good dog towns

Western panhandle of Oklahoma. Or the SW border with Texas. Lots of prairie dogs. They've got hogs. They've also got whitetail and mule deer. And a crap load of coyotes. Fly into OKC and drive 2-4 hours west.

SD is good too. We pheasant hunt every year. Stay in Chamberlain. And when we limit out on birds, we haul off and hunt prairie dogs and coyotes.

Clayton - if this is a "once in a lifetime" hunt I'd advise you to find a really good guide. I've learned over the years that the cost of a good guide is soon forgotten when memories are made. If you're interested in South Dakota let me know. My outfitter makes his money in cattle and deer hunting, but he has a very select clientele he guides for PDs, turkey, and antelope. He generally doesn't guide for PDs, but he has become a very good friend of mine and I'm certain I can persuade him to take you out.

He won't be cheap. Expect $200 per man per day. But he will put you on virgin towns. Wherever you go, be certain to go when the pups are emerging. While they are small targets, they are also VERY dumb!

PM me if you would like additional info. PD hunting has become something of an obsession for me.

Having grown up (and still living) in SD, I think the idea of needing a GUIDE to shoot PRAIRIE DOGS is patently absurd. It may save some legwork or phone calls, but I'd almost promise you that finding a landowner to allow you to hunt would be cheaper than hiring a guide, even if charged a trespass fee by the landowner. AS far as getting out there when pups are abundant, right around memorial day is a great time, as they generally give birth in the spring, and get bigger (and smarter) as the summer progresses

Wherever you're going, check the weather forecast. Dark skies, and the praire rats stay down. The greatest threat to them most places are raptors, and they can't see them well with overcast. Bright, sunny day, though, and the town will be bustling-even if there's snow on the ground (which makes them very easy to spot for us humans).