First Time Prairie Dog Shoot--Wow!

[ben lurkin]

Lol. Those longer shots can be tricky. Years ago when the VHA was still around, a buddy and I were in NM shooting ‘dogs. We were gunning for our 1000 yd patches! I was behind a 6-284 and had the elevation dialed in perfectly! Having found a target, I let one fly. Then another and another! The wind kept switching and I was always to the right or left after trying to dope for the wind. After about 20 rounds, I called it and switched back to closer targets. It would have been a more luck than skill if I had hit one that day anyway. I never did get that 1000 yd patch.

Here’s one from last week though. Just a quick 1 hr side trip on the way back home from a job in Colorado. Went 10 for 11 shots. This last one was the furthest at 380 yards. A perfect setup for my little Sako L461 in 223. First shot was at his feet. I drilled him dead center with the second.

 

[Fern]

not many prairie dogs in Arizona but the few I have hunted were mostly around 300-500 yards. The 223 was a challenge trying to land hits. Since my last trip like two years ago I acquired a 204r and 22-250 in hopes of a flatter shooting round or an excuse I told myself to ge them lol
I hope one day to do a guided trip like that. My friends dad is turning 80 and loves to sit there shooting ground squirrels or prairie dogs when we been out. Really hope to do a trip with him while he’s still around

 

[pdhntr]

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.)

Can't be Montana. There isn't two straight fence posts in the entire state let alone together.

Jim

 

[nakneker]

I’m in northern Arizona, prairie dog towns are few and far in between around here and not nearly the size of the PD towns in states like Wyoming and SD but we do have a few colonies that will get you 200-300 shots. When I was a kid we would shoot them off the horses with our 22s on the ranch, PDs were much more gentle or naive but now days they duck and disappear faster and the shots get longer.

Some of the best fun you can have and it brings out the little boy or girl every time. Luckily my wife likes it too. We have a trailer with benches we use. I started carrying 5-7 rifles with us to allow some cool down time when your in the thick of it. I really have wanted to head north and get into some serious PD shooting, I’m getting closer to having the time to do it too.

Nice post, love the enthusiasm and the honesty.

 

[Cemetery21]

cover up your plumbers crack

Ha! We shot with a large heavy fellow one year. He wasn't covered well. We called him Chief Red Cheeks the rest of the trip. Good times!

 

[CaptainMal]

90 shots at that mounted prairie dog??? Guess having it out there worked. Kept the rest of the live ones around and you had fun.

Seriously. Never heard of such a thing. That must have been the dumbest dog in history or it was a molded statue of one. Neat story.

 

[linedrive301ft]

Hey Dave,
I am glad you had a great time. When we talk I thought you would enjoy yourself. You are hooked so enjoy the journey. I hope your next years trip will be amazing. Stay safe and good shooting.

 

[vonb]

DusterDave,
Good writeup and glad you had a good time. I too took that first trip with Willie in 2011. It hooked me ever since then. One thing I will say is that laser rangefinders can work and work well. On my first trip with Willie, I used a Leica RangeMaster 1200 scan. It was worthless....My next time out, I used a Sig Kilo 2000. It ranged everything without missing a beat and my hit ratio went way up. Find a better rangefinder with a more powerful laser and it'll work well. Rangefinding binos would be the next step up from there.

Also, I also learned on my second trip that matching ballistics out to 500 yds to my BDC reticle offered quicker shots than dialing turrets for everything. It was a matter of ranging and holding over in the reticle. Some will disagree and I don't recommend this for long shots but out to 500, it was money. I was using a Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50 with the Rapid-Z Varmint reticle. I found that the magnification set on 12.5x laid them right in there for my .223.

 

[209jones]

Finding gophers are getting expensive to shoot these days, took the STG44 out last year, shot a brick in short order, much more economical to use a singleshot, but, not near as much fun as chasing runners with the STG and a 30rd mag. I definitely stick with the singleshot on anything the 22 won't handle, use a 218Bee in a Stevens 044-1/2 and an 1885 in 223 for the longer stuff. Nothing quite like having the target rise with the barrel and exploding in the scope as it rises. I like the ones that sneak up behind a dead one in the mouth of the hole, don't know how often it kills them for sure, but, they have to be cursing about getting covered in the other gopher's remains.

 

[dusterdave173]

Thanks VonB Yes I had a Leica 1200--oldie but it had served me well here at home but out there it just would not cut it. I appreciate all the positive input--
And you know that Dog did not sit there for what seemed like my 90 tries --he went in and out etc and may have had a pal on that one mound --That tale is 75 % truth and 25% to illustrate what a hard time I had at that range. We never had a shot less than 300--I could do those but at 400 it got a lot harder--the young dogs are not near as big as the adults--and at 500 I killed some PD's but whiffed most of those shots--the 600 yarders would have been nice to get one for saying I did but all the time knowing to myself it would have been mostly luck
If a person has never been--I can share a lot about what to expect from a First Timers view--It was pretty overwhelming---Sitting here a week after, I am going over it all--see where I made a lot of mistakes and could have done better but.....like anything first time out--that is the way it is.
I will have a Lot to think about over the winter--as I save up for next year!!
Thanks again to all here for the input!

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

This year was the first time I have had a rimfire with, 100+ rds = 2hrs shooting. Only took a couple shots over 100 yards. Then switch to a centerfire(204) for the rest of the time at that position. Actually pretty fun 22 mag inside 50 yards.

 

[ArtinNC]

If you are going on a PD trip take lots of ammo Like at least a three thousand rounds per week .

 

[Just Say Moe]

First write up I have seen full of the truth.

About the fence, I keep a roll of wire and fence pliers in my tote with all my cleaning gear and gun repair items. Don’t ask me why……..

I have pre prepared patches (8-10 inches of wire with a loop on each end) just in case.....

 

[Damon555]

I was a "holder-offer" for many years. As my scope assortment improved in quality I learned to zero the windage and elevation turrets. I think a lot of folks don't know that this simple feature will help alleviate any knob twisting anxiety that you might have. Once set it's just a twist away from being back to zero.....if your scope is worth a hoot anyway.....and for goodness sake focus the reticle too....you might see a whole different world if your scope is set up from stem to stern.

Here's a quote from my Athlon Ares BTR Gen2 2.5-15x50 user manual.

"ii. Setting Windage and Elevation and locking your zero stop Athlon Ares BTR GEN2 HD scopes have removable turret knobs secured by a single top screw. Once a rifle has been zeroed in, simply remove the screw and remove the turret knob. After you removed the elevation knob, you will see a 1/8 inches thick brass plate inside. Just simply tighten three side screws of the plate while making sure the T side of the plate touches the metal post on the base so the plate will not turn any further clockwise (down direction), and then put the elevation turret knob back on with zero line aligned with the vertical mark below the turning knob, and last tighten the screw to lock the knob in. There is no zero stop function for windage knob. By zeroing the rifle at 100 yards, the shooter can calculate how many clicks of adjustment are needed for different distances or wind conditions. After shooting, the shooter can quickly turn the elevation knob clockwise (down direction) and go back to the zero position once the knob cannot be turned any further. DO NOT OVERTURN THE ELEVATION KNOB ONCE IT STOPPED"

A prairie dog addiction leads to higher quality optics. It sucks to look through a crappy scope all day.....The Athlon scopes that I use are a pretty darn good at their price point.....very easy on the eyes and tons of eye relief!

Cheers

P.S. You can also use the scope to judge distance

 

[Bill K]

Shade covers, ha. Partner and I needed good, warm coats. We started shooting with temp at minus 13 on this day. The little squeeks were out in the open areas.

 

[Hntnhrd]

We are just finishing up our last Pdog trip of the summer. One recommendation would also be a suppressor. Not only for your hearing but it does keep the Dogs up and shootable. I have one that goes from 17 to 30 caliber island screws on and off different guns. They never know what hits em

 

[dusterdave173]

OK
Has been 10 days since we were blasting PD's--I finally got my rifle out and back to the range today. I fired approx 1125 rounds in two days at the PD's--I did not have a second rifle and was not stopping so barrel got blistering hot--I used a hotel towel dipped in my ice cooler on the barrel--I would dip in ice water slap on the barrel and listen to it sizzle--Several times the towel was steaming--Folks on site said I was ruining my barrel--I said as long as it would keep shooting that day I was going to keep pounding--well today first three shots through cold barrel delivered this Proof that I did not hurt it--

 

[J-rod]

Great story and thank you for posting! I emailed Willie about a year ago as this is at the top of my bucket list…just haven’t had the opportunity to make the hike out there (Va). I love getting his emails about all of the prairie dog action, Lord willing one day I will be in one of them

Couple of questions if you don’t mind since you have been out there.

I am assuming you drove? If so, did you guys stop half way at a hotel or drive straight through?

I have a few rifles and would like to shoot them all for practice and switching to control barrel temps. A 17WSM that i’d like to use for <250yd stuff because I bought lots of ammo cheap for it. Then I’d bring my AR .223 but only have 77smks to load for it. .223 FTR rifle with 85.5 Berger’s, 6.5 CM with 140’s and of course my 308 FTR rifle with 178’s. See any issues with bringing the above? I imagine that’s wasting heavy lead projectiles but I am in it more for the practice then being cost effective lol.

If anyone is in VA or NC and will be making a trip out there and doesn’t mind me trailing them during the hike, and being a shooting buddy, please let me know.

God bless,
Jarrod

 

[moondog]

I use to bring a bench, or shoot off the hood if my truck. This set up is way more convenient for us. Granted, we don't shoot much past 300. Just move and shoot. Plus, it's a 10 minute drive for me.

 

[JSH]

Jarrod, accuracy of course is always number one, flat trajectory is right there with it.
You can take what you please, but you better have a range finder and be able to dial quick a d accurate.
A 53 grain Vmax or even a 60 Vmax in the 223 would be more in line. If it’s a good smooth barrel in the FTR a 40 grain may fly well, they shoot surprisingly well in my 1-7.7 twist.

If you get wind that messes with the 223, your other two would have use, may or may not get splat or launch factor. Heavy jacketed match ammo, pick your shots and get one looking at you and hit them right under the chin, standing hit them low below center. The hydraulics of soft tissue makes a mess ;-). Be aware of ricochets, old mounds are hard as concrete and can take a lot of abuse.