Prairie dogs

[floydj]

My father and I are planning a prairie dog hunt this summer and we're wondering which state has the best all around conditions (ie., comfortable summer temps, not usually too windy, target rich environment, etc.) I have also heard that some states require anyone born after 1971 to take a hunters safety course before they allow non-residents to hunt, I was born in 81 and would prefer not to spend a day or two in school if possible.

Thanks

-Floyd

 

[germanlongbow]

Montana. People are super friendly. No state license or dog permits. Just shoot. Been to South Dakota (Winter) several times in the past. State license and permits expensive. Good luck.

 

[Josh11]

Ive been to Kansas. We were going to South Dakota but stopped when we hit Kansas. Tons of them there. It was windy but there were a tons of tagets. We just had to get a license. It was a few years ago so you might was to check with them. Fun time. Seen a house and the lady said, shoot all ya can.

 

[hedditch]

The plague hit a lot of towns in Montana so try to call around first if planning on heading in this direction. And, I have to mention, there is a season on prairie dogs in Montana. If hunting public ground the season is closed Mar, Apr, & May. Private ground, no season. Big ranches have a lot of leased land, school sections & BLM. This is considered public land for hunting. When hunting on a big ranch, make sure it is private ground where you are shooting during those three months.

 

[bridgebuilder]

I have hunted western kansas the last 4 years and had a lot of luck but last yr a plague or drought and poison combination had wiped out most of the dogs . It sucks to being used to shooting over a1000 rds in 2 days to shooting 250 in the same time frame . I really doubt there will be dogs this yr either .

 

[RJinTexas]

bridge builder is correct, I've hunted Kansas for the past 10 years. Two years ago we starteveto see a reduction in dogs. Last year we shot less in four days of shooting then we did in a single day in years past. In talking with some of the land owners that had plenty of dogs in the past we were told that they didn't poison at all last year so the plague had to have hit our areas. Some large town were completely bare and we didn't see a single dog there.

RJ

 

[floydj]

So thats a no go for Kansas and a call around first for Montana, does anyone have any info on Texas?

 

[BigDMT]

yeah, Montana isn't as good as it used to be. A few recent really bad winters did a number on them. And good luck trying to find a place to shoot prairie dogs without too much wind! hahaha

 

[DOGCAPPER]

S Dakota has a closed season on public land from some date in March to june 21...Season not in force on reservation and private land...Reservation permit cost runs 80 to 120 for 1 year..LT

 

[Jim747]

We are visiting friends who live in Wyoming this summer and will do some dogs. My friend said they've had a mild winter so dog populations should be high.

 

[areaone]

I have yet to shoot PD in mild temperatures, minimal wind and in a target rich enviroment. For the most part it is wishful thinking that you will find such a situation where I shoot.. SD or Wy. Usually windy 20 mph, hot or overcast(no dogs) or rain(no dogs) and they are all very cautious(been shot at), No Honey Hole of PD that I have ever experinced. If you are going to shoot in the Spring or early summer,
sun block, water, umbrella, sunglasses, something tho hold your hat on your head or the wind will take it(do not try to catch a hat blowing along the open prairie, a waste of time), lunch and a magazine to read when it is slow shooting, practice in twenty MPH winds and long shots 300-500 yds. This is what to expect, anything better is a bonus to be savored and not the norm. Have fun, not the count but time with those you enjoy is really what matters. I shoot with my son every year, regardles of the weather or numbers shot, every year just gets better than the previous year.

 

[GrocMax]

Gosh, gloom and doom, panhandle of TX is great if you know where to go, no it isn't public land, there IS no public land in TX, you pay, but get value.

Land owner has around two years of 'prime' weekend time booked in advance, calls us in the off season wondering when we're gonna show up, tells us about empty house weekends when people cancel (especially early and late in the year) , treat your landowners right and send them 1K rounds of ammo a year, help fix their guns, feed them smoked ribs every time you show up, and talk every once and awhile, it pays dividends.

 

[RDW5156]

We shoot in SD every year and the drive from Houston is getting a little old. Does anyone know what Oklahoma is like and do they have any contacts. I would surely appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[bheadboy]

dont underestimate wy, i have shot there off and on for 15 years and always had good shooting - no less than 400-600 per 3 day shoot and often much more. most shots in the 200 500 range and wind usually in the 5-10mph --temp from 70-95 and i always take sun screan.

The most has bee in the 1000 shots, least 400.
Chedk with the gamewardens for ranchers with a dog problem.
Bob

 

[headhunter]

Oklahoma has dried up also. Last two years have been tough on the pasture poodles.

 

[floydj]

We settled on southfork outfitters in Wyoming, this'll be a first time prairie dog hunt for both of us, thanks for all the input.

 

[walker2713]

floydj: after a disappointing trip to northern NM last year, we looking forward to shooting this June in SD.....

Look forward to your report....

George

 

[1deadpdog]

I saw a mention of plague in MT, we've had some die-off in WY as well.. A popular spot on state land (several sq miles)used to be every day all day shooting.. My wife and I hiked over the hill to check it out, our vantage point covered 1 x 2 miles, saw only a dozen or so active mounds.. We still have plenty on private and state, but would check around first..
Took my daughter out the other day, she popped a couple at the 250yd range with the .17HMR... !!! She was happy, as was I!! It was mid-day, normal breeze coming around,(5-15/20mp) wife was having issues with the .204,(250-500yd) tho my 22-250 was still smokin 'em like cheap cigars..early morning is key in our area, they're a little more reluctant to stay in the hole with the warm morning sun on their fat little bodies.. if it's windy first off, will probably be windy all day, if it's calm early GET OUT THERE!! You ought to have til noon or so..

 

[floydj]

That's impressive shootin with the 17, I've reached out to about 200 or so on groundhogs, but never in the wind. The 17's seem like their tack drivers unless there's a 1mph wind.

 

[pgg]

I have shot near Saratoga Wy the last five summers and the last two there have been very few Pdogs anywhere I have been there. The first three years more then you could shoot in a lifetime. I understand it was the plague there too. I hope for better shooting this year. PG