AdvertisementWith hunting for big game and birds off-limits until fall, summer is the ideal time to hone your marksmanship skills by heading afield for gophers. Officially, they’re called Richardson’s ground squirrels, but every kid with a .22 knows these little rodents as gophers. Given the destructive nature of gophers, most landowners welcome hunters—just be sure to get permission before stepping onto private land. For most gopher hunting, a .22LR is more than powerful enough, and the ammunition is affordable. Find yourself a good shooting location, usually on high ground, then wait patiently for gophers to emerge.