Pocket gophers driving me crazy

[Brad H.]

Somebody show me how to effectively catch these damn things! I've been using the standard trap that you stick in their tunnels, but they plug me up every time and set the trap off without getting caught. Who else has problems with me and can show me the best way to catch these critters?

[bk]

Apr 23, 2016 20:58:58 GMT -5 Brad H. said:

Somebody show me how to effectively catch these damn things! I've been using the standard trap that you stick in their tunnels, but they plug me up every time and set the trap off without getting caught. Who else has problems with me and can show me the best way to catch these critters?

Little buggers can get the best of you.  Just remember, you have a bigger brain.  

I use a trowel to dig out the mound.  Nine times out of ten there will be two tunnels leading away.  Open both of them up and put a trap in each.  I use a Lansboro GT100 or a Deathclutch.  Then I've found that if I cover the main hole with a board and just leave a small hole open to light and air movement the buggers will come back down the tunnel (you don't know from which way, so you need two traps) to plug the little opening you left and you usually get them.  Use some of the mound dirt to seal around the board except for your little hole.  This time of year you will sometime get one in each trap on a good day. Crafty or experienced gophers will plug you up.  I will reset three times and then switch to the other kind of trap.  Good luck and give a shout if you want a demonstration.

[Brad H.]

So you dig out the mound? I was always told to probe around the mound for their tunnel. And then dig. The mound sure makes more sense.

[bk]

Yup, dig out the mound.  You will often find a pair of little, darker colored circles where the soil is damper than the surrounding soil.  Dig those out as best you can and you are in the actual tunnels. Do not be afraid to grab a shovel and dig out the mound area.  Just makes sure you have something to cover it all up but your little air / light hole.  A board, or if you have to really dig a serious hole, a piece of cardboard will make a great cover.  
Don't know if it is just my theory or not, but I think they come to block the light and in trying to get through / past the trap get caught.
Trying to just set in tunnels is hard  in my experience as you don't know what direction they are coming from and tend to get lots of packed traps and empty snaps.  That will happen with the mound dig as well, but I haven't been beat by a gopher with this technique.  Good luck!

[Brad H.]

Well lookie there! Thanks for the tips bk. I think part of the issue was that I wasn't pushing the trap far enough into the tunnel, so he'd grab a big pile of dirt and plug my trap. Anyone know what size board a pocket gopher fits on?

[shawn]

Nice job. Is there a bounty on them there?

[Brad H.]

Apr 25, 2016 15:21:57 GMT -5 shawn said:

Nice job. Is there a bounty on them there?

Some farmers will pay a bounty for them, but I just do it on my own land. I've had the little buggers cut out my internet in the middle of winter before, which doesn't work well for me since I work from home online, so keeping them tamed down helps a paycheck keep coming through the door.

And honestly, it's kind of a fun way to stay sharp during the off season.

[shawn]

I've never tried to catch them before. I haven't had a reason. I've lived in town for over 20 years and they don't dig through asphalt or concrete to well.

[bk]

Good job, Brad H.  That one looks big enough for a meal. 

Glad to see the Death clutch trap worked for you.  Putting it down in the tunnel works.  Keep trapping.


No idea what size board you need.