By Nigel Maxwell

Where are all the Gophers?

Aug 9, 2012 | 12:02 PM

Saskatchewan farmers have one less thing on their minds this year.

The gopher population is dropping across the province. The main reason given is the cooler, wet weather we have experienced.

“In about 2010, we started seeing a drop in numbers and certainly cooler conditions in 2011 and 2012 have seemed to have really knocked the population down for most of the province,” said Scott Hartley, Provincial Pest Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture.

There are no actual surveys or numbers to report, but Hartley said there has been a lot less demand for products that deal with gopher control. There have also been fewer requests under the provincial gopher rebate program.

“We used to get lots of reports of problems in areas, and concerns from RMs. Actually I remember for the first time in probably decades, last year I did get a couple of calls saying where are all the gophers.”

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Hartley said there could be an impact on the animals who feed on the gophers(eagles,owls,coyotes), but added there are many other food sources out there for the predators.

There are two separate species of gophers who make their home in Saskatchewan. The Richardson ground squirrel is the more common one seen. The pocket gopher is more common in northern areas, and only comes out at night.

nmaxwell@panow.com

Twitter: @nigelmaxwell