Prairie dog hunting has changed dramatically for those of us that have to travel a far piece to enjoy it. Covid shut myself and my shooting partner down for two of the last three years and last year, we went to a new property in Western South Dakota that was a real disappointing one day affair. What had changed was the access fees to hunting grounds. Seems like they have now become the new "cash crop" for many land owners with tresspass fees from $250 a day up to a a few at $1000 a day for "guided hunts" per shooter. Yes, some included lodging but way out of my "sensible" range.
Ammunition expense is what it is and over the past 14 years I have accumulated enough reloads to last me several shoots. I even ventured into the .204 cartridge platform and was excited to try it out. When covid shut me down for two years, I sold it and ammunition. I have since got into it again and hope to use it this coming spring.
Living in Georgia, 1500 miles one way is an investment and getting harder to justify. For those that live in Pup country, appreciate your access.
Sorry to say that there are some "Not so good -I won't call them hunters out there". PD as well as other hunting over the years has turned into $$$$$. There was a time when could got the SD and land owners would welcome you and give you their neighbor's contacts to come and shoot. This was the same way with hog & coyote hunting in GA. Then some so called hunters got the idea of becoming "Guides". They would go to land owners and tell them if they alone got access to the property that these "Guides" would give the landowners some money. Meanwhile these "Guides" sucked up the land and started charging other hunters several thousand % mark up to hunt. Then landowners started the "Trespass" fees which at once they would beg hunters to control the predator/varmint population.
I don't see anything wrong with getting money from someone to use your property. It's the GREED that started.
The other part of this thread is sharing a hunt with someone else that YOU DON'T KNOW.
Don't do it unless you really have verified info on sharing a hunt. It could cost you $$ but more than that TIME and a experience that you will never forget ie
BAD EXPERIENCE.
I did a PD hunt with a person that my father-in-law knew for 20 years. The person always bragged about his PD hunts in SD. Well, this person had a hunt planed and at the so called last minute the other PD hunter backed out due to family issues. Then there was a spot open. I spoke with the person my father-in-law knew and he seem like a really nice person and knowledgeable about PD hunting. We made the agreement on travel costs and vehicle along with hunting area and times to hunt. We had (8) days with (4) travel and (4) hunting. I packed up with over 2,500 rounds of .204 and 223. I drove from GA to Chicago to meet him. We then drove to SD. Along the way I was convinced that he was a serial killer the way he acted towards the female servers at Restaurants. He was a traveling salesperson for a international Industrial Engine company (like Caterpillar ect_). Once we got the SD he only wanted to hunt if the sun was out (only one or two hours a day). Now we had access to over 1K areas and loaded with PD everywhere. I shot 94 the first two hours and he wanted to leave. The next day there was a light snow fall and cleared up. I shot another 200 or so and he wanted to go back to the lodge/hotel. He probably only shot 12 in two days. When we got back, I packed up my stuff and said I wanted to be dropped off at a car rental place so I could finish the hunt myself. Unfortunately, there was not rental places for probably 100 miles. I ended up driving his vehicle straight bac to Chicago and got my truck and drove home. 24 hours of straight driving.
Just bringing this story up because it can happen to you. No hunting trip is worth it no matter how bad you want to hunt or a good price.
Alway go on a hunt with someone you can trust and get along with. Once you are on the trip you are stuck with the other person until you get home.
On another note with guides services. Remember they are doing it for a business. Some do it for the love of hunting and keeping their reputation others' do for a quick buck $$$. Most guides service don't have repeat customers because of location and the costs of a hunt.
If you ever show up at the Guide's location and the Guide says "
Oh you should have been here last week-we got some nice deer. elk. bear, fish". You know that your screwed.
I lived in Hawaii and fished regular for Marlin, Yellow Fin, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo. I saw soo many boat charters screw over tourists. It is not an industry where you have a lot of repeat customers. There are a LOT of REALLY good hunting guides throughout the world. Most hunts cost a small fortune and most hunters are able to only afford one lifetime hunt.
I will say that Jill and I had some of the BEST hunts ever with friends. Our trip to Africa couldn't be beat for by any means.
Just want to say make sure you know everything up front. You may spend your one and only trip of a lifetime on a hunt so make sure that it is a great hunt. Also remember that just because you pay for a guide trip, doesn't mean that you come home with a trophy. Sometimes the animals just are not there, or you miss the shot.
