It is officially on. The backyard gopher hunt of 2010 started officially today. Much like Carl from Caddyshack, I don’t much care for gophers. They really mess up my back lawn with their mounds and shallow tunnels. I have had several collapse under my feet when playing in the backyard with my kids and I’m sure one of these times I’m going to mess up my ankle.
Over the course of the last several weeks, I have been noticing mounds appearing in my yard. For the most part these mounds are dried out so I know they aren’t too fresh. But today, I noticed a fresh one with dark, moist soil on top. I watched for a moment and within seconds, he made his appearance. I saw the little rascal pushing dirt out of his latest excavation project. By rules of my hunt, once a gopher has been spotted in the fur, the season officially opens. Also, being a sporting type, I insist that gophers only be taken by air rifle; it is the right thing to do.
I rushed to find my air pistol which I had stowed for the winter, threw on some shoes, and hastily, but quietly made my way to the back yard. I had always figured they didn’t see well but rather relied more on sound and vibration in the soil to detect threats. I was wrong. I got a little too close today and he saw me which I think has put him down for the rest of the day. It is also possible that as he emerged he saw his shadow as the weather is pretty nice today and perhaps he has gone under to brace for another 6 weeks of winter weather…wait, wrong animal.
Anyway, season tally so far Gopher 1: Me 0.
