Prairie Dogs Over for 2016
We have just returned from our annual prairie dog hunting trip to New Mexico. It's and 18-hour drive each way. That's a long time in a vehicle. But, if it weren't worth it, we wouldn't go.
This year, we counted all our rounds fired and then estimated a percentage of dogs shot per each session. We are close, but not exact on dogs terminated.
In 2016, the four of us combined to launch 2,920 rounds down range. We estimate that 1,200 prairie dogs lost their lives to our endeavors. This is actually a low number (41% overall), but was due mainly to our ammo. Lots of squib rounds were thrown. I suspect we could have had over 2,000 down if it weren't for poor ammo quality. In fact, we gave that ammo up on the last day and went to the store and bought new.
We were the fourth group into camp this year, and another was right on our heels. Timing was good, as we had awesome weather (50 - 84F) and some rain. It was actually humid a few days down there. Plus, the babies had just come out of the dens.
Before you go all PETA-preachy on me, understand this: were we hunters not there shooting the prairie dogs, they would be poisoned. We provided a much more humane death and got some shooting practice in too. These rodents destroy the land and carry a flea that still harbors the plague. So what do we do with them once they have been dispatched? We leave them for the hawks, owls, snakes, coyotes, and buzzards to consume. Believe this - you come back the next day after shooting 200 dogs in a town and there is not the first sign that you've been there. All the carnage is gone. Cleaned up by scavengers. Well that, or those little suckers are coming out at night and burying their dead....
We got on some good towns, like Pete's Place, the Brozier, CRP and Ricketson's, that we shot up more than once. Understand this now, when we talk about a prairie dog town, we are talking about hundreds of acres of mounds / holes / dens. These are large enough that we can drive around them, shooting for 4 hours, and not get back to where we started. Other towns like the Cemetery and Caliche Pit we hit only once as the others were better. We never did get to hook-up with Papa Howard or even go over to his place this year. Sad too, as he is an awesome dude!
Here is a photo of a prairie dog - size, smaller than a 2-liter soda bottle - more along the lines of a normal dish washing soap bottle - possibly 12" (30 cm) tall - but not the babies. The little ones are smaller than a soda can. Prairie dogs, like meerkats, stand on their hind legs to elevate their eyes - thus the better to see the danger...
Once danger has been seen, prairie dogs "pray" by putting up both hands, arching their backs while standing on their hind legs, and chirping an alarm. This lets every other dog know to run for cover. The problem is, they run to their dens (holes) and then stand up to look around. That delay usually cost them their life...
We saw only one rattlesnake this year - a 3' prairie rattler that was already dead on the road. We saw two bull snakes, but they were much too aggressive to catch - even though we tried. All in all a great trip. I am sure we will return next year. The population did not even notice we had arrived, shot, and are now gone.
This year, we counted all our rounds fired and then estimated a percentage of dogs shot per each session. We are close, but not exact on dogs terminated.
In 2016, the four of us combined to launch 2,920 rounds down range. We estimate that 1,200 prairie dogs lost their lives to our endeavors. This is actually a low number (41% overall), but was due mainly to our ammo. Lots of squib rounds were thrown. I suspect we could have had over 2,000 down if it weren't for poor ammo quality. In fact, we gave that ammo up on the last day and went to the store and bought new.
We were the fourth group into camp this year, and another was right on our heels. Timing was good, as we had awesome weather (50 - 84F) and some rain. It was actually humid a few days down there. Plus, the babies had just come out of the dens.
Before you go all PETA-preachy on me, understand this: were we hunters not there shooting the prairie dogs, they would be poisoned. We provided a much more humane death and got some shooting practice in too. These rodents destroy the land and carry a flea that still harbors the plague. So what do we do with them once they have been dispatched? We leave them for the hawks, owls, snakes, coyotes, and buzzards to consume. Believe this - you come back the next day after shooting 200 dogs in a town and there is not the first sign that you've been there. All the carnage is gone. Cleaned up by scavengers. Well that, or those little suckers are coming out at night and burying their dead....
We got on some good towns, like Pete's Place, the Brozier, CRP and Ricketson's, that we shot up more than once. Understand this now, when we talk about a prairie dog town, we are talking about hundreds of acres of mounds / holes / dens. These are large enough that we can drive around them, shooting for 4 hours, and not get back to where we started. Other towns like the Cemetery and Caliche Pit we hit only once as the others were better. We never did get to hook-up with Papa Howard or even go over to his place this year. Sad too, as he is an awesome dude!
Here is a photo of a prairie dog - size, smaller than a 2-liter soda bottle - more along the lines of a normal dish washing soap bottle - possibly 12" (30 cm) tall - but not the babies. The little ones are smaller than a soda can. Prairie dogs, like meerkats, stand on their hind legs to elevate their eyes - thus the better to see the danger...
Once danger has been seen, prairie dogs "pray" by putting up both hands, arching their backs while standing on their hind legs, and chirping an alarm. This lets every other dog know to run for cover. The problem is, they run to their dens (holes) and then stand up to look around. That delay usually cost them their life...
Prairie dog signalling an alarm (center).
The other two have come running over - ready to dash into their hole depending upon the danger.
All three are fair game to the prairie dog hunter.
Sounds like you guys had way too much fun! Glad you're back home safely.
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