Where have all the gophers gone?
Moderator: Chip
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Mike Blankenhorn
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:33 am
- Location: North Hollywood
Gophers numbers 9 and 10 sacrificed their lives this afternoon to improve the LZ landability. Credit for both goes to Jim Thompson, who personally dug the holes and set all 4 trap sets this morning after all 4 came up empty on this morning's check.
Jim seemed more pissed than me when all 4 sets struck out, and he set to work re-digging with such vigor that I decided to get out of his way and knock down mounts with Big Mike, filling the wheelbarrel with the extra dirt and transferring to low spots and hole fill-ins.
Later in the day, after flying, Jim checked the traps with Ken and scored an impressing 50% kill rate, hauling in 2 new gophers so fresh that he had to beat one of them with a stick to finish the job. There were many in the LZ at the time to witness that carnage - it was an ugly affair that many cheered.
Both of the unfortunate victims were then re-introduced into their respective holes to teach a lesson to those that might attempt to "re-infest".
In my opinion, we are at or past the half way point. I seriously doubt that there are more than 10 more left, probably less from the signs I see. Perhaps we will reach the "maintenance point" within another week or so.
Jim seemed more pissed than me when all 4 sets struck out, and he set to work re-digging with such vigor that I decided to get out of his way and knock down mounts with Big Mike, filling the wheelbarrel with the extra dirt and transferring to low spots and hole fill-ins.
Later in the day, after flying, Jim checked the traps with Ken and scored an impressing 50% kill rate, hauling in 2 new gophers so fresh that he had to beat one of them with a stick to finish the job. There were many in the LZ at the time to witness that carnage - it was an ugly affair that many cheered.
Both of the unfortunate victims were then re-introduced into their respective holes to teach a lesson to those that might attempt to "re-infest".
In my opinion, we are at or past the half way point. I seriously doubt that there are more than 10 more left, probably less from the signs I see. Perhaps we will reach the "maintenance point" within another week or so.
Go Go Gophers!BudRob wrote:Chalk up numbers 11 and 12 this morning. 3 of the 5 trap sets showed no activity at all. Maybe that means there are fewer of the little leg breakers around these days...
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzkBR_ZwE30[/youtube]
Here's gopher control in 2006, Deadeye style!
Rome enjoys his cozy-cooled cocktail (on the bumper) while he gives the gophers a little carbon monoxide therapy.
Body count, .......... undetermined.
Chippy, or anyone. Is there a way to stick the image right on the face of my post, like youtube videos show?
Rome enjoys his cozy-cooled cocktail (on the bumper) while he gives the gophers a little carbon monoxide therapy.
Body count, .......... undetermined.
Chippy, or anyone. Is there a way to stick the image right on the face of my post, like youtube videos show?
Soar With Prudent Passion
Larry Chamblee
Larry Chamblee
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Mike Blankenhorn
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:33 am
- Location: North Hollywood
-
Mike Blankenhorn
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:33 am
- Location: North Hollywood
Mike,
Thanks for the sound device information. I never did believe that these would do much and I am glad to have the information so the club does waste money on them. I am of the opinion that once the gophers are gone we simply have to do some ocassional trapping on any new ones dumb enough to come in. I have been sticking the dead once back in the holes so I am thinking that this is a good a deterent as anything else.
By the way, gopher number (unlucky) 13 and 14 "pounded in" today.
Thanks for the sound device information. I never did believe that these would do much and I am glad to have the information so the club does waste money on them. I am of the opinion that once the gophers are gone we simply have to do some ocassional trapping on any new ones dumb enough to come in. I have been sticking the dead once back in the holes so I am thinking that this is a good a deterent as anything else.
By the way, gopher number (unlucky) 13 and 14 "pounded in" today.
Flares???
ROTFLMAO! You guys are way too funny! Good job Rob! 
Keep up the good work!
Have you ever used flares?
I remember as a child, my Dad would put flares in the holes and we, the kids, would run around the yard to the other holes see where the smoke was coming from and our job was to cover up the other holes.
That way, the gophers died under ground and like the other people said in this forum, the other gophers would see their own dead and perhaps go away.
However, now that we are in the 21st century, this may not be the correct way to go about this.
Just a trip down memory lane! Get it - trip! LOL!!! However, if I trip in a gopher hole....... 
Julieann
Keep up the good work!Have you ever used flares?
I remember as a child, my Dad would put flares in the holes and we, the kids, would run around the yard to the other holes see where the smoke was coming from and our job was to cover up the other holes. That way, the gophers died under ground and like the other people said in this forum, the other gophers would see their own dead and perhaps go away.
However, now that we are in the 21st century, this may not be the correct way to go about this.
Just a trip down memory lane! Get it - trip! LOL!!! However, if I trip in a gopher hole....... Julieann
Here's one that had to much to drink .http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss43 ... ancing.gif
Yesterday 4 new gophers WHACKED HARD. This is a personal best for one day. Most of the main LZ is now gopher free so I had to go mainly to the north side of the overshoot hill to bag these boys. Thanks to Rick Holman and Big Mike for helping me dig in 5 traps sets the previous day, scoring a big 4 out of 5!
The "dead count" now stands at 18.
The "dead count" now stands at 18.
rob,
i've heard that if you actually fly with them and drop them from 100-200' agl, the splattered remains prove to be a useful deterrent to other gophers contemplating a life near hang glider pilots. i've also heard that if you make a life-size, human looking dummy, fill it with straw, sawdust, and gophers, and drop it over the l/z--as in a tandem gone horribly wrong, it provides useful amusement! congrats on coming in 8th!
i've heard that if you actually fly with them and drop them from 100-200' agl, the splattered remains prove to be a useful deterrent to other gophers contemplating a life near hang glider pilots. i've also heard that if you make a life-size, human looking dummy, fill it with straw, sawdust, and gophers, and drop it over the l/z--as in a tandem gone horribly wrong, it provides useful amusement! congrats on coming in 8th!
janyce
"You HAVE to make it..."
"You HAVE to make it..."
3 more of those leg breaking bastards "checked out of the world" today. Special thanks to Jim "kill em' all" Thompson, a hell of a gopher murderer in his own right, who partnered with me yesterday to trap the poor souls that checked out today.
I don't see much gopher activity left in the main LZ these days and am now contemplating what it will take to replant the gopher decimated areas. Things are in the works.
The DEAD COUNT now stands at 21 but is expected to climb as we more the traps outside of the main LZ area in "pre-emptive strikes" to keep unwanted squatters out of our landing and breakdown areas.
I don't see much gopher activity left in the main LZ these days and am now contemplating what it will take to replant the gopher decimated areas. Things are in the works.
The DEAD COUNT now stands at 21 but is expected to climb as we more the traps outside of the main LZ area in "pre-emptive strikes" to keep unwanted squatters out of our landing and breakdown areas.
After many days of going without a kill, gopher number 23 was bagged today near Erwin's trailer. Over the last week, many traps have been set in the main LZ with no hits or recent signs of activity.
At this point I am declaring victory on the main gopher clearing effort. The little bastards never had a chance once I got our my gopher killing tools. Jim Thompson sped up the effort by helping with the digging and trap setting. I suppose I should mention that MANY others stood around and gave us "moral support" while we dug. There are way too many names to mention.
Now it is time for stage 2 of the LZ improvement effort. Today a large load of compost was dumped in front of the overshoot hill on the east side of the house trail. This compost will be used to fill in low and uneven spots in the LZ. Right now it is being moved one wheelbarrel full at a time but a bobcat is being considered to finish the job quicker.
At this point I am declaring victory on the main gopher clearing effort. The little bastards never had a chance once I got our my gopher killing tools. Jim Thompson sped up the effort by helping with the digging and trap setting. I suppose I should mention that MANY others stood around and gave us "moral support" while we dug. There are way too many names to mention.
Now it is time for stage 2 of the LZ improvement effort. Today a large load of compost was dumped in front of the overshoot hill on the east side of the house trail. This compost will be used to fill in low and uneven spots in the LZ. Right now it is being moved one wheelbarrel full at a time but a bobcat is being considered to finish the job quicker.
Last edited by BudRob on Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:42 am, edited 2 times in total.
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JT
Can you say, "genocide?" Nary a whisper from PETA, either.
Everyone: caution is in order. I've found that for whatever reason, the tunnels begin to collapse when the gopher no longer inhabits them. It poses a danger to bones. Take time to stomp down any soft spots you come across and put a shovel of compost or soil in the depression. Your ankles will thank you.
Everyone: caution is in order. I've found that for whatever reason, the tunnels begin to collapse when the gopher no longer inhabits them. It poses a danger to bones. Take time to stomp down any soft spots you come across and put a shovel of compost or soil in the depression. Your ankles will thank you.
