PRAIRIE DOG PLAGUE IN MONTANA?

[Calgary Bill]

I bumped into a couple of prairie dog shooters last week. They have been shooting in the Winnett MT area for a number of years. Last year, their outfitter told them to stay home as there were almost no dogs because of plague.
How wide spread is the plague---can members share their experiences?
I have a contact in the Havre area and he tells me he isn't aware of a plague in that area but he hasn't had a thorough reconnaissance this year because of wet and muddy conditions.
Bill

 

[Ledd Slinger]

No PDs in Montana. Best to search elsewhere

 

[jetboat]

Haven't found any in Wyoming eather, too early??

 

[Hal]

You need to call your guide or the ranch you hunt on.
The plague can hit one town and another town a few miles away won't be infected or the plague can wipe out a large area.

Hal

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Last year north of ft peck the winter and plaque was hard on some dog towns. Good soil moisture in some areas and poison control was used by some ranchers. There is always plaque in dog towns, nature's way of 80% population control. Best reason to avoid flea contact when shooting dogs.

 

[Calgary Bill]

Last year north of ft peck the winter and plaque was hard on some dog towns. Good soil moisture in some areas and poison control was used by some ranchers. There is always plaque in dog towns, nature's way of 80% population control. Best reason to avoid flea contact when shooting dogs.

I never touch the critters.
Several ranchers have told me that keeping the population under control (such as shooting) will limit the plague.

 

[BillG]

Calgary Bikk I have a friend about an hour north east of you who would like somw onw to wipe out his gophers. He is in the Three Hills area would that be of any intrest to you?

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Haven't found any in Wyoming eather, too early??

Seems I have killed all of the Pdawgs in SW Wyoming.. None to be found anywhere..

 

[1raggedhole]

There is always plague somewhere. Been moving through SD for quite a while. Some towns are spared, but generally you need to find out for yourself and move on as necessary. Few will tell you the truth.

 

[Calgary Bill]

Calgary Bikk I have a friend about an hour north east of you who would like somw onw to wipe out his gophers. He is in the Three Hills area would that be of any intrest to you?

PM sent.

 

[Calgary Bill]

No PDs in Montana. Best to search elsewhere

You wouldn't be pulling my leg would you? Ha ha.

 

[Calgary Bill]

There is always plague somewhere. Been moving through SD for quite a while. Some towns are spared, but generally you need to find out for yourself and move on as necessary. Few will tell you the truth.

You are right---it can be difficult getting "the whole story". I am considering expanding my horizons and want to get as much background info as I can.

 

[L.Sherm]

You wouldn't be pulling my leg would you? Ha ha.

Nahh what makes you say that.

 

[Calgary Bill]

Seems I have killed all of the Pdawgs in SW Wyoming.. None to be found anywhere..

I know you are "kidding" but seriously, big dog towns can take serious punishment and come back strong the next year. A few years back I shot over 1000 pds in one big town and worried that I may have over done it. But, next spring there were as many pds as ever. However, the constant shooting makes them very wary---one shot and they disappear down the hole and stay there for extended periods---there is now little shooting under 300 yards---more challenging for sure but still loads of fun.
Bill

 

[DirtySteve]

Bill, I went shooting earlier this week. Drove way back off the beaten path to a town. Not a single PD to be found. I pulled to the side of the road when a rancher was coming and talked to him for a bit. Between last years hard winter and poisoning it wiped some big towns completely out. The whole Tounge river valley area has been poisoned. Well from Miles City to Ashland is what I drove. I stopped and checked out a few towns and grass was growing on every single mound. Not a PD in sight. I ended up shooting in NF land at a town that has seen a lot of action. So all my shots were 250-325 yards. My buddy only saw one under 200 and he won't do that again.

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

You wouldn't be pulling my leg would you? Ha ha.

I was in bed with my blind girlfriend. she said, Your huge down there ! , i said Your pulling my leg !

 

[pauls]

I bumped into a couple of prairie dog shooters last week. They have been shooting in the Winnett MT area for a number of years. Last year, their outfitter told them to stay home as there were almost no dogs because of plague.
I have a contact in the Havre area and he tells me he isn't aware of a plague in that area but he hasn't had a thorough reconnaissance this year because of wet and muddy conditions.
Bill

That is true around Winnett. Shot there the last 5 years - last year the shooting was very thin. This year, my outfitter cut the number of shooters WAY back.......I think just 3 or 4 groups. But, another poster was right, plagued out in one area, thick as thieves 5 miles away.

 

[LCazador]

The only plague that hits one town but not the one next to it is an "accurate rifle lead plague", LOL,!

 

[redrockranger]

There is always plague somewhere. Been moving through SD for quite a while. Some towns are spared, but generally you need to find out for yourself and move on as necessary. Few will tell you the truth.

Finally a honest man. Thanks.

 

[Calgary Bill]

Bill, I went shooting earlier this week. Drove way back off the beaten path to a town. Not a single PD to be found. I pulled to the side of the road when a rancher was coming and talked to him for a bit. Between last years hard winter and poisoning it wiped some big towns completely out. The whole Tounge river valley area has been poisoned. Well from Miles City to Ashland is what I drove. I stopped and checked out a few towns and grass was growing on every single mound. Not a PD in sight. I ended up shooting in NF land at a town that has seen a lot of action. So all my shots were 250-325 yards. My buddy only saw one under 200 and he won't do that again.

Thanks for your response---discouraging for sure. I presume the snow is melted and access is good?
Have you tried the Baker area---I have heard good things in the past.