first prairie dog hunt, any tips?

[snod85]

taking my son-law and son on my bucket list trip for a week in Wyoming in mid June. have an outfitter who's sole job is to get us to and drop us off where we can shoot, so it might work out OK. each person taking a ,223 for short to mid range, and 243 or 6mmbrfor past 300, I am also taking my 17HMR just in case shots under 150 are available. I've read previous threads and I coyote hunt a bit. The trouble is mainly with the terrain. We are from deep pine forests of east Texas and a 150 yard shot of any kind is rare,

I have a good list of what i think I need to bring so how bout this? Please list the three things I need to make sure above all others and/or three things you have forgot to bring on past hunts and regretted it.

Already carrying enough gear to to justify taking two vehicles. Also how many rounds per person per full day should I bring? got loads developed (all right at 1/2") and now cranking them out. just not sure of how much shooting is actually involved

Been a while since I was this excited for a trip and want the boys to make memories with me on this one,

Any tips based on experience would be greatly appreciated.

Larry Snograss, Tyler Texas

 

[JSH]

It seems putting numbers on ammo is tough, first liar doesn’t have a chance. I have seen numerous threads with Herculean shooting described. I am more concerned with first shot impacts as I am a huge round count of empties.
You say a week, so I take that as five days. I would hope 2-300 a day per guy, but I doubt it. Take more of the stuff you are apt to shoot, 222,223 etc. Sun screen, a large hat doesn’t hurt. I like hooded fishing shirts myself. A good spotting scope.
A good pivoting shooting rest is a must in my book. I prefer bags over a bipod.
I also am fond of a heavy rig, mine vary from 15-40 lbs. Weight is your friend, it allows you to see pretty much everything and do your own spotting.

 

[SecretCode]

A good humbling attitude. If you say longer shots are rare from your home local to the prairies, then just have fun with it even the missed shots. Some people even family will turn in to crab's with a few strings of missed shots. At the end of the day. Just make it fun.

 

[jepp2]

1. Doesn't matter if your rifles are 1/2 MOA or not, the wind and range are larger factors. So a good range finder and some wind direction indicator are essential

2. I normally plan for 300 rounds per day. If I shoot them all, that is enough glass time for me. Looking through binoculars and scopes for that long can be tiring for your eyes.

3. With the above, make sure you have plenty of batteries for your range finder. I range over 1,000 times a day when hunting prairie dogs, so a battery in my Fury lasts about 3 days.

I always hunt by myself, so I have to do my own spotting. I need to watch the bullet strike. Even with a hit, I want to know where I hit the dog. With a miss I need to know if the miss was on the upwind or downwind side. If your rifle recoils you off and you can't see the strike, you will need someone else to spot for you. Shooting in the wind is just part of the daily shoot.

 

[jpx2rk]

The 17HMR probably won't be effective beyond 100 yds on pdogs IMO, especially the adults, pups maybe. I've shot sage rats with the 17HMR at 100-125yds and it's sketchy on the results. JMO.
Good 10x bino's, RF'g if you have them.
Shooting bench, never used a rotating one, sound nice but heavy. I use a shooting bench based on the miter saw stand, works well for me. I use a shower stool that is height adjustable, disassembles to flat for travel/packing.
Long sleeve hooded fishing shirts, baseball style hat, neck gaiters, light weight fingerless fishing gloves protect the hands, and allow your fingers freedom to run the bolt/trigger, bino's, ammo, etc. food and water for the day. 300 rds per day or so, as the week goes on, you may/will slow down some or a lot. Cleaning equipment for the guns, small tool kit for those unexpected surprises. Depending on the wind, some type of shade, a pop up shade thing, I've got a small tent with a wide opening on one side that I can set up inside for shade if needed, but never used it yet as I usually go early in the year when it's cooler.

 

[JSH]

Range finder will depend on terrain, if it is flat as a pancake you may pull your hair out. A bit more elevation like the back of the truck at a downward angle helps a bunch. I have seen one range finder work on flat ground through mirage pretty good, I am not spending $3k on one though. I can load/buy a lot of ammo for the same$ and or build another rifle.

 

[Enosiophobia]

Bring a roll of toilet paper.......always.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Snake bit kit. There are Buzztails in Wyoming!

 

[okie]

Take a shade...canopy, big umbrellas...something.
Ain't no loblollies to hide under out there.
You will have a blast.
Oh I see you have one...should've read post completely

 

[Dr. Jay]

Last but not least is bug spray for biting flies!

 

[ken158]

I am packing today and will be leaving in 2 weeks on my 15th weekly PD hunt. We try to fine tune our equipment list every year. Some items and comments may repeat what others have said. Since we come from the east, and as time passes, we have gone from driving to flying. I got a guy in Wyoming we always hunt with so we ship our boxes of equipment and ammo UPS and take 2 guns each. Fly to Denver and rent a 4x4 for the week. Base in an airbnb in Cheyenne and have a list of ranches we visit each day. Guns - we shoot regular and also shoot hunter bench rest matches so we have some very accurate rifles that we shoot often. With the wind effect in the west, you will be humbled. A 17 HMR has proven to be about 250 yards effective if wind is light. A good rifle and scope in 17, 20, 22, 6mm calibers. Your mature target is a 2 pound bowling pin shaped varmint. Take guns in calibers that do not move when fired. The better the scope, the better you will shoot and see the acrobatics. About 20x max is all you need considering mirage. A good range finder and binoculars are a must. A rotating bench is a must. Bring a click chart for each gun. Wear boots in the prairie and watch for prairie rattlers as they dine on PD’s. Sunscreen for all exposed skin (hands included), floppy hat to protect face, and neck, and cooler with water and snacks. Long sleeve shirt. Tools for gun repair and adjustments. Eye drops - the wind will dry you out and eye strain is real when you look through optics all day long. This list could go on and on but feel free to PM if questions.

 

[Sundown]

Wear A long sleeve T shirt, or you'll burn.

 

[Bob3700]

I would add saline mist for ur sinuses. Ur in very low humidity and probably at 6000 ft elevation ( even though the terrain is flat).

 

[powderbrake]

Here is a list that I use to get my stuff in the Tahoe for myself and one other shooter. I drive, bring the cooler with water and beer, and the other shooter has a similar list we load at his house.
I have two columns of check boxes. I check one box as I pre stage the items to insure I have everything on the list, and second box as I put it in the Tahoe.

 

[long40shot]

Rifle with a hashed reticle scope
Ammo
Rangefinder
Water
Sunscreen
Floppy hat
Decent table
Chair
Snacks
Cooler with beverages
A good attitude

 

[D Coots]

Baseball cap=sunburnt ears. As said above, floppy wide brim hat....must have chin strap.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

powderbrake, your list is very similar to my own. One thing not stressed enough is wind flags. If any hits are expected out there where the wind blows (all the time), you can't hit it if you don't know the wind.



Mine were made by Russ Haydon when he still had his shop in WA. Delrin bearing for spin, an arrow shaft with a .41 JHP for weight, sheet aluminum for fins and surveyors tape for the flags with lure swivels, all mounted on video light stands. They work great for live varmint shooting and working up loads to keep track of conditions.

 

[JSH]

Camping or away from civilization, I still don’t pack much as far as groceries, water, Gatorade, beer etc. we stay in or close to town. Grocery store is a good place to meet folks and stimulate the economy there, small towns appreciate it more than big places.
We used to pack coolers and other stuff, why haul it across the state or country? And it makes packing LOT easier to boot. We had some pop and Gatorade left one year, stopped by the park and left it with a bunch of kids playing ball. Had about a case of beer left, dropped it off at a buddies house cooler and all. No need to pack one out anymore, just stop and visit get cooler and go on.

Got all my clothes packed to leave next weekend. Got maps, cleaning and gun repair tote ready. I am trying to cut back on how many rifles I take, looking at five at this point. Hope I have enough self control not to throw anymore in.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Got all my clothes packed to leave next weekend. Got maps, cleaning and gun repair tote ready. I am trying to cut back on how many rifles I take, looking at five at this point. Hope I have enough self control not to throw anymore in.

Yeah, good luck on that one!

It's a good day when that is what we must ponder.
Good luck on your shoot, hope the weather cooperates for you guys.
Remember that camera.....we all love pics!

 

[C.E.Smith043]

3 major things are
1. Gun
2. Ammo
3. Shooting bench.

Other than that the major things in addition to are
1. A way to cool your barrel.
2. Range finder
3. Sun protection
4. Toilet paper.

P.S. when you load your rifle, make sure you put the bolt back into the action. Nothing worse than getting all the way up there to find out you forgot the bolt to the gun when you cleaned it pre trip