Prairie Dog Hunts

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Posted: 10/2/2004 7:50:17 PM EDT

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?

Posted: 10/3/2004 10:45:35 AM EDT

[#1]

1. April to June before it gets too hot.

2. Check with the Fish and Game from those states or go the Hometown forms and ask the question there.

3. Take three time as much ammo as you think you will need. It can be a target rich environment.

Posted: 10/3/2004 10:50:19 AM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
3. Take three time as much ammo as you think you will need. It can be a target rich environment.

YES +1
On a good day 1500+ rnds

Posted: 10/3/2004 11:43:57 AM EDT

[#3]

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.

Posted: 10/3/2004 12:19:01 PM EDT

[#4]

thanks for the info guys

Posted: 10/3/2004 12:32:55 PM EDT

[#5]

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*

Posted: 10/3/2004 12:38:48 PM EDT

[#6]

I didnt get to go this year, but in May of 2003 I went through 7,500 rounds of .223 ammo in South Western North Dakota

September has always produced some good shooting too

Posted: 10/3/2004 4:26:08 PM EDT

[#7]

Where do you guys go? Or better yet.. how to you locate these places?

Posted: 10/3/2004 4:39:51 PM EDT

[#8]

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.

Posted: 10/3/2004 4:44:27 PM EDT

[#9]

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.

Posted: 10/3/2004 5:06:26 PM EDT

[#10]

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

Posted: 10/3/2004 5:11:47 PM EDT

[#11]

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.

Posted: 10/3/2004 5:17:41 PM EDT

[#12]

tagged,

shit this sounds like fun.

Posted: 10/3/2004 5:51:42 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
He loves the SA battle packs for bulk ammo.

FMJ will do but in .223 it sometimes takes em awhile to die.

I'd much rather splatter them with ballistic tips and soft points

-edited seems FMJ richochet more too - not good with cattle around.

Posted: 10/3/2004 7:06:42 PM EDT

[#14]

shit this sounds like fun.

It has been a few years since I did it but shooting prairie dogs was one of the most fun hunting events I have ever taken part in.

Posted: 10/3/2004 7:10:55 PM EDT

[#15]

my wifes cousin and his kid went dog shootin July in SD and had a blast, I may go next year

Posted: 10/3/2004 7:15:28 PM EDT

[#16]

Its on my list of things to do given time and money.....

Posted: 10/3/2004 7:16:28 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
Quoted:
He loves the SA battle packs for bulk ammo.

FMJ will do but in .223 it sometimes takes em awhile to die.

I'd much rather splatter them with ballistic tips and soft points

-edited seems FMJ richochet more too - not good with cattle around.

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

Posted: 10/3/2004 7:18:55 PM EDT

[#18]

ranchers are usually happy to have you shoot the pdogs if they trust you
they are a menace to cattle, grass, and humans

Posted: 10/4/2004 7:55:48 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

-edited seems FMJ richochet more too - not good with cattle around.

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.

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