striped gophers

[Tom7227]

There are a lot of the little buggers running around the estate and Cooper the Brit loves to check them out but seldom scores. I was prepared to leave well enough alone until I found a tunnel right up against the foundation. I don't want the little suckers in the house and I don't want the water that will follow their tunnel.

I have put out a rat trap with peanut butter and two of them have succumbed. How many are likely to use this run? I don't really want to have to start a collection to make a coat for the Mrs.

Thanks for your time.

Tom

[picksbigwagon]

I have used the rat trap PB very successfully, but I would hide the trap inside a diet coke 12 pack box cut in half. They like to scurry into small dark areas, especially ones that smell like PB. My record at or old house was 7 minutes from trap placement to SNAP

[gooty]

Take your fishing rod, grab a 12 pack and a lawn chair. Tie a slip loop on the end of your mono line, place around hole. Let out line, and sit back. Gopher pops his head up, set the hook!

[Archerysniper]

Take your fishing rod, grab a 12 pack and a lawn chair. Tie a slip loop on the end of your mono line, place around hole. Let out line, and sit back. Gopher pops his head up, set the hook!

+1 this is always a great time on the farm.

[123fish]

+2 but put the garden hose down the hole and turn it on and you will get quicker results.

[Tom7227]

#3 has taken the bait.

Too dam hot for the fishing rod trick.

Any idea how many there could be? I would guess there's 6-12 around the yard. Do they all nest in the same place? Do they all use the closest hole available when they have to skedaddle? I can start freezing them if any of you want the hides.

[TrophyBob]

A 410 works well.

[K_Josh87]

I was up to 13 before i left for up north last week... I have been using mostly the .17hmr... I have a 22 propped next the bedroom window, with the screen removed... I have cleaned 4 of them out this way... one day I just walked around with the 12ga. and shot 3 just walking in circles....

Deng things are nasty little hole diggers... anyone know what they do with the dirt from the tunnels????

[K_Josh87]

http://www.rodentblaster.com/

this looks to be very effective as well...

[Archerysniper]

+1 ^^^^^^^ Propane and oxygen injection also makes good redneck fun.

[K_Josh87]

now today i found a danged ol chuck has a hole dug under our shop slab... him and I had a discussion and got the .243 involved.... critters are infiltratin the premisis!

[BLACKJACK]

I used to be a live and let live guy until I found the little buggers digging by the house foundation, bringing up the rocks that are supposed to be there for drainage. I also use the rat traps with peanut butter. Two pieces of advice:

1) Start early in the spring, get the pregnant females, if you wait until this time of year, you're dealing with three times as many.

2) Put the traps in a box, like an old mailbox, in order to keep from catching birds. I learned the hard way, caught a hen pheasant, back when I was using the steel traps. I've made a couple of 16 inch boxes using 2x6's, slide the trap to the back. Works good on chipmunks too.

12 gauge is good too but my lab gets all worked up when I come out with the shotgun, I like the passive trapline approach, take my peanut butter jar, knife, and go check them every night. Throw carcasses in wood stove, so the dogs don't roll in stinking carcasses.