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Posted: 4/30/2024 6:20:02 AM EDT
well i have 6 weeks before I go on my prairie dog hunt
started 6 month ago and down to 6 weeks before it happens ,
never been on a pd hunt before so it should be a good time ,
it's a guided hunt staying at a lodge, taking 6 rifles with me
so this project will be a rifle cart where i can take 2-3 rifles to
the shooting benches along with ammo and the rest of the gear
will have a small cooler on it to , anyway here's a pic of what i'm
starting out with , will post back after completed . started out as
$25.00 stroller on market place . this is where I'm going
TS2

https://www.prairiehighlandslodge.com/prairie-dog-hunts-south-dakota/






Link Posted: 4/30/2024 9:47:15 AM EDT
[#1]
Be sure to take along a can of OFF or other insect repellent. The worse mosquitos I've ever seen have been around a few dog towns. You might not need it but if you do you'll be glad you have it.
Link Posted: 4/30/2024 9:51:59 AM EDT
[#2]
I built a cart similar to that years ago when I was shooting 3 gun. I was lucky enough to find one for 2 kids and had lots of room for my gear.
Link Posted: 4/30/2024 11:30:11 AM EDT
[#3]
Link Posted: 4/30/2024 6:58:49 PM EDT
[#4]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I used to have one of those golf club travel cases, that I got off craigslist for something like $25. It held several guns, plus the ammo for them.

Similar to this;

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/51036/Case-3201986.jpg
View Quote


interesting case ,, never seen one of those before , I use bow cases myself
that i converted for rifles .  in my younger days I owned a archery shop that's
where i get my name from ..
TS2
Link Posted: 4/30/2024 7:21:50 PM EDT
[#5]
I have only been once, so no pro here. This year's hunt got scrubbed due to some having other plans. I am going next year, even if I got by myself!
We were able to drive our trucks right to the locations, so we were picking out of the back of our trucks. I was all worried about multiple rifles to let suppressors and barrels cool, but my buddy and I ended up having as much fun and success trading positions spotting (cooling and loading mags) while the other shoots. We had 4 guys and worked in pairs of two most of the time. In the end, I never used my second rifle at all, just used my .223 bolt gun.
We brought popups for cover, those were a royal pain the D, we stopped using them as the setup time and re-securing due to the winds and location changes were sucking up more time then were worth.
Watch out for rattle snacks, that shit is real, one buddy went to whiz by the trucks and almost stepped on one.

If you wan to build out a baby buggy, cool, but be warned they get top heavy quick and don't deal with bumps for shit. We had a period where many folks were doing this for rifle matches, and they quickly abandum them for those reasons.
Link Posted: 4/30/2024 7:42:11 PM EDT
[#6]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I have only been once, so no pro here. This year's hunt got scrubbed due to some having other plans. I am going next year, even if I got by myself!
We were able to drive our trucks right to the locations, so we were picking out of the back of our trucks. I was all worried about multiple rifles to let suppressors and barrels cool, but my buddy and I ended up having as much fun and success trading positions spotting (cooling and loading mags) while the other shoots. We had 4 guys and worked in pairs of two most of the time. In the end, I never used my second rifle at all, just used my .223 bolt gun.
We brought popups for cover, those were a royal pain the D, we stopped using them as the setup time and re-securing due to the winds and location changes were sucking up more time then were worth.
Watch out for rattle snacks, that shit is real, one buddy went to whiz by the trucks and almost stepped on one.
View Quote


Ok , where did you go ?? Im taking 22 LR, 223 & 308 bolt & AR's in 223 & 308
shooting all handloads . there is 6 of us going 4 adults and 2 young ins
a 10 & 12  . Ive posted on a couple boards asking questions & tips for
first timers , going to be a yearly event in the future . Thanks for any tips to .
TS2
Link Posted: 4/30/2024 8:37:54 PM EDT
[#7]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


Ok , where did you go ?? Im taking 22 LR, 223 & 308 bolt & AR's in 223 & 308
shooting all handloads . there is 6 of us going 4 adults and 2 young ins
a 10 & 12  . Ive posted on a couple boards asking questions & tips for
first timers , going to be a yearly event in the future . Thanks for any tips to .
TS2
View Quote



We went to the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. I wanted to bring a 22LR and 17HMR, but was warned it would be of little use, since the shorter distances they will hide within a few shots. We shot mainly 150-600 yards. I think my furthest confirmed was 360+ yards. It was a blast, and definitely helps wind calls shooting a 223. Next time, I will take my 6ARC to try some further distances.
We stayed at a neat bed n breakfast lodge run by a husband wife. It was super cool, close, comfy, great meals.
Found it https://www.dogearoutfitters.com/. We stayed here, and hired a guide to get on the res.
Link Posted: 5/1/2024 7:49:54 AM EDT
[#8]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
in my younger days I owned a archery shop that's
where i get my name from ..
TS2
View Quote

Where was your archery shop located?  No worries if you don't want to disclose for OPSEC reasons.
Link Posted: 5/1/2024 8:06:15 AM EDT
[#9]
Similar to the other hillbilly, my single time prairie dog hunting in SD involved driving to our spot and setting up our benches 20' from the truck.  I went with 2 other guys.  We welded up our shooting benches in a way that they break down into a few pieces.  In doing so, we could fit 3 benches, probably 10 or so hard rifle cases and several thousand rounds of ammo in the bed of a short bed truck with a camper shell.  The area we hunted had been in one of the worst droughts they'd seen in many years.  The day we showed up it started raining and it only stopped a few times during the 4 or so days we were there.  We tried to hunt in between storms, but if it was overcast, there wasn't much action.  Anyhow, none of that has any bearing on your cart project, but I figured I'd give my $0.02.  Here is the bench I built:
Attachment Attached File

This thing it a little unrefined as I was running short on time when I built it.  This pic isn't from SD, this is just a random day of shooting in Mid MO.  You can kinda see the homemade T screws that hold all the parts together.

My brother started prairie dog hunting in CO a few years back.  They're strategy is building a "bench" that they can bolt to the front of their UTV, such that they shoot right out of the seat.  They almost exclusively shoot rimfires, mostly .17 HMR's.  With their setup, they've got 4 or 5 UTV's with 2 men each, they go set up, shoot til the dogs are gone or out of range, then move to a new spot.  I expect shooting out of the front of the UTV isn't the most comfy, but it makes it easy to move to a different spot.
Link Posted: 5/1/2024 4:11:29 PM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

Where was your archery shop located?  No worries if you don't want to disclose for OPSEC reasons.
View Quote


it was in Carroll county ,  many years ago I was a member of the Independence Bow Hunters
then a founding member of the Carroll County Bowhunters .

this is my portable bench I use very similar to your build

https://www.birchwoodcasey.com/products/swivel-action-bench.html

I only hope we have no rain when we are in South Dakota we booked a
3 day hunt .  
Link Posted: 5/1/2024 4:38:40 PM EDT
[#11]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


it was in Carroll county ,  many years ago I was a member of the Independence Bow Hunters
then a founding member of the Carroll County Bowhunters .

this is my portable bench I use very similar to your build

https://www.birchwoodcasey.com/products/swivel-action-bench.html

I only hope we have no rain when we are in South Dakota we booked a
3 day hunt .  
View Quote

Looks like it oughta work fine.  Good luck with the dogs and the weather.
Link Posted: 5/1/2024 9:51:15 PM EDT
[#12]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:




I only hope we have no rain when we are in South Dakota we booked a
3 day hunt .  
View Quote


hopefully not!
I would talk to your guide and find out if you can bring your truck right to the spots, that way you can load up your gear and wait it out. I don't see why not.
When we went, we were warned when booking, if we did not have 4wd trucks, they wouldn't even take us in the fields as it's a necessity.

I am going to research some cheap beach fly cover thingy for next time. I was hoping to tether it to the truck for anchor. That's IF it looks quick and easy enough to setup and break down.
Link Posted: 5/3/2024 8:41:27 AM EDT
[#13]
yes, they stated 4 wheel drive for a must , from the pics on their website
it looks like you are driven by a guide to the dog towns , in some pics the
trucks are set up right behind the provided benches , in other pics looks like
you walk you and your gear to the benches, that's where the cart idea came from
might need it / might not but will have everything with me as i roll out from the
truck , gun ,ammo , wind flag , umbrella , etc .. for my first trip I read a lot of post
on several boards about what to bring for a first timer .
TS2
Link Posted: 5/3/2024 3:39:28 PM EDT
[#14]
Following this thread. Thinking about doing something like this with my son
Link Posted: 5/3/2024 4:16:46 PM EDT
[#15]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Following this thread. Thinking about doing something like this with my son
View Quote


Good to hear that ,, I'm sure you both will have a good time ,

the cart is pretty much finished , going to use a backpack in the seat
aera , the bottom has been strengthen with 1 inch straps to hold the ammo
cases . the guns seem to ride along well , I gave them a good spin around the
driveway .

TS2



Link Posted: 5/3/2024 4:26:59 PM EDT
[#16]
That looks great.

I bet it prove's to be pretty handy for you.
Link Posted: 5/3/2024 5:16:37 PM EDT
[#17]
Very cool!
Link Posted: 5/3/2024 8:25:36 PM EDT
[#18]
That looks fantastic
Is the cooler for ammo or drinks and snacks?
Link Posted: 5/3/2024 8:50:23 PM EDT
[#19]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
That looks fantastic
Is the cooler for ammo or drinks and snacks?
View Quote


Cooler is for drinks and snacks
ammo go in the bottom of the cart ,
it has a full basket weave on the bottom
should hold 500 rds easy . also going to add a
couple of pouches up around the hand rail aera
for the camera and other gear spotting scope  etc...
I'll post a couple more pics before I leave with a total
load out on the cart , that will give me / everyone else
a idea on how much weight is on the cart etc..
TS2
Link Posted: 5/4/2024 11:54:15 AM EDT
[#20]
looks good!
Link Posted: 5/5/2024 9:27:25 PM EDT
[#21]
below

Link Posted: 5/5/2024 9:27:42 PM EDT
[#22]
below
Link Posted: 5/5/2024 9:28:32 PM EDT
[#23]
Here is the storage packs etc .. that i purchasedfor the cart ,
some one here may want to pick up a set for yourself .

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275936450201?itmmeta=01HX5REZRPXYZKFCCTEC84Y12M&hash=item403f181699:g:nboAAOSwy19kizyH

https://www.ebay.com/itm/233873430590?itmmeta=01HX5RH3REHX7Q835QJ4P3HXBQ&hash=item3673f1583e:g:c9YAAOSwi~dgEIle

Here is the double ATV gun Racks i purchased for the cart .
i bought 2 sets . easy install they are solid !!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/394240977169?epid=217465925&itmmeta=01HX6ZQHN3FN59ZHNSH8121X0J&hash=item5bca97e911:g:CZsAAOSwcmBiaFbV
Link Posted: 5/6/2024 6:06:12 AM EDT
[#24]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
looks good!
View Quote

sure does
Link Posted: 5/6/2024 5:12:47 PM EDT
[#25]
took it out today comes in handy toten these two pigs around,
did the final scope setups on these two
BB AR 3.2 mils@500 yds , Tikka 3.3 mils @500
TS2

Link Posted: 5/6/2024 9:59:10 PM EDT
[#26]
Link Posted: 5/7/2024 8:13:12 AM EDT
[#27]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Glad to hear that it worked out. Was it tippy at all, like high center of gravity?
View Quote


nope very solid and smooth , I think if you take a couple rifles etc..
to a range this would be a good way to transport .

those two rifle weigh together 37 lbs. empty

TS2

Link Posted: 5/7/2024 8:17:53 AM EDT
[#28]
Link Posted: 5/8/2024 8:14:23 AM EDT
[#29]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
those two rifle weigh together 37 lbs. empty
View Quote

Those are some heavy mofo's!
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