Pocket gophers
#5840193
03/09/17 09:37 PM
03/09/17 09:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,099 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
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trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,099
WI - Wisconsin
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I have a property that will definetly need some pocket gophers trapped. It looked bad last fall. What time of year is a good time to start getting after 'em? I don't want to be making trips out to the property as soon as the 1st one shows sign of activity. I'm looking more to try to get after 'em when I can set, say, 10 traps...hit 'em while their active but make it worthwile at the same time to maximize efficiency/ effectiveness. I have the itch, based on how active they were last fall. But I know its too early now.
Last edited by AJE; 03/09/17 09:39 PM.
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Re: Pocket gophers
[Re: AJE]
#5843711
03/12/17 04:27 PM
03/12/17 04:27 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 72 South Texas
Aggie73
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 72
South Texas
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AJE - There's a variety of of probes you can use to find the travel/feeding gopher tunnels. Pick/make one that is easy on the old back! I used the longer T-handled home made probes (3/8' re-bar) in this pic until I bent one or two of them. Since then, I now use a Mighty Probe 3/8" hex rod with the ball nose tip. I did not buy the bulky handle but only a longer rod and ball nose tip. You can then have a more handy custom T handle welded to the probe rod. The vendor is www.mightyprobe.com.
"Happier than a gopher in wet sand."
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Re: Pocket gophers
[Re: Aggie73]
#5846340
03/14/17 08:58 PM
03/14/17 08:58 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 78 E. Iowa
hvtrapper
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 78
E. Iowa
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AJE - There's a variety of of probes you can use to find the travel/feeding gopher tunnels. Pick/make one that is easy on the old back! I used the longer T-handled home made probes (3/8' re-bar) in this pic until I bent one or two of them. Since then, I now use a Mighty Probe 3/8" hex rod with the ball nose tip. I did not buy the bulky handle but only a longer rod and ball nose tip. You can then have a more handy custom T handle welded to the probe rod. The vendor is www.mightyprobe.com. I inherited a smooth rod probe complete with a slide hammer and a round/ball bearing tip from my Dad. He used it in his agricultural business as a tile probe.
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Re: Pocket gophers
[Re: AJE]
#5846654
03/15/17 01:10 AM
03/15/17 01:10 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 72 South Texas
Aggie73
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 72
South Texas
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It's important to note that the ball nose tip on the commercial probe or having a blunt tip on a home made probe will facilitate finding gopher tunnels. There's a more prominent "give" when finding tunnels vs. using sharp tipped probes. That's been my experience in sandy soils.
"Happier than a gopher in wet sand."
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Re: Pocket gophers
[Re: dklawitter]
#5857814
03/26/17 12:49 PM
03/26/17 12:49 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 72 South Texas
Aggie73
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 72
South Texas
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Do you guys feel you have better success by covering up the holes? You will get some trappers responding to leaving the holes opened so the gopher can sense air, humidity, etc. and return to plug the hole and hopefully get caught in the process. The majority of my gopher trap setting involve urban homeowners. I cannot afford to leave any open holes. There are kids, dogs, cats, mowers, snakes, coons, skunks, etc. that can interfere with my gopher trapping if left open. I cover, stake and flag all of my gopher trap sets.
"Happier than a gopher in wet sand."
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Re: Pocket gophers
[Re: AJE]
#5858519
03/26/17 11:19 PM
03/26/17 11:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,099 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,099
WI - Wisconsin
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3/8 or 5/16" thickness for the probe...do you think it matters either way? Is 36" a desirable length? The ball nose type tip is what it appears you guys are saying is the best. I'm thinking a smooth probe would work better than rebar. Actually, I like that hex rod idea (supposedly 20% stiffer). Thanks
Last edited by AJE; 03/26/17 11:24 PM.
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Re: Pocket gophers
[Re: AJE]
#5858668
03/27/17 08:06 AM
03/27/17 08:06 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 78 E. Iowa
hvtrapper
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 78
E. Iowa
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I imagine the thickness of the probe would depend on where you're trapping pocket gophers and the soil types. My experience has been all in Iowa/Nebraska farm ground. The big probe I inherited from my Dad is built from 3/8" smooth rod. With the built in slide hammer and 5' length, it's not much fun to carry while walking across hay fields all day. The one I built is a "shop special" made with parts already on hand. Three foot 1/4" smooth rod, wooden T handle 1-1/4 to 1-1/2" thick by 4" long and a ball bearing welded on the tip. Light to carry, comfortable to use and the handle makes a good dispatch tool for the occasional mole/gopher found alive.
Tom Walters
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Re: Pocket gophers
[Re: AJE]
#5858994
03/27/17 01:32 PM
03/27/17 01:32 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 72 South Texas
Aggie73
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 72
South Texas
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3/8 or 5/16" thickness for the probe...do you think it matters either way? Is 36" a desirable length? The ball nose type tip is what it appears you guys are saying is the best. I'm thinking a smooth probe would work better than rebar. Actually, I like that hex rod idea (supposedly 20% stiffer). Thanks AJE - I use the stiffer 3/8" hex rod sold by the above mentioned vendor, even in sandy soil. I'm 5' 10" tall and a 36" probe is perfect for me. Understand that if you buy the 36" Mighty Probe from them, you'll be getting a 7" handle and a 29" rod. The handle is too bulky for me. I'd suggest just buying only the 36" or longer replacement rod and custom weld a rebar T handle to it. The replacement rod comes with each side threaded. You'll only need one side to thread on the ball nose tip. A blunt or ball nose tip will definitely provide you with a better "give" when probing for tunnels vs. a sharp tipped probe, especially in sandy soils.
"Happier than a gopher in wet sand."
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Re: Pocket gophers
[Re: AJE]
#5861792
03/30/17 09:52 AM
03/30/17 09:52 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,099 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,099
WI - Wisconsin
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Good info. Now I'm trying to decide if 5/16 would be better than 3/8". I'm 6' so I think I like the idea of a ~40 incher. That hex rod sounds intriguing. I'd never heard of it. I'm sure hex is pricier, but stiffer the better, and this is an investment that will last a lifetime . Darn gophers. I'm headed there way once things warm up, lol.
Last edited by AJE; 03/30/17 09:53 AM.
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Re: Pocket gophers
[Re: AJE]
#5861973
03/30/17 12:55 PM
03/30/17 12:55 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,049 St. Louis Co, Mo
BigBob
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,049
St. Louis Co, Mo
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All materials are sold by the pound, so the hex shouldn't cost any more than round.
Every kid needs a Dog and a Curmudgeon.
Remember Bowe Bergdahl, the traitor.
Beware! Jill Pudlewski, Ron Oates and Keven Begesse are liars and thiefs!
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