Prairie Dog hunting in SD

[Beeber]

Last week I made a trip out to Western SD to do some trial work on the national grasslands. It was quite an experience, 9.5 miles of unimproved roads. I came across a 300 acre prairie dog town and it got me thinking about going back and doing a little shooting. Does anyone have some experience hunting prairie dogs that they would like to share? What type of rifle would work the best. I have a .270 rem bolt but that seems a little bit like overkill for such a small animal. Any tactics or suggestions would be appreciated. Also if I do end up using the .270 does anyone make a good varmint load for this gun?

Thanks in advance

[lawdog]

We used to go every summer out by Winner. Its a blast. The .270 is way too much gun though. We used .22's for the close in stuff first so we didn't spook everything too bad, and then we shot .223's and 22-250's out to several hundred yards. You can shoot a 100-200 shells a day or even more without any problem out there.

[catman71]

i go at least once every year by timber lake. it is dang fun. i bring my .17hmr and shoot a few before i break out the .223 DPMS or the 22-250 savage model 12. i hunt indian land and a license runs you 80 bucks or so but is good all year. finding a place is no problem as they usually say "yes" before you get done asking. some people charge a little money but it's worth it. if you had to decide on 1 gun, just get a .223 as reasonably priced ammo is easy to find. if you really get into it save your brass and reload VMAX bullets for next year.

[Kodiak]

how is the acuracy on the dpms? my brother has a bushmaster with a heavy barrel. I still need to get my varmint rifle. Is the 204 to expensive to shoot vs. the 223? Also should i get the 17hmr or the 22mag.

[greenman]

I go every early summer with some friends. We all use AR 15s with heavy bull barrels to reduce recoil. Some bench shoot, some lay in the ground. Most have 6x24 scopes so you can watch the mayhem. I know there is alot of debate on bolt guns vs. ARs but I believe the AR 15 is as accurate as a bolt gun in the same cal. Shooting a thumbnail size group at 100 yrds is not a problem even for a guy like me. Plus you have that 20 round magazine for the follow up shot. Shooting doubles is my favorite. Wait for two to line up in the scope and gently squeeze that trigger. Nothing like a 55 grain hollow point traveling a 3400 fps. to flip dogs off the mound.

[greenman]

Kodiak,

I've seen no difference between the DPMS or the Bushmaster or the Colt in 223. Go for the heavy barrel though so you can watch the hits. 223 ammo will be the same price if not cheaper than 17 and 17 won't give you the same splat factor.

Go to a large gunshow in MN and DPMS will have a table there selling all their products. Sometimes they will sell a demo model for a lower price.

[catman71]

the DPMS is top notch. in my case the DPMS outshoots my Colt HBAR, but a 1.125" SS barrel will do that! I also have a lead weight in the buttbplate, the whole rig weighs upwards of 16 pounds. I have had the colt, the dpms and the Bushmaster side by side and other than the 16 pound Panther Extreme (that's a little better), they all shoot the same and are as much fun as you can legally have, esp if you are married, like me.

[Franchiz]

The family of a friend of mine has some land West of Murdo, and South of Kadoka. In college, we'd go out there, shoot the prairie dogs in the morning with .22's and come back in the afternoon and shoot coyotes with 30-06. It was a great time!!

[Kodiak]

how about that dpms panther bull 24, would that be a good choice or is the 20" better? how much can i expect to pay for this gun new and used? And what gun shops have them in the cities? I have my handgun liscense, cause isnt it required to purchase one. Also i am going to get a 22mag or a 17hmr on top of this so what do you recommend the 22or17? This will be my first year varminting, i am a bigtime waterfowler but never been out prarie dogging, what do i all need?

thanks,

Jason

[catman71]

you will be happy with either DPMS. you might want to consider the shorter (lighter) one if you want to hunt a few foxes or coyotes, i have a few so i got the 24" cause i can take the colt 20" out in the snow. i personally love the .17, she is flat and quite. i have a Savage bolt action and the only thing i don't like is the small 5 shot mag. just buy 2 or 3 and you can shoot to beat the band. get yourself some nice binoculars, even cheapies are way better than nothing. look on the web for state land or the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation department of parks and game (check my spelling) you will need some boots and some deet bug spray (bugs aren't bad, but chiggers are) and spray yourself down. bring a little mat if you will shoot off the bi-pod or a lawn chair and a small table gets you good shooting where they aren't real skittish. I bought all my DPMSs from the factory at gun shows. they have a heck of a display at the gun show at the St. Paul fairgrouds in march. get there early Saturday. Otherwise you can call them and ask for a dealer in your area. Any FFL guy can order you one tho. they have a "lo-pro" gun that goes for 699 or so and the super bull runs 1200+, they have a pretty good HSOforum with prices. You can do better used if you can find one. let me know if you need anything else, i can hook you up with some phone numbers and stuff if you want. good luck, it is fun.

[greenman]

You could call Howard at the Gunstop in Minnetonka or the custom gun shop near Fleet Farm in Lakeville. They have a nice selection but pricey. Why do you want a 22mag or 17 the ammo is as expensive as 223 ammo. If you want a lighter gun for walking around buy a light upper to put on the AR 15 receiver then you can shoot the gun sitting or standing. You'll probably want another scope to put on it.

I had a Tasco Varmint Scope 6x24x42 on my gun for a while until I got a deal on a Leupold from my hunting partner.

The Tasco is an ok scope on sunny days up to about 18power

after that the optics get fuzzy but for the price it works well. The 223 ammo has plenty of knock down power to take care of coyotes, on down. Nice thing about the AR is you can get a really nice trigger put into them as well.

[Kodiak]

I was thinking the 22mag would be cheaper if i feel like burning alot of ammo at close up dogs but if it isnt heck with the 22mag and more goodies for the 223. I think i will get that 24bull special if you guys dont think it is too heavy to varmint with, i really do not do much coyote hunting or anything like that it would be for shooting dogs and just plain shooting. I need those numbers and all the help i can get getting one because i have no clue what i should pay for one. So is the cryogenic treated barrel worth it? how come that is not stock and is an option, my benellis have it already and they are shotguns.

[catman71]

the .22 mag will serve you well. i haven't used mine since i got that .17. it just seems more fun to me. if you have other uses for it, the .22 mag would be fine (and cheaper) but I have seen the HMR rounds drop in price recently. I am not 100% sold on the Cryo treatments. it will not hurt, that is for sure, and it doesn't cost all that much. i 'think' my cryo guns clean easier, but i can't say for sure. and hey, if you are just shooting from a bench, heavier is always better! if you end up carrying it around, it will be good exercise.....

[Beeber]

Thanks for all the info guys. I borrowed a 222 rem which should do the job. I was wondering how late in the year can you go and still have a successful hunt. I assume the dogs will start to hibernate sometime in Nov.?

Thanks again for the info.