Prairie Dogs

[Bob McCarty]

I've had a colony on about 7 acres of land that is cut off by an irrigation ditch. One neighbor would never agree to extermination so there wasn't much point in my doing anything, as they quickly repopulate. This winter I decided it was time to look into options for containment. Talked to the County open space agent and he told me they were laying down a 6" wide roll of chicken wire with a 2' vertical piece of steel (siding, roofing, etc.) as a visual barrier. After pricing out what 400' would cost, I told my neighbor that I would take care of them at my cost if she would agree. Surprise, surprise, she said yes. Over the last two weeks we have put Fumitoxin pellets (Phosgene gas) in 1000 holes. Still have several hundred more to go, but the little buggers will soon be gone. Hopefully, if we get some rain this spring, the grass will come back enough that I won't have to have it reseeded. If anyone wants a few, PM me soon.

Bob

[Steve H]

A box of ammo would've been a lot cheaper I bet! But I understand the neighbor situation.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Never tried it myself, but I know a lot of people like to hunt them.

[Bob McCarty]

The county law is that you have to shoot from your own property and the projectile cannot leave the property. With houses on 35 acres and the terrain, it wouldn't have been practical or feasible to do it. After the first few were dropped, it might have been a long wait until the next few popped back out of their holes.

Bob

[DanR]

22 cal. shot shells

[Landreo]

Lived in Colorado for 3 years. Children thought the animals would be good pets. I also thought deer were relatively harmless until they started eating everything in my garden and jumping out in front of my cars.

I believe the fumitoxin is phosphine gas not phosgene. Phosgene smells like new mown hay and is a pretty good gas warfare agent. By the time you smell the gas it is too late.

[Boss Hog]

Just wondering how you know what It smells like

[Landreo]

Just wondering how you know what It smells like

It has been beat into me since college chemistry. Also is a common topic for Army CBRNE or chemical, nuclear, biologic agents. I remember little from all the CBRNE courses over the years except " when in doubt, whip it out" referring to the gas mask. I believe phosgene is not a nerve agent but disrupts the blood lung barrier so you choke to death. A plane dropping a small low explosive bomb and the subsequent smell of new mown hay would be a good indication to put that gas mask on tight.

Phosphine gas is bad if you are a prairie dog sitting on the recliner in your hole.

[Bob McCarty]

Larry, You are correct, it is phosphine gas, not phosgene.

Bob

[Bill Hudson]

Just wondering how you know what It smells like

I know what it smells like because I used to work in an open-air chemical plant that made the stuff. It is made by combining carbon monoxide and chlorine, both nasty in there own right. Everyone carried a dual action gas mask that used a canister or supplied air depending on the severity of the exposure. I spent a lot of time tethered to the fresh air line.

Bill

[daddydip]

The county law is that you have to shoot from your own property and the projectile cannot leave the property. With houses on 35 acres and the terrain, it wouldn't have been practical or feasible to do it. After the first few were dropped, it might have been a long wait until the next few popped back out of their holes.

Bob

\
Bob, one rough memory in the military was sitting guard duty in Yuma Arizona on the bomb dump , with a shot gun between your legs and those dang Praire Dogs a running. A true test of discipline.

[Denny Clayton]

Bob, one rough memory in the military was sitting guard duty in Yuma Arizona on the bomb dump , with a shot gun between your legs and those dang Praire Dogs a running. A true test of discipline.

Was that at YPG? I was at MCAS.

[daddydip]

Bob, one rough memory in the military was sitting guard duty in Yuma Arizona on the bomb dump , with a shot gun between your legs and those dang Praire Dogs a running. A true test of discipline.

Was that at YPG? I was at MCAS.

Come on Denny Semper Fi MCAS loading up 101 or who ever came thru on the way to Chocolate Mountain.