Forest Service to trap, poison gophers

The U.S. Forest Service began placing traps and poison bait in gopher burrows this week in an effort to reduce damage to tree plantations on the Sisters Ranger District.

According to a press release, high population levels of gophers feeding on young trees threaten forest regeneration efforts. Private contractors will place traps or poison oats underground within about 1,900 acres.

"Because both the trapping and baiting are underground, we feel the risk to people and animals is small," said Dave Moyer, project manager, "but it's best if people who use the woods keep a watch out for these sites and avoid them."

Poison bait provides a more cost- effective method, according to Moyer, and so will be preferred in many locations in the $58,432 elimination effort.

About 1,290 acres will receive bait. About 604 acres will be trapped. Moyer said the traps will be used near housing subdivisions and on other "sensitive sites" such as spotted owl habitat in order to minimize risks.

"The biologists tell us if a gopher comes to the surface there is a chance an owl could get it and die from the strychnine," Moyer said.

"Normally there is not enough in strychnine in a gopher to kill an owl, but several (laced gophers) might kill him," said Moyer.

In general, he said, there is very little evidence that poison bait affects species other than the targeted gophers.

It costs about $50 per acre to trap the rodents, Moyer said. It costs from $12 to $22 per acre to put bait in the ground. The difference depends on whether the bait is put in with a probe or if the gopher burrow must be opened, the bait spooned in and then the burrow closed back up.

A probe is successful if the ground is moist enough to keep the probe hole open for the bait.

During baiting operations, red and white caution signs will be posted. Other indications of baiting include short pieces of paper tape or newspaper placed on the ground and partially covered with soil. Traps are flagged as well.

Moyer advises Forest users to avoid digging or disturbing these marked areas. Keeping dogs and cats from digging in the baited areas is also advised.

Moyer notes that the purpose of the project does not aim to eliminate all gophers from the forest.

"Every year we expect to lose a certain number of trees to gophers," says Moyer, "but when gophers reach high population levels, they can really set back a site. That means we need to replant, which gets costly."