Any WY p-dog shooters been out yet?

[james]

I'll be heading to NE WY in a couple of weeks and was wondering if there is a good crop this year.  We had a good shoot last year but it was muddy and we couldn't get to some areas we wanted to shoot. The young ones are only about half grown this time of year and 400 yard shots in the wind can be a real challenge.  After a couple of days of hot barrels we will probably go on to MT and visit my brother.  His ranch doesn't have prairie dogs but has some type of subterranean gophers that push up mounds of dirt.  I'm still trying to figure out a way to get them expose themselves for a shot.  

[1sourdough]

 I went the last 2 years but won't make it this Summer, probably. If I was there I'd be out. Last year part of the shoot was with a guide & part by ourselves. With the guide we parked the trucks & set up benches. In another location we were on our own. By ourselves we were able to move around some & I liked to add a little stealth to it. A recent gunsmith I worked with was big on keeping a lower profile in dogtown. By that I mean get away from the trucks & blend in better. I think the dogs cooperated better If they didn't have to get used to the trucks & a bunch of activity. I think even dull clothing & some shooting sticks & away from the vehicles would help them come up for some sun.

[james]

Sourdough, I know what you mean by being stealthy.  I shoot the close ones first.

[1sourdough]

 Yep, that's what I mean, rove around & keep a low profile.

[james]

Well, we made it back to Arkansas from our Wyoming p-dog shoot.  As always it was fun except for hail damage on my buddy's truck.  We were close to the tornado that hit Billings because we drove up to Lewistown, MT to visit my brother at his ranch.  We saw some cars that had the windshields broken so I guess we got off easy.  The dogs were a little spooky so we just shot off mats, rocks, and shooting sticks.  After an hour of lying prone, us old farts had a little trouble standing up straight.   We didn't even use the folding bench or spotting scope but we made consistent hits out to about 300 yds. At 200 yds it was a gimme.  My buddys best shot was a double at about 150 yds.  Mine was taking out a peeker at about 100 yds.  He would barely peek up over the berm but once he peeked a little too long. 
A buck and doe antelope stayed in the dog town about 450 yds away while we were shooting.  They were upwind and the .223s did not seem to bother them.  My buddy used his 22-250 the day before and they didn't hang around.  We saw several golden eagles, and I suspect they were keeping the carcasses cleaned up.  I took my Rem BDL 700 and Rem 788 both in .223 with sporter barrels.  My buddy had his CZ in 22-250 and an Encore with a .223 barrel.   I also shot my 6.5x55 antelope gun a few times to make sure it was ready for October.