3 DAYS PRAIRIE DOGGING

[dusterdave173]

That's right==3 1/2 days on the range shooting Prairie Dogs in 10-28 MPH wind from sun up until my eye felt like a ripe fig---The wind hurt me more than anything--It recovered each night with LOTS of lube eye drops
Can't wait until next year !

 

[jepp2]

The wind hurt me more than anything

What kind of eye protection were you using?

 

[dusterdave173]

It was the wind and looking through a scope or binos for 3 1/2 days
The strain is more than we think--it recovered each night--I was fine few days later--the wind was the demon

 

[D Coots]

I'm here to help....I can cut the eye strain by 50%...just call...

How much reloading to do to replenish?

 

[vonb]

I get that! After 3 days of shooting ~300 rds/day, I'm done. Even using good glass and fighting the wind, I'm spent. Headache from eye strain, muzzle blast let me know I've had my fill. Buuuuuut, I'm ready to do it again soon thereafter.

 

[JSH]

You need an eye health checkup. That looks horrible.

 

[Larry Koch]

Cheap sunglass like Terminator wore in the move. Works great and they have many colors and clear.
JORESTECH Eyewear Protective Safety Glasses, Polycarbonate Impact Resistant Lens Pack of 12 (Smoke)
Light Blue Safety Glasses

Who knew those prairie dogs could be so tuff!

 

[dusterdave173]

It was the high wind that did it--it looked better the next morning --Planning the wrap around glasses next time--Think that will do the trick

 

[jds holler]

That slab of meat looks like it belongs in the butchers display case. jd

 

[searcher]

It was the wind and looking through a scope or binos for 3 1/2 days
The strain is more than we think--it recovered each night--I was fine few days later--the wind was the demon

Yeah, the cumulative effects of sun, wind, dust, eye strain, heat, etc. take their toll. Over the years, I have done everything I can to minimize the effects of those things I can control. Better, larger binos with great glass, even went to a lower power (from 10x to 8X). That alone helped a lot, even though the Swarovski 10X are good binos. I use the 8X Leicas and can look all day without too much strain. Better hearing protection, better brakes, better scopes with wide field of view, heavier guns, etc.. I seldom break out the spotting scope anymore- as those will kill your eyes when looking through them for hours - even the Swarovski I use.

 

[JSH]

Well I have been on some long dog hunts10+ days, behind the scope and on the glass when not shooting. I have had stiff neck, various parts of my carcass fried and some sore eyes, but never that bad.

 

[jepp2]

Planning the wrap around glasses next time--Think that will do the trick

What kind of eye protection were you using?

That is why I asked. For several years I hunted a month straight, now I hunt for 2 weeks. Never have any issue due to wind on my eyes. But I agree that after 8 hours of steady looking through optics and binos, I've had enough fun for the day. I range every dog before I shoot.

 

[dusterdave173]

Cleaned by binoculars real good today and they had sun block on the eye cups--ummmmm maybe that had a lot to do with it. learn more every trip

 

[centershot]

Also, the back of your hands will fry if you don't use gloves.

 

[Daddycaddie67]

On our first trip this year what really bothered us both was resting our elbows on the shooting table while looking through our binoculars, hands went numb. After the second day they stayed numb and my buddy’s hands swelled up. The numbness for me took about two months to go away and my buddy is still having problems w his. I on the second day I used a couple wash clothes to pad the table but wasn’t much better. Next year I will get some comfortable elbow pads.
Anyone have this problem? E

 

[dusterdave173]

I use a yoga mat--they make thin and they work great but for Comfort--they make a thicker one--It solves that issue--and you can cut them up use on gun tables etc--I cut them and use for spacers under bags etc--I get mine at yard sales for $1 each You can even cut them up and use for extra padding inside gun carrier cases
They are a shooters Friend!!

 

[JSH]

Tripod adapter for binos. May have to hand weight on them in the wind. I have not used a spotting scope for a long time.

 

[CT10ring]

That's right==3 1/2 days on the range shooting Prairie Dogs in 10-28 MPH wind from sun up until my eye felt like a ripe fig---The wind hurt me more than anything--It recovered each night with LOTS of lube eye drops
Can't wait until next year !

Wow, that looks - painful!
I’m shooting PD’s now and the wind today is fierce and relentless. no shooting. I remember
a guide telling me that the eyestrain end of day
was called “dogeye”. I’ve had days where between my scratched glasses, mirage and eyestrain, I wasn’t sure if I was aiming at a PD or a tan clump of dirt. Heal up quickly.

 

[Tommie]

Safety glasses with side shields help some. Keep eye drops in your range bag. As much as anything, take frequent breaks from shooting to rest the eyes.

 

[Lee Whitsel]

That's right==3 1/2 days on the range shooting Prairie Dogs in 10-28 MPH wind from sun up until my eye felt like a ripe fig---The wind hurt me more than anything--It recovered each night with LOTS of lube eye drops
Can't wait until next year !

Your story is interesting. I'm working with another hooter for a 4 state gopher and dog shooting road trip next year maybe late May. Leave Livingston, Montana shoot our way up to Sidney, Mt. sight see the old forts cross over into North Dakota and visit Teddy Roosevelt old Ranch then turn south shooting our way into South, Dakota right down the center of the heaviest dog towns there are out there. Then cross over into South Dakota and shot our way on down to Sheriden and visit the Weatherby Factory and turn back home to Livingston and call it my greatest dog shot ever. Kind of like Sherman's march to the sea in the Civil war with a blood bath the whole way threw.