Prairie Dog Shooting

Prairie dog shooting is great fun and probably the best shooting activity a hunter can do in during the off-season. Montana is a top prairie dog hunting destination and Bearpaw Outfitters private ranch leases offer some of the best prairie dog shooting available. Unless you have done it before, you can't imagine how much fun it is shooting prairie dogs.

Shooting Skills

Bearpaw Outfitters can offer shooters tips on long range shooting and shooting in windy conditions. This is the perfect setting for learning since there's plenty of repeat shooting. In only one or two days, shooters can greatly enhance their shooting skills.

Weapons

I highly recommend bringing at least one center fire rifle, a .22 semi-auto rifle, a pistol, and black powder weapons or bows if you own them. This is great practice, you are welcome to bring as many different weapons as desired.

Ammo

You will want to have at least 500 to 1000 rounds per day of ammunition with you. If you are flying on airlines you may want to arrange for ammo from our local sporting goods dealer, we have a special arrangement so our shooters get 10% off all ammo. We also have special arrangements for our shooters to purchase accessories like suppressors.

Shot Opportunity

This is the fun part, there are thousands of prairie dogs, you can shoot until you are tired of shooting. We generally shoot about 8 hours each day unless hunters run out of ammo before then. This is great practice for archers, pistols, primitive or modern rifles hunters, you are welcome to bring as many different weapons as desired.

Other Game

You are also welcome to shoot coyotes, fox, and skunks if seen and hunters are welcome to take one badger if they want one to mount.

Licenses & Hunter Ed

No License or Hunter Education is required for prairie dog hunting.

Hunting Methods

The most effective method is to stay fairly mobile, moving from place to place after shooting numerous prairie dogs in each location.

Hunters should bring shooting bags, shooting sticks, and bipods if you have them, and several weapons each because barrels get hot.

Hunting Areas

align="justify"> We operate exclusively on private property near Miles City in Southastern Montana. We currently have thousands of acres of private ranch land with numerous prairie dog towns for quality shooting.

Season and Best Time

There is no specific hunting season, prairie dogs, badgers, fox, skunks, and coyotes can be shot year around. We offer prairie dog shooting from mid May to mid August when the critters are most active.

Guiding Options

We offer guided hunts for groups of up to 6 hunters, there are numerous colonies to shoot so we can spread you out. The more people in your party, the lower the cost per person. We only take one group at a time on the ranch, your group will be the only group hunting when you are there. Call for larger group rates. There's plenty of prairie dogs for everyone.

Accommodations

We stay in the homestead home on the property, it has a main floor, basement, and loft, we can sleep up to 10 hunters by using cots in the basement. The guide prepares basic meals that seem to satisfy most everyone. Hunters who would prefer to stay at a motel in town and eat in restaurants can drive to Miles City, it's about an hour from the ranch, and then meet us each morning at the ranch.  

Temperature & Weather

In the summer weather is normally dry and hot, but the wind usually blows enough to keep it comfortable. Check current weather forecasts on the Montana Home Page before leaving for your hunt.

What's Not Included

Guide gratuities, ammunition, travel to and from the hunt, accommodations in town if desired, and any other items not listed as being included. Bring your personal gear, light sleeping bag, ammo, snacks, and drinks.