Praire Dog Hunting Why do you shoot them?

[markT]

There's always a lot of talk about PDog hunting set ups like benches, rests, calibers, muzzle brakes and bullets etc,etc....
In this thread what is primary reason for you to hunt Prairie Dogs?

Just to kill them and reduce population?

Make them "show dogs." i.e. launch them and vaporize them?

Other reasons: Spend time with friends and family?

 

[DogBuster]

Farmers/ranchers hate 'em......hole diggin' SOB's..........

We don't hunt them.....only set up & shoot 'em....no hunting involved

They can get out of control very fast...on public land here in Utah..

They close the season from Apr 15-June 15th....private land is 365-7 days a week

Normally wait till 2nd week of May...pups are up & running by then...more targets..

What better reason to have a 20 Vartarg..20-222...233 AI.......my three fav's

pic.....20 Vartarg......built in 2007

 

[std7mag]

They can really take over an area quickly, as mentioned.

The National Zoo in DC. has a walled in colony. Bad thing is the rats taking it over.

 

[GrocMax]

For private lands-
Cattle ranchers have figured out over the years that the cattle gain more weight faster on the natural grasses, they compete with the cattle, not necessarily the same grasses, but family units of PD's will destroy all the ground cover around their colony so they can see predators. Holes being a problem are a myth, the holes do have an ecological benefit, cattle don't step in them, otherwise a cattle guard wouldn't work.

For ranchers that just don't want anyone on their property, they poison, which kills everything that eats the kibble. Other ranchers just want to control populations, and make extra money 'renting' shooting time. And if you are an idiot, you don't get invited back.

 

[Ackman]

PD's make great targets. And ranchers don't like them. Sometime back I was talking with the manager of a huge ranch. He'd lost a dozen hands (cowboys) that year to injuries......herding big bunches of cattle, the horse would step into a prairie dog hole, cowboy would go down, break an arm or shoulder. He said come and kill 'em all. I shoot them 'cause it's fun.

 

[Bill K]

Farmers, ranchers don't want them in the fields, especially the alfalfa growers, they eat a whole lot of plants that takes a larger chunk out of the profit, than most people realize.
And they really do give you some fine targets to improve your accuracy, in shooting, on.

 

[mongo chicago]

Besides digging holes, spreading the plague, destroying vegetation --- I regard them as country rats. City and country rats need to be eradicated (though it will never happen). I enjoy killing them. I enjoy the challenge. I don't have to clean up after I'm done. And my wife says "you enjoy it because you can do it sitting on your ass"

 

[jghoghunter]

Besides digging holes, spreading the plague, destroying vegetation --- I regard them as country rats. City and country rats need to be eradicated (though it will never happen). I enjoy killing them. I enjoy the challenge. I don't have to clean up after I'm done. And my wife says "you enjoy it because you can do it sitting on your ass"

I believe my wife and your wife would get along just fine!!!!!

 

[DogBuster]

P/dogs are of no value......food source for Eagles...Badgers.....Weasals...

They do make fun targets.....especially with a heavy 20 cal dog gun....partial to 20's

Where you can watch the bullet impact and then a second later feel the recoil pat

Yes......the Plague.....you can be infected by this.....picking up your carcasses is a no no...no BS

pic.....a pair of these guys in your field can ruin a day of shootin'

 

[Alguapo]

Because it's fun. And some of our ranchers love us.

 

[Tommie]

Shooting holes in paper is boring.

 

[jpx2rk]

It's fun, and a good excuse to get out and get some fresh air.

 

[snert]

Practice makes perfect. Lots of practice...

 

[Mark W]

IMO, prairie dogs are the ultimate reactive target.

 

[Rustytigwire]

They splat better than grasshoppers.

 

[Adam in WI]

They splat better than grasshoppers.

You shooting grasshoppers?

What would you consider minimum caliber for large insects?

 

[500yards]

Shooting holes in paper is boring.

I am with this guy here.

 

[JSH]

I guess you have never been charged by a large boar prairie dog?
Popping their teeth and trying to slash you with their claws. They will then run to the mound after one of these charges and rear up on their hind legs giving warning of the next charge.
Yes sir nothing like it to get the adrenaline flowing and the heart pounding.

 

[Rustytigwire]

You shooting grasshoppers?

What would you consider minimum caliber for large insects?

 

[markT]

IMO, prairie dogs are the ultimate reactive target.

I would have to say that is exactly why I love shooting them. Love to see what a well designed and manufactured little bullet going very, very fast does to a sack of grass clippings.