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Gophers
Mar 29, 2018 3:40:19 GMT -6
Post by braveheart on Mar 29, 2018 3:40:19 GMT -6
Hey Steve I see the gophers are starting to dig here. You will be real busy soon.
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Gophers
Mar 29, 2018 7:23:51 GMT -6
Post by trappnman on Mar 29, 2018 7:23:51 GMT -6
Still a lot of frost in the ground in some areas- just isn't warming up here- we hit 50 yesterday, and that was 1st 50 day since dec 4th
in front of house we have daffidils, hyacinths, tulips, belladonna lillys starting, actually growing quite a bit- the lillys are 7-8" tall. but now not another 50 for at least 10 days- I think when it warms up, its going to be all at once
getting new tires put on truck today- everything is loaded except traps and stakes- I have to say I'm getting restless to get going
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Gophers
Mar 29, 2018 14:57:19 GMT -6
Post by RdFx on Mar 29, 2018 14:57:19 GMT -6
Ha ha ha , Steve tis a bugger waiting, same here going to trap a few bvr to hoop and collect castors , ice in creeks, ponds and big lakes.... After Easter mid week possible... everything is muddy.
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Gophers
Mar 31, 2018 17:17:19 GMT -6
Post by trappnman on Mar 31, 2018 17:17:19 GMT -6
took a drive today- saw a couple of fresh mounds, but inactive for the most part.
not suppose to be out of the 30s this week- but it rained last night, so that helps- I can deal with cold, as long as its dry and they are digging
yes, I can't wait to start- these 1st weeks are fun and easy money-
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Gophers
Apr 4, 2018 22:29:58 GMT -6
Post by flathead40 on Apr 4, 2018 22:29:58 GMT -6
How much snow you get Steve?
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Post by trappnman on Apr 5, 2018 6:40:54 GMT -6
could have been worse- I think we ended up with about 7- I'm sure we got much more but it melted quite a bit during the day- settled quite a bit even yesterday. Last year was setting traps today- not this year! Another chance this weekend, but rain monday. Average high is 54- we have had 1 50 degree day since dec 4th. If it dries up and stays cool, that would be great, but if it gets hot- be a short opener that hay will grow quick
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Gophers
Apr 28, 2018 7:23:30 GMT -6
Post by trappnman on Apr 28, 2018 7:23:30 GMT -6
Finally! Opening day so to speak on gophers today. 2 weeks ago we had 11 or so inches of snow- still had ice under leaves on some flowers yesterday, and still some frost- but they are digging, and now the window is short because hay will be growing. Saw a few guys putting nitrious on weds- so field work is just starting. This is latest I've ever started- average date is 4/8.
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Gophers
Apr 28, 2018 12:39:47 GMT -6
Post by flathead40 on Apr 28, 2018 12:39:47 GMT -6
Hope it goes well.
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Gophers
Apr 28, 2018 15:19:43 GMT -6
Post by trappnman on Apr 28, 2018 15:19:43 GMT -6
very dry out- set up 2 farms, 82 traps total- a good start for sure- nice to be out. Checked 1 on way out- first plug of the year LOL
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Gophers
Apr 29, 2018 3:04:00 GMT -6
Post by braveheart on Apr 29, 2018 3:04:00 GMT -6
Are the gophers harder to catch when air temp is cold? I have them plug more holes when air temp is cold over warm weather.
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Gophers
Apr 29, 2018 6:14:04 GMT -6
Post by trappnman on Apr 29, 2018 6:14:04 GMT -6
I actually think they are easier in cold weather, because my theory is they are moving a little slower in the cold, and thus aren't as aggressive pushing dirt.
We have trapped quite a few times in the 30s with no problem- and one time, even had 4 inches of snow come overnight- peeled it off it morning, and catches were about the same.
I believe, that the key component for % of plugs, most often comes down to soil consistency- sand being the worse. Burrows were very deep- many of the almost 2 feet down before I could pop the tunnel. But they were digging good- had a half a doz open holes, and several done, but quite fresh.
Given that we don't get a lot of rain, I'm thinking I can get this first season down in about 2 weeks- that will be 4-500 gophers during that time.
looking forward to today. We left mickey at home yesterday- so much easier and we can make time in just setting- but today he will come along- kind of neat- if we have a gopher he will stand there and bark, if not he runs on to the next set.
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Gophers
May 1, 2018 11:41:54 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by blackhammer on May 1, 2018 11:41:54 GMT -6
I think ground being too wet is big and the other thing I found you start getting hot weather my trapping is usually awful and they plug deep and are not very active. Up near 90 or so unless the nights are cool it seems very tough in my experience
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Post by trappnman on May 2, 2018 7:24:27 GMT -6
been doing pretty good- day 1 54 one blackie- some farms get a few each time through- others never any- seems to have at least a little correlation to soil color- have caught 5-6 pure albinos over the years- but haven't in at least 10 years- last 3- all caught side by side same day- have to admit, that was pretty exciting very wet ground, almost saturated so to speak, does IMO make a big difference with plugs. the ground is about right- dry 2-3 inches down, but very moist and clumpable after that- lots of fresh & open ones yesterday. My thought on hot weather is somewhat different- or perhaps the same conclusion, but slightly different reason. Many old farmers tell me "gophers get smart in summer, and are harder to catch. I believe the reason they think this is in large part caused by young gophers- they are simply so small (yet dig the same mounds, etc) that the often don't trip the trap- or are just barely plugging at the end. I find switching to a weak foothold, often catches these smaller ones. it all comes down to how much dirt they need to push- solid tunnels, less plugging than crumbly- fun seeing old coyotes sets with scat on them or blown open
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Gophers
May 2, 2018 15:01:34 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by blackhammer on May 2, 2018 15:01:34 GMT -6
Looks a lot easier and about as lucrative as 54 beaver Good catch!
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Gophers
May 2, 2018 16:04:44 GMT -6
Post by trappnman on May 2, 2018 16:04:44 GMT -6
to put it in perspective- in 5 days the money I made on gophers this year- would take me 32 average coyotes, or 20 of my top average coyotes- we have 3 half days, and 2 full days- so about 20-22 hours of work- 4-5 hours of that road time.
compared to....far too much time for so little reward $$ wise- but I' live for coyotes- gophers pay the bills
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Gophers
May 2, 2018 22:12:25 GMT -6
Post by flathead40 on May 2, 2018 22:12:25 GMT -6
Geez I wish I'd have skipped reading your last post! lol
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Post by trappnman on May 3, 2018 6:46:21 GMT -6
I know, I know..... it seems crazy- but one only lives
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Gophers
May 9, 2018 16:22:11 GMT -6
Post by trappnman on May 9, 2018 16:22:11 GMT -6
finally had to take a rain day. Had about an inch last night, thought we could go for a bike ride, but off and on today- but tomorrow looks good- friday not so much.
Looked at my records- and last year ended the spring season on the day we started this year
down to 5 farms I want to get to yet- and 2 more if I can but thinking not- both of those are once a year so no big deal. one new set up yet- always curious as to see what they consider gophers everywhere.
yesterday was a fun day- had 63 gophers out of 85 traps- and several of those other traps were untouched because we caught gopher in nearby trap- started day with 11 st, had another string of 9 in row- wish everyday was that high %.
baffles me why on some days- every trap seems to connect- had 20 on 22 last year on one farm- and other days its plug after plug to where, let me assure you, its not a lot of fun.
At about 400 so far in 8 check days
of the farms left- 1 new so ?, 4 old with minimal gophers- should get another 60-100 from those farms, plus the new, plus we have 55 traps in ground so thats 35 or so- so will be at or over 500-
I have no problem sleeping at night...or truth be told staying up past 9
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Gophers
May 10, 2018 3:46:03 GMT -6
Post by braveheart on May 10, 2018 3:46:03 GMT -6
That is a pile of Gophers!!!! Just finishing up 5 beaver jobs. Looks like a pair or a loner at each spot. Got to start filling bottles of lure.
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Gophers
May 11, 2018 6:35:00 GMT -6
Post by trappnman on May 11, 2018 6:35:00 GMT -6
finally done setting new ground. yesterday checked and pulled 58 traps on 3 farms with 46 gophers- set up last 5 small farms and then checked everything and picked up 26 that had worked since we set. Had 3 farms where we decided hay too tall, and would wait until 1st cutting.
rain today- will check tomorrow, and could pull based on # of gophers left on each farm- but Lori is going to a C & C class on Sunday thats at the far end of the line, so will check and pull then- then done until 1st cutting which will be around Memorial day. Everything's behind, but that 70-80 degree weather and the rain last few weeks has caused things to catch up quick-
bleeding hearts blooming now in garden- yet lots haven't planted potatoes yet as ground too wet and cold
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