How to deal with burrows in field

[wolc123]

I got one once with my 5 ft brush hog. Them things are tough, darn near stalled my Ford 2000 . They can be dangerous to tractor operators as their underground homes have caused many a roll-over. Shooting them with a .22 cal centerfire hollow point is the best way to take them out. You can use a .22 rimfire but that will rarely put them down before they get back to their hole. There is no baits that I know that will coax them into a trap.

 

[dknarnd]

There is no baits that I know that will coax them into a trap.

Apples....they love apples!

 

[flusher]

A Remington 700 in .223 cal heavy barrel with a 12 power scope is all you need. Shoot 1/4 in groups at 100 yards with a bipod. Cabelas has the whole package. The 22-250 is a bit loud but can reach out further. I'm axious to try out my Barrett M99 on them too, but that piece will go right down into the burrow without taking any shortcuts. Probably not enough left for a dinner for 4 either, now that I think of it....

Better check with your neighbors before you start plinking gophers with your .22. Those slugs can travel a long way, even on a ricochet.

Around here we have 10-acre parcels. If someone tried to shoot gophers, ground squirrels, or jackrabbits, the locals would have the sheriff out here pronto.

 

[biker128pedal]

17 Cal Rem is also good. Its fast and quiet.

They are tough. I hit one with the sharp edge of a shovel in a stall one day and the thing came after me.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Better check with your neighbors before you start plinking gophers with your .22. Those slugs can travel a long way, even on a ricochet.

Around here we have 10-acre parcels. If someone tried to shoot gophers, ground squirrels, or jackrabbits, the locals would have the sheriff out here pronto.

Yes, but you're in the People's Republic of Kalifornia...

In my view the questions are (1) if it's legal to shoot where you live, and (2) if you know enough to shoot safely. If both are yes, then the worst that can happen is a friendly chat with a Deputy who will be glad to meet a nice person. If either one is no, don't take the risk.

If your land is such that you can't get a safe backstop (like having to shoot downhill on a slope) then either no shooting or possibly use a shotgun with intermediate shot like BB or #4 buck.

 

[shane]

I had a little brittney spaniel that worried the life out of every living creature for miles around. She not only ran off the ground hogs, but the deer, turkeys, rabbits, moles, you name. Man, that little dog had a lot of energy. All the critters eventually came back except the moles and groundhogs once she was gone.

 

[DrainPondDesign]

John Tab,

I see that you are also in NYS & since the holes are big enough for livestock to drop a leg into I will guess that you have woodchucks.

If your layout permits safe shooting then you or a local varmint hunter can get in some target practice. Note that high velocity bullets can be safer as they shatter on impact while a 22 rimfire will ricochet.

If you know a responsible young lad who you can trust then you are in a position to make his hunting dreams come true. Sure wish I lived near you when I was young.

I've also watched the ubiquitous NYS dairy farm border collie keep pastures chuck free by one keeping a chuck's attention while another sneaks up behind it. This just seems to come natural to these dogs & they are 24/7.

Good luck & good hunting

 

[Rara Avis]

I was out cutting one of my fields and noticed that there are lots of burrows scattered about. I was thinking of tilling the area on and around them. I'd like to turn the field into a pasture and am concerned about livestock stepping into the holes and breaking a leg. I'm not a good shot, explosives are out and I don't want to be like Bill Murray in Caddyshack. Any other suggestions?

If you're not going to shoot them...then try poison...
Check with local Ag Extension Rep for the hot ticket in your area...

 

[chrisjbell]

Yes, but you're in the People's Republic of Kalifornia...

Ah, so are we and folks in our neighborhood shoot stuff all the time. On the other hand, we are really lucky with our neighbors...

 

[63DH8]

You'll need five feet of cannon fuse, one pound of FFF black powder, a sheet of 3/4 inch plywood, and a bunch of bricks or anything else that's heavy.

Dig until you are into either the burrow or tunnel system. It's important that it's an active burrow or tunnel system. Dump the entire pound of black powder into the burrow, then insert the end of the fuse into the powder, then bury the powder. Run the fuse away from the burrow area. Now place the plywood on top of the are where the black powder was buried. Place the weight on the plywood. Now light the fuse and run like you have an enraged rabid cat chasing you!

I've done this three times since I moved here. The gophers/moles/rodents usually don't come back for at least five years, sometimes longer.