Posted: 10/2/2004 7:50:17 PM EDT
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Im looking to get a group of friends together to go Prairie Dog hunting in either Nebraska or South Dakota. Maybe some of you can answer some questions I have: -When is the best time of the year to hunt prairie poodles? -How easy is it to find a farmer/rancher who will let you hunt for free/minimal cost? And do you know of any. -What else should I know before/while I plan this trip? |
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Me and a friend hunted near Valentine Nebraska once. We had lined up a few ranchers to let us hunt p-dogs there. I took 2- .223's and a 22-250. Take at least 2k rounds for each one for a week. One of the .223's needed a new tube after that excursion Prarie dogs do some funny acrobatics when hit with ballistic tips. 
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Aim for after June... Thats when the pups come up and you wont whack a wet mother. That = more targets while your there, and more targets next year. I always find that June and July offer a ton of small targets, and stupid ones at that. August shoots mean tons of very large, but sometimes wiser dogs out running around. I would rather a .223 for whackin dogs, as I can put a lot more rounds down range before my barrel gets up to grilling tempature. I wish someone would feel sorry for the poor farmer and donate an RRA 20" upper to me so I can really exitirminate these fuckers. *HINT HINT* |
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here is a link that may help. www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/PrairieDog.htm I like shooting them in the spring but they sure are fat by fall. Keep an eye peeled for rattlers. |
| I've made 3 trips to eastern Montana, not far from Winnett. I use a Savage 12VBSS-S with 55gr Nosler Ballistic Tips for longer shots. This past year I took an AR that was set up for long shots as well. One of the techniques we use is to wander around the rolling hills & whack 'em when a shot is presented. I'm setting up a 20" AR for walking. You can plan on shots at distances from 30 yards to out beyond 600yds. |
there is a density map at the link I posted above. The reservations are riddled with dogtowns but it's more expensive to shoot them there plus they require a "guide" that you also have to pay.  Most farmers and ranchers are glad to let you shoot both prairie dogs and coyotes. The coyotes will come for the free varmint meal around sunset. Be ready  |
| Take at least two rifles if not more. If shooting an AR take as many uppers as possible. You can let one gun cool off while shooting the others. My buddy who has hunted dogs forever has 4 guns set up exactly the same and rotates them. He is now using the 243wssm with a very heavy barrel for long range and 223 for shorter ranges. He loves the SA battle packs for bulk ammo. |
Hit em just right with a FMJ and they will launch  and you can get some amazing "hang times"  BY the way........Wolf Ammo works good too 
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Good point, but I do not think there are many cattle around. He gets to hunt on the reservatations. He works for the federal gov't doing something with the NA and casinos. For some reason, they are real nice to him. |