PDoggin

[itchyTF]

The first time I went PDoggin was 4 years ago with a friend. Thought it was great! The next 3 years I went with son #2. Well, he’s in the Navy sub force and this year he’ll be underwater during PDog season. I thought son #1 (who’s been living in New Zealand for the past ? years) was coming back in May (just in time for PD season) but it looks like he’s not coming back. No more sons, no daughters and no one around whose interested in PDs. Going alone is not as enjoyable plus it would be real expensive especially due to the gas prices. It is also a LONG way from the east. Just wondering if anyone else is in a similar predicament? I suppose pairing up with a “stranger” runs the risk of one or both giving away his favorite honey hole (if you have one). Just thought I’d throw this out there and see what happens. I have really looked forward to these trips – just the kind of R&R I need.

 

[jerrschmitt]

I feel your pain. All my hunting buddies have to work for a living and since times are tough, most don't want to take the time off. Being retired, I can pretty much go anytime I want. I'd be open to a trip later in the year.

 

[CaptainMal]

You are right.

Took my wife last year. She had to be back in a couple weeks. From Tampa I drove my truck pulling a 30ft. toy hauler trailer for 2,300 miles ONE WAY. We hunted a couple days, had a ball, rode some motorcycle and I drove again ...all the way home.

Took a good five days of "shaking" to calm down. Exhausted. Spent 5 grand to do it. Could have motorcycled in Northern Italy for the same amount.

Alone, it's just not worth it. Here in Tampa I also do not find others willing to go. You want someone to share expenses. Companionship is fine. Driving help is fine. A bad companion is NOT fine.

Good luck with your idea and decision.

 

[hedditch]

Yes, having someone along does help with the expenses but that aside, if I wait for someone to do something with I end up not doing it at all in many cases. I make a lot of prairie dog trips alone (but I alsways ask others just to share the experience) and enjoy it just as much as when someone is with me. I found I don't have to wait on someone to have fun. I feel the biggest drawback is not having a buddy if I get in trouble like bit by a rattlesnake, heart attack, etc. I guess it all depends on how much you like to shoot prairie dogs. Me, I take my chances and it is no big loss to anyone if I don't ever make it home. As the commerical says, "Just do it!".

 

[CaptainMal]

Love that, Just do it"! If you don't go when you get the chance you didn't go. Simple as that.

Motorcycled alone all over the world for decades. Rode right into war zones. Got killed at least twice. Lots of memories made that would not have been if I had not gone so many places.

Came back from the dead to do lots of hunting. Way ahead of the game so when that snake or heart gets me ... I already won.

If it's your thing, go for it when you can "kid".

 

[Carolina Man]

I am kind of in the same boat with the rest of you guys. My wife passed away 3 years ago, now no fishing/hunting buddy. Where are you folks located? Maybe ought to get to know one another and maybe work up a trip out west for some shooting.

I am down east in North Carolina.

George

 

[Hal]

You guys that are looking for a varmint hunting partners might check on or join the Varmint Hunting Magazine or get a copy of their magazine at you local newsstand.
It's a good magazine with interesting articles.
In the classified section some members are looking for partners to share cost on varmint hunting trips.

Hal

 

[hedditch]

I will pass on what someone told me once that I have never forgotten. I am a pilot and had scheduled a fly-in for all the Short Wing Pipers (SWP) in the Idaho Chapter of the SWP club to Moose Creek, ID deep in the heart of the Selway. We had only four aircraft show up for our overnight camping stay. I voiced my disappointment and one of the older pilots said this to me, "Those people who aren't here are just having an ordinary day and us pilots and guests here because of you will remember this day for the rest of their lives". I have been on pririe dog shoots by myself that I will never forget. I have scheduled fly-ins where I was the only person to attend and I will never forget the great experiences I had even though I was by myself. If no one wants to participate, do it anyway. You'll have exeriences you will never forget and when you tell others they will share your expierence in their mind and wish they had been with you instead of having just an "ordinary day".

 

[WillinDenver]

Well, I'm going to through in my part here. I live in the West (Denver, CO) and shoot 5,000 to 7,000 prairie dogs a year and I have a hard time finding someone to go with. A lot of guys want to go to my places and shoot and go home. They don't know how many trips I go on during the winter to find land to shoot on, sometime coming back without firing a shot by getting rained out. I'm a retired GI with little extra money and a little two wheel truck. My wife really doesn't like me going along, I'm almost 68 in good health, BUT!!

I've had some good times along, but it's much better to share the experience with others, at least I think so.

Will

 

[tuck2]

I like going prairie dog shooting by my self. I have ben retired for fifteen years in p dog country so I go shooting on nice days and if it gets windy or I get tired I go home. I do some shooting year around but most of my shooting is in the spring. I started shooting p dogs in 1949 with a 22 RF rifle. Over the years I have collected various brands and calibers of varmint rifles so I take two or three rifles when I go out shooting. If someone else is shooting in a p dog town I go to a different p dog town.

 

[1deadpdog]

I will pass on what someone told me once that I have never forgotten. I am a pilot and had scheduled a fly-in for all the Short Wing Pipers (SWP) in the Idaho Chapter of the SWP club to Moose Creek, ID deep in the heart of the Selway. We had only four aircraft show up for our overnight camping stay. I voiced my disappointment and one of the older pilots said this to me, "Those people who aren't here are just having an ordinary day and us pilots and guests here because of you will remember this day for the rest of their lives". I have been on pririe dog shoots by myself that I will never forget. I have scheduled fly-ins where I was the only person to attend and I will never forget the great experiences I had even though I was by myself. If no one wants to participate, do it anyway. You'll have exeriences you will never forget and when you tell others they will share your expierence in their mind and wish they had been with you instead of having just an "ordinary day".

HERE,,HERE!!
Well put! I had the same issues with Pdoggin and Horse camping.. Everyone's just too busy, or, gee it might rain, or, what if it gets windy.. I was single for several yrs, went doggin and packin into the mountains alone here in WY. I found me a good woman who wouldn't miss it if her life depended on it.. ( I got lucky) .. But, If she's got to work, and I'm off, (yeap, still workin for the benefits.. don't really need the $$), I'll still go doggin.. Fortunate, tho, I don't have to travel far for it. I feel bad for you fellers out "East of the Crik" who have to travel far to do much of this stuff.. Really.. We end up driving 1-200 miles some days to go to bigger dog towns..But that's nothing..
We only get one ride on this merry-go-round of life so Live It! Some times those memories are all there are in dark times.. Much better than memories of sittin on yer big A watching TV,,Someone ELSE out having fun...
Hoping you guys get your dilemma resolved..

 

[itchyTF]

I'm almost old enough to retire but can't afford it. Probably never will. As far as going alone - when I lived in VT and PA I went for ghogs alone and that was fine but I only had to drive 20-30 miles one way. 1,600 one way is another story. My stamina is not the greatest. Keeping my eyes open is a real challenge sometimes.

Neither my son nor I had a vehicle big enough to hold all our stuff so we had to rent a Tahoe or equivalent. I don't recall what our expenses were last year but it seems like it was in the order of $1,300 each. This year, I could see it costing around $3,000 due to higher gas prices. For one person that's a bit hard to swallow.

I wouldn't mind being closer to the "action" and since I'm frustrated with my job, I've been looking. However, finding another decent job at my age is going to border on a miracle.

I just got a NEO a few weeks ago and a new stock for my .243AI. I really wanted to put them to use this summer. Tried the combination out this weekend. Only 3-shot groups but it gave me a positive indication. 300 yds and the grid is 3/4 inch.