Farmers are facing a challenge with gophers, also known as Richardson’s ground squirrels, due to their destructive impact on crops and farm equipment. The use of strychnine to control gopher numbers was banned in 2024 by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency due to risks posed to wildlife and inhumane treatment.
To address the issue, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) launched a free gopher control program in response to farmers’ requests for assistance. Farmers can participate by contacting the organization, which will then connect them with volunteers who are part of the program. These volunteers are covered by $5 million in liability insurance and will handle the gopher control in a responsible manner.
While the program is beneficial, some like James Husband, reeve of the Rural Municipality of Hazelwood, believe it may not fully solve the problem as gophers reproduce quickly and not all of them are targeted by surface hunting. Edmond Sanganyado, an associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan, suggests shooting as a more humane alternative to poison for gopher control.
The timing of gopher control is crucial, with adult males emerging in mid-February to early March and females following in mid-March. Acting before the kits are born can help reduce the impact on crops. Some farmers have turned to zinc phosphide as an alternative to strychnine, although it is less effective and more labor-intensive.
Overall, the efforts to manage gopher populations are ongoing, with different perspectives on the most effective and humane methods for control.
