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pocket gopher probs.

Posted By: trappingnut41mt

pocket gopher probs. - 03/25/12 01:57 AM

i have been trapping them for about a week i cought 2 so far but they keep filling my traps up and i dont know what to do any help would be appreciated. thanks tom
Posted By: NateSmith

Re: pocket gopher probs. - 03/25/12 03:57 AM

What traps are you using?
Posted By: trappingnut41mt

Re: pocket gopher probs. - 03/25/12 06:01 AM

not sure i think they are made buy steve and i think he is from califorina
Posted By: HD_Wildlife

Re: pocket gopher probs. - 03/25/12 02:51 PM

Originally Posted By: trappingnut41mt
i have been trapping them for about a week i cought 2 so far but they keep filling my traps up and i dont know what to do any help would be appreciated. thanks tom


tom,

are you saying that they are pushing dirt into your traps and filling them?

couple of questions if that is the case.

- how deep are you putting them?

- are you putting them both directions on a 2 way tunnel?

I haven't done this type of work for more than 8 months now but use steve's gophinator traps like you are using.

Here is how I set his traps

- from the mound I dig down till I find the place where the tunnel heads flat in each direction if that makes sense.

- when tunnel is only coming from one way I place the trap facing where the gopher will come from next time, this is
in my soil type about 14-16 inches below the lawn level.

- if tunnel goes both ways I set one trap facing into each run so no matter which way it comes from I've got the gopher.

From my novice perspective it sounds like you are too close to the surface and the gopher is coming up with the soil
that normally creates the mound and plowing right through your trap, firing it and leaving it empty.

If I'm wrong, no worries, I'm sure Steve himself or someone else can provide some other trouble shooting.
If I'm right going in there deeper should help.

I also place either cardboard or a grass plug over the holes and backfill so it is dark and sealed the way I found it.
Some folks don't but so far this has worked for me from the beginning.

Hope this helps, let us know what you figure out,

Justin
Posted By: trappingnut41mt

Re: pocket gopher probs. - 03/25/12 06:47 PM

thanks HD thats what i have been doing and they plug traps up with dirt i cought them by the rearends i was told to put peanut butter in hole and that would help i did and this morning i 1 by the chest . i dont no if its to early in the season and there cleaning out holes and i should wait for a few weeks or keep traping?
Posted By: AJE

Re: pocket gopher probs. - 03/29/20 08:47 PM

Good info Justin.



I've never tried peanut butter. I wonder how common baited gooher sets are
Posted By: danvee

Re: pocket gopher probs. - 03/30/20 02:28 AM

What types of traps is suggested for pocket gopher trapping also how effective is the bait. I have someone that wants them removed and never trapped them. Also what do you charge for remover per acre or animal any advice is welcomed.
Posted By: AJE

Re: pocket gopher probs. - 03/30/20 03:19 AM

#0 long springs work.
Posted By: 20scout

Re: pocket gopher probs. - 03/30/20 01:30 PM

I use DK's or 0 LS. I also use a grass plug with my DK's and card board with the LS and have good luck. Make sure the holes are cleaned out as any excess dirt pushes in while digging out the hole will cause them to plug up your trap.
Posted By: Getting There

Re: pocket gopher probs. - 03/30/20 01:38 PM

Anyone ever use the Cinch trap? Not the easiest trap to set. The principal of the trap is sound with the trigger set forward of the jaws by a lot. I would think location location is the key.
Posted By: danvee

Re: pocket gopher probs. - 03/30/20 02:03 PM

What do you charge for removing them for a property owner??
Posted By: Getting There

Re: pocket gopher probs. - 03/30/20 02:04 PM

I only have mole in Michigan.
Posted By: AJE

Re: pocket gopher probs. - 03/31/20 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by danvee
What do you charge for removing them for a property owner??

I take whatever they'll give me. Usually their free well offering is fair & generous, as they are happy to have help.
Posted By: 20scout

Re: pocket gopher probs. - 03/31/20 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by AJE
Originally Posted by danvee
What do you charge for removing them for a property owner??

I take whatever they'll give me. Usually their free well offering is fair & generous, as they are happy to have help.

True, you would be surprised by how generous grandma can be when you get that little Dickens out of her flower bed or garden. Then they tell everyone about you and your summer becomes booked real quick like!
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