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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,472
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,472 |
Prairie dogs are where you find them, when you find them. We left Friday to go to the killing fields and shoot them. We got there and even though the temperature was in the low 90's, we found plenty and shot them until dark. Instead of going somewhere else to camp, we camped right in the town. We were awakened at 6:00 with the chirping of prairie dogs and got up and started shooting. I had talked a friend into buying a Coltsman 223, made by Sako and we shot it with great success. We shot 2 fields until after noon and the temperature didn't quite make 100, but 99 was close enough. There was still enough time to get back to town in time for the Bozeman Stampede PRCA Rodeo...
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 325
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 325 |
That sounds like a ton of fun. I've always wanted to go on a dedicated prairie dog shoot. I got to do it one time after a mule deer hunt was successful early. The only rifle I had was my 270. Does a number on em.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,190
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,190 |
Wow, Shrapnel, your fuel economy has sure gone downhill since the last time we saw your odometer.
Life is like a purple antelope on a field of tuna fish...
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,247
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,247 |
Barrels don't cool off much in 100 degree heat! I had to bring mine in off the porch and set them on top of the air conditioning vent between groups.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,472
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,472 |
100 degrees in Montana is like being in Texas without the Texans!
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379 |
I replace valve cover gaskets every 50K, if they don't need them sooner...
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 24,239
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 24,239 |
Six or eight years ago, I was trying to completely eradicate a small town that cropped up a couple miles from the big town I've shot for years. The same friend owned 'em both and wiping out the small town was a small price for access to the big town plus real good dove hunting. I made a camp with my jeep trailer and a large tarp for a shade. I estimated there were 30 - 40 dogs, all adults, when I started. I stayed there from noon on the start day, thru all the second day, until mid morning on the third day. They were pretty wild to start with, and got a whole lot wilder. I figured I had them whittled down pretty good by the end of the second day. I was keeping count with a golf counter, but don't recall what it was. I kept a very low profile for over an hour after sunup on the third day. Three dogs had shown themselves early, and no more ever came up. I killed one and the other two went down, not to be seen for over an hour. Next Spring, there were eighteen dogs up according to Ed Bunchalettersand numbers and his nephew who went to shoot at it while a couple other 'fire members and I stayed at the large town. They didn't wipe 'em out, either.
Never holler whoa or look back in a tight place
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,866
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,866 |
You guys are blessed with a target rich environment!
Eating fried chicken and watermelon since 1972.
You tell me how I ought to be, yet you don't even know your own sexuality,, the philosopher,,, you know so much about nothing at all. Chuck Schuldiner
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,272
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,272 |
Somehow I have lived a sheltered life, and never done that. Need to one of these days...
"...the designer of the .270 Ingwe cartridge!..."
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,474
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,474 |
Be careful what you start. It is much easier to start that habit than to stop cold turkey or suffer withdrawal pains. But a finer shooting sport would be hard to find. As for hunting it is at or near the top also. You don`t need to drag them out, you can shoot them on your shirt sleeves and you are doing a public service.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424 |
Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual. Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit. My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424 |
Somehow I have lived a sheltered life, and never done that. Need to one of these days... I'll take you. Dave
Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual. Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit. My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,090
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,090 |
Get some messkins and your all set.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 39,301
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 39,301 |
Somehow I have lived a sheltered life, and never done that. Need to one of these days... I have never done it either but have killed more sage rats than I could ever count. Same thing but PDs and about ten times the size of SR. You get a chance you should try either. It is great fun and will improve your shooting, not that you need it as I remember.
The first time I shot myself in the head...
Meniere's Sucks Big Time!!!
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,472
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,472 |
You guys that have been there know what I am talking about. The pasture we camped in has more dogs than the one with the painted rocks. I was surprised at how many were out in 90 degree weather. The rodeo to end a 90+ degree day was a nice finish...
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,558
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,558 |
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,272
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,272 |
Somehow I have lived a sheltered life, and never done that. Need to one of these days... I'll take you. Dave Thanks - one of these years I need to take a couple weeks and wander up that way.
"...the designer of the .270 Ingwe cartridge!..."
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 24,239
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 24,239 |
Meet me at Donnie's place opening day of dove season. We'll shoot doves AND P D's.
Bring your own shotgun and shells. I'll furnish rifles and ammo for the p'dogs.
Never holler whoa or look back in a tight place
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,518
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,518 |
Be careful what you start. It is much easier to start that habit than to stop cold turkey or suffer withdrawal pains. But a finer shooting sport would be hard to find. As for hunting it is at or near the top also. You don`t need to drag them out, you can shoot them on your shirt sleeves and you are doing a public service. This is gospel truth. Hence my handle....... It's addictive. Be careful.
You can roll a turd in peanuts, dip it in chocolate, and it still ain't no damn Baby Ruth.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,052
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,052 |
Scott F,
Prairie dogs are indeed quite a bit bigger than ground squirrels, exactly how much bigger depending on the species of ground squirrel. But PD's are also a lot spookier, and the shooting ranges increase quickly after they've been shot at some. Wind is often harder in PD country as well, which increases the difficulty with range.
Have shot considerable numbers of both over the decades, in several states, and PD shooting is normally tougher, especially after they've been shot at for a day or two.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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