Prairie Dog Hunting--What kind of rifle?

Howdy! What is a good rifle and scope combo that is good for prairie dogs? And, how far away do you need to be to hunt them? I believe that a shooting table of sorts is used. Information appreciated! Always, Gene

Howdoo yoseff Pohdnah.! The truthful answer to your question is one you like to shoot. If you're restricted to one rifle just for PD shooting a 22-250 with an eighteen or twenty ex scope would work for most people. A PD at 300 yards isn't a large target. For closer shots you'll have plenty of time to crank the scope down to ten or six power. Out at about 200 yds a .222 Rem. with a 10X scope is a challange. No matter what you shoot you're going to find that wind is a lot more problem than distance. BTW, If you have a favorite deer rifle, taking it on a PD safari would be a good chance to learn what 7' or 25' holdover looks like in your scope.

Other than finding out where there is a colony of PDs that you can get permission to shoot over, you can't really call it hunting. It's more like target shooting where you get an instant score and the target doesn't have to be reset. You'll enjoy it more taking turns with a buddy on a spotting scope. Shooting over a table is a lot more comfortable, and a better vantage point, than shooting prone. And while you're at it throw a beach umbrella and an ice chest with non-alcoholic beverage in the truck. (Actually, I keep a thermos of hot coffee handy) Since you're not mountain climbing or sneaking up on some wiley big game you don't have to practice being uncomfortable.

The best idea for a portable shooting table is a sheet of 1' plywood (or two pieces of 1/2' elmered together) cut to your desired shape and size, with three legs of 1' galvanized pipe. The pipe screws into pipe flanges that are bolted to the plywood with carraige bolts. If you keep the threads cleaned and oiled you won't need a wrench to put the legs on and off..For a seat I use a 5 gallon Igloo water keg.

Shooting PDs can be quite usefull as well as good rifle practice. Be very carefull handling one because they usually have fleas. And in some cases carry Bubonic Plague. Last June I was talking to a rancher out close to the New Mexico border. He said that early the year before he had been host to a colony of several sections of PDs. But by the end of the year they had dissappeared.

Bill Van Houten (USA Ret) 'No matter how hard you try, you can't throw a potato chip very far.'