Hunting for Prairie Dogs: Using Binoculars

Why Binoculars Are Essential for Prairie Dog Hunting

Unlike larger game, prairie dogs blend into their environment. Elevated mounds, grass, and wind movement can hide them easily.

Binoculars help you:

• Locate new colonies and active shooting zones

• Spot dogs at long range before shouldering your rifle

• Identify pups vs. adults for ethical shot choices

• Watch behavior patterns that predict exposes

• Scan safely for livestock, other hunters, or background hazards

• Conserve energy by letting your eyes work instead of constant repositioning

Good glass saves time, boosts accuracy, and increases your overall shot count.

What to Look For When Glassing Prairie Dog Towns

1. Fresh Dirt Mounds

Active mounds show:

• Loose dirt

• Freshly turned soil

• Little vegetation

• Numerous escape holes

Where there’s fresh dirt, there are usually active dogs.

2. Movement on the Mound Tops

Prairie dogs often sit on their haunches scanning for threats. Look for:

• Heads popping up

• Quick darts between holes

• Tail flicks

• Shadows moving across dirt

Movement is often easier to spot than the dog itself.

3. Colony Edges & Transition Zones

Dogs frequently feed on:

• Grass edges

• Low sagebrush

• Clover pockets

• Fresh green strips after rain

Glassing these edges reveals opportunities most shooters overlook.

4. “Lookout” Dogs

Every town has sentinels. Once you spot a lookout:

• Scan around that location

• Expect several more dogs nearby

• Use that reference point for range estimation

Lookouts often sit on higher mounds or dirt piles.

Best Binoculars for Prairie Dog Hunting

Magnification

8x works, but 10x or 12x is ideal for long-distance scanning.

Field of View

A wider FOV helps you:

• Track running dogs

• Monitor multiple mounds

• Scan efficiently without constant panning

Lens Quality

Choose binoculars that perform well in heat shimmer and bright sun—common varmint conditions.

Look for:

• ED glass

• Good coatings for glare

• Sharp edge-to-edge clarity

Higher quality glass makes full-day hunts easier on your eyes.

How to Glass Effectively in Prairie Dog Country

1. Use a Tripod or Window Mount

A stable mount allows you to:

• Glass longer without fatigue

• Spot subtle movement

• Hold sight picture steady at 12x+ magnification

This drastically increases your spot-to-shoot ratio.

2. Grid the Colony

Break the field into small sections:

• Scan left to right

• Move down

• Repeat slow passes

This keeps you from missing low-profile dogs tucked in dips or tall grass.

3. Look for Color Contrast

Prairie dogs blend with dirt, but contrast helps:

• Light belly against darker dirt

• Shadow under their bodies

• Highlighted fur in sun

Low-angle morning and evening light especially helps reveal dogs.

4. Re-Glass After Each Shot

Prairie dogs often pop back up after you fire—or new ones emerge nearby.

After every shot:

• Stay behind your rifle

• Re-scan the same mound

• Look for new heads or movement

This maximizes shot opportunities without moving positions constantly.

Pairing Binoculars With Your Shooting Setup

Spot–Shoot–Confirm Cycle

For high-volume shoots:

1. Spot a dog with binoculars

2. Range it with a rangefinder

3. Dial or hold using your ballistic reticle

4. Shoot

5. Re-glass the mound immediately

This cycle keeps shots flowing all day.

Work With a Partner

One spots, one shoots, then switch roles:

• Spotter calls distance and wind

• Shooter engages targets rapidly

• Both stay safer by constantly monitoring surroundings

This is the preferred setup on guided prairie dog hunts.

Use Binoculars to Read Wind

Wind indicators:

• Grass bending direction

• Heat shimmer drift

• Dust blowing off mounds

• Prairie dog tails flicking sideways

Wind reading is half of successful long-range varmint shooting.

Safety Advantages of Using Binoculars

Before taking any shot, glass to confirm:

• No livestock behind target

• No hunters crossing firing lanes

• No buildings or roads in background

• No ricochet hazards (rocks, steel, water)

Prairie dog towns often border ranching areas—elevated situational awareness is critical.

When Binoculars Are Most Valuable

Early Morning

• High activity

• Low sun angle makes dogs more visible

• Less heat distortion

Midday

• Heat shimmer increases—good glass helps cut through it

• Dogs often sit near holes during peak heat

After Storms

Rain often drives dogs underground; when it clears:

• Dogs emerge to feed

• Visibility improves

• Colonies become highly active

Recommended Gear for Binocular-Assisted Prairie Dog Hunts

• 10x42 or 12x50 binoculars

• Tripod + bino adapter or window mount

• Rangefinder with long-distance capability

• Shooting bench or bipod/tripod

• Sunscreen, hat, and hydration

• High-quality varmint ammo

• Wind meter (optional)

• Spotting scope for extreme long-range shots

Having the right optics makes full-day shooting far more effective.

Why Many Hunters Book Guided Prairie Dog Hunts

Prairie dog outfitters offer:

• Access to high-density private colonies

• Safe, prepared shooting positions

• Target-rich environments for skill building

• Long-range coaching and spotting

• Comfortable setups for big groups

• Opportunities for thousand-shot weekends

If you want a high-volume varmint hunt without scouting or landowner logistics, compare trusted outfitters through our hunt marketplace.

FAQs About Using Binoculars for Prairie Dog Hunting

What magnification is best for finding prairie dogs?
10x is the sweet spot—good balance of zoom and field of view.

Do I need a tripod for my binoculars?
Not required but extremely helpful for long sits or 12x+ optics.

How far can binoculars pick up prairie dogs?
Usually 200–600 yards depending on light, terrain, and glass quality.

Should I glass or shoot from the same position?
Glass first to locate targets safely, then transition to your rifle.

Do binoculars help with wind calls?
Yes—binoculars make it easier to see wind indicators across the entire colony.

Using binoculars is one of the simplest and most effective ways to increase both your shot count and your accuracy when hunting prairie dogs. Good glass helps you locate hidden dogs, read wind, and stay safe in wide-open country. When you're ready to plan a high-action prairie dog adventure, explore vetted outfitters and book through Find A Hunt.