Prairie dog hunting...

[farmuse]

I'm looking for some help.  My brother and I are flying to southern California in order to drive another brother's truck back to Pennsylvania.  I would really like to do some prairie dog or gopher hunting during the trip back, but I am not sure where to go.  I have tried searching the Internet for info, but most of what I get are guided hunts.  We do not have much money (read we are broke), so a good guided hunt is sort of out of the question.  I live in Virginia and have little to offer in trade, but I could probably get a good day of Dove hunting together, if someone wanted to trade hunts with me.  Our trip is set for the last week in May.  Any information would really be great.  Thanks in advance!

[jengel]

What route are you taking back to PA?

[The Sodbuster]

My experience is limited to the Cimarron Nat'l Grassland in southwest Kansas.  It's public land so it's free.  A non-resident license will cost you about $74 (give or take).  Maps are available that highlight many of the dog towns on the area.  There's camping available on the grassland; or, motels in Elkhart aren't that expensive.  You will not go through 400-500 rounds in a day.  I've been there a couple times and over the course of a couple days have gone through about 130 rounds each time.  The dogs are shot at a lot and will run for their holes when you slow down.  Most shots will be over 200 yards and many past 300.  Road access is good (blacktop, gravel and dirt).  The area's fairly dry.  I just have two wheel drive and I get around fine. 

Not as much shootin' as you'd get on an outfitted, private ranch hunt; but a lot cheaper and still fun.

[farmuse]

jengel - I have not picked a route yet.  It will really depend on where I think I need to be.  That is the nice thing about driving someone else truck.  I'm not real worried about the number of miles I put on it.  But I guess I still have to pay for the gas tho.

Sodbuster - Its funny that you mention that Nat'l Grassland.  It is one of the places that I found on the net.  I thought it was great that the state department of game and fish was pushing it on the website as a good place to start.  That kind of publicity has its down fall too.  Thanks for the info, now I know from someone that has been there.

[jengel]

I live in NW Kansas on I-70.  We have been having some prairie dog politics around here.  A county south of us is involved in a lawsuit against local landowners because they are not keeping their dogs controlled.  That is scaring a lot of landowners in the area and they are killing off most of the good towns.  Good luck.  I think that I may have one or two decent towns around here but that is it. 

[iiranger]

#1). There are p'dogs from Mexico into Canada, but. I am told TX/OK is pay to hunt... Had a friend, claimed to have an Army buddy grows wheat just north of Cinnamon Grassland (yes, I know, Cimmaron, private joke)... he got heart disease and died on me before we got there. oh wellllll Way he talked, you might be welcomed with open arms, might not. Calling Chambers of Commerce in small towns where everyone has guns, never hurts although they are inclined to lie to get "business" into the area...  CO prefers to catch and release p'dogs. That is like "catch and release" rats (4 legged) in NY City... (ha, ha).

#2). In the norther plains, the grasslands are in the charge and keeping of the Forest Service. [Yes, the tree people also do the grasslands. Government.] The regional headquarters, ASSUMING you want to go as far north as I90, is Forest Serv. 125 N. Main St., Chadron, NE 69337; (308) 432-0030 (I think). Mr. J. Schumacher, I believe, last I knew. Wyo is "wide open." No license needed last I knew. You won't hurt an oil derrick with a varmint rifle (unless you really work at it and that might get you lynched or beaten to death with some of those huge wrenches...don't). Nat. land is managed for multiple uses which includes shooting. P'dog town between Douglas and Newcastle, alledgedly, 26 miles in diameter. Montana is almost this good. I think you do need a license. Never got that far. Ran out of ammo in Wyo.

BEWARE! a). There is bubonic plague in the furballs. BLACK DEATH. They say they can cure it now with alot of antibiotics. Why bother? Leave the pieces for the coyoteeeesss and raptors. It is carried by fleas that jump. Look. Take pictures with long lens. JUST DON'T touch. If you  must have a taxidermist sample, bring gloves, flea powder, coolers, sealed bags, etc...
b). The tree huggers have been lying that p'dogs are endangered. They (the feds) have closed some areas for shooting to protect a black footed ferret weasel that almost died out from a house cat disease... Shoot there and it is confiscation, fed slam... DON'T ... ASK CAREFULLY!.

SD markets. Rosebud Indian reservation (REZ) south central. Standing Rock, north central. Pine Ridge (where they drink too much) more S.W. corner. Google the rez name/tribes (Sioux) and get prices. NOT CHEAP but quick. Buffalo Gap Nat. Grasslands, south of Badlands Nat. Park (NO SHOOOT IN PARK, FED SLAM!!!) public land, but some closed for the d__ weasel...

VHA IS IN Pierre, SD. [ varminthunters.org ]?? 800 number. Magazine. Parties. Shooting matches. Not free. But no charge to call/ask??? ND alot farther. LUCK...

[skb2706]

"CO prefers to catch and release p'dogs"

Nothing could be farther from the truth. Finding private land to shoot pds in CO is like finding dirt.......you don't have to look far.

[iiranger]

Please notice the remark "private land." I suspect this is 100% true, but there was the flap about flying thru Denver with firearms, confiscation, and the catch and release has been on national t.v. with the p'dog vacuum truck... Then there are the "phony complaints" --"terrorists are killing all the poor p'dogs"... Go to CO if you want the risks... I don't need them... (besides I have relatives farther north, anyway)... Get away from the big cities and I don't doubt alot of truth here, but somewhat limited "public land" compared to I-80 or I-90 areas... So I would not put CO high on the list for the "newbie..." thank you, luck, happy trails... (Cheyenne, Wyo, home of a ton of government offices is not alot better, but public land very close... north)...

[skb2706]

Notice my sons girlfriend .....just about to perform "catch and release" exactly as instructed. Colorado style -

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Never been to Wyoming to shoot pds but in the thousands of acres of private land in CO not once have I found anyone that wouldn't let me shoot....most beg for me to come out and some offer to put me up for the night.

If KS is more to your liking, I can tell you how to do it on private land "without fail". Its all in who ya know and what to say.

Otherwise head to WY....my oldest son lives there, Rock Springs and he can 'bring it on'

farmuse - your timing is bad for me (its my sisters place and I want to help fix up farm equip. for them) or I would offer to take you out. 'note in the picture the distant wheat field .....its her place'

[wynn24]

I to am planning a trip to do some pdog shooting in the western part of Kansas, possibly Nebraska. I have been in contact with a few Chambers in Nebraska and have an idea of what we could do up there. Any good starting places in Kansas? I seen the National grass lands mentioned any other areas/towns that I could phone to get an idea? Thanks for any input

[farmuse]

To all,
Thank you for all the great info.  Unfortunately my trip has been canceled, or I'll call it "postponed", so I will not be able to go this May.  However, I will tuck all this great info away in my brain housing group until I can get out west to use it. 
Thanks again,
farmuse