prairie dog hunting
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pdog2062
Well-Known Member
Where are you looking to go,what area or state?
I have heard about Wyoming, South Dakota, and Kansas having good hunting; but, being in the south, I'm not sure which state has the best. I would like to have the best opportunity possible due to the investment of time and resources. I have heard that spring is the best time; is this correct. I have also heard that population is down in the grasslands of Kansas, which would be my brother-in-law's first choice of states to hunt due to proximity.
pdog2062
Well-Known Member
I have been going to the Oklahoma panhandle and around Clayton New Mexico for over 30 years.The number of dogs varies from year to year depending on the weather and habitat conditions.Was slow the last few years but from what I was told they have a good number this year. I will know more next week, we are going there the 13th of July for a week. I'll let you know when we get back and give you some contact numbers.
wyowinchester
Well-Known Member
Spring time is great. Lots of young ones. After the rain the grass gets too tall to see them clearly. In the fall when the grass dries and the dogs get it cut down, the shooting picks back up.
Nimrodmar10
Well-Known Member
Try the SW area of South Dakota or NW Nebraska. The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation has more prairie dogs than any place on earth if you can't find any on public land. Contact the National Grasslands Offices, they are usually very helpfull.
The pups usually come up out of the dens about the first of June or so. That would be the best time to go if the hunting pressure isn't too high. Since they started opening public land year round instead of opening it the middle of June, it can get shot up early. Then the pups starve to death.
Good luck.
The pups usually come up out of the dens about the first of June or so. That would be the best time to go if the hunting pressure isn't too high. Since they started opening public land year round instead of opening it the middle of June, it can get shot up early. Then the pups starve to death.
Good luck.
Win.308Stealth
Well-Known Member
Dont go, you will get hooked and will have an extra expense you will have to start budgeting for.
Lots of ammo, lots of water, a hat, sunshades (eyes can get really tired staring in the bright sun), sunscreen, good binoculars, some good friends and BEER for after the day is done and guns are put away.
Lots of ammo, lots of water, a hat, sunshades (eyes can get really tired staring in the bright sun), sunscreen, good binoculars, some good friends and BEER for after the day is done and guns are put away.
2Bits
Member
I too can tell you that P-Dog hunting is very addictive and a truck load of pure fun.
I started off with a .222 "the triple deuce" a few years back (46) and then graduated to the 22-250 along with a 25-06 for those far out critters. Not as many hits but even a close miss still puts a smile on my face.
My wife and I have several Savages that we use for hunting those pesky little critters. She has a .223, .204 Ruger, and 22-250. I have the .223, .22-250, 25-06. These rifles all have the accu-trigger. I think it is the best trigger in the production rifle market. I also carry a 3 inch JUDGE for those friggin rattlesnakes that like to ease up close on you. It is loaded up with @#7.5 shot backed up by a #6 shot case they might want to dance some more.
I started off with a .222 "the triple deuce" a few years back (46) and then graduated to the 22-250 along with a 25-06 for those far out critters. Not as many hits but even a close miss still puts a smile on my face.
My wife and I have several Savages that we use for hunting those pesky little critters. She has a .223, .204 Ruger, and 22-250. I have the .223, .22-250, 25-06. These rifles all have the accu-trigger. I think it is the best trigger in the production rifle market. I also carry a 3 inch JUDGE for those friggin rattlesnakes that like to ease up close on you. It is loaded up with @#7.5 shot backed up by a #6 shot case they might want to dance some more.
thetravlor
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2009
- Messages
- 22
Contact Game and Fish in Ft. Yates, ND. 701-854-7236.
They were so glad to see us come a few years ago, it was a great experience. $85 license is good for the whole reservation, North and South Dakota for a year. We sat at only one town for two days and could have melted the barrels. We took turns and spotted/shot 10 rounds each and let the guns cool and cleaned barrels. Never did spook them enough to not get shots.
Stay at the casino and have good eats and win $$$
They were so glad to see us come a few years ago, it was a great experience. $85 license is good for the whole reservation, North and South Dakota for a year. We sat at only one town for two days and could have melted the barrels. We took turns and spotted/shot 10 rounds each and let the guns cool and cleaned barrels. Never did spook them enough to not get shots.
Stay at the casino and have good eats and win $$$
tuck2
Well-Known Member
Contact the Game and Fish Depts of each state you would like to learn about their prairie dog shooting and regs. I started p dog shooting in1949 and am still enjoy shooting them. In the spring I like using accurate 17 HMR and 17 HM2 rifles when there are lot of shots within 120 and 150 yards. As p dogs get muzzle blast smart by mid summer I switch to a 204 Ruger rifle. By fall one shot will have some of the p dogs going to their holes, the ones that were within short ranges are dead or smart. By late fall I get out accurate 220 Swift and 243 Win rifles with Leupold 6.5x20 AO scopes . When using the 243 Win I have seen p dogs at 400 yards go to their holes at the first muzzle blast shot. Shooting beyond 450 yards takes super accurate rifles . But with any rifle know the bullet drop at various ranges and learn about bullet wind drift.
Curious if you ever got to do this? Starting to plan now to take my boy out west for pdogs next summer. We've talked about it for a few years now, and figure I've only got a couple more before he gets interested in too many other things to do a trip like this. Looks like a blast, just don't know where to start.
wyowinchester
Well-Known Member
Figure out if you want to DIY of hire an outfitter. Advantages to both. The where is important, which state?? I went out and shot some yesterday, The dogs are still here.
The equipment can very. Bino's, rangefinder, shade, cooler, spare rifles....
The equipment can very. Bino's, rangefinder, shade, cooler, spare rifles....
Jerry M
Well-Known Member
I went to South Dakota and had a great time. Well run outfit, plenty of shooting.
Dakota Hunting Trips - Prairie Dog Lodge
Dakota Hunting Trips - Prairie Dog Lodge
