First SD prairie dog shoot

[Stroker548]

Hey all. Been reading here for a while, so went ahead and joined up. I just got done making my reservations to shoot some P dogs in South Dakota. Me and 3 buddies from work are heading to the Circle View Ranch in May. Read a bunch of good reveiws so decided to make it happen. Its quite the drive, so hopefully the weather is good. Anyway, was a little pumped up bout it and had to share.

 

[JackinSD]

Hey all. Been reading here for a while, so went ahead and joined up. I just got done making my reservations to shoot some P dogs in South Dakota. Me and 3 buddies from work are heading to the Circle View Ranch in May. Read a bunch of good reveiws so decided to make it happen. Its quite the drive, so hopefully the weather is good. Anyway, was a little pumped up bout it and had to share.

I hope we see some rain before then. Right now, they are asking that firearms not be fired outdoors due to extreme fire danger.

Not trying to put a damper on your hunt, just thought you might like to ask that question of Circle View Ranch before you make your trip to find their land access is not there.

 

[B23]

I'm guessing the answer to my question can vary depending on weather but what are typically the best times or months to book for PD shooting???

 

[Browninglover1]

I'm guessing the answer to my question can vary depending on weather but what are typically the best times or months to book for PD shooting???

I love hunting them around Mothers Day because it's starting to warm up and they have just dropped their little ones. Having all the little babies run around creates a lot more targets and harder shots when you really want to stretch yourself.

 

[shorty]

+1 on the rain! As for best time to go I prefer June thru November. In a normal year the spring rains are finished and the back roads firm up, the little targets are getting a little bigger by June as well.

This year, lack of rain has already put the fire danger into the red, as previously stated.Whenever you go you'll have a blast!

Bring LOTS of ammo, don't take any home.

 

[ukwildcats]

Hey all. Been reading here for a while, so went ahead and joined up. I just got done making my reservations to shoot some P dogs in South Dakota. Me and 3 buddies from work are heading to the Circle View Ranch in May. Read a bunch of good reveiws so decided to make it happen. Its quite the drive, so hopefully the weather is good. Anyway, was a little pumped up bout it and had to share.

Have stayed at the Circle View Ranch the last 3 years -- and have reservations for June -- Great place to stay. The Wagon Wheel bar in Interior is a decent place to eat -- really not alot of options but the food is decent -- would stay away from the other bar.

The Badlands Lodge is ok -- Going to Wall is a long drive to go for food -- I would plan on bringing food to cook if you like.

Prairie Dogs -- Last year the population was down -- The plague hit the towns hard so good luck -- Previous years was very good and hoping the PD have been busy this winter.

Uk

 

[Nimrodmar10]

Public land hunting doesn't start till the 16thof June I believe. That late date is to make sure you don't kill a whole litter with each shot. It also gives you a lot more targets.

The breakfast at Wall Drugs is worth the drive.

 

[JackinSD]

SD Gf&P website concerning praire dogs: SD GFP | Hunting | Small Game | Prairie Dogs

 

[ukwildcats]

The breakfast at the Circle View is very good also -- Amy (owner) has chickens on site and has fresh eggs every morning.

Last year I enjoyed watching the chickens chase the bugs -- and be careful of Rattle Snakes, we killed a baby Rattler last year in the parking area -- surprised it did not hurt someone, one of the other visitors indicated he kicked it by accident after dark -- we went out and took care of it before it bite someone. A day earlier there was a dead chicken that probably was killed by the snake.

Wall is not a bad drive -- maybe 45 minutes -- but have to go through the badlands which is has many switchbacks. Rapid city is a straight shot up the road also -- probably 90 minutes but a very easy straight drive.

UK

 

[Stroker548]

Thanks for the advice guys. When I talked to the gal on the phone, I told her the main reason for goin was to hunt PD. She didnt say anything about the no rain/no shoot deal, but Ill call back when the date gets a little closer. Hope everything is cool, cuz its a 15 hour 1 way trip for 4 guys and a bunch of ammo in a Trailblazergun)Keep all the feedback comin this way, I need all the help I can get

 

[ukwildcats]

From Experience

-- Do not drive out in the Prairie's when wet, the SD Mud/Hard Pan/etc is very slippery and getting stuck would kill a trip and a tow truck is hours away

-- When driving out the Walmart/Cabella's in Mitchell SD is the last stop for food/supplies etc before the badlands/Interior -- good place to stock up

-- You are not allowed to drive out on Public land to shoot or set up, you must walk it. It is still legal to drive out on Private land or Indian Reservations if you have permission

-- Mount Rushmore is a great trip to make on a bad shooting day (rain/wind/etc) -- a couple of hours away -- Fed Govt does charge for parking but not for admission. Custer State Park is pretty neat -- Buffalo herd is generally easy to see -- State charges for admission but it is for vehicle

-- Bring a good pair of bino's, these should be about 8x or greater but smaller objectives since you are shooting during the day and there is plenty of light. I use 10x40 with good eye relief - first year my bino's had almost no eye relief and my eyes were sore from using them

-- Unless you are planning exploring the Badlands when you hit the Badlands entrance tell them you are not stopping and are on the way to Interior/Circle View -- They should not charge you admission. The younger Park Rangers keep trying to charge but we never paid (and never stopped)

From Dayton it is 1200 miles and 20 hours -- are you sure your 15 hours is correct to Circle View Ranch in Interior

UK

 

[Stroker548]

From Experience

-- Do not drive out in the Prairie's when wet, the SD Mud/Hard Pan/etc is very slippery and getting stuck would kill a trip and a tow truck is hours away

-- When driving out the Walmart/Cabella's in Mitchell SD is the last stop for food/supplies etc before the badlands/Interior -- good place to stock up

-- You are not allowed to drive out on Public land to shoot or set up, you must walk it. It is still legal to drive out on Private land or Indian Reservations if you have permission

-- Mount Rushmore is a great trip to make on a bad shooting day (rain/wind/etc) -- a couple of hours away -- Fed Govt does charge for parking but not for admission. Custer State Park is pretty neat -- Buffalo herd is generally easy to see -- State charges for admission but it is for vehicle

-- Bring a good pair of bino's, these should be about 8x or greater but smaller objectives since you are shooting during the day and there is plenty of light. I use 10x40 with good eye relief - first year my bino's had almost no eye relief and my eyes were sore from using them

-- Unless you are planning exploring the Badlands when you hit the Badlands entrance tell them you are not stopping and are on the way to Interior/Circle View -- They should not charge you admission. The younger Park Rangers keep trying to charge but we never paid (and never stopped)

From Dayton it is 1200 miles and 20 hours -- are you sure your 15 hours is correct to Circle View Ranch in Interior

UK

Excellent advice. Thank you. As far as the drive goes, we all work in Ft. Wayne, so I mapped it from there. Dayton is about 3 hours from where I live, and 4 or so from Ft. Wayne, so that about right. I noticed on the website that they do not provide benches. What do you find works the best out there? Is there any place nearby that we could rent benches? Thanks again everyone

 

[JackinSD]

Excellent advice. Thank you. As far as the drive goes, we all work in Ft. Wayne, so I mapped it from there. Dayton is about 3 hours from where I live, and 4 or so from Ft. Wayne, so that about right. I noticed on the website that they do not provide benches. What do you find works the best out there? Is there any place nearby that we could rent benches? Thanks again everyone

You will be long ways from anywhere at Interior. Whatever you need you better bring with you or pickup on the way.

 

[ukwildcats]

You will be long ways from anywhere at Interior. Whatever you need you better bring with you or pickup on the way.

JackinSD is correct -- we generally shoot off the hood of the vehicle with shooting rest bags -- like these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GXJJ84/?tag=lrhmag19-20

I have also have walked into the small PD towns and used by backpack to shoot off of -- just be careful of the cow pattys and other ranch stuff.

Some Private PD Outfitters have tables set up on the towns that you can use -- or you can bring your own.

If you know where you are going they might be able to help -- or give advice on what to use and where to get it.

UK