Gophers are typically between 4 to 12 inches in length. When compared to a mole or vole, gophers are physically larger and cause more damage. They are also known as pocket gophers and are named as such because of their large cheek pouches they have to hold food and materials for creating nests.

See a hands-on demonstration on how to successfully manage these pests - earn pesticide education credits or applicator points for those in attendance.

POCKET GOPHER PRESENTATION

The Marias River Livestock Association is hosting a Pocket Gopher Presentation on Thursday, May 26th at 1 p.m. at the Marias Valley Golf Course Club House. Come early and order a no-host lunch from the grill at the Club House.

Stephen M. Vantassel will discuss pocket gopher habitat and management, He will then provide a hands-on demonstration on how to successfully trap, poison with a hand probe, and manage the pest with a burrow builder at an actual site with a pocket gopher infestation. Mr. Vantassel will also talk about the Richardson Ground Squirrels or “gophers”. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to earn pesticide education credits or applicator points.

Stephen M. Vantassel has held the position of Vertebrate Pest Specialist for the Montana Department of Agriculture since May 2015 (https://agr.mt.gov/Vertebrate-Pests). He has over 30 years of experience in the wildlife control industry covering private, institutional, and governmental areas. He founded and ran Wildlife Removal Service, Inc., a vertebrate pest control company in Springfield, MA (sold in 1998). His experience includes handling conflicts with squirrels, moles, voles, birds, snakes, beaver, raccoons, skunks, and more. Between 2004 and 2014, he managed the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management (ICWDM.org) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His efforts led it to receive over 1 million visitors a year hailing from over 130 countries. Stephen is a Certified Wildlife Control Professional (CWCP™) and Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE™). Stephen has published scores of articles and several books on various aspects of wildlife damage management, including The Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rded. He is passionate about helping the public resolve wildlife conflicts in a responsible and effective manner.

Vertebrate Pest Control Bulletins

https://agr.mt.gov/Vertebrate-Pests

Vertebrate Pest Control Videos

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZjuOhPrQ07tiLslF04Ccag/videos