By Powder River Extension Agent Mary Rumph
The “stay at home” order might provide ag families with an additional labor source at home able to help trap pocket gophers this spring. With the warmer weather, I’ve noticed fresh pocket gopher mounds. If the adult females can be trapped now, before producing litters, the size of the infestation will be greatly reduced.
For a complete guide on controlling pocket gophers, please go to the Powder River Extension webpage, http://www.powderriver.msuextension.org, for the link to “Pocket Gopher Control Techniques” publication provided by the Montana Department of Agriculture. The MDA Vertebrate Pest Specialist, Stephan Vantassel, has authored the publication. He is also available for specific questions at svantassel @mt.gov or (406) 538-3004.
I’ll hit a few of the high points in this article. On average, a single pocket gopher occupies an area of about 2,000 square feet (0.05 acre). In ideal habitat, such as alfalfa meadows, they may number 30 or more per acre. Our resident population is the Northern pocket gopher. The good news is that they only breed once (perhaps twice) between March and June. Mated females give birth to five or six young in about 20 days. The next few weeks is an optimum time for control.
My preferred choice for control is trapping. I like the traps because you can see your effectiveness. Fortunately, there are a variety of traps, so I encourage you to try out different styles to see which you prefer to use. Success in trapping depends on the experience and knowledge of the users. I know there are very proficient pocket gopher trappers in Powder River County. Perhaps we should have a challenge on who can trap the most in a week?! It would be similiar to the coyote hunt. However, it would have to be on the honor system…I do not want or need to see the carcasses!
Traps are available at our local hardware store. My preference is a Victor trap, but many prefer the Macabee, Gophinator or some box style traps. Trap placement is hugely related to success. If you need more information on proper placement, please refer to the publications referenced earlier or work with an experienced trapper (respecting social distancing guidelines).
Traps should only be set at fresh mounds, which are easily identified. Using a probe, find the tunnel in the center of the fan shaped mound. Once the spot is identified, dig out until you reach the main tunnel. Then, follow the manufacturer’s directions for setting the traps you are using. Then, carefully, place the trap in the tunnel. Cover the hole with a large cow pie and some dirt so no light is allowed in. Otherwise, the pocket gopher may close off the tunnel without springing the trap.
Secure all traps with wire connected to a surveyor’s flag tall enough to ensure you can locate the trap. Do not use string or rope as pocket gophers will gnaw through them.
Check traps daily. Move traps to new locations if you have a capture or if they are undisturbed for two days. However, if you catch a young pocket gopher or nursing female (do not ask me to identify), reset in the location because others might be present. Don’t be surprised or discouraged if traps are frequently buried with soil. It is normal to make one capture in every three sets. Efficiency can improve with experience and training.
Please contact me at mrumph @montana.edu if you have questions or would like to put a bounty toward a Pocket Gopher Trapping Tournament!
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