Prairie dogs are not dogs. They belong to the rodent family. They may “bark” like dogs, but that is the way that they communicate. They are more like a type of ground squirrel. Prairie dogs are 12-16 inches (including tail) in length. Prairie dogs come in five different variations such as black-tail, white-tail, Mexican prairie dogs, Gunnison, and Utah.
Prairie dogs live in the western part of the United States in underground burrows consisting of tunnels and chambers. Each chamber has its own function such as sleeping quarters, nurseries, and even one designed as a bathroom. Places near the entrances/exits are designed as a listening post. These enable them to keep tabs on unwanted predators.
Families of prairie dogs consist of one male, several females and young. While living in this group, they share food, groom each other and chase away other prairie dogs. The black-tail prairie dogs live in the largest community group sometimes living with hundreds in a “town.” The opposite is true for the white-tail species as they live in small groups.
To hunt these small critters you can go on your own if you know where to go. Otherwise, you can hire an outfitters group. The Rockin’ 7 Ranch is such a place. Shooting for perfect practice of long distances of 1,000 yards or more is good. Set up consists of a table, sandbags, a guide and water. Some places have 40 to 50 acres of “towns.”
These hunts are for a short time of about 30 days from May to June. The temperatures run between 70 and 90 degrees. Rockin’ 7 Ranch is starting something new in September. For 10 days, they will have a dove hunt/prairie dog hunt. This might be something you won’t want to miss.
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