Ok, this is something I have put off for too many years. The newly retired wife is also ready for some adventure. So starting in SD, what are our best opportunities for prairie dog hunting? That southwest area of grassland? Any natural die-off still affecting populations?
Any leads would get us started in the right direction.

Wyoming

The various reservations are often a good place to start. I might check Rosebud or Cheyenne River, Lower Brûlé perhaps.

If you’ve never done it, I’d spend a few hundred bucks a day for a guide that has access to private land.
I’ve shot them one or more times a year in Wy, SD, Colo, and Ks, for the past 30 years. Knocking on doors and getting permission to shoot them, used to be easy. It is very rare today. I’d rather spend time shooting rather than driving looking for places to shoot, with little chance of success.
They have become a “cash crop.”
In my view, the best time to go is about May 20 till June 10.

dale06 is giving good advice. If you choose to self guide you will spend a lot of time trying to find places to shoot, you can spend a lot of time and money trying to find a spot on your own unless you are very lucky. Google can be your friend - try googling PD hunts or PD outfitters in the various states, some of them offer a low budget shoot where they just show you the field and don't stay with you all day. Getting some reviews from past customers would be a good idea if you are going to use a guide.
I generally do not go until around the first of June, I have been rained out too many times in late May.

drover

Ok thanks fellas. I'd rather spend time behind the scope than knocking on doors. Anticipating more helpful hints.........

I shoot 'em here.......last 20+ years---May-October

Utah is not know for p/dog action...but they are here

Drought has really cut the numbers down.....plague too

I shoot large tracts of irrigated private properties...one place has 12+ full circle pivots

Most land owners can be reluctant to let strangers come in with LR rifles

and start shooting with people--livestock & expensive irrigation hardware on the property

Irrigation is the key word....that's where the dogs are

You didn't speak of your hardware ? 20 cal's are where its at..pic..high mileage 20 Vartarg

Montana or S. Dakota!!!

Also, I have shot more dogs with the .222, .223 and .22-250.. The first two are ideal.. At times a .22 mag. is nice to have in the truck..

haha. I see what you've done there.

Tikkanut is right, 22-250 can be a hard sell. Short range 17hmr will get you on more properties.

We have completely run out of dogs here in Montana. I hear SD and Wyoming are loaded and ranchers are now paying people to shoot them. Check with WCH

Ha, ha, good one 6mm.. They are CHARGING $ 300./day... Montana is still free....

This guy shot the last two in Montana.






He is a natural born PD killer.

Now that’s a good pic. Fun in the sun. Edk

Thanks for posting this, Wasp. I was thinking about heading up your way this spring, but now I'll save some gas money and stop in South Dakota.

This is true.

But I remember when the skies were black with prairie dogs.....

I started shooting PD's when I was in grade school in the 50's. Except for the time in the USMC I go nearly every year, though now I only go to a friend's ranch where he has asked us to help with his PD problems.

The best PD shooting I have ever had was south central Wyoming near where the North Platte comes out of the Colorado mountains - Saratoga was the nearest town. Along with 3 other shooters, I took 6 rifles and lots of ammo! After a week of solid shooting, switching rifles when they became to hot to continue shooting, I went home with just a few loaded cartridges for one of those rifles.

You didn't need any license in Wyoming to shoot PD's. The ranchers came to us to ask us to shoot dogs on their ranch, the camping was free. The Wyoming Game department gave us the recommendation of where to go.

Yep, I remember when they were so thick you could cross a creek on them and never get your feet wet.

drover

We have devolved into probable impeachment hearings for illegal diversion from good information.

Bigwhoop: "Touch" them all!
I have done so many times.
In fact some years ago a Lieutenant that I worked for and I, set up our shooting benches in Montana and shot Prairie Dogs in Wyoming!
The ones in Wyoming were only 400 yards away.
But it made us feel/sound cool so we made a point of trying it and did it.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Well I'll start the searching in a month or so. Thanks for all your help........