Hunting

[steve o]

I keep reading that SD Ranchers are having trouble with prairie dogs yet my friends and me are having trouble finding places. The ones we do find are asking hundreds of dollars and for me and my 2 sons we cant afford that. We have been traveling to SD for 15 years and keep getting squeezed out . We are from rural MN in farming country so I understand not letting others whom you dont know hunt your land. You have a beautiful state, if I could only get my wife to move, I could hunt and fish daily. Thanks for listening. Steve O

[Jinglebob]

Steve o

I personally don't have any praire dogs. Seems the've become extinct on this place and I'm damn glad of it.

I've got a neighbor who has some and we go shoot at his in the summer but he knows us and isn't afraid of us leaving gates open, littering and/or accidently shooting any cows or his house. And if he finds anything like that aftewr we've been there, he would know where to go to talk to the responsible party.

I'm not saying you are the kind who would do any of those things, but thats the risk we take when we let strangers in to hunt.

Most times, it's just easier to deal with the problem animals ourselves as to put up with all the possible problems, of letting strangers in, or for that matter, some people we even know.

As a land owner, you must understand. What if someone wanted to come and camp and hunt and fish on your property and you would be liable, if anyone got hurt? Seems like, thats the way it is around here.

As far as charging, some do so they can justify not getting much work done on hunting day, as they are going to watch and make sure that things don't go bad or wrong.

I guess you better visit some people and make friends and then you would be more likely to be allowed to hunt on someones land.

[Northern Rancher]

Try bowhunting them-now that's fun and pretty hard to accidentally kill a cow lol.

[steve o]

I totally understand, thanks.

[greg]

Have tried bowhunting them-fun-good practice-don't thin out too many.Have too many,anyone that asks and follows rules can try and help me

[Angus Cattle Shower]

I would if you were closer, but my bow is a little too long(44 inches) for me, and I'm grtting a gun instead of a bow. My neighbour has a .300 mag. for sale. 2 years old, asking 600. mint. what do you guys think?

[Soapweed]

[Angus Cattle Shower]

I got him down from 850 so far, so I think 5 might be pushing my luck. lol. but seriously, what is your fav. gun?

[Soapweed]

Guess my favorite rifle is a Winchester Model 94 30-30, just because they "look so cool" and are easy to carry on a horse. I bought one for $75 back in 1971 from a friend in Wyoming, but regretfully it was made after 1964. These aren't as valuable as those made before 1964.

A lever action 30-30 has enough power to knock down about anything that needs knocked down, and they are light and easy to carry. I also have a bolt action Remington Model 700 .270 with a scope that I like real well. It is more accurate than the 30-30, but is bigger and more of a rifle to have along in the pickup. The Winchester 30-30 works good on a horse.

Good luck on your gun purchase.

[Angus Cattle Shower]

I hope that I can get it yet, cause there were a few others that were looking at it, but he said that he would hold it for me... I'll have to wait till Easter break to get it. Then I'll have something to be proud of and talk bout without being called a hic or something stupid like that. The city people are knocking me for my cattle, and I just learned that even though I may have 10 foot thick skin, I do not have a 10 foot thick skull. But It will be great, cause I will get to go moose hunting with my Grandpa, and Dad, just the three of us!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Big Muddy rancher]

[Northern Rancher]

What make of .300 Mag. is it-unless your going to hunt moose or elk it's probably too much gun-if your going to hunt whitetails I'd just get a .270-ammo is way cheaper-no recoil compared to a .300-and they are tack drivers-I've shot lots of moose with mine and a record book bear too. I'd hate to see a chick magnet like yourself get a wicked scope cut. Check out a Tikka T3-Ty's buying one after 4H-sweet shooting guns.