The Kansas Sportsman Feature: 10 Gauge – Rolling Plains Dog Days
Read original article here: https://valleypl.com/b/ks-sportsman-spring-2026
Our Prairie dog hunts are outstanding. We have access thousands of acres of prairie dog towns located less than 30 minutes from our lodging facilities. Over 25 different prairie dog towns and counting to date where the avid sportsman can hone their hunting skills with a mid-summer shoot. Perfect for practicing your long-range shooting, prairie dog hunting allows you to shoot at different distances as often as you like. The farther out you shoot, the less likely the dogs are to know what’s going on. Prairie dogs will stand there and let you shoot at them until you hit them or get too close for comfort! These hunts can offer sportsmen countless hours of entertainment.
MIXED BAG OF OPPORTUNITIES
Generally, a town will hold a mixed bag of wildlife, rabbits, badgers and rattle snakes and of course prairie dogs. Early May thru September are the prime shooting months for hunts. The shooting is also a great family adventure because most schools are out during prime prairie dog shooting months.
Because we are centrally located and just outside of Dodge City, Kansas you will be able to spend less time and money getting here and more time hunting prairie dogs. Our hunting packages include a full days days of shooting, first-class accommo-dations, three meals per day and many other extras. We can provide a hunting guide and spotter at additional costs.
“This was a great experience, Tim had us set on more dogs than we could shoot and the entire group had a blast. He gave us pointers since this was our first time shooting prairie dogs and we were out from 9am until 6-7pm both days we were here. The food Tim and Stephanie had for us was delicious and home cooked, the desserts were great and the cabin we all stayed in was clean and top notch. We are already talking about bringing more people out next year.” – Caleb Conely
TIPS FOR PRAIRIE DOG HUNTS
The hunt is conducted on several large ranches. Hunters are stationed at one point and sit either on shooting benches or off of ground in one of our towers. These are fast paced hunts and require lots of ammo! We suggest bringing at least 200-400 rounds per day for shooting per hunter.
Do not hesitate, shoot! Shoot prairie dogs when you see them and while they are out of their burrow or wait until they come out again. Burrows have multiple entrances and their burrows can be up to 10 feet deep. Most shot opportunities as the season progresses are 300 yds and out.
Prairie dogs can tolerate temperatures as high as 100 degrees.
Prairie dogs are most active during the day and almost never come out of their burrows at night. As a result, hunting prairie dogs at night is essentially a waste of time. It is always best to wear loose fitting, fast drying clothing, comfortable shoes and drink lots of water.
Some of the best opportunities to shoot prairie dogs occur while they are feeding early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
Stay back don’t get too close! They have color vision, see over long distances and alert others when danger is near. We recommend scopes with a power of 6x24x50 or greater.
Most importantly, be safe when you are hunting and help others around you to be safe as well.
ABOUT PRAIRIE DOGS
Prairie dogs live on prairies made up of sandy loam soil covered with short grass. This type of soil allows for easy burrowing and provides a diet rich in greens. These burrowing rodents are native to Kansas. In fact, they were discovered as early as 1774 and even mentioned by Lewis and Clark. Prairie dogs generally co-exist with cattle in prairie grass less than 10-12 inches tall, typically found in rolling hills or on flat terrain. The prairie terrain does not seem to have much effect on the choice of prairie dogs. For Kansas, water sources are not that critical due to the fact that the greens prairie dogs eat, provide them with water.
WHAT AMMUNITION?
The 22-250 caliber is probably the flattest shooting and least effected by wind drift than the small calibers. A .223 is probably the most used caliber for hunting prairie dogs because it has good velocity and medium wind drift characteristics. While the .223 is also the easiest to find and cheaper than the 22-250 and .204 per round typically. Ruger .204 is the smallest round recommended for hunting. This is due to winds typically ranging between 10-12 mph here. Bolt-action rifles are going to be the most accurate and AR platform are going to allow you to put the most lead in the air.
SEMI AUTO OR BOLT ACTION
One can use Semi auto AR style rifles or bolt action rifles.
Cartridges vary but for the most part one needs as flat shooting rifle as possible 204 Ruger, 223, 22-250 are probably the most common. Prairie dog shooting will generally allow the shooter to shoot at distances from 100 yards out to and past 1000 yards.
Here we allow the shooter to take it to the next level and put silencers on their varmint-hunting weapon. You will still need all of the federal permits to purchase and install a silencer on your rifle.
Most modern day varmint rifles will out perform the shooting abilities of the shooter. That being said, do not be surprised if you see someone shooting prairie dogs with a 50cal. Barrett.
When it comes to shooting prairie dogs, quality optics are es-sential. Having a powerful clear scope with a reticle that adjusts for yardage and wind age is a must. We recommend at least a 6x24x50 power scope.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
We do provide shooting benches for clients to use, however remember to bring shooting bags or rests.
Clients will be escorted to the fields by a guide where you will be shooting all day. We will pack you a lunch and drinks for the hunt, but clients will need to be able to transport back any shooting stands as the next day you might be in a different field.
Vehicles-recommend a truck or an SUV for multiple reasons.
The fields can be muddy depending on weather, as well to transport back any shooting stands. Also if clients wish to use shooting trailer – this must be connected to a vehicle for stability.
It is possible to rent a truck for the day, we do need prior notice of this request to make arrangements at an additional cost.
Book your hunt! www.10gaugeoutfitters.com
Guided Kansas Prairie Dog Hunting
- Price is per hunter – per day
- Hunters arrive after 3:00pm day before hunt
- Departure after the hunt on last day unless arranged
*If clients wish to have dinner upon arrival – Dinner is served at 7:00 pm. Communicate with our staff on your arrival to ensure you have a warm meal waiting for you if you wish.
*Non-shooting guest rate $350/per night
*To secure your hunt dates 10 Gauge requires a 50% deposit. Deposits are non-refundable and 10 Gauge requires that 90 days prior to arrival your balance is paid in full for the hunt. Prior to 90 day arrival window, hunt dates are eligible to be rescheduled in the current season – within the 90 day arrival period no rescheduling of hunt dates is allowed.
**When traveling to 10 Gauge – Google may try to have you go down I Road. This is a minimum maintenance road and you will get stuck. Please arrive to Kinsley and head North on 90th Ave. to the lodge.
