. Eye contact is important, leave the sunglasses in the vehicle. Pet the dog that comes to greet you. It's a lot to expect from a landowner to let a total stranger with a gun loose on their property, that they've spent a lifetime building.
Pretty much this. Also helps if you're an early riser and know where the old boy farmers go for breakfast. Most small towns will have a hole-in-the-wall diner/cafe that is almost the exclusive terrain of the locals. Old widower farmers/ranchers will meet up there for breakfast a few times a week. It's one of those "be patient" approaches, because you'll have to eat there a bunch of times before even the waitress will give you a straight answer about the time of day. Not in a mean way, they're just cautious.
Also, hang out at the outdoor ranges like CDTSA and the small town ranges and do some shooting. A lot of guys who do have access, won't offer to get you to join them until they've seen you shoot and know you're a) not an idiot with a gun and b) not some hyped up tactical ninja.
Just got back from an excellent day in the field with the Dad. New farm, very nice family, they were quite happy to have us there thinning the "herd".
No pics of the carnage, and I lost count after the first few reloads as they were everywhere and I couldn't reload quick enough! There were a couple different fields, with gophers, and we stayed on a single one the whole day. Cattle and neighbors meant this location is basically rimfire only, which is OK by me! Dad shot just over 600 .17M2, a mix of Hornady and Eley, and 535 .22lr CCI MiniMags were sent on their way by myself. Both of us were shooting around 50%, but I cheated and broke out the Triggerstick tri-pod, average went up a lot! All in all, best guestimate, we figure ~600 gophers are leaving that farmers corn alone, permanently!
The owner said we're welcome back anytime...
Wednesday I'm going back for seconds...
No pics of the carnage, and I lost count after the first few reloads as they were everywhere and I couldn't reload quick enough! There were a couple different fields, with gophers, and we stayed on a single one the whole day. Cattle and neighbors meant this location is basically rimfire only, which is OK by me! Dad shot just over 600 .17M2, a mix of Hornady and Eley, and 535 .22lr CCI MiniMags were sent on their way by myself. Both of us were shooting around 50%, but I cheated and broke out the Triggerstick tri-pod, average went up a lot! All in all, best guestimate, we figure ~600 gophers are leaving that farmers corn alone, permanently!
The owner said we're welcome back anytime...
Wednesday I'm going back for seconds...
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