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Prairie Dogs

1K views 15 replies 7 participants last post by  sourdough44 
#1 ·
Starting to gather info for a prairie dog shoot in 2017. Any tips, info or recommendations are appreciated. I'm not paying $400 a day to shoot with an outfitter. I do not mind paying a trespass fee. Any recent shooters that can give general area or go about how to start?
 
#2 ·
I don't know anything about that... but... what is a "trespass fee"?
 
#5 ·
Where do You want to go? How far West? What else would You like to do along with a PD shoot?
*Ever done it before?

*Had a few guys come out years back....Both from PA. They brought out a .25-06, a Rem pump .30-06 and a couple of old, bolt action, iron sighted .22's. NOT the best tools for the job.

I'd suggest figuring out where you want to go. then contact the Fish & Game HQ for that state. Then figure out a general area. Again...contact a Warden for that area....they can set you up with ranches that WANT pd's and gophers eliminated.

Do be aware...many areas have suffered population losses due to plague. so not all historical good areas are still worth visiting.
 
#6 ·
Willing to go where a good population is. 3 shooters who have never shot PD's. Never done it before, but we all grew up hunting deer and waterfowl. would like to do a late May/early June trip so not sure much else will be open. Sight seeing and maybe a little fishing would be a plus.
 
#7 ·
NO idea WHERE Your coming from. That would help.

Have you tried one of the Varmint hunting forums? Probably a better place than here.

No matter where you go....Bring a portable bench, lawn chairs, Cooler, some shade , lots of ammo, cleaning and maintenance items for rifles, if your into them... bring a .22 or .38 handgun as well as a .22 rifle. Shots can be close hence the .22 and handgun. Plus they are nice boredom beaters too. Plink a bit when the shooting goes flat.

Range finder, good bino's, spotting scope with tripod, video recorder if you have one. If you at all shoot from the ground get a COMFY (meaning padded) shooting mat. Long sleeve shirt to protect elbows ON said mat. Or even elbow pads. Easy to rub them raw in a few days.

If your thinking of really long range, bring a ballistics app on smart phone, a pad and pencil to note your DOPE. Pre printed drop charts, for the local elevation a minimum IMHO.

Some basic medical/first aid stuff. Sun screen, lots of fluids, anti diarrhea meds (some bad water in some spots), aspirin . An array of clothes as weather can and does change quickly out West.
 
#12 ·
MY gopher/PD rifles?

Cooper M-21 SS in .222 Rem 6.5-20 X Leupold
AR15, .223 Rem 3.5-10X
Rem 700 Varmint, .223 AI 6-24X
*Volquartsen .22 auto 3.5-10X Leupold
*CZ .17 HMR 4-12X Leupold
Defiance/Hart 6-6.5 x 47 Lapua , 5-25X NF

* These are the guys that see 90% of the shooting.
 
#13 ·
Dakotas, Wyoming, even MT and CO have some good places. All depends on how much you want to shoot and clean guns. :)

I have shot as many as 600 in a day, and as few as 5. I typically start out with a Marlin 922M (.22Mag) out to about 150 yards if they have not been shot a lot. Then go to a Mossberg MVP and AR15 in .223 out to about 300 yards. .22-250 and .243 out to about 700 or so depending on terrain and wind (50 to a max of 100 rounds). With this over a large town, I can typically do one set up for 4 or 5 hours, eat lunch and then move a little, again based on wind and sun.

Took the boys (12 and 14) out a few weeks ago for a little bit. The three of us went through 150 rounds of .22Mag and 150 rounds of .223 in about 2 hours shooting from 50 to 400 yards.

Wyoming and Montana both have good fishing as well as lots of public land.

I would definitely pick up a .223 something unless 150 to 200 rounds a day is good for you. Don't want to get the guns too hot. Make sure to take cleaning rods and such. If you see fall off, give it a cleaning. I usually take a few golf balls and set them out at 200 yards and take a sighter shot once an hour or so to make sure I am still on.
 
#15 ·
It is different for sure. The 600 day was expensive though, shot about 1100 rounds of ammo. 100 days are much more common.
 
#16 ·
I/we were able to go twice, south Central SD. It was a great time, better than most real hunting. We used mostly 223's & a 204 Ruger.

Time of year is important. Depending on how far North mid May-June can be prime time, multiple targets on the mound.

The right bullets are important, very frangible VMax, Blitzkings and so forth are what you want. Both times I paid some to get on dogs right away. Since you are driving a way you may consider it. There should be landowner contacts at the local Chamber of Comerce and other sources.

I'm loaded and ready to go again, targeting WY next time.
 
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