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First Time Prairie Dog Shoot--Wow!

dusterdave173

Silver $$ Contributor
We decided last December that we would travel from NC to SD and try it. Being rookies we thought a guide would be best--Booked Willie Dvorak at Jim River Guide Service. After it was all said and done we had a ball and learned a Ton!
Willie did exactly what he promised--things went smooth and we had two days of "all you could shoot". I did not know what to expect--and when we go back next year it will be a different ball game as far as how many we hit. It was Tough to figure it all out. First day it was overwhelming--PD's from 300 to 600 and beyond--I found myself shooting at 300 then skipping out to 500 and back --I was no danger to the PD's--Rangefinder was of little use--I know now it is for aiming back to the truck from out in the field to see how far the shot was--aiming out to the field just did not work. I wound up walking in the hits to find elevation. Needless to say I did not kill a lot the first day though I did get hits out to 500.
We had Plenty of targets and had a lot of fun first day.
Day two we saw that finding elevation at a certain range and Staying there for a while was best--shoot until they were all done at that range--Then find another group--get elevation figured out and start on them--Repeat. We had much better success and killed some PD's. I spotted one fat dog on a mound at about 600--I worked my hits into him to the point I was hitting an inch left then an inch right then an inch low or high--determined to get him I fired over 90 rounds--I threw dirt on him almost every one of them--My partner said are you going to kill him or bury him alive?--I guess nobody here would admit that but you know--we were raw rookies--In the end we had more fun than we could imagine--we Will do it again next year. Most fun I have ever had with a firearm!!
 
I started colony rodent shooting in 1968 and have only missed two seasons. It still gives me the same feeling as Dave describes, and it really tickles me to read of the pure fun newbies have had out there doing it for the first time. Sounds like you'll be back again for sure. And I agree, that this specific activity is absolutely "the most fun you can have with a rifle".

Two takeaways from your post of the trip.....
Yup, gaining even a bit of elevation makes a big difference.
If possible, the use of a rotating bench will make the experience even better. Worth the expense, get the best you can afford...you'll never regret it, I promise.
Welcome to the addiction!

Any elevation gain is a good thing...



Imagine this scene for your next trip.....could it get any better?



(Disclaimer: Not my personal pic, shamelessly lifted from another post here some years ago.)
 
Power lines? Never seen a prairie dog climb a power line pole. May need to A just yer L E vation a bit.

Hooded long sleeve fishing shirts are the ticket. The ones with the thumb hole in the sleeve are great. Don’t be afraid to get a large enough one to cover up your plumbers crack. It isn’t a style show.
 
The T Shirts Willie had were cool!
My long shot ( confirmed) was 498 I know I smacked some longer but finding them was not easy
You are now required to build a new rifle by next years trip. Pick a cartridge and it will “have” to be better than what you used this go around. If I can do three in a year an average fellow should be able to pull one off ;-), lol.
I have no adult supervision:-o.
 
Sounds like a good first year... A spotter is key. A weighted stock to see your hits is even more important. Build a front rest to adjust elevation quickly like a scissor jack.
 
The T Shirts Willie had were cool!
My long shot ( confirmed) was 498 I know I smacked some longer but finding them was not easy
The smile on you face in those pics screams you had a really good time!

Burning powder, sending bullets downrange at live targets, heck, what's not to like. It doesn't get much more fun than that. :)

Maybe order one of these for some personal shade on next years trip.

 
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Just finished my PD trip for this year. It was WY this year (and last) but have shot them in TX, NE, KS, SD and NM as well over the years. My first trip was made in 2000 and it hooked me for life. For many years I made the trek twice a year and I can't recall but one (maybe two) years that I haven't been on a sage rat safari. I made the VHA 500 and 1000 Yard Clubs before they went under and hit what was probably the unluckiest prairie dog on the face of the Earth at 1615 yards. I had spent a bit of time, and even more ammo, chasing 1500 yards+ in a 15-20MPH TX wind when I finally got lucky and a prairie dog ran into my bullet.
I've met so many great people on those trips over the years and have memories for a lifetime. So many campfire tales and a few (more than a few) cold beers. I am already looking forward to next year's trip.
 

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