Cash Crop Prairie Dogs

[Winchester 71]

I am native Montanan, a licensed Outfitter and have done P dog hunts in the past on a 86,000 ranch I leased just for this..................you who snivel about the cost of shooting dogs are why I quit doing this as you don't have a clue as to what the business is about and what it cost me to take you............first I have to secure property (pay for lease) , I have to have a licence, insurance , a safe reliable vehicle, advertise, secure lodging,
submit a operation plan to the state , before the 31'st of December the year prior to work season and this doubles if not paid before the last day of the previous year.............I usually have to arrange transportation from air ports to area to be hunted and that cost me too !!!!!!! I spend usually 1-2 days picking up and returning clients for NOTHING........................then I have to guide them ( make sure someone's dog or cow or horse doesn't get shot as I am liable for damage) when a lot of them really think this is some kind of a arcade game and as long as they pay they can do whatever they want......Doing hunts where the shooters drive out is even worse as now they run around tearing up the ground or bring dune buggies and really rip up the ground, leave gates open as they think it is my responsibility, don't even know a safe direction to shoot and don't CARE and have the balls to trespass on the same property years later and tell the owners I gave them permission or even worse bring several truckloads of friends with them and guide them on property without any ones permission and shoot up road signs...........they don't care, they don't live here and I won't deal with
these people for any amount of money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[powderbrake]

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.

I just got back from the Rosebud, and there were LOTS of spispiza ( Lakota Sioux word for Prairie Dog).
We had plenty of dogs to shoot, but it was very hot ( up to 100 degrees) so as it warmed up in the afternoon, the dogs went down. Better shooting in the morning.

I had a few problems as my recent center vision loss in my right eye meant that I had to shoot left handed. Fortunately my table was designed with a top that flipped over for leftys. I drilled some location holes for my SEB Mini front rest and I was set to go. I just need more practice shooting left handed.

The four of us had all the shooting we needed. We enjoy the shooting as well as the scenery, and the companionship. We don't count the dogs down, or the number of shots taken. It is simply a good time for 4 friends to get together. We spent plenty of time in our folding chairs with a cold can or bottle of water, and telling lies about the shot we had just made. Of course I got lots of ribbing about the dogs I missed, bad eye being no excuse for those guys.

Had fun, can't wait til next year.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

I know y'all love to go guys, but if most of you would say "nope, not doing that" for a few years I bet they would be begging you to come for free - here wife has breakfast - shoot all you want boys. Let them get over run with the damn things.

This. Exactly.

I had written a novel to add here but I just erased it and will condense it. Paying to hunt/fish is a relatively new thing. Well, 27 years ago is when I first heard of people doing it, about the time I left high school. I don’t fault land owners for making money on their property. I fault tourists that started it. The market was created because people would pay. All outdoor stuff is getting over commercialized. Too crowded, too expensive, too regulated, not enjoyable. Unless you have never experienced it as it should be. Then you think it’s normal. No thanks. I was told that people pay $2500 to shoot a turkey. That’s all I need to hear to figure out where it’s going or is. Probably be like England where the ruling class, lords, and dukes are the only ones who can afford to do that stuff eventually. So I hunt paper/steel.

 

[JSH]

Winchester 71, don’t lump everyone into that group you speak of.

There are those of us a complete 180 degree opposite. I have been on more than one hunt (non guided) that I have worked calves, fixed fence and moved combines, tractors, trucks, sat in lines at the elevator etc. Never uncasing a gun for the weekend or days.

Some folks I didn’t know in the morning but were good friends by dark, most all of those have blossomed into life long friendships. Been to weddings and funerals for them.

I get what you mention and have seen what you describe first hand. Yes, unfortunately it puts a blight on all, of what a few fools do.
A guide is as much runs an adult daycare as anything.
As you mention the clowns that come back at a later date, then throw your name out, been to that party myself. That is why I refuse to take most to any public or private I hunt.

I get the cost, I just have a hard time with some pricing I have seen.

 

[sw282]

Since 1993 l have paid to shoot prairie dogs. l don't have a problem paying.. What l do have a problem with is someone thinking l'm crazy to pay for what l enjoy. l am in Augusta Ga, home of the ''MASTERS''. l see people spending THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS for tickets to WATCH someone else play golf. l don't understand people PAYING to WATCH any sport. l don't criticize or belittle those who do.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Since 1993 l have paid to shoot prairie dogs. l don't have a problem paying.. What l do have a problem with is someone thinking l'm crazy to pay for what l enjoy. l am in Augusta Ga, home of the ''MASTERS''. l see people spending THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS for tickets to WATCH someone else play golf. l don't understand people PAYING to WATCH any sport. l don't criticize or belittle those who do.

I hope you aren’t feeling belittling coming from me. You don’t understand why people pay to watch sports, but they’ve done that since ancient Roman times. Paying to shoot rodents is a far more recent phenomenon. Times change, I get it, I’m not gonna do anything about it, except point it out, and find something else to do. People want to go “out west”, and “hunt” prairie dogs. Why not make money on it.

 

[sw282]

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.

Saw a couple cows during my 3 day shoot in NM dragging legs just last month. Outfitter said Prairia Dog holes was the cause

 

[5spd]

I'm one of the lucky ones as I have never paid to shoot pdogs. I've never been told no when out knocking on ranch doors unless the property has been leased to a outfitter/ club.
You can still shoot for free, but you are going to have to spend the time and effort to go knocking on doors.
I don't blame anyone for paying a fee, it's what it is, just like hunting, fishing or any other hobby, you are going to pay to do either. Just like taking a UTV to a private recreation spot, you pay to get in, same for going to a concert, you pay to get in.
Finding land, scouting and having time to do so just don't work for most people, thus paying for access is much easier.
I've got many references from ranchers, that still happens.

 

[odie]

The rich are getting richer. I don't know a poor person who owns 10K acres...

68W40

We maybe land rich but we are cash poor.
The vast amount of ranches are passed down to the next generation.
Try to run a ranch now days . The prices you have to pay for posts, wire, fuel, equipment ect.. have skyrocketed. while the price we recieve for our cattle have remained relatively flat for over 20+ years .
I suggest doing a bit of research before making those kind of assumptions.
5th generation rancher and VERY proud of it.