Talk:Richardson's Ground Squirrel/Other

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Gophers- Our Prairie Squirrels

Most of us who live on the Canadian Prairies have encountered Gophers at one time or another. This not only applies to folks living in the country, but also to those of us who live in urban areas where they are the bane of the existance of golf club grounds' superintendents and public park foremen.

They live underground for about 80% of their lives, usually coming out only to feed or propogate.

Even though we generally call them Gophers, in actual fact they are Richardson Ground Squirrels. Farmers and ranchers see them as pests whose den openings often result in livestock breaking legs. Gophers destroy great volumes of grain crops through indiscriminate eating of cereal crops.

Many programs have been developed to rid the country side of these cute but destructive animals. During the depression era of the 1930's, local governments paid children and adults a penny or two per gopher tail brought in to collection points. Poisoned grain was scattered in fields. Young people made a sport of shooting them with twenty-two rifles.

All to little avail, as the procreation drive was stronger than any pest control methods that were developed.

Long live the gophers.