Prairie Dog Hunting: An Exciting Adventure in the Wild
If you’re an avid hunter looking for a thrilling outdoor experience, prairie dog hunting might be just what you’re looking for. This exciting pursuit combines marksmanship, strategy, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. Let’s dive into the world of prairie dog hunting and discover why it has become a popular activity among hunters.
Where to Prairie Dog Hunt
Prairie dog hunting takes place in the vast prairie landscapes of states like Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, and Kansas. These regions are known for their abundant prairie dog populations, offering ample opportunities for hunters to test their skills. The thrill of stalking these elusive critters, the challenge of making precise shots, and the camaraderie shared with fellow hunters make prairie dog hunting an unforgettable adventure.
Why Prairie Dog Hunt
Aside from the exhilaration it offers, prairie dog hunting also serves an important ecological purpose. Prairie dogs can reproduce rapidly and overgraze grasses, which can harm the prairie ecosystem and other species that rely on it. By hunting prairie dogs responsibly, hunters play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy balance in the prairie environment, preventing habitat degradation, and preserving biodiversity.
When to Prairie Dog Hunt
To embark on a successful prairie dog hunting trip, timing is key. The best time to hunt is during the spring and early summer months when prairie dogs are most active. During this period, they emerge from their burrows to forage, breed, and defend their territories. This presents hunters with increased visibility and more opportunities for accurate shots.
What You Will Need
Photo Courtesy of Bob Robb
When it comes to gear, precision is essential. A reliable rifle with a suitable caliber, such as a .22 or .17 HMR, is commonly used for prairie dog hunting due to its accuracy and effectiveness. Optics, such as scopes or binoculars, help spot these small targets from a distance. Additionally, a comfortable and sturdy shooting rest can assist in maintaining stability and improving shot accuracy. Check out this full gear guide from stepOutside.org.
Remember to check local regulations and specific hunting seasons in your chosen hunting area, as they may vary. Many public lands, wildlife management areas, and private ranches offer prairie dog hunting opportunities, providing different experiences for hunters to enjoy.
Prairie dog hunting combines the thrill of the chase, the precision of marksmanship, and the preservation of ecosystems. It allows hunters to immerse themselves in the beauty of the prairie, challenge their shooting skills, and contribute to wildlife management. So, if you’re up for an adrenaline-filled adventure in the wild, grab your gear and experience the excitement of prairie dog hunting for yourself.
In summer, use a low-power 8x24 or 8x32 binocular to scan areas where you hear or see leaves moving, then be ready to follow up positive identification with a rifle shot.[/caption]
A small binocular—either an 8x24 or 8x32—is useful for this sort of surveillance. Scan areas where you hear or see leaves moving, then be ready to follow up positive identification with a rifle shot.
Find a quiet place to sit, let the woods settle down then listen. In summer, you’ll likely hear squirrels in the leafy treetops. Once leaves drop, listen for squirrels rustling leaves on the forest floor.[/caption]
This is the nut-gathering season for squirrels, and they’re working overtime to store acorns, hickory nuts, and chestnuts for winter consumption, so they’re often visible and vulnerable.
If summer was .22 season, the fall is a better time for a shotgun. Walk the woods and look for snap shots on the forest floor as squirrels run from tree to tree and scamper up trunks. But if you prefer a rifle, then sit on a hillside, wait for the forest to settle down from your intrusion, and then take longer shots at squirrels pausing from their nut-gathering mission.
This can also be a wait-and-listen game, only at this time of year, you’re listening for the loud rustle of squirrels moving through dried leaves. You’d be amazed how often a 2-pound squirrel can sound like a 200-pound whitetail buck moving through the woods.
While a .22 Rimfire rifle is an excellent choice for squirrels, when you want a little more reach, consider a scoped .17 rimfire, like Savage’s A17.[/caption]
The most effective all-around squirrel gun is a scoped .22. You want a rifle that can repeatedly stack shots inside a 2-inch bullseye at 50 yards. Good options include the durable Ruger 10/22, Browning’s T-Bolt, or Marlin’s Model 60 or 795.
An accurate .22 pistol, such as Browning’s Buck Mark, topped with a red-dot sight is another great squirrel rig. If you want to opt for a little more range, consider a .17 rimfire; the light, fast Savage A17 in .17 HMR is a good choice.
A suppressor is a smart addition, because its blast-taming muzzle keeps you from announcing yourself to squirrels with every shot you take.
For shotguns, there’s no need to go heavier than a 20 gauge, and a 28 gauge or even .410 is a better choice. The Federal’s Heavyweight TSS (Tungsten Super Shot) is a wonderful squirrel load. Designed for turkeys, the size 9 shot delivers great penetration and range and is a good choice for a walk-about squirrel hunter who doesn’t want to lug around a heavy shotgun.