Estimating Plains Pocket Gopher Abundance on Adjacent Soil Types By A Revised Technique

Abstract

A measuring wheel proved useful as an aid for counting signs of the plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) on adjacent soil types in Washington County, Colorado. Signs of pocket gophers were about twice as frequent on the Haxton Sandy Loam type as were signs on the Dune Sand type. There were progressively more signs from spring until autumn. About 7.5 times more signs were observed on each area in September than in May.