Sage rats (Belding’s ground squirrels) are destructive agricultural pests that cause tens of millions of dollars of damage each year. Livestock animals are injured when they step into the rat holes, irrigation pivots get stuck in sinkholes caused by collapsed burrows, and fields become impassible by vehicle. Their voracious appetites and extensive digging significantly reduce crop yields. Sage rats attract badgers that greatly enlarge the rat holes while digging for prey.
Sage rats attract numerous predators. In a typical day in the field, we’ll see eagles, hawks, falcons, crows, ravens, and even sea gulls. Dead rats are quickly scavenged by the local wildlife, including coyotes and badgers.
Do not handle sage rats – they are known to carry parasites, plague and other diseases.
The State of Oregon classifies sage rats as agricultural pests; there are no official hunting seasons or limits on sage rats. The State does not require a hunting license to hunt sage rats on private land.
In the Silver Lake area, rats emerge from hibernation sometime in February. March and April hunting can be excellent, as the alfalfa is still low and the rats are active. However, March and April weather can be fickle in Lake County (cold, wet, maybe even snowy). Of course, we will hunt in March or April if you’re willing to chance the weather. Females have one litter per year, and spend less time above ground in April as they tend their young. In mid May to early June, females and juveniles emerge in force. Because the first alfalfa cutting typically happens in mid to late June, early July is a prime time to hunt sage rats. Sage rats begin to hibernate in August, and by September there are few rats to hunt.
When the rats are up, you can scout for rats by just listening for their chirping (they are chirping at your presence). But because they can be spooked into their holes by clouds, rain, birds, or your presence, the surest method is to simply look for their dirt mounds. More dirt mounds means more rats.
Our neighbors in southern Idaho have Townsend ground squirrels, also known as “whistle pigs”, that are a very close cousin to Belding’s ground squirrel. Whistle pigs are the namesake of the famous Idaho rifle gun barrel manufacturer, WhistlePig GunBarrel Co.
Further reading:
Wikipedia – Belding’s ground squirrel
Academic study on economic impact of Belding’s ground squirrel (PDF)
Control of the Oregon Ground Squirrel (PDF)
