pointing_dogs_rule Posted September 20, 2016 Report Share Posted September 20, 2016 A daughter of one of my clients mentioned that she wanted to shoot Prairie dogs. Well, I had the perfect ranch with lots of P-dogs. Her family is always busy with the milk cows, so I thought that this would be great for Leah. This ranch has 1,000's of Prairie dogs and it is rarely hunted. In other words the Prairie dogs aren't the brightest and often sit there shot after shot. We loaded up the F-150 and headed to Wyoming for a three day hunt. Leah doesn't get away that much so South Dakota and Wyoming were a new experience. We stopped along the way at the Badlands and Devil's Tower. Once at the ranch we hunted Wed. afternoon, Thursday morning and evening, and Friday morning before heading back to Iowa. Leah had NO experience with the .17 HMR or the Savage .223 (only a little practice at home). A bolt action rifle was new to Leah. She missed the first two shots, however, she caught on really fast and soon had her first kill. It was neat to she her go from... not finding the Prairie dogs in the Burris 6.5 x 20 to finding running Prairie dogs and shooting them as soon as they stopped. By the second afternoon she had this shooting down. She grew particularly fond of the .17 HMR with the 10 shell clip. At one time she shot 7 dogs off of one mound in under 60 seconds. Leah's longest shot with the .17 HMR was 147 yards. The last morning we pulled out the .223 with the Burris 6.5 x 20 and reached out to touch some Prairie dogs. Most of the dogs were at 160 yards. Leah's longest shot was 265 yards with the .223. It's amazing to see the difference in the Prairie dog's movement after impact with the .223 (polymer tip bullet) vs. the .17 HMR (polymer tip bullet). Final count: Leah.... 309 Prairie dogs, Doc.... 11 Prairie dogs (it was more fun watching her shoot, then for me to shoot) It was a great trip and a wonderful time was had. good luck to all the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 Wow 309. Sounds like that trip was a blast Marty. You two made a dent in the population. Used the .223 for beaver last fall/winter here with 55 grain nosler varmageddon's. Pretty happy with their performance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 I liked shooting them low and see how far in the air I could launch them 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted September 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 I liked shooting them low and see how far in the air I could launch them ​Yep, the .17 doesn't make them fly. I like to .223 cause it makes them fly a long way. ​We got some great video. good luck to all the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 Y'all burnt a lot of powder on that trip. Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted September 26, 2016 Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 Awesome photo's! Thanks for sharing. Looks like a great time, I'm jealous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 26, 2016 Report Share Posted September 26, 2016 Background looks like some of the rock we climbed following Steve Beilgard on Mr. Tracey's ranch? Hoping to make it back to Wyoming in the next 5 years or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted September 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2016 Background looks like some of the rock we climbed following Steve Beilgard on Mr. Tracey's ranch? Hoping to make it back to Wyoming in the next 5 years or so. You have a VERY GOOD memory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 27, 2016 Report Share Posted September 27, 2016 You have a VERY GOOD memory LOL. Not as good as it once was. My oldest daughter and I spent 4 days hunting with Steve and one morning on our own on that ranch. Was a trip and memories to last a lifetime. I ate my deer tag though and really hoping to get back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted September 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2016 I've been out there the last 6 years in a row and I hope the tradition continues for many more years. I've made friends of a lifetime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CARiD Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 Looks like you had a great time hunting there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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