Got up at the crack of dawn today and loaded up the 4x4 to trek off to a distant gunshow, even though high winds and snow were forecast!
100 miles into my trek I am driving by a cultivated field that has at least 12" of snow evenly spread out on it.
What do I see but not ONE, not TWO but FIFTY or SIXTY Ground Squirrels up atop the snow - none were moving as I passed, they just all were standing up at attention (I assume a bird of prey was overhead?).
I have no idea why the little Varmints would claw their way up through the snow and stand around atop the snow in barely above freezing temperatures?
Anyway it was great to see the little vermin up and standing around - come on spring and my first Colony Varmint Safari of the season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I was traveling through the Cortez CO area last Monday where there was a foot or so of snow but it was 35 and sunny and there were literally hundreds of PD's sunning themselves. It has got me anxious for spring and warm weather so that our gophers start popping up.

drover

Yes, I've been seeing them too. They are stupid at this point. A lot of young ones running around. Almost without a care in the world. I was 5 feet away from one the other day, when I was getting the mail. It just laid there sunning itself. They think spring is here, even though we are still getting snow. Looks like it's going to be a good year for them. Good plinking for those of us that use them as targets as well.

snow goph's are the funnest.....

I saw my first gopher yesterday. Not a good day but he was out. Prairie dogs have been out for about a month off and on. I think in southern Colorado the dogs are pretty much out year around.

PD's have been hiding from the wind, down here.

I figure in Montana the gophers are usually "up" by St. Patrick's Day.

I'm not sure why if their grassy food is still buried. Maybe there are already some sprouts under the snow? Things like winter wheat germinate under the snow.

Huntsman22: Up here we call Hunting Ground Squirrels this time of year "painting the snow"!
Saw a few more today (temperature 31 at the time) and they were quarreling/wrestling/biting each other.
Might bonk a couple tomorrow - its been a LONG winter - and "Alexa" just informed me that a "winter storm warning" will be in effect at 6:00 AM tomorrow morning here - iffy now.
Come on spring - please.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

GrouseChaser: Yeah I have seen them at this elevation (5,400') as early as March 1st - but not really in Huntable numbers at all then.
This has been a harsh, cold and snowy winter hereabouts - I think they are just done hibernating and are either low on food stores down below or just restless?
What little grass/crops are available here are dried out and probably poor fare.
Was chasin guns over Missoula, Montana way yesterday and saw an extremely dark colored Rock Chuck alongside I-90 on my way home.
Things are starting to stir but spring has not sprung hereabouts.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

They have been out all year long, not in large numbers and it depends on weather. Shot a lot on snow mounds last 2 months, been shooting colonies down here when the wind ain't blowing 20mph +

I saw the first one Feb. 26th this year. Saw a couple hundred ded ones a few days ago.

They were out, then this happened:

Where this at?

Smoked a bunch with my sons yesterday. Great fun.

My house..

Nemotheangler: Nearly dry enough to start getting serious here abouts.
Touched 50 degrees here yesterday for the first time in 155 days.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Which species of ground squirrel do you start seeing mid-March? Do all species come up at the same time or is there a pattern?

Bsa1917hunter: It snowed here again this morning - most melted off but supposed to snow again tomorrow (April 19th!).
I declare, winter, the winner - now let us have some spring - PLEASE!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
P.S.: Great picture by the way.

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

I went out this morning also, but more problems than just high grass. Out of staters! Years ago when I first came to the valley I hunted everywhere for coyotes, gophers, and prairie dogs. Ranchers welcomed a responsible shooter. Over the years, the ranches have been slowly gobbled up by corporations, or out of staters. Of course, no hunting is the result. I have one or two ranches I can still shoot gophers on. One was very good. Now the out of staters have horned in and are shooting it every day. Two loads of Arkies this morning. Like our fishing which was ruined by greenies from Colorado, this too is becoming too much trouble to bother with. I am even thinking of selling a large portion of my rimfire collection. That is their main purpose gopher shooting.
Until a few years ago, bags of 2-300 per morning were routine. Better shooting could be had, but this was just few hours in the morning or evening. Now 50 is a great day. I hate to see it, but just like the Indians and the buffalo looks like it is over.

Yep! Out of staters can be an issue with the decline

"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 believe California has Beechey Ground Squirrels. Ground squirrels are pretty much around all year here in California at 1000 ft. They have funny habits. They come out late in the morning, take a siesta when it's hot in the afternoon, stay under when it's cold. I shot about 600 last year according to my spent 223 cases. After all the rain this winter, they're a bit hard to see this year. I've noticed quite a few young ones running around.

It's interesting to me that they have some resistance to rattlesnake venom and have some tricks to fool the snakes. Theirs a pretty good article on Wikipedia on California Ground Squirrels if interested.

Yaddio: Thanks for that tip - I will look that article up.
Yesterday late, after a thunder shower, the local Ground Squirrels were out and about at 7:00 P.M. (which is later than normal go underground for the day times) gathering the wet grass and scurrying it down into their dens.
Little guys never go down to the creek (nor to the mud puddles) to drink water - they simply live off of the moisture on and in the grass they gather.
Yeah here-abouts are Ground Squirrels start their estivation (underground torpor) on about August 8th and aren't seen above ground til 7 months later (March of the next year).
Interesting little creatures.
I was NOT aware of their immunity to snake bites.
Thanks again.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy