Less AB Gophers This Year?

Most females are staying underground with their babies. The warmer weather allowed an earlier mating period. So look for many above ground in about 6 weeks after the babies make their appearance.
 
really ? i d like to kill more then one !! there s no prairies up north is there ? What i meant is how can i find someone who will let me shoot gophers on his land ?
 
Went out near Lomond on Sunday and didn't see too many gophers. Still enough for two new rifles to score but not much for real action.

The little ones are starting to come out but sure are small still. Hell of a challenge cuz it screws with the yardage estimates.

Best part of the trip though was seeing a nesting pair of burrowing owls. That really made my day!
 
Because of late spring, the early season gophers only made a brief appearance. They will be up in droves come early to mid June.
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This is my theory as well, this time last year I had been out 4 or 5 weekends already but so far this spring I have been out only twice and it was cold and miserable both times. Talk to any farmer or rancher and they will assure you that this time last year they had more seeding done or that the pastures were further along. The ranchers where I shoot are still feeding cattle cause the grass has not grown enough yet, lots of moisture, just not enough hot days to get the grass growing.

Don't give up just book a few fridays off in June.
 
I figure they froze to death due to... you guessed it!! CLIMATE CHANGE! We can't remember ever having such a cold long winter here. Snowed again yesterday, hope it stops soon. I hear there's good gopher patches on the fruited plains of Southern Alberta though.
 
hairless tigger said:
I figure they froze to death due to... you guessed it!! CLIMATE CHANGE! We can't remember ever having such a cold long winter here. Snowed again yesterday, hope it stops soon. I hear there's good gopher patches on the fruited plains of Southern Alberta though.
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You mean Global Warming. Brrrrrr.


It's been a good 10 years anyways since we've seen a Winter like this last one. Next Winter will be the same and the one after that. I figure we're settling back into our regular cycle now, and that means wet weather. Rain drowns the little bastards and saves my barrel from getting worn down. If your planning on shooting gophers in the next few years, you best start scouting out some high ground. I expect the wet to start soon, and after that anything down hill is toast.
 
My son and myself went out this week and it sure was cold and windy. But we did average over 100 a day. Late morning til early evening. Going out again in a couple weeks by myself, and camp out in the pastures.( I have a travel van ) Trusty 1936 Marlin bolt and 1947 Mossy semi auto by my side.
 
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