Gophers, also known as Richardson’s ground squirrels, are cute to many with their chubby cheeks, inquisitive demeanor, and playful antics. However, for farmers, they pose a significant threat as destructive pests. These rodents cause substantial financial losses by damaging crops and equipment with their burrowing activities, which can also endanger livestock.
The use of strychnine to control gopher populations was prohibited by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency in 2024 due to its adverse impact on other wildlife, including endangered species, and concerns about its inhumane nature. In response to this ban, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) initiated a free gopher control program last year to address the void left by the prohibition.
Todd Smith, the executive director of SWF, mentioned that the program was established in response to numerous requests for gopher control. Farmers interested in availing themselves of the program can contact the organization to participate. The SWF coordinates with local branches and volunteers who have volunteered to assist in managing gopher populations. These volunteers are insured for liability up to $5 million and undertake the task in a conscientious and ethical manner.
While acknowledging the positive aspects of the program, James Husband, the reeve of the Rural Municipality of Hazelwood, pointed out that the program does not fully address the underlying issue. Gophers reproduce rapidly, and hunting them only targets those on the surface, missing the breeding individuals that remain underground.
Edmond Sanganyado, an associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan, suggested that shooting gophers could be a more humane alternative to poisoning. He emphasized that professional shooting can lead to a quicker and less painful death for the animals compared to strychnine poisoning, which causes violent muscular convulsions and seizures.
According to Smith, adult male gophers typically emerge from hibernation between mid-February and early March, followed by females in mid-March. This period is considered optimal for gopher hunting to curb population growth before the kits are born, reducing potential crop damage for farmers. Some farmers, like Don Connick, have resorted to using alternatives like zinc phosphide in the absence of strychnine, although these methods are less effective, labor-intensive, and costlier.
Overall, the SWF’s gopher control program offers a proactive approach to managing gopher populations while addressing the challenges posed by the ban on strychnine use in agricultural practices.
