Hey Teacher, sometimes coyotes do that around here. They can smell anything! Are they taking the trap as well?

I stake the traps with a 5-ft Fiberglas rod with a flag so I can see them above the grass. As a local gopher trapper told me, he thinks the predators might be keying in on the flags/poles and he might be right. Anyway, the traps are staked and while the gopher may be gone, I still have the trap.

Is there a good book to learn a little on moles and mole trapping? Any recommendations?

Hello wouldn't the large size be too big for a small gopher like pocket gophers? I'm having a (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) of a time with DK1 traps because they are too big and won't go into the entrance of the tunnel. Thanks

I have used the cinch traps a fair amount, I set them in the freshest hole, hopefully find an open hole. I don't set them two at a time. I do like to cut the sod so the trap lays flatter. I have started using the gophenators more, they do grab them good. Have more holding power than they look to have, also have several live gophers with them. Aggie73 your cables look short for me? I use longer cables and buy chopsticks at the restaurant supply house to pin them down. you can get several 100 for a couple bucks. We have the biggest gophers in the country I think.


wws

Kyle 52 - not sure of your question. According to the Trapline Products website, they sell 2 sizes of mole traps, the standard Molinator and the large Molinator. They are the exact same length except the catch tines are 1/4” wider on the large. Our Eastern moles in South Texas are smaller than the exact same species of moles in northern climes (Bergman’s Rule). I mostly use the standard/smaller trap for moles but also have some of the large Molinators and use them for just weaned or juvenile gophers. Tunnel size will dictate which trap to use. Our pocket gophers are 3-4 times larger all the way around compared to the smallish mole. The larger mole trap is probably better used for the larger mole subspecies found in the USA.

WWS - as mentioned in my post, the pic was staged to show only the trap set. The length of cable tethers are just right for my gopher trapping and I always insert the trap just past the spring. Again, Steve’ website above only mentions/sells ONE size Gophinator trap for pocket gophers. They are perfect for my Attwater’s Pocket Gopher and is the ONLY trap I use. The gophers in your pic are HUGE! Camas Pocket Gopher maybe? You might contact Trapline Products and inquire/request the Magnum Gophinator. They are available at Wildlife Control Supplies.

New trapper here, trying to eradicate gophers in my orchard. I’m having decent luck with Gophinators.

My question is, has anyone ever gotten bitten by one when screwing around with their tunnels? I’m nervous putting my fingers in.

After 15 years of gopher choking, I was finally nipped this last year. It was stupidity on my part tho for sticking my finger in a small surface soil disturbance to check tunnel size thinking it was a mole for sure. Luckily it was a quick nip and it didn’t latch on. Did not draw blood either.

I probe and find the main gopher tunnel (not at or near the mound either!), dig the trap set and use an old dandelion puller to then probe for the tunnel openings. Thereafter, I use one of the soil knives pictured to clear the tunnel openings of roots, rocks, or any other obstructions to accommodate my traps. Also, before I insert the traps, I use the rebar stakes for my trap set cover (see my other pics on this thread) to give me a better sense of tunnel direction. All this commotion at the trap set should keep most gophers away. And don’t stick your finger where it doesn’t belong! LOL