In the agricultural world, gophers, also known as Richardson’s ground squirrels, are viewed as troublesome creatures due to their destructive habits. These rodents can cause significant financial losses for farmers by ruining crops and creating burrows that pose risks to machinery and livestock.

To manage gopher populations, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency prohibited the use of strychnine in 2024. This decision was made to protect other wildlife, including endangered species, from secondary poisoning and to promote more humane pest control methods.

In response to the need for gopher control, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) initiated a complimentary gopher control program last year. Todd Smith, the executive director of SWF, mentioned that the program was established based on farmers’ requests for assistance over several years.

Farmers interested in availing themselves of this program can reach out to the organization. Once contacted, the SWF will connect farmers with local volunteers who have agreed to participate in gopher control activities. These volunteers are insured for liability up to $5 million and are committed to carrying out their duties responsibly and ethically.

While the program has been praised by some, such as James Husband, the reeve of the Rural Municipality of Hazelwood, who acknowledged its benefits, there are concerns about its long-term effectiveness. Husband highlighted the rapid breeding rate of gophers and the limitations of surface hunting in controlling their population.

Edmond Sanganyado, an associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan, suggested that shooting gophers could be a more humane alternative to poison. He emphasized that professional shooting could result in a quick and relatively painless death for the animals, unlike the effects of strychnine, which can cause severe convulsions and death within a short period.

As gophers typically emerge from hibernation between mid-February and mid-March, now is considered the ideal time to target them. Acting swiftly before the females give birth can minimize the impact of gophers on crops and livelihoods.

Some farmers, like Don Connick, have resorted to using zinc phosphide as an alternative to strychnine for gopher control. While this method is not as effective or cost-efficient as strychnine, it serves as a viable option in the absence of the banned substance.