First time prairie Doggin (long post)

[Kittitas George]

I agree with Rick, that bench in the P.U. bed really makes a difference. My previous set up I built a cover for the bed, my bench was on top of that. The rifle was about 8 feet above the ground, I could shoot 360 degrees and over the cab. Like Rick I have been doing this a lot of years in WA, Oregon, MT and Wyoming. The one thing I and my sage rat and P.D. shooters all believe is really quality binoculars make a difference. Leica, Zeiss and Swarovski are what we use. One person has Leica 10X40 with the range finder, the others just use the Leica range finders. Good glass makes a difference when you spend a lot of time looking thru it. I was a surveyor and used very good instruments, the company always spent the big bucks. Our tables are similar to Ricks, but shop built. Being able to swing 360 really is an advantage. Enjoy the anticipation, research, preparation and the trip.

 

[powderbrake]

May I ask without Hijacking the thread, recommendations for range finders

I believe the single best PD shooting accessory is a pair of range finding binoculars.

It is EXTREMELY difficult to estimate the range to that mound of PD's, there is nothing else out there to use as a reference. And that dog on the mound next to the one you are going to shoot looks like the same range, but he's bigger, and it turns out that he's 60 yards farther away.

There are many ranging binocs on the market, but the Leica has a smaller dot and will range on the PD's consistently at long yardage. It is easier to use than a monocular rangefinder because you can find AND range the dogs, and looking through a good set of binocs all day is easier on the eyes.

I use a 10X42 Leica Geovid model that is a few years old, and only gives the range in the eyepiece. Newer and more expensive models will transmit the range to a ballistics computer (I recommend the Kestrel 5700 elite). I have to key the range into my iphone, but someday I will pop for the new model Leica.

It is a tough choice, and it is one of the more expensive items you would buy for PD hunting. Consider if you are going to need the range to be fed to another device before you buy.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Hitting a prairie dog with a range finder is not all that easy.

Very true there.

Over the years and fumbling trying to hold the LRF steady enough to range a rat or mound at extended range, I started laying the RF over the top of my bino's or an ammo box. It worked, but not really well so I came up with this to hold the RF steady, quick to acquire the target and always handy on the bench top.



For the mounting plate, I used a scrap piece of light gauge steel and welded a 1/4-20 nut to accept the LRF mount. Nothing fancy, cheap to make and quite effective for those not able or unwilling to spring for a grand for the bino/RF combo units.



Yet another way to effectively 'wack-a-rat'.

 

[dusterdave173]

I did same thing Rick did made stand for my rangefinder- worked until I got rangefinder in binos-powderbrake is 100% correct on RF binoculars--After going through several rangefinders I also discovered the leica are the best with that small dot but...I went with ugh I know..Vortex BECAUSE they warranty the electronics as well as the binos--Check others warranty--after couple years you are on your own if rangefinder electronics fail--
So Knowing that most rangefinders I tried were of little use on the prairie for small mounds --I gambled on the Vortex Fury--and low and behold they worked Fantastic! I Loved them--they seemed to have zero issues at any range I tried 100-1100 on mounds--now at those way out lengths you were better off aiming at a near by rock etc but time after time they worked perfectly
They made my last trip ten x better than before
Find dog, mash button range dog, get dog in scope--Way better than adding that other step--you only have to find dog twice--It makes the diff!!
I consider them my #1 item to pack .

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I range mounds, for me it's easy to remember distance to a few distinctive mounds. Really once I have a 250,300 and 400 yard mound I'm good for most shots, if you know your load.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I range mounds, for me it's easy to remember distance to a few distinctive mounds. Really once I have a 250,300 and 400 yard mound I'm good for most shots, if you know your load.

Agree. First thing I do at each new setup is range the mounds that are the 'stand-out' ones and use them for bracketing the field of fire. Once you know those ranges, it's much easier to do more shooting and less fiddling about with the RF.

Every year I ponder getting a bino/RF combo. I'll look at that Vortex (gasp!).

 

[chuckshooter]

Agree. First thing I do at each new setup is range the mounds that are the 'stand-out' ones and use them for bracketing the field of fire. Once you know those ranges, it's much easier to do more shooting and less fiddling about with the RF.

Every year I ponder getting a bino/RF combo. I'll look at that Vortex (gasp!).

I just got the vortex 5000 ab and it's going to hard to give up on my Swarovski's. one thing I like about them is the wind capture mode. we will see if it helps. I'm more of a guess the wind, shoot, see where the bullet hits and then make a correction kind of guy. in high volume fields, there's no need for bino's, just a wet towel on the barrel.

shooting from an elevated position is very helpful.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I use to climb silos to look a section of land over for fox and coyote, amazing what some elevation will do.

 

[rmeyerwy]

For those of us who are on a budget, Bushnell Fusion RF binos are, in my opinion, pretty dang good for < $700, I have not used all the features yet, it even has a customizable ballistics chart ability, anyway just a FYI, I had not heard about it and came across it, most of those types of glasses are out of my price range, but I actually got this one for $524, I am very happy with it.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Mr. Meyer, how's the overall glass quality and the ability for ranging say, mounds at 600 yards on the Fusion RF's?

 

[RegionRat]

Noticed that nobody has mentioned the conditions in the last two years with respect to the plague and it's effect on the rodent numbers.

The entire divide from about I 70 north was hit with plague two years ago and many towns were wiped clean and others are greatly diminished. There was some improvement in areas this summer, but the damage was still very noticeable.

In time they bounce back, but this summer will still be a shadow of pre 2021.

 

[ken158]

SD guide Willie Dvorak at Jim River Guides is the go to in that state--He will put you up in a nice hotel--feed you a great meal one night if you hunt for two--he will put you on PD's It ain't cheap but then what is? If you are alone he will stick you with other shooters--that can be a good thing You will get to shoot PD's--it is the least gamble you can do. If it rains they pack you in a truck and zip however far they need to so you can shoot--for a first timer it is not bad--after that you will find better options. Take a 223 that you have good dope on and rangefinder binoculars--The learning curve is steep at first but second day you will be better--
You will plan your next trip on the way home I promise

I have hunted with Willie… He does know the PD spots and will provide you with a cheap bench that is non-rotating, a lunch and drinks. You will hunt with as many guys as he can schedule regardless of what you think you signed up for. You will be booked 2 per room at a local motel that obviously caters to hunters but otherwise, you would not give it a second look if on vacation with the family. I wont diss Willie but anyone can PM with questions.

 

[Dgd6mm]

In '21 we went to Western Kansas in June. We shot them for 3 days. In my estimation for MYSELF they were plentiful enough, especially pups. In October of '21 we went out to Wyoming. We found them and shot them. 2 days of looking for 3 days of shooting pdogs. Could there have been more? Absolutely, where we satisfied with all day enjoyment? Yes. It's gotten better in the last couple of years. Find a place to take you and your wife and GO.

 

[dusterdave173]

Yep ken158 is on point with Willie
I look back and think of the trip as an "education" more ways than one but--for a one time rookie you will get to shoot at dogs-- and see if it is for you.

 

[Whisky Tahoe Foxtrot]

Enjoy this journey. The more you prepare the better things will go. Consider the following.

Plan for Sun, Wind, Bugs, Snakes, Badgers, and no cell service.

Before you head out, shoot your guns and ammo at a known distance to develop accurate range data. D.O.P.E. tables really help. Once lesson I learned is limit the amount of variables to make your life easier. One year I took 223 Rem ammo in 40, 50, 53, and 60gr. The sooner you pick one load, your life is easier.

Where possible shoot suppressed from a stable position with some range finding information.
@Rick in Oregon designed the best table in my opinion.
Caldwell offers a cheaper alternative loosely based on his design.
Suppressed shots don't scatter the pups as much. The slight downside is you will have more shots to make and heat up your gun and suppressor faster. Good problem to have though.

I would love to setup and spend a day but doesn't always work out that way.
More like shoot a lot, displace, shoot more. Since dogs go down then come back up, you can clear an area only to have it hopping again a little while later. On a multi-day shoot, we have driven through an area shooting as we go, turned around and shot the other side. Shooting trailers seem like a great solution.

As for taking fewer guns, bring at least a couple. For one thing gun barrels heat up.
Barrel damage accelerates with heat. Having a couple of rifles let you keep shooting while hot barrels are cooling. Smaller calibers have an advantage here to a point.
You can overlap the range of your rifles and work farther out with the hotter cartridges.

Like @Rick in Oregon says, bring an accurate pistol. It happens all the time. You get set up and out of nowhere, a sassy dog chirps at you from a few feet away begging to be dispatched. Colt just announced a new 10 rnd 22lr revolver if you have a unlimited budget for new toys.

17HMR can be zeroed for most shots out to 150. Some would say out to 200.
Once zeroed, check your over/under at other ranges if possible. This will be your work horse rifle.
Accuracy matters here. A good bolt gun in 17HMR usually outshoots a milspec 17HMR AR upper.
Spending time getting zeroed when the dogs are out can be frustrating.

20 VarTarg/223 Rem or "insert favorite varmint round here " work well to 300.
Sure they can shoot farther but remember the wind. Afternoon gusts really pick up.
This will be your "did you see that dog blow up" gun. Fast 53grain Vmaxs are explosive.

Heavy bullets give you more range and less deflection but heat up fast.
Range finding helps cut down the sighters from "walking it in" shots. I like 6mm for 300+ yard shots.

Ok remember when you went to the range and zeroed your rifles? What was the temperature that day?
Hotter temps affect zeroes and accuracy nodes. I had an accurate W748 load push wide on a hot day where the similar load with Benchmark stayed accurate. Temp stable powder is your friend....

 

[rmeyerwy]

Mr. Meyer, how's the overall glass quality and the ability for ranging say, mounds at 600 yards on the Fusion RF's?

Again, this my opinion, but I had no issues out to over 700, and that was just as far as i went. it does help if you are steady... I have compared it to my old hand held on closer targets, both gave same or very close readings, so I think they are accurate, much easier to see thru! They probably are not as good as the hi end vortex and such, but for the money I am very happy with them.