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Prairie dogs, best time

rhino43rhino43 Member Posts: 161 ✭✭
edited April 2008 in Ask the Experts
When is it the best time to hunt prairie dogs spring,summer, or fall and what months would be best[?] Somebody told me it is best for only two weeks in the spring[:D]

Comments

  • swearengineswearengine Member Posts: 1,308 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    We travel to Southwestern ND the first part of June. Lots of young ones at that time. Smaller targets but lots of shooting. We then travel there 3 weeks later, still lots of targets but larger.
  • HighballHighball Member Posts: 15,755
    edited November -1
    Any time you can get there...except the dead of winter. When its cold out, they may show their heads...but the first pop will drive them underground, where while you freeze your butt off...they will be warm and cozy by their fire...

    'Two weeks in the spring'..what nonsense. That indicates someone such a poor shot they intend shooting the little pups at 30 yards..too stupid to duck for cover.

    Yes...when it gets hot, you will suffer from the heat..but the dogs will be there...typically, May till September work well...and even earlier and later, when I was out in dog country.
  • tinmantinman Member Posts: 126 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    We shot them in MT in the heat of the summer. bb guns are soo much fun seeing the little ones run to see then get shot and hide.
    [:D]
  • Jim the PA HunterJim the PA Hunter Member Posts: 87 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I never hunted Prarie Dogs but I'd love to try it!!!!

    If they are anything like groundhogs, I'd wait until June to start hunting them. My reason is that the pups can survive on their own if you wait till June. If you shoot the mother before the pups can go out on their own the pups will die. I'm sure that's just fine for the farmers but as a hunter I would rather have 6 targets in June insead of one target in April.

    chuck.jpg
  • FatstratFatstrat Member Posts: 9,147
    edited November -1
    A bit of frivolty here. But is there any limit on what cailber you can use on P-dogs?
    Somehow I think it would be a blast to use a Barrett 50. Cal. Varporize em.
  • mbsamsmbsams Member Posts: 1,076 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you don't eat it - don't kill it - who's the animal here?
  • Colonel PlinkColonel Plink Member Posts: 16,460
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mbsams
    If you don't eat it - don't kill it - who's the animal here?


    I shoot prairie dogs every year, and I wouldn't touch 'em, much less eat 'em.

    But I do eat the beef that is raised in the pasture that the prairie dogs would destroy. So, if I kill an animal to try to preserve a food source, am I still an animal?

    After all, I'm not licensed to poison them or gas them. And I'm acting on the behalf and request of the landowners who are trying to raise cattle...

    That I enjoy the shoot shouldn't make me more of an animal than someone who enjoys shooting an elk.
  • MVPMVP Member Posts: 23,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Highball
    Any time you can get there...


    Agreed[8D]
  • redbikerredbiker Member Posts: 117 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Here in Colorado, I don't think there is a limit to caliber on Prarie Dogs. I am almost positive there is no bag limit, daily or otherwise.

    There are some restrictions on small game hunting during big game season. I think, that during big game, if you have big game license, you have to use a weapon of.25 or higher caliber.

    You can check regulations at wildlife.state.co.us. If you are coming here to hunt, or thinking about it, check the site out. I has everything concerning wildlife (hunting and fishing) you could see. You can even buy hunting/fishing licenses there.
    Myles
  • Colonel PlinkColonel Plink Member Posts: 16,460
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by redbiker
    Here in Colorado, I don't think there is a limit to caliber on Prarie Dogs. I am almost positive there is no bag limit, daily or otherwise.

    There are some restrictions on small game hunting during big game season. I think, that during big game, if you have big game license, you have to use a weapon of.25 or higher caliber.

    You can check regulations at wildlife.state.co.us. If you are coming here to hunt, or thinking about it, check the site out. I has everything concerning wildlife (hunting and fishing) you could see. You can even buy hunting/fishing licenses there.
    Myles


    I seem to remember that there is a restriction on hunting them (at least in the Pawnee Nat'l Grassland)from early April through June. I haven't checked with the D.O.W. website, I'm just going from memory here.
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