HELP: Info Needed on Prarie Dog Shoots

[Angela71]

I am wanting to travel from KY out west for about a week, and do some PD shooting. I would rather compensate a rancher that has varmit issues and do some private shooting verses paying $$$ to a guide. I am looking for somewhere around Kansas, Montana, or Nebraska. I however, am open to other more populated areas/ states. Any help would be greatly appreciated...
Sincerely,
Angela

 

[Tommie]

Angela,
Since you’ve asked “where can I shoot prairie dogs” several times now, I’m guessing you’ve gotten vague information. There is a reason for this - finding private land to shoot on takes time and a lot of foot work. Once a person finally finds a friendly landowner it is highly unlikely that someone is going to volunteer the location of his or her “honey hole”.

I realize I’m being direct but someone’s gotta tell you how it is. Bite the bullet, arrange for a guided service, get some sandbox time in and most importantly do some scouting while you’re in the area.

 

[TAJ45]

It doesnt help that the glory dog days were quite a while back. I too want to make my first colony shoot but paying a "guide" on a rez to take me out, dump me after being late on dubious "towns" that have been shot over.....:/.....meh.
Two guys in the club have been doing this for years. Not that many rounds fired and they BOTH pay the greens fee.
Yah, I'm a little skeptical.

 

[Angela71]

Alot of forums ive read say be weary of guided shoots. Say most guided shoots are very pricey and most there grounds are overshot

 

[people]

Look at PD maps and then stop in at the local café. Just start talking to people there. There will be a bunch of old guys drinking coffee in the morning. That will give you a good start.

 

[pikespeakgoat]

Here's a link that has a bunch of outfitters, some way more reasonable than others:
https://www.guidefitter.com/hunting/prairie+dog

 

[Angela71]

Thanks guys, for the info. I plan to check them out

 

[JSH]

Sorry, but you have to spend the time doing the foot work. I have spent countless hours driving looking and plain getting lost to just turn over that kind of information, sorry ain’t gonna happen. (That’s why it’s called hunting)
There are locals I make it a point to search out and visit with, yet I have not been given an invitation to come shoot yet. Yet, being the key word. Today is different than the 80’s,90,00’s. Society in general as a whole has done little for rural America but show up and take. Where as before they (rural America) was happy to give when asked. Now, if the gate is open that must mean go in like you own the place. I can’t think of a single rancher or farmer that has not had this happen during some of the hunting season no matter what the game. I have worked in agriculture a large majority of my life, so I say this with knowing way more than a couple of folks in one town, amounts to several states and lots of folks.
The liability is also a huge issue.
Others have asked the same question on a yearly basis. Most reply’s were to the effect of, that is the same as asking a person to show them a honey hole fishing spot.

Don’t mean to come off raw or coarse on the subject.

 

[shb]

Fish where the ranchers hang out, not where the shooters hang out.

 

[TAJ45]

Diners, eateries

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Paying to shoot prairie dogs... And trespassing/being irresponsible because people are well, there’s always that one guy, has ruined it in a lot of places.

used to be able to go most places as a local and call or knock on the door, visit, have a cup of coffee, go shoot. Now it’s “leased out”, to an “outfitter”, or ya gotta pay. Or it’s a solid no because property or livestock gets damaged. I grew up on a giant ranch, never had these issues, wish my kids could experience shooting rabbits, squirrels, coons, prairie dogs and whatever wherever. 25 years ago it was this way still, town people could go out and plink away. Not as easy today. It’s the same with all hunting. Money.

the public....... could wreck an anvil

 

[Rustytigwire]

Prairie stealth mosquitoes. Can not feel the bite.
More evil than gulf coast mosquitoes.
Wy Sodak Nodak.
Be prepared.
I bought head nets for next trip.

 

[Angela71]

I am not at all offended by the responses i have received. It to me it is knowledge that i am learning along the way. I thank each of you for informing me of the stipulations and retirements.

 

[hunter67]

Don't forget to call the biologist in the area you want to hunt. They have a lot of info and maybe a ranchers number!

 

[Bill K]

You can also check out the states fish and game/wildlife sites or call them and ask for any information they might have or give you on areas. BLM offices and their biologist are also a place to ask. And as mentioned local ranchers having coffee in the am.

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Paying to shoot prairie dogs... And trespassing/being irresponsible because people are well, there’s always that one guy, has ruined it in a lot of places.

used to be able to go most places as a local and call or knock on the door, visit, have a cup of coffee, go shoot. Now it’s “leased out”, to an “outfitter”, or ya gotta pay. Or it’s a solid no because property or livestock gets damaged. I grew up on a giant ranch, never had these issues, wish my kids could experience shooting rabbits, squirrels, coons, prairie dogs and whatever wherever. 25 years ago it was this way still, town people could go out and plink away. Not as easy today. It’s the same with all hunting. Money.

the public....... could wreck an anvil

^^^^This^^^^ Out of staters have been the reason/excuse for the majority of poisoning on private land here in northwest SD. What haven't been poisoned are pay to hunt. Landowners figure if they have to deal with the open gates, trash, trespassers, tearing up their pastures when wet, dead or crippled livestock, phone calls at any time and hang ups when they don't give permission then they just as well get paid for it!! Public land here in northwest SD draws 100+ out of staters every summer. Don't believe me? Come out and park and count for yourselves. Asked the Game Warden about out of state license purchased locally and that is the number he gave me. They park on top of each other and the majority I have come into contact are the rudest most self serving people I have ever dealt with!!!! Us backwards flyover morons don't disprespect people like those east of the Miss. or east of the Missouri for that matter do. Nobody local really even tries to get out to shoot pdogs anymore and forget taking their kids out. They would have to invest in a 1K BR gun like those people bring to even think about hitting anything. Then they want to stay for a week and have unlimited shots the duration.

Landowners wanted shooters to shoot their pests 50 yrs ago when I started shooting them, not anymore. As teenagers we could shoot all day with a .22. Then those friendly waitress' who get 'tipped' and those feed store etc people who point them in a direction aren't appreciated much by local landowners! For that matter neither is the local forest service employees directing people to private land or towns people who give out info for a few bucks. The now defunct VHA was the main start to it all, 'selling' directions for a membership!! Been on the net for over 15yrs and when it is known I am from western SD bet I have had at least 50 emails or PM's wanting "a favor"! Then threats to kick my old arse when I tell them the above. Been told by my good friend and HS buddy in Miles City, MT that eastern MT is pretty much the same way anymore also.

The GF&P will tell you anything because they want the license revenue and the Forest Service wants the extra traffic to show DC how much they are needed and need more money for maintenance etc. The private landowners get 'mentioned' generally even though they have never given either permission to send out hunters/shooters!

I know...BLUNT.... but the honest to God truth!

 

[TAJ45]

^^^^This^^^^ Out of staters have been the reason/excuse for the majority of poisoning on private land here in northwest SD. What haven't been poisoned are pay to hunt. Landowners figure if they have to deal with the open gates, trash, trespassers, tearing up their pastures when wet, dead or crippled livestock, phone calls at any time and hang ups when they don't give permission then they just as well get paid for it!! Public land here in northwest SD draws 100+ out of staters every summer. Don't believe me? Come out and park and count for yourselves. Asked the Game Warden about out of state license purchased locally and that is the number he gave me. They park on top of each other and the majority I have come into contact are the rudest most self serving people I have ever dealt with!!!! Us backwards flyover morons don't disprespect people like those east of the Miss. or east of the Missouri for that matter do. Nobody local really even tries to get out to shoot pdogs anymore and forget taking their kids out. They would have to invest in a 1K BR gun like those people bring to even think about hitting anything. Then they want to stay for a week and have unlimited shots the duration.

Landowners wanted shooters to shoot their pests 50 yrs ago when I started shooting them, not anymore. As teenagers we could shoot all day with a .22. Then those friendly waitress' who get 'tipped' and those feed store etc people who point them in a direction aren't appreciated much by local landowners! For that matter neither is the local forest service employees directing people to private land or towns people who give out info for a few bucks. The now defunct VHA was the main start to it all, 'selling' directions for a membership!! Been on the net for over 15yrs and when

The GF&P will tell you anything because they want the license revenue and the Forest Service wants the extra traffic to show DC how much they are needed and need more money for maintenance etc. The private landowners get 'mentioned' generally even though they have never given either permission to send out hunters/shooters!

I know...BLUNT.... but the honest to God truth!

Wow, that is bleak. Got turned onto colony action too late in life. :/ Thanks for your input.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Those days of hanging out in the coffee shop and getting permission to hunt are over.

 

[nmkid]

If you wish to venture out to Southwestern Wyoming...Send me a PM with your phone number.

 

[Mark W]

Wow, that is bleak. Got turned onto colony action too late in life. :/ Thanks for your input.

I’m sure it’s not what it once was, but I haven’t found it to be nearly that bad. Everyone I’ve met out west from other shooters, to land owners, outfitters, and the waitresses at the diner have been super nice. I’ve never came home yet wishing I’d shot more, but I tend to pick my shots more for quality than quantity.