Prarie Dog WTF!?!?!?!

HI guys, just moved here from KS and I am getting the itch to kill some prarie rats. Trouble is, I heard through the grapevine that it had been outlawed (isn't that like outlawing the slapping of mosquitos and illegal immigrants?)

Then I find this forum, and there are posts talking about prarie dog hunting. Then I go the DOW website, and it lists a season and says nothing about it being illegal.

Whats the deal? Legal or not legal? If it is legal, does anyone know of any spots not too far from the northern metro area? Are there any active clubs, etc?

Cool forum you guys got here. Lots of useful stuff.

Season but not on private land

They outlawed hunting P-dogs east of I-25 for a few years then in 06 they changed the law and made season dates. The new season is state wide.

Before the ban on hunting them east of I-25 came about they were fair game year round no limit ect. After the ban you could not hunt them east of I-25 but could hunt them year round west of I-25. They did away with all of that and just made seasons for them and made it state wide.

Now that we have season dates state wide I like it better than the ban east of I-25. Can't wait to go blast some more P-dogs with my nasty re-loads.

I know a some places but none are close to Denver.

Just FYI, there are many types of P-Dogs here in CO. Let me introduce you to a few:

The Cheyenne Wells Dog: Fiesty Eastern Colorado critter. Don't get too close.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...dlp/p-dog2.jpg

Recommended bait: Coyotes
Recommended weapon: .50 Cal, don't mess around


The Experimental Forrest Dog: Man sized but friendly, found off Hwy 67 close to the South shoot location.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o..._dlp/pdog3.jpg

Recommended bait: Girlfirend or wife, they love the ladies
Recommended weapon: Rem 870 with slugs


The Boulder Dog: Unmotivated and lazy, usually found asleep until around 2pm in their parents hole.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o..._dlp/p-dog.jpg

Recommeded bait: Reefer or chips and salsa
Recommended weapon: Garden hose and Titleist 3-wood stiff.


The Truffle Dog: Practically immobile, found at local parks and rec areas.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o.../125089859.jpg

Recommended bait: No worries
Recommended Weapon: Size 12 Boot and a soccer net/goal

Hope this helped...

-Atrain

Thats awsome.

Season in year round on private land. June15 to Feb 28 private. However the "New" gov progarm thru the NRCS is the let the land owner control the dogs with a cost share. What that means is poison. I have had 3 really really good towns in SE CO killed off. There are others out there. Baca County is good, a long ways for you Front Range guys, (HINT: find a guy at the CO Springs gun shows from Baca County, ask and he may help find a place to hunt, it is not me) Cheyenne Wells, Eads, Good. NE CO OK several towns are gone or thinned, The Greenies don't like dog towns around Wind generators, something about birds flying into them, so, they got "treated". The places to shoot are out there it may take a little time and miles.

Thom

the ban was quitely lifted...
there is now a season for public land
but shoot all you want on private land year round
I knocked on 7 farm house doors one saturday this summer and now have two solid places to shoot all the p doggies I want.

I'm heading to my special spot during my vacation where my buddy and I are going to off a few hippie p-dogs on some private land!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HunterCO

They outlawed hunting P-dogs east of I-25 for a few years then in 06 they changed the law and made season dates. The new season is state wide.

Before the ban on hunting them east of I-25 came about they were fair game year round no limit ect. After the ban you could not hunt them east of I-25 but could hunt them year round west of I-25. They did away with all of that and just made seasons for them and made it state wide.

Now that we have season dates state wide I like it better than the ban east of I-25. Can't wait to go blast some more P-dogs with my nasty re-loads.

I know a some places but none are close to Denver.

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If you hunt them in season, do you have to collect the carcasses as game or can you leave them to waste?

They're potential carriers of the plague and I wouldn't touch them. No law says you have to do anything with them. That's the coyotes' job.

They're potential carriers of the plague. I wouldn't touch them. No law says you have to as far as I know. That's a job for the coyotes.

Thanks. Plague transmission was my concern. I know it's not common, but come on who wants to risk it. This leads me to another question. If rattle snakes eat prarie dogs and ground squirrels, is there danger of contracting plague from handling or eating rattle snakes?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Atrain

The Boulder Dog: Unmotivated and lazy, usually found asleep until around 2pm in their parents hole.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o..._dlp/p-dog.jpg

-Atrain

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This one is my favorite to hunt!![Beer]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by trailgunner

Thanks. Plague transmission was my concern. I know it's not common, but come on who wants to risk it. This leads me to another question. If rattle snakes eat prarie dogs and ground squirrels, is there danger of contracting plague from handling or eating rattle snakes?

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I'd be more concerned with salmonella from handling the snake. They will carry mites and possible fleas as any insect can latch on and embed itself. Any where PD's are there are fleas, just walking around an area they reside may have you bring home unexpected guest, on your pant leg and or shoes they can latch on to. I know folks who own reptiles and birds, who NEVER wash their hands after handling them:( I guess to many years of Blood born pathogen and cross contamination training have you look at things differently.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by trailgunner

Thanks. Plague transmission was my concern. I know it's not common, but come on who wants to risk it. This leads me to another question. If rattle snakes eat prarie dogs and ground squirrels, is there danger of contracting plague from handling or eating rattle snakes?

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I've eaten plenty of rattlers (and squirrels for that matter). No ill effects... just make sure you cook it well.

Ive been shooting p-dogs on private land for years, and really the best way to do it is to do the leg work and knock on doors and ask if you can hunt the land.

i have only heard they are trying to protect black tailed ones is that true?

Ise

Ise,

I think you may be referring to the black tailed ferret. They are rare but hang out with the pd's. My daughter did a big study on them for school, was always worried I'd shoot one by mistake. Never did.

No he is correct. That is the species they have been trying to get on the endangered species list.

Also it is the Black Footed Ferret.

Oh my daughter is going to be upset with me! foot / tail oh well. [Stooge]

pics are awesome!

I have s spot a go to. It's legal to go there. Not exactly your location though. It's a great place though. PM me for me info!