Gopher hunting seen as Saskatchewan tourism niche

[Cowperson]

Added to the vast array of tourism attractions in Saskatchewan is gopher hunting.

But shooting the gophers is "the only effective solution" right now, Mr. Jordet said.

Word of the problem has spread. People from as far away as British Columbia have asked him if they can gopher hunt on his property.
"We had a fella come in and he spent a week with us, him and his wife, and he shot 12, 14 hours a day," Mr. Jordet said.

"He slowed 'em down but, you know, that was a month ago or a month and a half ago, and they're back."

The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, with more than 25,000 members, says a lot of people have called to ask where they can gopher hunt.
Darrell Crabbe, the federation's executive director, said gopher hunting is "somewhat of a Saskatchewan tradition."

"Gopher hunting has been entrenched in many dad-and-son or -daughter [relationships] for decades," he said.

He agrees hunting the varmints could develop into a tourist attraction.
"It can be a very fruitful little economic generator for small-town Saskatchewan."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...ound+squirrels

Cowperson

[Sylvanfan]

Going a bit OT but this reminds me of when Rimbey considered hiring someone to shoot all the crows that were menacing the town. Tell me that wouldn't draw some tourists to head West on highway 53 when they get to Ponoka. Come to Rimbey to kill crows.....I don't think the town would ever find a better way to make people come out of their way to go to Rimbey.

[Cowperson]

I've been to Rimbey on a dusty Sunday in the summer . . . . . . tumbleweeds actually blowing down main street.

Rimbey and Saskatchewan are good comparables.

Cowperson

[the_only_turek_fan]

One of my good friends that I went to school with is from Cabri, and is having a little gopher hunting weekend in his home town later this summer. This will be a very interesting weekend, especially after I slam back a few Pilsners.