The Handi-Holic/Graybeard Outdoors P-Dog Shoot Overview

[Wlscott]

Thursday, June 2nd, 2005:

My mobile phone started ringing around noon.  I didn't really expect anyone to get here until around six or seven that evening.  I did drive over to the Cole to meet everyone that evening and make plans for the following day.

Friday, June 3rd:

The day started early.  We were up and out at 6:30AM. The day wasn't perfect for a prairie dog shoot.  It was over cast and windy when we went out, but the wind died down, and most of the guys got in about three hours of shooting.

The group I was with included Mitchell, Fuzzy and Taylor (Dan's son).  





These were taken West of Hooker at George Lowery's pasture.  There are a lot less prairie dogs in that pasture than there were.

The weather turned on us that day, and we didn't get in much more shooting.  That evening, when it did clear up, Lik2hunt, Ditchdigger, Mitchell, Fuzzy and myself did some shooting at Dan's house.  

Saturday, June 4th:
Again, we were up and at 'em early.  There was a group that went over by Four Corners, near the Cimmeron County/Texas County line.  They were taken by Rick Harbison, and most had more shooting than they could handle :wink:

The group with me consisted of Mitchel, Fuzzy, Hutch Handi Man, and Tommy Mace and Steve Fortier(sp?) showed up around noon.  Lik2hunt and ditchdigger were also with me.  I also took Warf and his buddy over to the pasture at the Lowery's house and they had a lot of shooting over there.


Here's Wendell doing what he did best :grin:


Lik2hunt, Mitchell and Fuzzy checking things out:


Lik2hunt with his 243 Ultra "scarin'" a few dogs :grin: :


The weather on Saturday was cool when we started.  The dogs didn't come out until about 11:00AM or so.  When it warmed up, they came out and we had really good shooting for the rest of the day.

Saturday night was the main get together.  Dan took care of the refreshments and food.  He had some ribs smoked, and picked up a large container of cold refreshing liquid to drink.  Of course, everyone knows by now that during the door prize give-away, I was presented with a .204 Ruger Handi Rifle.  I was pretty surprised by that.  Never would've expected it.  I also drew a new stock to go with that rifle.  It is the double palm swell, walnut stock from Gunstocks Inc.  I'm taking pics of the rifle as I complete that project and will post that when I'm finished.

Thanks for the rifle guys.  

Sunday June 5th:

Early start again. The group going to Four Corners left around 5:30AM and the group with me didn't get going until around 7:00AM or so.  The weather was excellent again today.  Very little wind, and HOT!

We picked up another town over by Hardesty.  The group with me started out at a town straight south of Hooker.  I had Bill, Dennis, Tommy Mace, Steve Fortier, Mitchell, and Fuzzy with me (Tommy and Steve left around noon).  We shot at that town for a few hours, then Dan took several over to the new town by Hardesty.  Dennis stayed, and ended up having to be taken back to town for more ammo.  With three guns, he still couldn't keep his barrels cool :lol:

Here's Dennis with his Bushy Varminter AR:


And, Dennis with his synthetic Handi in .223:


We were also joined by Ed and Eddie that day.  They were over at Lowery's pasture, then moved over by Hardesty:



I let them shoot my Colt that day, and I'm pretty sure that Eddie will probably be pestering his pop for one.  I wouldn't be surprised if they show up with one next year :eek:

I went over to check on the guys that were shooting at the new town, and found a town that I never knew was there.  It ended up being a really good town.  Lots of dogs that weren't spooky at all.  We were popping them with 17HMR's and 22 MAGS pretty much all day.

Bill, Mitch and Fuzzy, Grandpa Mike and DJ were all over there shooting away.

The man....the myth....THE BEARD!!




I think we may have to take Deadeye's name away from him, because we have a new one among us......DEADEYE DJ:




Once I got her and Mike on a good table, they really started popping the dogs.  

June 6th:

We didn't get out near as early this time.  I let 'em sleep in a little.  Specially since Mitchell was in such bad shape from the night before:



 :-D  :-D  :-D

Bill, Dennis, Grandpa Mike and DJ and myself went back over by Hardesty.

We had a little problem with the wind though.  We did shoot for a couple of hours in the morning, then took a break and shot for a few hours in the evening.

Around 7:30PM, a storm blew in and put an end to our fun.  It was a pretty good storm too.  I'm glad a few of you got to see a good Oklahoma Thunderstorm.  Too bad we didn't see any tornado's though.

I'd like to thank everyone who came out and shot with us.  I enjoyed having you, and I know that the guys who helped me enjoyed taking you out too.  It's not often, in a group that size that you end up with ALL great guys (and girls DJ :wink: ).  

I know that they're talking about doing the shoot in Montana next year, but I'd like to have one here also.  We've already started talking about how to make it better next year.  

We're ready....just say the word and we'll do it.

Thanks again guys.  It was a lot of fun.

[lik2hunt]

That picture of "Wendel" is actually Weldon the Ditchdigger, heck he wsa busting so many dogs with his 220 Swift he could afford a little break like that. (it's ok Wes, I don't remember everyone's names either)

Mitch, c'mon now, you didn't really down all that Wild Turk did ya?

I'm sorry now we had to leave on Sunday sounds like it was the perfect day. Looked like it all the way home too.

I'm definitely coming back out in December for some of that pheasant action and Digger is talking about making another trip for PD's before summer's over. You've really started something with us Wes, we'll get you and Dan down here for some hogs in the winter tho...........gotta love it.

[MSP Ret]

OK, I'll try this again, my first reply shot off into cyber-nowhere, but it happened because I lost my high speed connection to the net, not any fault of this site...

Try #2, Thanks for the nice virtual reality tour of the PD shoot Wes, now I really feel badly that I missed the trip, well, hopefully I might be able to make it next year...Tell me, did Mitchell really kill that Wild Turkey too or did he just kill PD's?....<><.... :-D

[mitchell]

Tell me, did Mitchell really kill that Wild Turkey too or did he just kill PD's?....<><.... :-D

some people will just never know :wink:

[MSP Ret]

One thing for sure from the size of it, it was not a "one shot" kill!!!....<><.... :-D

Whats odd is you look more tired than full of "Turkey"....<><....

[mitchell]

Whats odd is you look more tired than full of "Turkey"....<><....

i would say your right. but its funner letting people see a pic of this none drinker passed out with a bottle of wild turkey on his lap.

[Wlscott]

Whats odd is you look more tired than full of "Turkey"....<><....

i would say your right. but its funner letting people see a pic of this none drinker passed out with a bottle of wild turkey on his lap.

Yeah, we were just having a little fun with Mitchell.  He's lucky he didn't end up wearing a dress, lipstick and rouge :-D

Sorry about getting your name wrong Weldon :oops:   I can remember the trajectory of both a 40 grain and a 55 grain V Max for two different rifles, but I can't remember someones name :?

[De41mag]

Just wanted to let everyone know, I really enjoyed the company I was with. Heck... I felt like a kid again.
Went through about 600 rounds the best I can figure. The Ultra with the synthetic stocks took about 60 to 70 % of the PD's. I was was really pleased with the performance of the single shot.
Had an accident on Sunday, while breaking open the rifle to reload, the gun fell off the bench and landed right on top of the scope when it hit the ground. I don't know what kind of shape the scope is in, but had to crank the elevation down three full turns till the scope could be set. If it wasn't for Wes, I'd still be adjusting that thing. But he helped me get it back on zero after about ten rounds.
Wes, Thanks for everything and your boys and a big Thanks to the land owners for allowing us to hunt. It was an awsome trip. I'm here telling everyone how much fun it was out there.
To all you guys out there in OK, Thanks again.  :grin:

Dennis  

[Wlscott]

I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to show up on the board Dennis.  

What did ya do.....sleep for a couple of days after you got back?

And you're welcome.  I enjoyed taking you as much as  you did being here.  Looking forward to the next shoot...

[Ditchdigger]

Wes its alright that you can't remember my name,my wife must be the same because she calls me everthing but my name. :-D  :-D  :-D  I'm setting in that chair like that because the dogs have already had a taste of the 220 Swift,and there so far out that the scope on 32 pr. will not pick them up. :roll:  :roll:  :roll:  I had a really great time . Digger

[De41mag]

Wes;

Man I had a bunch of things to do when I got back. The two lots I've got in town had really grown up, so I had to load the tractor on the trailer and go cut them. Then had to cut the yard, my car and my truck both had to have the oil changed in them. The Check Engine light came back on my truck and had to take it back to the dealer under warranty. Guns had to be cleaned, sorted through the 223 brass and divided it. I'm still getting up at the same times I did out there. But I did sleep till 8 o'clock this morning. Just now starting to wind down.

But I just can't seem to get the hunting trip off my mind. I had that good of a time.
Heck, I'm already looking a scopes and bullets and dies for next year.
I think I'm OBSESSED!  :shock:

Dennis  

[Wlscott]

I'm glad you had fun Dennis.

[shaner]

sounds like fun was had by all , glad it turned out to be a fun time!!!!

[Default]

Well Boys,

  It Sounds like the p-dog hunt was a lot of fun ,always good to hear about fun filled hunts .... being in Arkansas , sure wouldnt mind making the drive if you all decided to set up for another one in 08 .. i know i would be tickled to have a chance at some prairie dogs , heh havent shot any since i was a boy growing up in California ...

  Do keep us up to date on if that could happen next year   

   (Wouldnt be a bad way to convince the other half to let me pick up that Ruger 204 i spied here the other day  heheheh)

  Regards,

  Default

       PS. and should luck favor me (and the p-dog hunt fall into place) I would be more then happy to bring out some eats  , of the wild pig variety

[georgeld]

Just reading this again most likely, sounds like a lot of fun. From the pics looks like there was more dogs
left than shot from all the mounds.  That's the kind of towns and shooting tall tales are based on.

No further than it is from Pueblo, I just might plan to join next year too. IF things can be sorted out and the problems fixed up enough.

Am tickled you guys all had such a good time.

One thing to correct though.  Prairie dogs are a "shoot, not a hunt".  ok?

George