Prairie Dog Outfitter Suggestions

[Lee Whitsel]

A buddy and I are thinking about making a trip out west to do a few days of Prairie Dog hunting. We'd like to go the outfitter route and are considering eastern to central South Dakota. Ideally, it would be great if we could find an outfit that would allow us to camp out on a property as opposed to lodging or motels but that's not a hard requirement. Just would be more fun.

Also would consider central Montana. I'm from there but don't have a any good leads on prairie dogs plus air fair is generally higher. With South Dakota, we're thinking we can save money by flying into Minneapolis and driving into SD.

Anybody have recommendations on an outfitter or ranch that offers pay to play prairie dog hunting?

I live here just north 56 miles of YNPark. Just call the local feed mills in the area your thinking about going to they know all the ranchers and who let people on. They all come in for feed and wire and chat about their ranch's and gopher and dog problems. The feed mills most likely will give you names and numbers and it's free info skip the outfitters.... Do your own home work and same a lot of money. Right now I'm going threw about 200/225 rounds every morning i go out. And the ranchers beg me to come back soon with a machine gun and thin them out cause I'm not thinning them fast enough...

 

[jxb]

Thanks to the OP for asking and I hope you all have a wonderful time whether you go with a guide or self-guided.


I won't pay someone to shoot varmints, never have and never will. I'd rather go without.

What I will do is note this thread and all those that were nice enough to share where I can go or how to find out who's welcoming. Super nice to hear there's still places one can go as it's hard to find places to shoot sand rats nowadays, they are either cabbaged or fee shooting.

Never been pdog shooting but once done working sounds like a great time.

Always leave some breeding pairs...

 

[DRK]

And the ranchers beg me to come back soon with a machine gun and thin them out cause I'm not thinning them fast enough...

Haha! If I ever go out west I'll have to drag one along.

 

[jamesdmock]

A buddy and I are thinking about making a trip out west to do a few days of Prairie Dog hunting. We'd like to go the outfitter route and are considering eastern to central South Dakota. Ideally, it would be great if we could find an outfit that would allow us to camp out on a property as opposed to lodging or motels but that's not a hard requirement. Just would be more fun.

Also would consider central Montana. I'm from there but don't have a any good leads on prairie dogs plus air fair is generally higher. With South Dakota, we're thinking we can save money by flying into Minneapolis and driving into SD.

Anybody have recommendations on an outfitter or ranch that offers pay to play prairie dog hunting?

For an outfitter, I recommend Platt's in Encampment, WY. They have a modern cabin that you can rent.

 

[chuckshooter]

You mentioned flying, and then trying to camp. I can't see how you can travel/fly with all the gear nessasary. Tsa only allows so much ammo.then a Tent/ sleeping bag/ cooking gear ect. Plus after being outside all day in the wind and sun and even more wind. It's nice to have a shower and a/c. Just my 2 cents worth. For all the naysayers outthere, I have always found a place to shoot by knocking on doors. I don't think I'm any luckier than anybody else, I think I'm just willing to walk up to a door and knock. Good luck with your shoot. Oh one more thing, On-x is a must. Even if you have a guide.

 

[jxb]

You mentioned flying, and then trying to camp. I can't see how you can travel/fly with all the gear nessasary. Tsa only allows so much ammo.then a Tent/ sleeping bag/ cooking gear ect. Plus after being outside all day in the wind and sun and even more wind. It's nice to have a shower and a/c. Just my 2 cents worth. For all the naysayers outthere, I have always found a place to shoot by knocking on doors. I don't think I'm any luckier than anybody else, I think I'm just willing to walk up to a door and knock. Good luck with your shoot. Oh one more thing, On-x is a must. Even if you have a guide.

+1 on asking and onxmaps too.

I learned years ago that hearing NO doesn't actually hurt and sometimes the answer is YES. Knowing exactly where you're at can really help and property owner info can be invaluable when trying to track them down for permissions.

 

[dusterdave173]

I just finished a week of calling around in WY
Several places said they have had some plague--several said they made way more on the deer and antelope hunts and just did not want to have shooters for PD's out there disturbing up their main $$$ animal I get that--a form of management for sure--guy said we always have managed for big game and just did PD shoots for beer $$ but things have changed and big game is King--totally understandable--
All in all every single person I called was friendly, considerate, understanding--and most had suggestions on who or where to call next. Sportsmen usually help other sportsmen that show the correct attitude