‘Gopher-pocalypse’: fed-up farmers fight massive Sask. rodent population

People in Saskatchewan have a complex relationship with gophers. While Gainer, the beloved mascot of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, hails from a small town in the province, real-life gophers are often seen as a nuisance by farmers like Chuck Toney.

Toney, who farms near Gull Lake in southwest Saskatchewan, has witnessed the damage that gophers can cause to cropland, especially in meadow brome pastures. He describes the situation as a “gopher-pocalypse” due to the exponential growth of the rodent population in recent years.

The issue of gophers in Saskatchewan is not a new one. In 1917, the province declared May 1 a working holiday, during which children were tasked with catching, shooting, or snaring gophers that were wreaking havoc on agricultural land. The child who caught the most gophers was even rewarded with a Shetland Pony.

Today, farmers like Toney view their land as a battleground against gophers and the predators they attract, such as badgers. The constant threat of damage to farm equipment and livestock means that farmers must take proactive measures to control the gopher population.

To address this issue, organizations like the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation are working to connect landowners with hunting enthusiasts who are interested in helping reduce the gopher population.

Methods for controlling gophers have evolved over the years, with poison being a common solution until it was banned by Health Canada in 2023. Farmers like Toney now use alternative poisons like Rozol and Borozeit to combat the rodents on their land.

Despite the nuisance that gophers pose, Toney acknowledges their importance in the ecosystem and the need for a balanced population. While pest control experts like Shawn Sherwood are dedicated to removing gophers from properties, they also recognize the role that these creatures play in the natural world.

In the end, the battle against gophers in Saskatchewan continues, with farmers, hunters, and conservationists working together to find sustainable solutions to manage the population of these furry creatures. the perspective of a small business owner discussing the importance of supporting local businesses.

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