Gophers

[Drillbit]

G96's the Benelli's and dug out the old 10/22 today. Phase 2 of spring Action.

Sun was shining and had to hit the pastures/fields after all the melting.

First one of the year!

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y414/Drillbit/IMG_20140428_153639_zpsa130a567.jpg (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Drillbit/media/IMG_20140428_153639_zpsa130a567.jpg.html)

Was a great first day of the year. Easy 250-300 KerPlucks (roughly the sound it makes when a gopher is body shot).

Anybody else out doing any Lively-hood Protection?

[Drillbit]

Here's the B&C candidate of the day.

Hope a little blood doesn't bother anyone......it is a hunting site

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y414/Drillbit/IMG_20140428_162342_zpsfd687220.jpg (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Drillbit/media/IMG_20140428_162342_zpsfd687220.jpg.html)

[russm]

You killed 300 of them? Makes me wish I had a gopher problem that'd be fun!

[Drillbit]

You killed 300 of them? Makes me wish I had a gopher problem that'd be fun!

Oh it's fun alright! (the shooting them that is, not the damage they do) Probably my favourite season of the year, next to crows&ravens.

First day is always big-time. Plowed through 2 bricks of 22lr, and know from experience I roughly run at a 1/4 kill to shot ratio. I was "on" pretty good today though, lots of one shot kills, and they weren't trained up yet to the game and hung around, hence the 250+.

Gotta get them before the grass gets too high!

[Drillbit]

Here's a test vid from last year. Not sure if it'll work.

22-250 @ 70 yards.

Don't know how to edit out the snickers, had 2 rookies with me, first time they'd seen anything like it. In fact, one of them shot the hood of my truck a few minutes later.

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y414/Drillbit/th_Clip35_zpsd689e62e.jpg (http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y414/Drillbit/Clip35_zpsd689e62e.mp4)

[Aaron Evans]

Went out Saturday with my bow and a couple judos. Brst practice going.

[Drillbit]

Went out Saturday with my bow and a couple judos. Brst practice going.

There's a few great pockets up where you are but I figured the snow would still be deep.

Would be great bow practice for sure!

[albravo2]

I thought you needed a magnum for gophers.

Nice shot w/ the 22-250!

[Drillbit]

I thought you needed a magnum for gophers.

Nice shot w/ the 22-250!

Magnums!! Haha, thanks! Just like shooting Blueberries!

We've almost tried them all, up to a 375H&H. Have tried all kinds of bullets too. (Vmax, Varmageddon, Varmint Grenade)

The best, by far, for vapour & mist factor is a 243 with 58grn V-max Hornady's. The next best is the 22-250, I run 55 grn Vmax in that too.

Loaded 110HP's in a 7mm one year and it wasn't nearly as good. But, did kill 3 in one shot with it, and have it on video! If I can figure out how to get it off a DVD and post it I will.

[rocksteady]

Used to spend a tonne of time whacking them little whistle pigs......my favorite gopher property is now a subdivision... :(

[goatdancer]

My buddy and I went gopher terminating in Alberta a few years ago. Used a .223 and 22-250 with handloads provided by the two old guys who took us out. They had loaded up some super ammo that seemed to explode on contact. The effect was like the one shown in the video. If you hit them right you could make them do cartwheels on impact. It was a hoot.

[SPEYMAN]

Those look like Columbian Ground Squrrels that are a schedule B animal. They can only be killed if they are doing damage in British Columbia. Please check the regulations, I may be incorrect.

[Drillbit]

Those look like Columbian Ground Squrrels that are a schedule B animal. They can only be killed if they are doing damage in British Columbia. Please check the regulations, I may be incorrect.

Yep, Columbia Ground Squirrels. And Yep, they are doing damage to the pasture/hay fields (as stated in post 4).

They are Schedule B, but they are also listed in the open season for the Region I'm in:), NBL ,No Closed season. Private land only.

Thanks for the Heads-Up, but I've been playing this game for awhile:)

[Drillbit]

Anybody want the meat?

I'll send it on the bus, no problem. I'm not an "If you kill it, you must eat it" guy, but would be happy to share with anyone that would appreciate the meat.

There's a few great recipes online too.

http://www.cooks.com/recipe/sw8la527/gopher-stew.html
https://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090123124345AAX84W9

[Drillbit]

Used to spend a tonne of time whacking them little whistle pigs......my favorite gopher property is now a subdivision... :(

Rode a tumbleweed into Radium a few years ago. Great gopher pockets there too.

Has anybody seen a gopher North of the Fraser river? Hit up the Fraser River Ranch years ago to hunt gophers there and the grizzled old cowboy running the show said 'there ain't no gophers north of the fraser"

Whitehorse has them, not sure if they are Columbian or Richardson though.

Who's in the Know......Jelly?

[bridger]

Anybody want the meat?

I'll send it on the bus, no problem. I'm not an "If you kill it, you must eat it" guy, but would be happy to share with anyone that would appreciate the meat.

There's a few great recipes online too.

http://www.cooks.com/recipe/sw8la527/gopher-stew.html
https://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090123124345AAX84W9


Do you use coleman lantern mantels for meat bags or do you vacuum seal? Lol

[goatdancer]

Do you use coleman lantern mantels for meat bags or do you vacuum seal? Lol

Holy crap. I almost spewed my coffee all over my keyboard.

[Aaron Evans]

Im on the north side of the fraser.

[Drillbit]

Im on the north side of the fraser.

Myth busted! Thanks!

[Drillbit]

Do you use coleman lantern mantels for meat bags or do you vacuum seal? Lol

^Hahaha!

Strangely enough, nobody has PM'd me wanting any meat? lol

[Drillbit]

I wonder how much a rug would cost?

I'll have to skin out the next Booney with nice colors!

[SPEYMAN]

I can't speak from experience,but I hear they make fine "Peter Heaters"when tanned and turned inside out.

[Drillbit]

I can't speak from experience,but I hear they make fine "Peter Heaters"when tanned and turned inside out.

Hahaha, ya I bet!! I think I'll pass! lol

[goatdancer]

I can't speak from experience,but I hear they make fine "Peter Heaters"when tanned and turned inside out.

Now that would depend on Peter's size...........

[Fella]

I wonder how much a rug would cost?

I'll have to skin out the next Booney with nice colors!

You could make some fancy wash cloths for when company comes over :D

[bridger]

Point of information is that a 25 round butler creek mag in your gun?

[Drillbit]

Point of information is that a 25 round butler creek mag in your gun?

Yes it is. That one is a steellips version.

[Drillbit]

...................

[Drillbit]

Boone & Crocket candidate of the day! Broke 17"!!

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y414/Drillbit/DSC_0348_zps7ef5a6b2.jpg (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Drillbit/media/DSC_0348_zps7ef5a6b2.jpg.html)

[mooze]

there are no gopher spots near Prince George , are there?

[Drillbit]

there are no gopher spots near Prince George , are there?

I don't know about PG, never hunted around there.

I know Barkerville is full of Gophers! lol

[bridger]

I am heading to alberta next week with three of my hunting partners for a few days of gopher hunting. Gonna be fun.

[Drillbit]

I am heading to alberta next week with three of my hunting partners for a few days of gopher hunting. Gonna be fun.

I'm truly Jealous!

Will be prime-time out there right now.

Aim Small!!

[Drillbit]

..................

[finngun]

i been shooting yellow bellied marmot,,on the farm,,some those buggers are really BIG easy 6-7 lb..s like big cats..lots of fun...but i wiped them out pretty good..rangers are happy:mrgreen:

[Drillbit]

Spent another day confirming the ID of targets with my Leupold scope:) The barrel was HOT today!

Boone & Crocket candidate of the day, over 17"!!

Took the T-Bolt out for the day (Thanks WP, RIP).

Turned out to be an expensive decision.....in a good way! Plowed through almost 600 rounds of 22mag ammo:) The young ones were out today, and the beaver flooded the fields so everything went to high ground, including me. Conditions were excellent! Did lots of prone shooting so the kill ratio was very high. Also, using the bolt action magnum was nice, didn't have to staple them down with a few 22lr shots. Need bigger mags for that thing now
http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y414/Drillbit/IMG_20140512_153244_zps7a08075b.jpg (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/Drillbit/media/IMG_20140512_153244_zps7a08075b.jpg.html)

[Cookie1965]

I miss shooting those whistle-pigs. Have fun!

[Drillbit]

I miss shooting those whistle-pigs. Have fun!

Ya, you bet!

The window is closing fast though. The grass is almost too tall already. Have to wait for the first cut now, or till the pastures get mowed down a bit, but the cows don't get put out till the 15th.

Almost time for phase 3 of spring hunting.....bears!