Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Montana Prarie Dog season?

I looked through the state web site and googled it, but I can't seem to find the dates. I'm planning a week long hunt this summer, and want to be sure before I finalize plans. Anyone know the exact dates for Pdog shooting on public lands? Thanks.

Didn't know there were dates - Sheesh, a season on prairie dogs... I wonder if anyone else knows? Everyone I know just shoots em' when they get a tickle in their finger.

We were deer hunting the CMR about 10-12 years ago and I almost ran out of ammo shooting the dumbest pdogs I had ever seen. When we got to camp they told me the pdogs were protected. I had to remind them that there were about 50 that weren't.

I haven't heard there was a season, but then again, I hadn't heard they were protected in some places either...

If there is season then there must also be a limit?

The Big Sky is the limit.....

Ingwe

how do you like your limits of pdogs , char-broiled or stir-fryed ?

We "stir-fry" them with a hot projectile rotating at about 300,000 rpm....

Ingwe

Qhorse: Prairie Dogs are considered to be a "Varmint" in the state of Montana - thus you can Hunt them year round, 24 hours a day, no bag limit, no caliber restrictions and no Hunting license needed to Hunt them!
You must however have landowner permission on private lands or to cross private lands to get to Prairie Dogs on public lands!
Good luck this summer.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Schrapnel: YOU do not know how lucky you were to get away with that "un-intended" Federal Crime caper!
Yes the Prairie Dog creatures are FEDERALLY PROTECTED on the Charles M. Russel National Wildlife Refuge!
The [bleep] that would have befallen you had you been apprehended "violating" there on the "Charlie" would have put a dent in your pocket book that would bring a tear to a grown mans eyes!
DO NOT shoot Prairie Dogs on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge!!!
AND do not shoot Bobcats on the Charlie either as they are protected year round there as well!
I was Big Game Hunting Hunting on the CMR year before last and we were on our way to finish retrieving a big Bull Elk in our pickup truck.
The sun had not risen as yet but there in the headlights in the midst of a remote Prairie Dog town was a Black Footed Ferret that was Hunting from hole to hole. Seeings it was one of the rarest animals on earth we stopped and watched him Hunt.
He gets to Hunt Prairie Dogs on the CMR but you/we humans don't!
I am not sure WHAT the Federal Statute of Limitations is on your "alleged" offense but I would NOT mention your significant faux pas IN MIXED COMPANY anymore.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

The last I heard, the punishment for shooting PDs on the Charles Russell was 72 hours in a sweat lodge with Rosie O'Donnell while listening to a scratchy 8 track of Barry Manilo music - mighta changed...

Isn't Richard Simmons in there somewhere too ????

Thanks for the replies guys. I did know I can't shoot on the CMR, as my buddy informed me of that right off. BUT, I KNOW there was a time frame, at least as of 3 years ago, that the pdogs were off limits on public land so they could raise their pups long enough for them to survive for the ferets to eat. I read about it on the state web page 3yrs ago when I was planning my last hunt, but couldn't remember the exact dates, so I figured I'd ask here. It must have gone away, as I can't even find a mention of it after hours of googling.

Just thought I would add that you do need the state lands permit to shoot anything on State land. Greedy Bass Turds.

Shootist Thanks for the reminder. I always include it w/ my online tags, so I have it every year. One of my good buddies is the local game warden, and as much as I hate to pay the stupid fee, it's better than putting him in a bind at some point.

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:GE5RCcr8AbcJ:www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/mt/blm_information/bpsfall09.Par.37682.File.dat/PDogs.pdf+prairie+dog+management+law+mt&hl=en&gl=us&sig=AHIEtbRyzG2e9ksAhY3eU3e0Q2x2w7v2Wg

Here's a link (cut and paste if you can't click it) describing some of what I was talking about. If you read through the first page a ways (I tried to cut and paste the meaningful text, but it wouldn't allow it), you'll see that whatever management they had it place dissappeared in 07. I guess I'm good to go anytime...I hope.