DIY Prairie Dog Hunt

[slickyboyboo]

My dad, brother, nephew, and I are looking to plan a DIY prairie dog hunt during the summer of 2019. I am looking for some direction.

I’m not looking for any super long range stuff, as a couple in the group have never shot any long range. I’m just looking for direction on where is a good spot we can go, and get in some successful shooting.

 

[IMMORTAL]

Where are you driving from? Is there a state which you prefer to shoot?

 

[slickyboyboo]

We will be driving from Mississippi. Really not particular on state, I have done a little research on SD, but not settled on anything at this point. Pretty much open for anywhere.

 

[Damon555]

The upper midwest and adjoining western states are a good place to start. But if you're looking for people to put you onto productive dog towns you won't get many specifics. I've been shooting p-dogs on and off for 20 years and it's taken some time to put together a list of good places to shoot. Probably the best way to go for your first trip is to get a guide.....or plan on doing a lot more driving, knocking and asking around than shooting. Gotta do your homework.....the honey holes won't come to you....you gotta find 'em.

 

[slickyboyboo]

The upper midwest and adjoining western states are a good place to start. But if you're looking for people to put you onto productive dog towns you won't get many specifics. I've been shooting p-dogs on and off for 20 years and it's taken some time to put together a list of good places to shoot. Probably the best way to go for your first trip is to get a guide.....or plan on doing a lot more driving, knocking and asking around than shooting. Gotta do your homework.....the honey holes won't come to you....you gotta find 'em.

I'm starting to think that a guided hunt may actually be the way to go, on the first trip.

 

[mongo chicago]

Had a friend who criticized me for going with a guide. He would drive out west and knock on doors. Didn't believe me when I stated I got 86 dogs in a 3 day trip because he felt lucky to see and get 6 dogs. That's the difference. Unless you know where you are going and what you are getting, I recommend a guide. Like I told my friend, "I am not driving a thousand miles to shoot 6 dogs. You decide.

 

[CT10ring]

I'm starting to think that a guided hunt may actually be the way to go, on the first trip.

Guides -- suggest you get & check / call references. Go early in the year. Me it's taken 10 years to learn & make contacts.
I did 2 guided trips + they worked out amazingly well. Mostly recon on your own is best when you are out west.
If you can swing a quick trip this year to check out the area/s, it will be worth the effort.

 

[B23]

Other than hearing it mentioned a time or two I know nothing about this ranch but if they have very many PD's to shoot at, it could possibly be what you're looking for. Maybe some of these other guys will know more about this particular place and they can help fill in the blanks.

http://www.prairiedogpursuit.com/

 

[Hoodoo]

Had a friend who criticized me for going with a guide. He would drive out west and knock on doors. Didn't believe me when I stated I got 86 dogs in a 3 day trip because he felt lucky to see and get 6 dogs. That's the difference. Unless you know where you are going and what you are getting, I recommend a guide. Like I told my friend, "I am not driving a thousand miles to shoot 6 dogs. You decide.

86 dogs doesn't seem like a lot for a 3 day trip...?

 

[drover]

Google prairie dog hunts or something siimilar, find some guided hunts in a state that you would like to hunt,get some references and, at least for your first hunt go with a guided hunt. You can spend days and days searching for shootable PD hunt on public land whereas for $200-300 per day you can go shoot, otherwise you can waste most of your time trying to fine some place to shoot.

While you read here about shooting PDs all day long the thing is that if you don't have an idea of where to go you may drive aroung for days looking for shooting while the PDs are only over the next hill and you can't see them, or the place is posted Private Land. The place I shoot is 40,000 acres only only about 500 of those acres have PDs on them, they are not standing up holding signs that say "shoot me", there is nothing sadder to me that folks who have read these forums about PD shooting and expecting to go west and find nothing but acres and acres of PDs - that is just not the way it is.

drover

 

[Rtheurer]

My dad, brother, nephew, and I are looking to plan a DIY prairie dog hunt during the summer of 2019. I am looking for some direction.

I’m not looking for any super long range stuff, as a couple in the group have never shot any long range. I’m just looking for direction on where is a good spot we can go, and get in some successful shooting.

The earlier you go the closer the shots will be. Wait until mid or late summer and the dogs figure out real quick that the closer you are they faster they die. Later in the summer your shot get longer because that's all there is... So keep that in mind.
Middle may is the perfect time.

 

[Hrsmn51]

Notes from MT. Get the Forrest service maps. They will show BLM,State land as well as National forrest. Im pretty sure you can order them. For Montana stick with areas east of Billings. Your best bet for the first couple trips is with a guide. A land owner told me the guy he leased to charged 1200/week and he had miles of dog town to shoot. For the bad news we have had a major snow year records all over and the towns I normally hunt are still covered. Winter storm warning for next 24 hours!!!!!
H

 

[Tommie]

86 dogs doesn't seem like a lot for a 3 day trip...?

That’s kinda weak for one day, l alone three days.

 

[CaptainMal]

Since you are not going until 2019, watch reports posted here this Summer. PM those involved and get some first-hand information on what it was like and where this year. Then hope the little doggies are still there next year.

 

[mongo chicago]

86 dogs doesn't seem like a lot for a 3 day trip...?

Actually I didn't type that right. It was a 86 dogs in one day, on a 3 day trip. I do not do high volume of fire. It is not how many dogs we shoot, nor is it how many rounds we can fire. Is is how many rounds per dog you shoot. We actually limit the number of rounds we take to shoot to about 100 - 150 per day. We like to relax and take our time, and enjoy the "getaway". I use a Ruger #1 single shot. There is also a lot of breaks, talking and eating. Just our way of doing things.

 

[IMMORTAL]

One more question. Is this going to be a one time trip? If so,go with a guide. If you plan on making the trip every year I would go and knock on ranchers doors. Use the first trip as an investment for the years following.

I will not pay someone to let me shoot pdogs. I have access to over 800,000 acres of private ranches in Wyoming to shoot on. On one ranch they even put me and my shooting buddy up for free and feed us.we usually shoot for 8-10 days. I got access to the land by making friends there and talking to ranchers.

There is BLM land in Wyoming you can shoot on for free. That can be Hit or miss as the locals hit them pretty hard but if you get off on the two tracks,the shooting can be good. Biggest thing about shooting on BLM land is knowing where you can shoot and where you can't. You would need a current map.

If you go to Wyoming,go North of Douglas towards Gillett to the 49 mile marker. Turn right at the big antennas and you will have plenty of BLM land to shoot on.

Anyways good luck with your search.

 

[Greyfox]

You have gotten some good advice here. I suggest you do a search here on similar threads. I've been going once or twice a year since 2001. Got lucky on the 2nd trip and found a place that lasted for seven years before poison and now we are back there again. If you have plenty of time you can probably find places for free or no much. If your time is short don't waste it, research a guide and decide if you want all the little things or just a place to shoot. Lots of choices. Depending or where you are in MS, you might be better served in western KS or eastern CO. We went for several years to eastern CO and had some great shoots. Poison and drought thinned things quite a bit, but I understand that since the drought has broken, the dogs are returning in some places. Search engine is your friend.

Rick

 

[TheOtherZilla]

If you go to Wyoming,go North of Douglas towards Gillett to the 49 mile marker. Turn right at the big antennas and you will have plenty of BLM land to shoot on.

Anyways good luck with your search.

The Area BLM has ownership maps for sale. Or if you have a GPS there are ownership chips you can buy .. I also have a phone app that has an add on overlay for ownership, Called Back Country Explorer

 

[CT10ring]

hop in the truck, grab your binocs, and look for the barbed wire strand (the bottom one usually) that is not taut or has parted.

check for copper on the wire ends. there you go.

if you are in SD and it's raining, just stay on the gravel. there'e a very special type of mud that you'll want to avoid.

 

[sundance]

I live and shoot in SE Colorado and we have had the plague move through here the last 2 years and I have lost a few towns to it. I still have a few towns to shoot (I hope) and if we get some moisture this year they can come back in a year or 2. A friend up in NE Colorado said the dogs were still good up there as far as he could tell. Another friend up north goes across the border to some Indian reservations and does well up there. Hope you find some good shooting wherever you go!