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Pocket Gopher Eradication (PICS?Graphic) Update 1
Old-Colts
Member Posts: 22,697 ✭✭✭
Since I was about 6 years old and started hunting with my father; I've gotten that primal urge to go hunting when the first hint of cool weather arrived; even if I was downtown San Diego! It has been that way every year until fall of 2010 when I was somewhat stunned that the feeling didn't flood over me that first cool morning. Thinking it was a fluke I figured that the feeling would return the next fall (2011); it didn't, so at age 66 I didn't go hunting for the first time since we've been back in East Texas. However, not to be deterred, I've found a great substitute; it takes many of the same hunting skills as deer hunting, but I don't have to go out before daylight and stay until after dark, I don't have to sight in a rifle, I don't have to dress in 14 layers of clothing to stay warm, I don't have to wear camouflage and a blaze orange vest, I don't have to sit perfectly still for hours on end, I don't have to worry about being up to my waist in deer guts and blood, and I don't have to worry about idiots thinking I'm a deer and shooting at me if I move!
My new preferred big game; Pocket Gophers! [:I] Seems a couple of the little bastages decided that the grass was greener on our side of the County Road. I didn't mind too much when they stayed down near the woods, but when they encroached on my yard; they had to go! While camouflage clothing isn't necessary, I have to show great patience. We live outside the city limits in the country, but there are houses near enough that bullets aren't a good idea. I could use poison pellets, but that's no challenge; so, my eradication tool of choice; a trusty old rode hard and put away wet, poorly refinished S&W Victory Model loaded with 38 Snake Loads.
PB Picture removed.
Whenever I feel like it, year-round, I go out with the S&W on my hip and perform a perimeter patrol. The first thing I had to do was learn and develop specialized Pocket Gopher hunting skills; you have to stand perfectly still so they don't sense any vibrations from walking, moving, etc. The key is locating a fresh mound of dirt that he is using as his main entrance/exit hole. When I went after my first one I used my foot to slide some dirt back in the hole and I loosely closed it figuring if he was still near the exit he would eventually try to clear the hole. I backed off about 10-15 feet from the covered hole and stood very still and waited to see if it would try to move the dirt. After about 15 minutes of standing there I saw the dirt move up a little, then down, so it was still there, but then nothing. After about 15 minutes more it again moved the dirt up a little, but still didn't try to clear the dirt out. After about another 15 minutes it started moving the dirt in earnest and as soon as I saw fur I fired and got him; I saw it twitch a little down in the hole, so I fired again, just in case. Here is the result of my "Great White Hunter" skills; check out those front claws!!!!!!!
PB Picture removed.
PB Picture removed.
There's one more trying to encroach on my yard and I've shot at him once; but I didn't have enough patience to wait for him to be sufficiently above the dirt and while I'm sure he felt the sting of the shot, the dirt probably scrubbed off enough energy from the shot that it didn't harm him; he's still active! I could use one of my Winchester Model 12's, but that might be overkill! I've always wanted something like an old Stevens SXS 410, so this is a good excuse to get one! A 410 should dig into the dirt enough and have sufficient energy left to kill the little bastage!
For those that are bound to ask; no, I didn't eat the little bastage nor do I intend to eat any of them in the future. However, if I kill a few thousand I might have a coat made for my wife! [;)][:D]
Oh, yeah, one more thing, I can Gar-Ron-Damn-Tee you; that particular little bastage won't be alright! [:0]
UPDATE 1: Well, the last Pocket Gopher standing on our property survived another round this afternoon. [:(!] I found fresh evidence of him clearing his exit hole so I pushed the dirt over it, stepped back about 10 feet, and me and my trusty old S&W began the wait to see if he would try to clear it. Sure enough, after about 15-20 minutes I saw the grass in front of the loosely filled hole start to shake. After it started to shake continuously I couldn't hold off any longer and fired. Once again I didn't have enough patience to wait until I saw fur; I thought he was close enough to the surface that I was sure to get him; I was wrong. [:(] However, I did learn something, his tunnel ran back towards me so he was actually still pretty far underground, so next time I'll check the tunnel direction and align myself so that when I fire the shot will actually travel down into the tunnel where he is; that and I'm going out and buying a cheap 410 or 20 gauge shotgun; screw the little bastage!!!!! [}:)] I know he felt the sting of the shot again, but too much energy was scrubbed off the snake shot by the dirt and grass. Hopefully, the third time will be the charm! [8D]
My new preferred big game; Pocket Gophers! [:I] Seems a couple of the little bastages decided that the grass was greener on our side of the County Road. I didn't mind too much when they stayed down near the woods, but when they encroached on my yard; they had to go! While camouflage clothing isn't necessary, I have to show great patience. We live outside the city limits in the country, but there are houses near enough that bullets aren't a good idea. I could use poison pellets, but that's no challenge; so, my eradication tool of choice; a trusty old rode hard and put away wet, poorly refinished S&W Victory Model loaded with 38 Snake Loads.
PB Picture removed.
Whenever I feel like it, year-round, I go out with the S&W on my hip and perform a perimeter patrol. The first thing I had to do was learn and develop specialized Pocket Gopher hunting skills; you have to stand perfectly still so they don't sense any vibrations from walking, moving, etc. The key is locating a fresh mound of dirt that he is using as his main entrance/exit hole. When I went after my first one I used my foot to slide some dirt back in the hole and I loosely closed it figuring if he was still near the exit he would eventually try to clear the hole. I backed off about 10-15 feet from the covered hole and stood very still and waited to see if it would try to move the dirt. After about 15 minutes of standing there I saw the dirt move up a little, then down, so it was still there, but then nothing. After about 15 minutes more it again moved the dirt up a little, but still didn't try to clear the dirt out. After about another 15 minutes it started moving the dirt in earnest and as soon as I saw fur I fired and got him; I saw it twitch a little down in the hole, so I fired again, just in case. Here is the result of my "Great White Hunter" skills; check out those front claws!!!!!!!
PB Picture removed.
PB Picture removed.
There's one more trying to encroach on my yard and I've shot at him once; but I didn't have enough patience to wait for him to be sufficiently above the dirt and while I'm sure he felt the sting of the shot, the dirt probably scrubbed off enough energy from the shot that it didn't harm him; he's still active! I could use one of my Winchester Model 12's, but that might be overkill! I've always wanted something like an old Stevens SXS 410, so this is a good excuse to get one! A 410 should dig into the dirt enough and have sufficient energy left to kill the little bastage!
For those that are bound to ask; no, I didn't eat the little bastage nor do I intend to eat any of them in the future. However, if I kill a few thousand I might have a coat made for my wife! [;)][:D]
Oh, yeah, one more thing, I can Gar-Ron-Damn-Tee you; that particular little bastage won't be alright! [:0]
UPDATE 1: Well, the last Pocket Gopher standing on our property survived another round this afternoon. [:(!] I found fresh evidence of him clearing his exit hole so I pushed the dirt over it, stepped back about 10 feet, and me and my trusty old S&W began the wait to see if he would try to clear it. Sure enough, after about 15-20 minutes I saw the grass in front of the loosely filled hole start to shake. After it started to shake continuously I couldn't hold off any longer and fired. Once again I didn't have enough patience to wait until I saw fur; I thought he was close enough to the surface that I was sure to get him; I was wrong. [:(] However, I did learn something, his tunnel ran back towards me so he was actually still pretty far underground, so next time I'll check the tunnel direction and align myself so that when I fire the shot will actually travel down into the tunnel where he is; that and I'm going out and buying a cheap 410 or 20 gauge shotgun; screw the little bastage!!!!! [}:)] I know he felt the sting of the shot again, but too much energy was scrubbed off the snake shot by the dirt and grass. Hopefully, the third time will be the charm! [8D]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
Comments
,,,,what'd they score ??????[:D][:D]I think about .00003! [:D]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
could sense your heart beating! Probably just pulling my leg
but I did always have better luck backing off and using a 22.[:D]
How much dark meat is on one of those bruisers?I wouldn't know! [:D]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
My back yard was full of those rotten little rats this summer. I tried the poison, and I think it made 'em dig faster.
Dingo got four or five, bless his little heart.[^]
Next year there will be traps.
quote:Originally posted by cartod
How much dark meat is on one of those bruisers?I wouldn't know! [:D]
I guess thats a WV question..[:o)]
I was told as a kid that if you stood close to the hole, they
could sense your heart beating! Probably just pulling my leg
but I did always have better luck backing off and using a 22.[:D]Actually, I believe that has some validity. Seriously, based on what I've observed I think they can actually sense your heartbeat, cough, or even a growling stomach through your shoes to ground contact!!! That's why I try to stand as far away as my choice of weapons and ammo will allow.
I wish I could use a .22, but I'm afraid of ricochets.
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
Wonder if that would work on gopher holes?
You're hired!
My back yard was full of those rotten little rats this summer. I tried the poison, and I think it made 'em dig faster.
Dingo got four or five, bless his little heart.[^]
Next year there will be traps.We were Pocket Gopher free; they were on the other side of our County road until recently! I'd chuckle every time I'd see my neighbor across the road setting in a lawn chair, near a mound, with his single shot 20 gauge; they stayed shot when he pulled the trigger! [:D][:D]
Perhaps I need to go to one of my 16 gauge Model 12's! [^]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
Old -Colts,what county you live in? I'm in Anderson county and moles are plentiful here,but my weapon of choice is cats. Moles don't stand much of a chance around here with cats outside.Smith County.
We had a feral cat that lived in our woods and it seemed to thrive on things it caught. We never had these little bastages on our property as long as it was around, but it disappeared about a year ago and these things have now started to show up!
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
0ldColts--dats a 0ldSmiff [:0]Yep, it's old, about 1942-45 vintage.
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
You're hired!
My back yard was full of those rotten little rats this summer. I tried the poison, and I think it made 'em dig faster.
Dingo got four or five, bless his little heart.[^]
Next year there will be traps.Right now I only have one of these little pests left. Have gun and rat shot, will travel, just provide transportation! [:D]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
When I was a kid we trapped pocket gophers and put the claws in a jar of lime. Then you could take them to the courthouse where a perty, smellin' good lil' thang would spread them out on a newspaper to count (squeamishly) and give you 15 cents a pair as bounty.
XXXXXX
You're hired!
My back yard was full of those rotten little rats this summer. I tried the poison, and I think it made 'em dig faster.
Dingo got four or five, bless his little heart.[^]
Next year there will be traps blood.
fixed it [:D]
quote:
Originally posted by texdot
Old -Colts,what county you live in? I'm in Anderson county and moles are plentiful here,but my weapon of choice is cats. Moles don't stand much of a chance around here with cats outside.
get a yorkie, the little bastages will dig them up all day long if you let them. They are natural predator of rats, so this little critters are right up their alley!
quote:Originally posted by pingjockey
I was told as a kid that if you stood close to the hole, they
could sense your heart beating! Probably just pulling my leg
but I did always have better luck backing off and using a 22.[:D]
I can sit about 7 ft from the hole on a 4 wheeler with no problems. i guess the atv absorbs any movement.
Every year at the farm show there's a company that makes a propane gun for pocket gophers and prairie dogs. They have a great video. Probably on you tube also. Fills the tunnels with gas and then explodes.
When I was a kid we trapped pocket gophers and put the claws in a jar of lime. Then you could take them to the courthouse where a perty, smellin' good lil' thang would spread them out on a newspaper to count (squeamishly) and give you 15 cents a pair as bounty.
I've posted about this one before.
http://www.rodenator.com/pests-controls-videos-rodenators
O-C, good on you, many of the best hunting challenges are small.
quote:Originally posted by 50-70RB
Every year at the farm show there's a company that makes a propane gun for pocket gophers and prairie dogs. They have a great video. Probably on you tube also. Fills the tunnels with gas and then explodes.
When I was a kid we trapped pocket gophers and put the claws in a jar of lime. Then you could take them to the courthouse where a perty, smellin' good lil' thang would spread them out on a newspaper to count (squeamishly) and give you 15 cents a pair as bounty.I've posted about this one before.
http://www.rodenator.com/pests-controls-videos-rodenators
O-C, good on you, many of the best hunting challenges are small.Thanks, it is a challenge!!!!!!! [:)]
A while back I saw on our local news that a guy here in East Texas was using the injected gas and ignition system to take care of gophers. It was a hoot to watch and I kind of wondered if he ever miscalculated and was standing on a gas filled tunnel when he ignited it! [:0]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
quote:Originally posted by buffalobo
quote:Originally posted by 50-70RB
Every year at the farm show there's a company that makes a propane gun for pocket gophers and prairie dogs. They have a great video. Probably on you tube also. Fills the tunnels with gas and then explodes.
When I was a kid we trapped pocket gophers and put the claws in a jar of lime. Then you could take them to the courthouse where a perty, smellin' good lil' thang would spread them out on a newspaper to count (squeamishly) and give you 15 cents a pair as bounty.I've posted about this one before.
http://www.rodenator.com/pests-controls-videos-rodenators
O-C, good on you, many of the best hunting challenges are small.Thanks, it is a challenge!!!!!!! [:)]
A while back I saw on our local news that a guy here in East Texas was using the injected gas and ignition system to take care of gophers. It was a hoot to watch and I kind of wondered if he ever miscalculated and was standing on a gas filled tunnel when he ignited it! [:0]
One of the cousins who still farms full time uses one on the prairie dogs in his pastures. Said it makes him jump when standing over/near spot where burrow may be shallow.
Complains that not enough of us come out to shoot p-dogs anymore so he had to get one.
Am looking forward to trying to help him out this summer as our oldest grandson is coming of age that his mom will allow him to go p-dog hunting. Where he will learn that just cause they are small don't mean they are easy.
That and we done killed all the ones in our area.
One of the cousins who still farms full time uses one on the prairie dogs in his pastures. Said it makes him jump when standing over/near spot where burrow may be shallow.[:D][:D] Yep, I bet it does!!!!!!
As long as the Pocket Gopher numbers are low and manageable on our property I'll stick to my hunting methods, but if they start to expand a rodenator might be in my future; if nothing else, it would be fun! [8D][^]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
Backstrap tonight !!!! [;)]I'd probably need a magnifying glass and tweezers. [:D]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
quote:Originally posted by pingjockey
I was told as a kid that if you stood close to the hole, they
could sense your heart beating! Probably just pulling my leg
but I did always have better luck backing off and using a 22.[:D]Actually, I believe that has some validity. Seriously, based on what I've observed I think they can actually sense your heartbeat, cough, or even a growling stomach through your shoes to ground contact!!! That's why I try to stand as far away as my choice of weapons and ammo will allow.
I wish I could use a .22, but I'm afraid of ricochets.
Perhaps an elevated position would be advantageous? Or I could send my Golden Retriever Megan, she loves to hunt (eat) Gophers.
Almost as much fun as shooting carpenter bees with a High Standard revolver & 22 shotshells.Now that would be a hoot!!!! [:D]
quote:Originally posted by iceracerx
quote:Originally posted by Old-Colts
quote:Originally posted by pingjockey
I was told as a kid that if you stood close to the hole, they could sense your heart beating! Probably just pulling my leg but I did always have better luck backing off and using a 22.[:D]Actually, I believe that has some validity. Seriously, based on what I've observed I think they can actually sense your heartbeat, cough, or even a growling stomach through your shoes to ground contact!!! That's why I try to stand as far away as my choice of weapons and ammo will allow.
I wish I could use a .22, but I'm afraid of ricochets.Perhaps an elevated position would be advantageous? Or I could send my Golden Retriever Megan, she loves to hunt (eat) Gophers.Yes, an elevated position would be advantageous; or as was mentioned above, setting on a 4-Wheeler or in my case a Lawn Tractor would eliminate any transference of sound and make the long waits easier.
Megan sounds like a good remedy, but all of those 3 feet deep holes she'd leave in the yard might lessen the benefit! [:D]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
They looked kinda like the ones in your photo, except for the big front claws. They were basically mini prairie dogs, and lived in towns just like prairie dogs.
When we moved back to Wyoming in '03, I took my old pickup in to have the windshield replaced. They vacuumed and tidied up their customers' vehicles as a service, and when I picked up the truck they said there was maybe 25 pounds of .22 hulls undere the seats and in the door pockets, plus a 12 ga. husk or two.
Shootin' those little fellers was fun. For a while, we almost kept even with their breeding program.
I'm telling you OC, you need to step up and get a 9mm shotgun!! That's one fine critter getter!!I'll take a look at the 9MM Shotguns. With the 38 Snake Loads I've been trying the kinder gentler approach to killing the little bastages; but, now it's time to get serious. [:D] I need a beater 410 or 20 gauge (SXS or Single Shot) that I can plow a furrow with then stick it in the corner and only have to clean it once in a while. [^] I'd use one of my Model 12's, but I can't look at them without completely cleaning 'em. [:I]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
I think you need to break out the Barrett!Not a bad idea FCD; that way I could take out the Gopher and at the same time dig that water well I've been thinking about! [:D]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=269311223
Living on a ranch in south-central Montana years ago, we would kill gophers (picket pins, chiselers, pocket dogs, mini dogs, ground rats, etc.) by the dozens at a time. The little buggers would dig new towns all over the place. The ranch owners were beggin' us to kill the critters. It was a good time for us, and for the dog.
They looked kinda like the ones in your photo, except for the big front claws. They were basically mini prairie dogs, and lived in towns just like prairie dogs.
When we moved back to Wyoming in '03, I took my old pickup in to have the windshield replaced. They vacuumed and tidied up their customers' vehicles as a service, and when I picked up the truck they said there was maybe 25 pounds of .22 hulls undere the seats and in the door pockets, plus a 12 ga. husk or two.
Shootin' those little fellers was fun. For a while, we almost kept even with their breeding program.Wow, sounds like you had a killin' good time!!! 25 pounds of 22 hulls is one heck of a lot of 22 hulls! [8D]
Pocket Gophers are very territorial and solitary critters and I guess except for procreating they don't get along well with others. It appears that this one is the only one here; I don't know where his "Ho" is! [:D] Even though woods separate other houses from us in the direction I'd be shooting, they are close enough that I just don't feel comfortable using bullets in any caliber for fear of a ricochet. I could have probably ended this easily with a 22 pistol; or a 45 Colt. [:D]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
Not mine!! but something to get you started!!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=269311223Thanks for the link, those are neat little guns, but I think I want something less collectable and more capable of plowing a nice furrow through the little bastage's playground!!!!!!! I'm going out looking today; might even look at a Thompson Center Contender with a 45 Colt and a 410 barrel! [8D]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
Are those a special type of Gopher, I have never seen anything like it here.According to a couple of things I've read the Pocket Gopher is a true Gopher as opposed to some ground squirrels that are commonly referred to as Gophers. Now, I'm certainly not an expert on Gophers, so take that with a grain of salt. There are a bunch of different types that are part of the Pocket Gopher family; the ones I've pictured are referred to as Texas Pocket Gophers and they are common in Texas as well as areas of Mexico.
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
Not as much fun, but I just throw a hose in the highest hole, turn on the water and wait hrs. sometimes 24 hrs. for it to start bubbling up out of the lowest hole... Only on rare occasions do I have a confirmed kill, But 100% of the time I know I killed them allNope, not as much fun; but if it will *-R-Done, I might have to do that. However, I still like the idea of the Rodenator! [:D] [^]
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!