Prairie Dog Hunting: Gear and Techniques for High-Volume Shooting
Prairie dog hunting blends marksmanship, fieldcraft, and varmint management into one of the most enjoyable warm-weather shooting pursuits. With high shot counts, varying distances, and constantly shifting wind, prairie dog towns are perfect for honing long-range skills while helping ranchers protect forage.
Whether you're planning a casual weekend on the dog towns or comparing guided varmint shoots through Find A Hunt, this guide breaks down the gear, techniques, and strategies that lead to safe, ethical, and successful prairie dog hunts.
Understanding Prairie Dog Behavior
Prairie dogs are highly social colony animals. Knowing how they behave helps you plan your setups and shooting strategy.
Key Traits
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Highly alert: They stand on mounds scanning for danger.
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Vocal: Alarm barks warn the town.
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Patterned exposure: Peaks in activity during morning and late afternoon.
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Burrow-centric: They rarely travel far from active mounds.
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Wind-sensitive: Strong winds make them duck into holes more often.
Best Times & Conditions to Hunt Prairie Dogs
Ideal Conditions
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Calm to moderate winds
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Warm, clear days
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Morning and late-afternoon peak activity
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Overcast days with light breeze (less heat shimmer)
Tough Conditions
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Midday heat waves can distort long-range shots
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High winds push bullets significantly
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Recent pressure from shooters may reduce activity temporarily
Essential Gear for Prairie Dog Hunting
Prairie dog shooting requires accuracy, comfort, and the ability to shoot for long periods.
Rifles
Choose flat-shooting, low-recoil cartridges that maintain accuracy during high-volume shooting.
Top Calibers:
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.17 HMR (short to medium ranges)
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.17 WSM (flat-shooting rimfire option)
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.204 Ruger
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.223 Remington
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.22-250 Remington
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.243 Win (for longer shots or windy days)
Multiple rifles allow barrels to cool and reduce downtime.
Optics
Good glass is essential on wide-open prairie.
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High-magnification scopes: 14x–24x upper range ideal
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Adjustable objective/parallax features: Increase precision
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Spotting scope: Useful for calling hits at long range
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Binoculars: Helpful for locating active mounds
Ammunition
Bring more than you think you need—shot counts can reach 200–500 per day.
Preferred Varmint Bullets:
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V-MAX
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BlitzKing
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TNT
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Ballistic Tip Varmint
These fragment quickly for safe, effective varmint control.
Shooting Support
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Portable benches or shooting tables
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Sturdy bipods (Harris-style or adjustable)
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Rear bags for precision shooting
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Tripods for standing shots in tall grass
Comfort & Field Gear
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Sunscreen and brimmed hat
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Folding chair or stool
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Cooler with water and snacks
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Rangefinder
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Wind flag or wind meter
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Cleaning rods and solvents
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Gloves (hot barrels happen fast)
Techniques for Successful Prairie Dog Hunting
1. Start With Short-Range Dogs
Warm up on close targets (50–150 yards) before stretching out to long shots. This helps confirm zero and account for wind.
2. Walk Your Shots Out
Progressively extend distance across the colony:
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100–250 yards: High hit rate; great for confidence
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250–400 yards: Moderate challenge—wind calls matter
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400+ yards: True long-range work requiring excellent dope and wind reading
3. Learn to Read Wind
Wind is your biggest variable on the prairie.
Techniques:
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Watch grass and dust movement
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Use wind flags at multiple distances
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Break shots between gusts
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Hold off appropriately using your reticle’s hash marks
4. Use a Spotter
A friend behind a spotting scope can:
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Call hits/misses
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Read mirage and wind
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Help identify new targets
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Speed up your adjustments
5. Manage Barrel Heat
High-volume shooting heats barrels quickly.
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Rotate rifles
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Pause during lulls
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Keep actions open to vent heat
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Avoid overheating—accuracy drops dramatically when barrels get too hot
6. Control Your Movement
Prairie dogs disappear at sudden motion.
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Set up well outside the town
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Move slowly when repositioning
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Keep silhouettes low
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Let the colony calm between shot streaks
7. Maintain Safety Throughout
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Identify safe backstops (prairie dog mounds, ground-level shots)
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Know neighboring ranch boundaries
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Maintain muzzle discipline at benches
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Communicate with your group
Field Strategies for Prairie Dog Towns
Ideal Shooting Positions
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Elevated points overlooking the colony
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Edges of dog towns where distance varies
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Downwind setups to keep scent and noise minimal
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Shaded vehicle setups on hot days (if allowed)
Managing a Large Town
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Focus on one sector at a time
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Switch angles to access new groups of active dogs
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Give pressured spots time to settle before returning
Why Book a Prairie Dog Hunt Through Find A Hunt
Prairie dog hunting is most rewarding when you have access to large, productive dog towns—something guides and outfitters specialize in. Booking through a vetted guide offers:
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Access to expansive, well-managed varmint colonies
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Shooting benches, transport, and shaded setups
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Local wind and distance knowledge
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A safe, controlled environment for high-volume shooting
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Multi-rifle support and spotters for long-range practice
Guided shoots take the logistics out of your hands so you can focus on shooting and improving your skills.
FAQ: Prairie Dog Hunting
How far are typical prairie dog shots?
Most shots fall between 100 and 300 yards, with plenty of opportunities beyond 400.
What caliber is best?
.223 Remington is the most versatile, but .204 Ruger and .22-250 excel in wind.
Is a spotting scope necessary?
Not required, but extremely helpful for seeing hits and adjusting quickly.
How much ammo should I bring?
Plan for 200–500 rounds per day, depending on colony activity.
Do prairie dogs get pressured?
Yes—switching locations or angles helps maintain steady shooting.
If you want this tailored to a specific region (South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, or Kansas) or to an outfitter’s style of hunt, just let me know and I’ll customize it!
