Radically Retired

Read My Sign … Bye-Bye Pesky Gophers

Written by

Terry

in

,

We’ve been overrun the past few years, and it’s to a point where they’re destroying crops and campgrounds.

This fella didn’t get the memo.

Comments

20 responses to “Read My Sign … Bye-Bye Pesky Gophers”

  1. Lana Avatar
    Lana

    Despite not having any gophers in the UK, we had Gordon the Gopher, a puppet who featured on the Saturday kids TV show “Going Live” in the late 80s early 90s. After hearing of your issues with them over there, I am glad we don’t get any!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      You’re fortunate not to have them, because, despite their cuteness, they’re total pests. Funny about Gordon. The mascot for our professional football team is Gainer the Gopher.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Edward Ortiz Avatar
    Edward Ortiz

    It has been a while since I last saw one. They can get out of control, for sure. I’m sorry to hear they’re destroying crops in your area.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      Thanks, Edward. Hopefully they’ll be under control soon. Have a great day!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Edward Ortiz Avatar
        Edward Ortiz

        You’re welcome, and yes! 🤞Have a great weekend, Terry.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Bernie Avatar
    Bernie

    The gopher population, especially in the southern portion of the prairies, is absolutely out of control. I think too many coyotes were culled. I have friends who have lost a 1/4 section of crop year after year. They go gopher hunting daily and get on average 250/day….let that sink in. They are literally chewing tunnels thru our road. Wr are lucky that a city guy likes to come stand in our driveway for hours and pluck them off and out of the field.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      Those numbers are mind boggling, Bernie. I can remember when I was a kid, that boys were paid for gopher tails, so am thinking they must have been bad then too. Our farmer friends are losing a lot of crop too. Apparently a big factor was the national banning of strychnine, and another, the droughts of the past few years. It’s a cycle that can’t end soon enough. Have a good day!

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      1. Bernie Avatar
        Bernie

        Yes the poison they give us now is not near as affective. I hadn’t realized the drought was a factor. When we bought our 1/4 section 17 years ago we had few gophers. 7 years ago it changed…when the drought started.. duh

        Liked by 1 person

  4. explorenewness Avatar
    explorenewness

    Haha! Pesky for sure! I hope the city gets the upper-hand on them soon! Today we were resting at a trailhead and some kids were commenting on how many chipmunks were running around. But I noticed some of those same kids were letting some of their potato chips drop to the ground. Food source – Duh! :o)

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      I hope they get controlled soon too, Lenore. I think there’s some progress in the city, at least, as I’m not seeing nearly as many on my walks. The farmers, on the other hand, are having an impossible time. Maybe chipmunks are in the same cycle, food source or not 🤷‍♀️. Enjoy your day!

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  5. Phil Strawn Avatar
    Phil Strawn

    Prairie Dogs are the worst; they build entire underground cities with utilities. I found one in the Marfa desert. Had for rent signs and lighting and a C Store.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      Haha, Phil! Your comment created a big visual in my mind’s eye. Have a great rest of your day!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Phil Strawn Avatar
        Phil Strawn

        Think about it, Prairie Dogs are earthical engineers. They plan and dig and route their little cities all over acres of land, so they are quite smart. A friend of mine has one as a pet and they are like a dog, only smaller and meaner.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Terry Avatar
        Terry

        Yep – earthical, but definitely “not” ethical 😎

        Like

  6. Mid-Life Mama Avatar
    Mid-Life Mama

    It’s curious how some species are declining in numbers while your experience with gophers is out of hand! I was unaware that they were able to completely destroy a campground. Hope this stops in your area.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      The even bigger concern, Elena, is their love of canola. Canola is one of the major crops in our area, so gophers can cause a lot of heartache in many areas. Thanks for your good wishes and have a great afternoon!

      Liked by 1 person

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  7. Chuckster Avatar
    Chuckster

    I’ve heard some municipalities have tried wind-up toy dinosaurs stationed at tunnel entrances, or plastic flamingos arranged in intimidating military formations. 🦫

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      Haha! I can see the gophers laughing as they chew a leg off any plastic enemy, Chuck. Have a fab afternoon!

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
  8. Betty Avatar
    Betty

    Destroying campgrounds!! Those dang gophers. I hope they learn how to read soon! Have a great day, Terry!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Terry Avatar
      Terry

      Some of the areas in our main campground are so inundated with large gopher holes that they’re dangerous for folks to walk around, Betty. I don’t know if the city would be liable for injuries or not. This campground is well known and popular because of its location alongside the river and the adjoining walking trails. We sure don’t want to lose our good reputation because of some pesky and prolific rodents. Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday!

      Liked by 1 person

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