Prarie Dog Help

[bobcat1506]

I’ve had a bolt action .223 varmint rifle lying around for a few years that desperately needs a prairie dog trip. Problem is that I’m from Ohio and I have no idea what to expect other than long shots at little targets. I’m working up some hand loads and looking for a replacement for my 3-9x scope and would really like to know at what kind of distances can I expect to be taking shots. Is 300-500 yards average or is that a long shot on a pd? I was looking to get .66 MOA accuracy out of my hand loads and purchasing a Leupold VX-3 Long Range Target Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 8.5-25x 50mm Side Focus Varmint Hunters Reticle. Is that overkill or right on the money? Also, other than a rifle, a bipod, and a range finder, what else do I need? I’ve also heard that you should have two guns to switch back and forth when they get hot. How much ammo do you typically shot in a day? Thanks in advance for all the advice.

 

[dakotasin]

you can put as much into a prairie dog gun and shoot as you want.

i like to challenge myself, so i will avoid shots closer than about 200 yards. i like to take careful, precise shots versus just banging away.

shots will be as close or as far as you want them to be. generally speaking, after your first 2-3 hours on a town, the 100 and 200 yard shots are no longer available.

i typically will only bring one gun now, preferring to spot for my partner for a while when my gun gets hot. on a relaxed pace like i shoot, you will still burn 200-ish rounds.

skip the varmint hunter reticle... you won't need it if you have turrets, and you may find you won't twist turrets all that much either until you start going longer than 450 yards or so.

8.5-25x leupold is what is on my 1000 yard prairie dog gun, but it is more scope than you'll be able to use. once you get to about 20-22x on a dog town in june, mirage will be so bad as to render the scope nearly useless on the higher settings. a 6.5-20x or even a 6-18 will do just fine for ya.

other stuff:
cooler
sunblock
hat
towel/cushion/whatever to sit on
bug spray
chigger remedy for when the bug spray wears off and you forget to reapply
water, gatorade, and soda for your cooler
ice
double up on hearing protection
sunglasses

really, you can put as much into the shoot as you want to. some folks just drive around and shoot from their truck, some will pick a spot and shoot for half an hour and move, and some (like me) find a shady spot on high ground, and stay on that spot all day.

 

[SGR]

Every hunt will be different, depending on the time of year, whether the sun is shining, how much the dogs have been shot at, etc. I use a CZ 452 .17 HMR for shots up to 150 yards. I have a Nikon ProStaff with a 3.9 scope on it. The advantages are cheaper to shoot, very accurate, and the report does not scare the dogs like my .223. I have a DPMS Bull 20 with a Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14 with BDC. I use it for shots out to 400 yards. It is more expensive to shoot, and the report will scare the dogs more than the 17. I also take my Remington 788 in .223 with a Redhead 4.5-14 for backup. You can take shots out to 500 yards with a good scope, but I would rather move and start over at closer ranges. One of the most important peices of equipment is a good pair of binocs. Your eves will get tired trying to find the dogs thru your scope. Take plenty of water and bug spray, etc. It's great fun, I go to SD at least twice a year. Good luck.

 

[Whitman31]

IMO, what to expect all depends on where and when you go. If you go to a guided town in S.D. in June the dogs will most likely be very skittish and after the first shot 200yd's to 350yd's will be the average, if your lucky. On the other hand, if you go to N.D. in April, the dogs are a lot less educated. You can shoot a long time at 200 before having to move out to 300 and beyond.

I always say "average shot is 200yds", be able to hit a 20oz soda bottle (pretty close to the size of an average p.d.) at that distance.

If your not shooting from some sort of bench, I recommend knee and elbow pads. Something to put under your torso is good too. I've went prone more than once onto a cactus, that sucks.

I've never had a bug bite me in the Dakota's, but I guess it's not a bad idea to bring the spray.

+1 to lots of water, lots...

Varmint reticle is cool, but not a guarantee. It's biggest benefit is the point of reference it gives you. I won't spend the money on one, but have used others.

3-9 is OK, I use a 6.5-20. Like I said before, look at a 20oz soda bottle at 20yds with it at 9x, you might want to move up.

Bringing one gun is fine if you take your time and do some spotting. Going slow with 1 gun you will go through between 300 and 600 rounds if it's slow (weekend). With one gun I wouldn't bring less than 500 rounds for a weekend, no more than 1000.

In my opinion, the most important thing to do to get the most shooting is to set up downwind. This doesn't sound like a big deal but through a lot of trips and trial & error I am 100% positive it make a huge difference. You can almost always count on a 5 to 15mph wind in the prairie. Shooting into the wind does two things for you. First, it pretty much takes windage out of the equation, not completely, but much better than shooting in a crosswind. Second, and most important, the incoming wind does a great deal to deaden your rifle report at range. If your a hunter, you might relate to being able to hear gunshots in the distance better when your downwind of them. The dogs will remain above ground longer, and since you can't shoot them when they go down, it is the most important factor.

Good luck and let me know if you need more...

 

[Tim the student]

I've only been once, but here's what I can offer. Really looking forward to going back out in the spring too. It's a great time.

If your not shooting from some sort of bench, I recommend knee and elbow pads.

I agree, sort of. We use those roll up foam pads. They work ok. I just don't like wearing knee and elbow pads - you may not mind it. Definitely take something though.

I've never had a bug bite me in the Dakota's

I have, a lot. Better safe than sorry, and if you need it, you may have to drive a ways to get if the nearest store is out. Be aware of ticks too.

preferring to spot for my partner for a while when my gun gets hot

I like to shoot too, but for me it is a social event with shooting, so spotting amounts to hanging out BS'ing and blasting vermin, which makes it more fun.

I would also recommend a sandbag. Sometimes you will want to shoot off a fence post or the truck, and it will help you stablize the rifle, and protect the rifle/truck.

I would bring more ammo than you think you need. Better to have too much than too little. Besides, it's not getting cheaper.

 

[bobcat1506]

Awesome info guys, thanks so much. It's nice to hear from some people who know what they are talking about! As I mentioned, I am from Ohio so what's the best way to research the best times and places to hunt? I was thinking of spending 2-3 days on a guided hunt and then a 4-5 days on my own. Thanks so much for the info thus far and keep it coming!

 

[dakotasin]

start by picking a state.

good prairie dog populations that i know of in colorado, wyoming, montana, s.d., and n.d.

there may be shootable populations in other states as well, but those are the states i have shot them in...

once you pick a state, your next step is to contact the gf&p in that state and ask them about general rules and regulations. might also ask about public land and access as long as you have a warden on the phone.

as for guides... eh, i won't pay anybody to shoot vermin or have them drive me around. however, i have the luxury of living here and it is not a big deal for me to just go a mile up the road and find another spot. where someone like you may be planning a vacation around the event, i can understand the attraction. before you start looking for guides, however, start by picking a state, talking to the gf&p, and chances are you won't think a guide is mandatory after that.

 

[~z]

Gotta agree with everything so far. I echo the comments about the 8x25 being a bit much, finding the critters on 8x can be a challenge. The 6.5x20 is an excellent choice out to 800-1K yds. Shots are typically as far as you want em.

One thing to add on gear: wind meter. We often use this is an excellent time to practice shooting in various cross winds and less than desirable conditions. However Whitman is correct about upping your odds by shooting into the wind.

As far as states to consider, SE Colorado and the TX panhandle are prime
~z

 

[SWAMPUS]

Tuning up

Ever hear of groundhogs?I'm sure there are plenty in Ohio.Most farmers welcome eradication of these costly critters.Heard you can eat them too.

 

[Whitman31]

A couple more things, trying to find land to hunt on your own can be a little tough. I've only hunted in the Dakota's, but here's what I've found. In S.D. you will see a lot of dogs, good luck finding the landowners during daylight hours. If you do happen to find the landowner, have your wallet ready. Like pheasants, they have figured out that people will pay good money to shoot prairie dogs, and they know you've come a long ways and aren't going to leave empty handed. In N.D. we find less dogs, but more ranchers. They are typically more likely to let you hunt for free, and most have tipped us off to better dog towns in the area. Don't forget the reservations. I now hunt exclusivily on reservation land. The rules vary, but for the most part, if you find a dog town on the res, you can shoot on it, no questions asked (have to purchase a reservation permit).

I have a hard time grasping that 8-20X can be too much scope. Sure, it's not completely necessary, but it's not like your trying to find a deer running throught the woods. Zoomed back to 8X you will not have any trouble getting on dogs at close range (100yds), zoomed in to 20X lets you choose "where" on the dog you want your bullet to hit. I usually keep mine set an about 10x and only adjust for longer shots. A prairie dog at 500yds is very small, even at 20X.

I shoot almost exclusivly from sandbags. I have a harris Bi-pod but find that the bags are easier to adjust. Drawback is weight if you have to walk anywhere.

Don't know if it was mentioned earlier, but long sleeves and sunscreen are almost a must. Windburn hurts almost as much as sunburn...

 

[BADUNAME37]

In vermont, we have groundhogs (woodchucks).

They make a mess of the fields, eat crops, eat people's gardens, you name it.

I use a 22-250 on them and essentially vaporize them.

Not much meat left -- unless I aim for the head and take just the head off.

I did make a woodchuck stew once.

Ended up feeding it to my dog.

 

[Horsemany]

Most shots inside 200yds dissapear in the first 1/2 hour where I go in S.D. and Nebraska. Prairie dogs are usually comfortable coming out when the shooting is 300-500yds away. 500yds is when wind and ballistics make things difficult. I agree with previous advice to shoot into the wind. Reticles with reference points like the Varmint Hunter reticle by Leupold help a lot with holdovers. We don't move scopes much since distance and wind isn't usually consistent. Expect lots of wind anywhere there's p-dogs and good luck.