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Originally posted by Stonecreek:
I have an invitation to shoot ground squirrels in Southwestern Colorado. My impression is that these are Richardson's Ground Squirrels, but all of the references I find indicate that the Richardson's variety are limited to ND, SD, MN, and MT (and prairie provinces of Canada) -- none in Colorado. So, does anyone know which variety these are? By the way, locals often errantly refer to them as prairie dogs, and the Richardson looks very much like a slightly smaller prarie dog.

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They are probably Wyoming Ground Squirrels.

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Wyoming ground squirrel (Urocitellus elegans). The similarity in appearance between Wyoming ground squirrels and Richardson’s ground squirrels is so great that for many years the Wyoming ground squirrel was considered to be a subspecies of the Richardson’s ground squirrel. However, genetic evidence, including a difference in numbers of chromosomes, justifies classification as a separate species. The Wyoming ground squirrel occurs in three distinct non-contiguous locations in the US, primarily in Montana/Idaho, Wyoming/Colorado, and Nevada.

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Originally posted by Stonecreek:

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They are probably Wyoming Ground Squirrels.

"formerly known as Richardsons ground squirrel"

No explanation of why the name change, but I assume it comports with the differentiation between subspecies.

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Originally posted by Grizzly Adams1:

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Originally posted by Stonecreek:

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They are probably Wyoming Ground Squirrels.

"formerly known as Richardsons ground squirrel"

No explanation of why the name change, but I assume it comports with the differentiation between subspecies.

Biologists can be classified as Lumpers and Splitters.

Grizz

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Fill a beer/soda can with pea gravel and sufficient water to fill it. Place the can on the mound near the borrow and set up with your rifle 100 yds out. When a group of rodents has gathered to investigate the curious object, shoot the CAN, and let the gravel do the work. Very effective!