• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

I've never seen a gopher do this before

NorCalMikie said:
Gopher? Looks like a "ground squirrel" to me. They will even climb trees.
Click to expand...
What we call "gophers" are Richardson's ground squirrels. I've shot thousands of them, and have never seen one anywhere near a tree.
There are lots of other species not as wide spread as Richardson's. Which type have you seen climb in trees?
We have a few Franklin's around here, and they love brushpiles, but I've never seen one more than maybe a foot or two off the ground.
 
I think that is perhaps a learned thing among some populations of them, on one ranch I shoot it is not uncommon to see them on fenceposts or sitting/standing on top of a sagebrush.

A few years ago before cellphone cameras were common. I was shooting my 223 with 40 gr Nosler BT and I shot a large gopher (ground squirrel) at about 100 yds that was standing on top of a sagebrush. It took off the upper half of his body but the lower half was still sitting there grasping the sagebrush branch, one of those times when I wish that I would have had a camera.
I have never been able to figure out the dynamics of how that could happen.

drover
 
Two or three years ago in the Colorado San Juan Mountains, sitting quietly in a place surrounded by large rocks and some low brush, no more than about 5 feet high. After some time some ground squirrels started coming out, first one and then some more. At first they'd come out for a brief time and then disappear but after me sitting very still for a while longer they'd pretty much ignore me and just forage around very close, like a few feet away. I had no gun though (at least not near enough) so it was just entertainment.
 
drover said:
I think that is perhaps a learned thing among some populations of them, on one ranch I shoot it is not uncommon to see them on fenceposts or sitting/standing on top of a sagebrush.

A few years ago before cellphone cameras were common. I was shooting my 223 with 40 gr Nosler BT and I shot a large gopher (ground squirrel) at about 100 yds that was standing on top of a sagebrush. It took off the upper half of his body but the lower half was still sitting there grasping the sagebrush branch, one of those times when I wish that I would have had a camera.
I have never been able to figure out the dynamics of how that could happen.

drover
Click to expand...
drover, agree, and have seen similar events here with the Belding's.

Your sagebrush sitting rat must have had a very tight grip with his little feet on the sage, so when the bullet severed his upper half, his death-grip was enough for the lower half to remain perched. That must have been quite the sight.

Sometimes I ponder how many cool events were missed when out in the wild when we didn't have a camera with us, and prior to cellphone cameras. No excuses now! ;)
 
Gopher or ground squirrel, I’ve seen several standing up on stumps or logs. They also run across the gravel roads right in front of the truck like kamikazes with a death wish. Our cat kills them for dinner and sometimes just for sport.
 
JFrank said:
Gopher or ground squirrel, I’ve seen several standing up on stumps or logs. They also run across the gravel roads right in front of the truck like kamikazes with a death wish. Our cat kills them for dinner and sometimes just for sport.
Click to expand...
In Alberta they're officially Richardson's Ground Squirrels, but many people call them gophers out of habit.

When I lived in Ontario we had the same ground hogs they get in the NE US. We called them gophers too. So when I moved to Alberta and a buddy took me out to shoot "gophers" I thought "what the heck?!?!", we're are the adults?
 
Jonnyofalltrades said:
My son was on a photography expedition to Grasslands National Park last week, and sent me this photo.
Has anyone else seen a gopher do this?
AcccelR8, you sort of inspired me. View attachment 1677504
Click to expand...
My Wife and I were driving around yesterday in the Sandhills of N.D. shooting Gophers. We haven't did it in years. She was shooting a 17HMR and I was shooting a 10/22. We must of shot close to 30 of them. Just driving down the Prairie trails and turning the pickup sideways. Every one we shot was a 13 stripper. And yes it is legal to do.

I have shot 1000's of Gophers. I have shot them off rocks and dirt mounds. But never see one on top of a fence post. Nice action shot
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Classified Ads

Forum statistics

Threads
165,777
Messages
2,202,233
Members
79,089
Latest member
babysteel45

Share This Page

Back
Top