Cash Crop Prairie Dogs

[redrockranger]

These fools should be PAYING YOU for eradicating varmints that make holes in the ground that break a steer's legs?

I mean, seriously? That's just stupid. They should advertise and let people on their land for free.

Further, it is my understanding that a dog town can decimate an alfalfa field.

This is mind numbing. Whatbuncha short sighted F****its.

Hunting a ranch near Isabell S. D. the rancher brought up the wifes tale of cattle breaking a leg from stepping in a Prairie dog hole. He spoke of a local meeting between ranchers and scientific group that ask that very question. Raise your hand if you ever had a cow break a leg in a prairie dog hole. Total silence and not one hand in the air.

 

[sw282]

Actually a section is 640 acres

Thats right. Here in Augusta l own .000515625 Sections!!

 

[charlesasmith]

Interesting how I spend thousands of $ on a hobby that I engage in for a few days each year. Seems to be the norm to spend a lot time and money for only a few days of pleasure.

Chuck

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Interesting how I spend thousands of $ on a hobby that I engage in for a few days each year. Seems to be the norm to spend a lot time and money for only a few days of pleasure.

Chuck

Same here Chuck, and those few days are dear indeed.

 

[moondog]

Even though I'm retired now, I still have to work. The Ranch who's property I shoot on just asked if I could come over and work some dog fields. Sucks, but somebody has to do it.

 

[timeout]

Even though I'm retired now, I still have to work. The Ranch who's property I shoot on just asked if I could come over and work some dog fields. Sucks, but somebody has to do it.

Need any help??

 

[Marines1983]

I just got back from Rosebud. COVID-19 closed the reservation to hunting last year, with no hunters to exterminate the prairie rats. Many ranchers had there p/d town’s poisoned. I brought back a lot of ammunition.

 

[bowfisher]

I just got back from Rosebud. COVID-19 closed the reservation to hunting last year, with no hunters to exterminate the prairie rats. Many ranchers had there p/d town’s poisoned. I brought back a lot of ammunition.

Thanks for the report.

 

[markT]

Hunting a ranch near Isabell S. D. the rancher brought up the wifes tale of cattle breaking a leg from stepping in a Prairie dog hole. He spoke of a local meeting between ranchers and scientific group that ask that very question. Raise your hand if you ever had a cow break a leg in a prairie dog hole. Total silence and not one hand in the air.

Not surprising.. They have "Auto-gates" all over the ranches and gravel roads in WY.. We always called them a "cattle guard." Cows have vision... Maybe a stampeding bunch with nose to tail they may step in one.. But prairie dogs mound up soil so that is a visual and also an incline.. Also never seen a cow with a cast on his leg or on crutches..

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Also never seen a cow with a cast on his leg or on crutches..

Don't know how far west you've ever been, but around here, ranches that raise horses have cattle guards and fences, and are VERY glad to have us shoot their burrowing Beldings ground squirrels. These critters do not build up much of a mound, and horses DO step in the holes and DO break legs. Precisely the reason we're encouraged to come out and shoot the little rats for the ranchers.

No crutches, no cast, just a bullet to the head. Big bummer if you're a "horse person".

 

[D Coots]

What are you using to shoot those squirrels Mr Rick?

 

[Rick in Oregon]

What are you using to shoot those squirrels Mr Rick?

Just about everything you'd imagine in my lifetime, but for the past ten years or so, my Cooper 20VT has seen most of the action. The thing just plain shoots!



Driving about on ranch property, it's usually one of my custom 10-22's on a window bag out the drivers side window...... then sometimes my K-Hornet.......

 

[Retired Guy]

Have never been p-dog shooting but would like to someday. In the meantime, I have been hitting the sage rats. Just got back from Crane last week.

Just wanted to add a comment to Rick's above. In Oregon on private land, it is permissible to have a loaded rifle in the vehicle. The very first time I went sage rat shooting a few years ago, the landowner took me to a section that he wanted me to work over. As we were driving over, he had his Savage bolt action 17 HMR sticking out the drivers window. Occasionally he would stop, shoot, and then continue to drive. He got quite a few rats doing "drive by shootings".

 

[drover]

I actually enjoy gopher shooting more than PD shooting, the targets are more plentiful, they are smaller and more challenging.

I do about 90% of my gopher shooting from the cab of my pickup (legal in Idaho). It gives a lot more shooting opportunities being mobile and they do not recognize the pickup as a threat whereas the moment someone is outside the pickup and moving they immediately go on alert. About the only time I get out is when nature calls or I need to stretch. I sometimes lay a bag on the hood and stand up and shoot for a while at longer range opportunities just for a break from driving and shooting.

drover

 

[Rick in Oregon]

"Drive-By" rat shooting (LOVE it!)......been doing it for over 40 years here in Orygun. When the weather is not perfect for bench shooting, we cruise ranch property with our custom 10-22's out the truck window using Don Scott's excellent window bags. As has been mentioned, the rats do not fear a truck, just two-legged human forms in the field.

We call the rear seat the "waist gunner" as opposed to "front gunner". The only chore is finding and picking up a few hundred spent 22LR cases out of the truck interior moldings and windshield vents after a few good 500 round mornings. Always fun after getting home.



The aftermath of a good morning in the truck cruising the two-track:



I've shot PD's for years, and even more squirrels here in Orygun. But for my money, squirrels are much more fun; more stupid, stay up even when their buddies are getting vaporized, tolerate some drizzle, a bit of wind, and are just much more plentiful for "target work" than their larger cousins. Plus, we've got the little buggers everywhere here.....NO long drives.

Off the bench or drive-by out the truck window, it's all good, and about the most fun you can have with a rifle!

 

[timeout]

"Drive-By" rat shooting (LOVE it!)......been doing it for over 40 years here in Orygun. When the weather is not perfect for bench shooting, we cruise ranch property with our custom 10-22's out the truck window using Don Scott's excellent window bags. As has been mentioned, the rats do not fear a truck, just two-legged human forms in the field.

We call the rear seat the "waist gunner" as opposed to "front gunner". The only chore is finding and picking up a few hundred spent 22LR cases out of the truck interior moldings and windshield vents after a few good 500 round mornings. Always fun after getting home.



The aftermath of a good morning in the truck cruising the two-track:

That looks like a blast. Have you ever thought about rigging up a brass catcher on that rig?

 

[Rick in Oregon]

That looks like a blast. Have you ever thought about rigging up a brass catcher on that rig?

Funny you should mention that. We all now use brass catchers designed for the AR. A few small mods, and wha-la, it works well on about any semi-auto brass belcher. My buddy Dan, the owner of the truck we normally use for the drive-by action, now has a fabric screen at his back to save his neck from the HOT empties from MY rifle. Never bothered me a bit, but he has a much different opinion.

 

[6MMsteve]

Last thread I saw on the rising costs of Prairie dog shooting was in 2018. It has gone through the roof and has become a cash crop for many ranchers that have established "trespass fees" for shooters. No need to rehash the good ole days, I have been shooting them for 15 years. Was, free access most anywhere, "get them all". Now, after my rancher has "eradicated" his in effort to increase cattle production, I have searched for other grounds. Lowest price for package is $200 a day per shooter. Package includes use of old ranch house and exclusive use of ranch for booked days. Acreage over 10,000, most dogs right at ranch house or within 1 mile.

What really spurred this thread, I was quoted from $300 to $800 (called guided) hunts without lodging, and starting at $400 depending on lodging. All inclusive with meals was over $1000 per day per person.

I live in Georgia so adding fuel and ammo even at $200 a day, it really bites. It used to be fun but I think I am being priced out of the game, sort of like Pro Baseball, Football and NASCAR.
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Canada has millions..I watch a farm channel on utube,,,Mike Mitchell.... they farm about 30.000 acres....he was talking about the destruction they cause

 

[markT]

Just about everything you'd imagine in my lifetime, but for the past ten years or so, my Cooper 20VT has seen most of the action. The thing just plain shoots!



Driving about on ranch property, it's usually one of my custom 10-22's on a window bag out the drivers side window...... then sometimes my K-Hornet.......

Blood sport. Don’t get much better than that.

 

[tstowater]

We are fortunate to know many ranchers in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana and they know more ranchers. Guessing that we have been on 50 to 60 different places in the last 10 years or so. Usually move on because of the plague, poison or looking for better shooting or meet some new people. We have paid a small trespass fee on several of the places, and some are well worth the money spent. One ranch last year was $100/day/gun on one part of the ranch and free on the other part. Looked over both and paid the $100/day. Excellent shooting other than the 100 degree temps and humid. When I say excellent shooting, that means you are busy shooting and normally running several guns depending on temp and cartridge. By the time we pay for hotels, gas and ammo, the $100/day is reasonable. Never met the rancher. Just sent him a check. Planning on a new spot this year with some ranchers who are in the seedstock business.