Just got back from SD

[KN]

The prairie dogs were out in force. So were the rattlesnakes. Had my youngest daughter, age 12, shooting a Contender carbine in 17HMR. She was making 200yd shots with no problems. Took her a couple of shots each to range them and if they stayed up they were history. I was hitting the 50-100yd dogs off hand with usually one shot. I had as much fun shooting that little carbine as I do with any of my PD guns. She put over 1000 rounds through the gun over the week end and never showed any signs of fouling at all. I cleaned it once at the end of the day. If you can't tell, I love the little cartridge. Theres just some thing neat about it.   KN

[SD Handgunner]

Sounds like a good time was had by all, except for the Prairie Dogs. Unfortunately work and family have kept me from getting out to north central South Dakota after Prairie Dogs for a couple years now. To add to the problem, this year isn't looking good either.

If you don't mind me asking, what general area did you shoot at ? Were you on one of the Reservations or on State or Private Land ?

The reason I am asking is the last time I was out to the Cheyenne River Reservation there had been some of the best PD Towns closed to hunting due to the re-introduction of the Black Footed Ferrett. I am just curious if this trend has continued or if it is tapering off a little.

Glad to hear you had a great time with your daughter. To me that is what it is all about.

While I have never used a .17 HMR, the last few times I went in search of Prairie Dogs I used a somewhat reduced load in my .223 Super 14 Contender that consisted of a 40gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip loaded to about 2900 FPS. I don't think a single PD knew it wasn't a full power load. Due to the powder I used barrel heat was kept to a minimum and that can be a very huge consideration in a good PD Town, and is where something like a .17 HMR would really shine. I keep telling myself I need to get a Super 14 .17 HMR, but so far haven't been able to justify it. Heck lately I don't have time to shoot the barrels I have.

Congrats on a great hunt.

SD Handgunner

[KN]

I have been shooting around the Winner and Wood SD areas for several years. I don't go on tribal land as they like to impose all kinds of stupid restrictions on pd shooting. Last time I checked they wanted you to hire their guide, weather you needed it or not, no pistols, no trailers, no atvs,one foot had to be on the ground when shooting, $100 permit. Well you get my drift. Found it to be much easier to find private ranchers to shoot on. $35 state predator permit and no restrictions. State land does have seasons I believe but I'm not sure what they are. Also if indian land is leased to an individual then all you need is a state license, not the tribal license. They neglect to tell you that but you can find that on the SD conservation web site.

[Willie Wheelgun]

I purchased a Savage bull barrel .17HMR last year and took it to SD for some gopher shooting.  It was great.  Wind was blowing so hard, it was difficult to shoot steady.  I found that the ballistic tip bullets bucked the wind out to about 150 yards.  The hollow point were a serious disappointment.
I recently bought a Taurus revolver in .17 hmr.  It has a 12" barrel and shoots bench rest groups of about 1 1/2" at 50 yards.  I put a one power Bushnell red dot scope on it but have not had a chance to try it.
I travel that country on business and being right handed, cannot shoot out the passenger side window with a rifle.  I am looking forward to pulling off the road and banging those critters with the buntline barrel hawg leg.  The muzzle will be clear of the window.  Who Ha!!
Willie

[KN]

Sounds like a winner!   KN