Are all the Prairie Dogs Gone?

[wmgeorge]

I was suggesting to a friend about PD hunting in South Dakota next year and he said all the Prairie dogs are dead, The plague wiped all of them out... he was told that from someone from Colorado. I have been out there in SD lots of times in the past and there was always plenty?

 

[.308 Norma]

I was suggesting to a friend about PD hunting in South Dakota next year and he said all the Prairie dogs are dead, The plague wiped all of them out... he was told that from someone from Colorado. I have been out there in SD lots of times in the past and there was always plenty?

Through a Google search, I found several sources that say there's between 10 and 20 million of them left in the US.

 

[dh1633pm]

I had always heard that large numbers have been killed by lead poisoning. There could be a plague, but haven’t heard of one.

 

[Iggy]

There was a plague in Wyo a few years ago but the pasture poodles are making a comeback.

 

[wmgeorge]

Been out many times when Plague warnings were posted. Last place we were at for two years running… lots of damage by the Dogs. just about ruined 40 acres of what used to be nice alfalfa pasture. Rancher was very happy to see us.
What I am asking is anyone in SD or Wyoming seen lots of Plague kills?

 

[Captcurt]

I did a 3500 mile road trip back in late September. Saw lots of Prairie Dogs across SD and Wy. Saw 3 Monster Bighorns too, but they were in the Badlands.

 

[Roverguy]

Plenty in Colorado, that’s for sure!

 

[wmgeorge]

Now my friend says.... yeah but you can't shoot them???

 

[redneck2]

From what I’ve seen, the “plague” is mostly likely ranchers using poison. They seem to come and go over a 3-4 year cycle.

 

[Iggy]

We poisoned dogs every year before the plague hit place, but shooters still killed 7 to 10K a year.
Plague pretty much wiped them out for a year or two, but they are coming back.
A cousin took over when I retired and has started the poisoning program again.
He can't afford to do the whole place every year, so they will gain on him.