Black Hills area Prarie dogs ?

[bigscoop]

Hi all,the family and I are planning a vacation this summer (mid aug.).Was wondering if anyone knew if there is public land within an hour or so of Deadwood worth checking out or an outfitter in that area that won't charge an arm and a leg for just trespass fees. It's just me and my 10 yld. son,we may not be shooting a full day and we won't need lodging.I'm just looking for a push in the right direction, Thanks for any help.

[OldmanFCSA]

Can't remember the rancher, but clear up in North West corner of SD near Ludlow.
Buy license in town.

[amerICANHELPer]

There is a Fish & Game Office in Wall Drug that has a map of 'active' dog towns in the Grasslands, the map was due for an update last year as several of the towns were vacant but the wardens can pinpoint the areas with dogs. If you're driving a truck it would be a fun trip for you and your boy to depend on a gps and the map and go exploring. You do need the map and gps as the cattle trails don't show up on the gps. Remember where you cross the Cheyanne River to get to the grasslands because you've got to get back to that spot to get back to Deadwood.

[gunforhire]

Yea, scout the national grasslands for sure, we hunted them with a friend of mine that grew up in lodgepole. August may be a little late to get many shooting opportunities depending on what kind of summer we have this year. I went the last weekend of July last year and because of the lack of moisture and high temps, there wasn't much moving.

[JJ]

Last year was a really tough year out that way because the plague ran thru a lot of towns. Pine Ridge has been really bad for two years, and many reports from the Grasslands were saying the same thing. There are still pockets of dogs around, just a bit more work from what I've heard.

There is a lot of info on the fish and game website, and IIRC the SD tourism group will send you a bunch of info on hunting them to.

[MNIceMan]

I shoot in ND and the spraying of dogs and the oil industry have made it a bit harder to find a good dog town. I shoot around Medora ND in the month of June. I may need to find another area also.

[bigscoop]

thanks guys that helps me get started

[JJ]

Otherwise, if you were to invest a full day, I highly reccomend Byran Guiding out of Parmalee SD. It would be a pretty good drive, but Cliff is a really good guy.

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=31894&p=361264&hilit=Rosebud+sioux#p361264

[forcefed]

^^ This.

Seriously, if you want to shoot number of dogs call Cliff. I gain nothing from recommending him and have hunted other places in SD. By FAR worth the drive to shoot. I mean shoot A LOT. What'd we bring with? Around 7k rounds last year and didn't go home with all that much.

[JJ]

IIRC, the four of us fired right around 5500 rounds in three days. And we were only out for 6-7 hours a day. We could have gotten up earlier and shot to sunset as well.

[bigscoop]

Thanks guys but 6 hrs.+/- round trip would make for a pretty long day. Anybody know of someone closer? Thanks

[Lights]

Been trying to get a hold of the Byan's all week. Emailed and called Lisa, But no response yet. Hop they are still doing it. Do you remember what they charged per person per day? I would like to take my kids ages 13,14,and 15 out there but can not afford $250.00 or more a day/person.

Mark

[LarryP]

Just curious, You guys save the pelts? What do you do with prairie dogs? You don't eat them do you?

[Ironbear]

Just curious, You guys save the pelts? What do you do with prairie dogs? You don't eat them do you?

Just don't order "chicken nuggets" from any fast food place in the area, and you'll be fine....

[rtwills]

Do you find any out at this time of year? I will be heading to Rapid City for work and will have a day of free time while there. I have never hunted "dogs" before so just wondering...