Gophers Galore

[Cade]

A friend and I decided to make a run for a ground squirrel shoot. Going to a spot which is about 2hr 15 minute drive. We left at 7am and when we got there we had to find a station that sold gopher permits, Yes I said Gopher permit. Have to have one where we went. Following the ownership map on the Garmin we found a big open expanse that looked and reminded me of some prairie dog towns. Gophers up the ying yang as the little ones were out also. I had never on any videos or in person seen this many gophers in one area. We were both shooting 22's for the most part and I had a 17 HMR and Tom had a 204 as extra rifles. They were popping up so close to the car that they were just a big blur in the scopes. My best string without a miss was 14, we had multiple doubles and Tom got a triple. I would say I was shooting 8 to 10 gophers or more every 15 minutes or less. Shot nearly a brick of 22's plus about 60 17 HMR's. The shooting was utterly fantastic. We had a video camera with us but nobody to run it as we were to busy. Bud did manage to get a couple of stills.
We had to leave at 3pm as we had to be home by six.
Chomping at the bit to go back.

 

[montana_native]

I've got more or less exclusive access to three sections of pasture that is infested with gophers. I don't know if it's as active as what you describe, but it sure is fun!

Congrats!

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Cade - I've always maintained that shooting sage rats (gophers, squirrels, chucks and prairie dogs) is absolutely the most fun a guy can have with a rifle! And right now is the peak of "rat season", my favorite time of year.

Glad you were able to get out and have your way with the rats.

 

[CaptainMal]

Looks like fun.

That's one of the "bummers" about Florida. No varmints like groundhogs, gophers, prairie dogs etc.

 

[searcher]

Because of the "warm" and early spring, there were record numbers out this year for sure!