When is a good time/best time for P-Dogs in SD??

[Tall Shadow]

Hi,
I have been trying to plan a trip out to South Dakota for a spring/early summer Prairie Dog shoot, but I haven't any idea when the best times for that are!?!?

I'd like to make it late June, or early July, but I have no idea when (or where) the best time(s) are.

Can you guys offer any advise?

Thanks!
Tall Shadow

[Jonesy]

You can shoot prairie dogs year around. If it's a nice sunny day, with little wind, they'll be out. There are some regs on public ground. There is a time that you can check on the South Dakota Game and fish site that you can't shoot. But on private you can shoot anytime. The best time though, is late June early July when all the pups are three quarters size of adults and they are very active. You can find as many as a dozen dogs per mound. I've sat with a 22 rimfire and shot a hundred dogs in a half an hour from the same spot. With most of the shots a hundred yards or less. Just make sure there hasn't been much moisture when you plan to go out. It doesn't take much moisture for the gumbo out here to get you in trouble quick. Ranchers are not real wild about massive ruts in their pastures either.

Have fun and good luck...

[Tall Shadow]

Thanks for the reply & Info Jonesy!


So late June, to early July huh? That is kind of what I thought...Because the SD Fish & game site says that the public land is closed till about June 1st.....I figured it was because the little buggers were having pups.

I have heard about the Gumbo, and have no desire to experience/meet it!

Any suggestions on where to go for P Dogs?

Public land?
Private?
Should I post an ad in some SD newspaper(s) asking for land owners who might need help thinning them out?

Tall Shadow

[Jonesy]

There are several ways to go about it. You could go public, but be prepared to not have a lot of action. The dogs get shot at a lot, so they are very leary. Personally, I don't think public is worth anyones time. Private is getting harder all the time. But there are still ranchers that will let people go out and shoot. Reservation lands get shot at a lot too.

As far as the ad, I have no idea how that would work. But if you do, put your ad in the Meade County Times or the Tri State livestock news. If you have contact with a rancher on shooting PD's, make sure you ask about how many acres of PD's they have and how often they get shot at. With the acres, they always think they have more than there really is, so cut whatever they say in half. So if they say 200 acres, figure on about 100 acres. The reason to ask how often is they tend to get a little gun shy after a while and you'll spend most your time waiting for one to come out.

Some of the better Counties for PD's are Meade, Butte, Perkins, and some of Pennington as far as private. Just asking humbley at some of the small town bars and cafes would be your best bet. Newell, Faith, Phillip are probably your best. Don't be suprised to have competition. It's getting pretty popular. Ranchers are picking up on what area varmint guides are getting for it, so be patient and you'll find a place to shoot for free.

Be glad to answer any other questions.