24HourCampFireGuy50: Pardon my slow reply - been super busy hosting out of state Varminters, going fishing, gunshows, relatives and some travel.
I am pretty sure the Ground Squirrels here in SW Montana are the "Richardson's" variety.
I am NOT sure about states like Nevada and kalifornicationkopia as to when their Ground Squirrels "appear"? Maybe they are up all year in some latitudes?
I do know our Richardson's Ground Squirrels are among the very rare animals on earth that partake of "estivation" (or aestivation, is also correct) - which means they go underground and dormant in the heat. Kind of a summer hibernation. Here in my elevation they go down (for the very most part!) right at August 8th each year and don't re-appear above ground until early/mid March.
My Gopher Hunt this morning was hampered by the thick (and tall) grasses and crops - in many places the grass/crops covered even the standing adult Ground Squirrels.
Still fun and worthy opponents these Ground Squirrels.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
