Praire Dog Guides
- Thread starter jghoghunter
- Start date
I shot 900 rounds in one day before and I will never do that again! Yeah we had a ton of dogs, guns, and ammo.....but man did my head hurt at the end of the day! I don't know what the guys with me shot but it was close to the same. It seemed like non stop shooting all day. Now I am much happier with 400-500 rounds of good quality shooting per day.
I would agree that 200 - 350 shots/day is "good" PD shooting. I do go to one place where the shooting is from 50 to 400 yards and shoot about 500 shots/day. I am worn out at the end of the day. BTW, that is with single shot bolt guns, carefully aimed shots and shooting pretty small calibers like 22 K-Hornet, 221FB, 20VT. Lots of fun for a once/year shooting experience.
Coming from the MidWest, I find part of the enjoyment of the trip in seeing different parts of the country and enjoying the scenery.
I've shot both public and private land in several states. I've seen public spots that were crawling with dogs that afforded us a lot of shooting. Many times so close that a .17HMR was used for most of the shooting.
I've also seen huge public land towns with 5 dogs running across several acre towns. As if they just up and disappeared. I've heard 1 too many reports lately of the plague coming through and from what I saw in SD, I would not be surprised.
Private land seems to be the key. Although, I had permission from an elderly woman in SD to shoot on her land and her son put an end to that as he had some other shooters coming the next week that apparently he charged for. When I mentioned that in town, they didn't seem too surprised about his actions. Found another land owner and his only ask was that we didn't shoot his badger as he was waiting for winter when it's coat would be better. We obliged him and had 2 solid days of shooting.
Usually some digging around will net you landowners that just want their dogs GONE. Don't shoot their livestock and shoot in a safe direction and they'll welcome you year after year.
I've shot both public and private land in several states. I've seen public spots that were crawling with dogs that afforded us a lot of shooting. Many times so close that a .17HMR was used for most of the shooting.
I've also seen huge public land towns with 5 dogs running across several acre towns. As if they just up and disappeared. I've heard 1 too many reports lately of the plague coming through and from what I saw in SD, I would not be surprised.
Private land seems to be the key. Although, I had permission from an elderly woman in SD to shoot on her land and her son put an end to that as he had some other shooters coming the next week that apparently he charged for. When I mentioned that in town, they didn't seem too surprised about his actions. Found another land owner and his only ask was that we didn't shoot his badger as he was waiting for winter when it's coat would be better. We obliged him and had 2 solid days of shooting.
Usually some digging around will net you landowners that just want their dogs GONE. Don't shoot their livestock and shoot in a safe direction and they'll welcome you year after year.
Hunting dogs out west can be fun if you get to know a land owner. Lots of them will welcome you, especially if they have alfalfa fields under irrigation. Careless shooters have soured a lot of the farmers and ranchers in Oregon and Idaho because of indiscriminate shooting. I have a couple places I shoot with the owners. Like other commenters said, you have to develop a relationship with them. Take a trip to where you are interested in shooting and knock on some ranchers doors. Most are great people but they make their living on their land and want to make sure you are a safe and responsible shooter. Too many irrigation pivots have been shot up by vandals and irresponsible shooters over the years. Real shame too. I have never paid to hunt or shoot on any land. As for guides, never use them.
Tried a guide service once, and that was enough, lot of land to hunt but not many dogs on it, AND no guide!!! Have had excellent success with just talking with ranchers in different shops and places that sell license.
Any good suggestions on an area to start looking in? Im from Jackson MS and want to try this out bad, so bad in fact I have planned to take off the first of june and head north and try my best at it. THe problem Im having is deciding which areas to explore and of course would love to have a destination picked out before I head that way. Any help is appreciated!!!
Harley,
We use to go to the Holly/Lamar Colorado area every year until it got too dry about 3 years ago. That might be worth considering if they received enough rain over the last year or so. Best of luck with your search.
We use to go to the Holly/Lamar Colorado area every year until it got too dry about 3 years ago. That might be worth considering if they received enough rain over the last year or so. Best of luck with your search.
thanks I'll check that out
Here is the motel we stayed in while in Holly: http://www.milescourt.com/ Its a very nice clean place and reasonable prices. I believe they also have a list of land owners that will allow you to shoot pdogs on their property.
harleyreb1 said:
Shot dogs in Eads (near Lamar) last 2 summers. Last year much better than year before. Looks as though they have been getting some moisture again this past year, so dogs should be populating again. If you want to use a guide, call Kevin Brown, KB Style Adventures; he's a good guy & has his own accomodations for customers.
I used Jim River Guide SVC last fall and went on a 1 day shoot. Had a decent experience but he's a little pricy IMO, but after my "buddies" kept coming up with excuses not to go I couldn't stand it any longer and had to go experience it for the first time, regardless of the costs so I went on my own.
This year I am going with a couple guys to SD and we are going to Border Creek Lodge, June 1st and 2nd. Anyone had experience with this place/guide?
I have high expectations but time will tell if it's going to be a positive experience or not.
I may just take your guys advice and plan a trip next year a little further West and North and try my luck w/o any guide services.
This year I am going with a couple guys to SD and we are going to Border Creek Lodge, June 1st and 2nd. Anyone had experience with this place/guide?
I have high expectations but time will tell if it's going to be a positive experience or not.
I may just take your guys advice and plan a trip next year a little further West and North and try my luck w/o any guide services.
redrockranger
Silver $$ Contributor
IA shooter.
Pick me up when you come by. I need a hunt bad. Tried Montana last year.. Been to most other states since 1983.
Pick me up when you come by. I need a hunt bad. Tried Montana last year.. Been to most other states since 1983.
redrockranger said:
We just might be able to work that out for next year.
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