Kansas Prairie Dog Hunts

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 targets, 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 accommodations, three meals per day and many other extras. We can provide a hunting guide and spotter at additional costs.

Prairie Dog Hunting
^$ 625 a day
- Price is per hunter – per day
- Hunters arrive after 3:00pm day before hunt
- Departure after the hunt on last day unless arranged
Schedule a Hunt

*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.

Season:

Early May thru September

Included:

Shooting Benches
Shooting Tower (if available)
Rifle Range (1000 yds)
Gun Cleaning Station
Lodging & Meals (1 Night – 1 Day)
Lunch provided in field – Water & Gatorade in coolers
Satellite TV – Wireless Internet

Not Included:

License
Ammunition
Kansas State Sales Tax
Staff Gratuities

*Non-shooting guest rate $200/per night
*Non refundable deposits required to hold hunting dates
*There is no refunds or rescheduling due to weather, unfortunately we can not control this and with a limited schedule we are not able to move client hunting dates.

Prairie Dog Hunts Checklist

The essentials for our Kansas prairie dog hunts include:

Rifle – 22-250 or .223 recommenced
Ammo – 200-400 rounds per person/day
Binoculars – Range Finder
Clothing for Varied Weather Conditions
House shoes – slippers. No boots or shoes in the lodge, mudroom only.

The number one item is good binoculars. Range finders are very helpful if you have hard time judging distance. Comfortable and steady rest for your rifle. Light breathable clothing long sleeves and pants, sun burns are no fun. Good hats that breath well and provides good shade.

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 essential. 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.

Go Online and Get Your

KDWP Hunting License

State of Kansas

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.

More Great Tips

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..

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.

Practice your hunting skills during the off season. May be combined with other varmint hunts call for combo hunt prices.

Guides & Staff

We have many years of experience in the hunting industry, and consider ourselves one of the premier hunting guides in the area. The staff is friendly, cordial, and always want to ensure you have the prairie dog hunt of a lifetime. These days, we get more entertainment and sheer enjoyment out of seeing our clients do well in the field.

Learn More

Hunting Lodge

The 10 Gauge hunting lodge, located just north of Kinsley was originally built in an early 1900’s. Our updated lodge boasts a large 6-bedroom, 2 lofts, 6-bath lodge that can comfortably sleep up to 22 hunters and or guests. If that is not enough room for your group of prairie dog hunters, we also have a 2 bed bunkhouse that allows for more guests.

Accommodations are clean, comfortable with that feeling of home. Lodging can be limited during our prairie dog hunts, please book early on to guarantee yourself a memorable experience.

Learn More

Are you Ready to

Schedule Your Hunt?

10 Gauge Outfitters LLC

5.0

Based on 64 reviews

review us on

Blake Everett

18:45 28 Nov 22

Great people, great hospitality, and guaranteed birds. We enjoyed the entire trip and will definitely be returning in the future. Also, bang bangs preferred.

Trip G.

22:01 18 Nov 22

Only reason I'm giving 5 Stars is because there's not an option to leave 6. Tim and the entire staff at 10 Gauge go above and beyond to provide a great experience. You can totally tell outfitting isn't an off season side gig for these guys. They take putting hunters where they need to be for a great hunt seriously, and it shows. The guides, dogs, meals and accommodations are all excellent. Tons of birds too! Cant wait to go back!

Ben Thrash

18:11 07 Sep 22

Tim put us on pretty solid prairie dog spot and our afternoon dove hunt was awesome. Shoulder is still sore from it!

WILLIAM BERGMAN

13:16 12 Jun 22

Did a 1 day Prarie dog hunt lots of dogs to shoot at.. the lodge was great , the large covered patio area was fantastic our last night they baked pizza in a outdoor oven, all the food was good and all you could eat… staff was very friendly and helpful.. I honestly can’t think of something to complain about… Would definitely stay here again… WB Quincy IL

Matt Walker

00:25 20 Jan 22

Awesome experience!! Amazing lodge, tons of birds, and great food. We will definitely be back!

Eddie Garcia

19:49 29 Dec 21

Two days of pheasant and quail hunting with great friends. Turning out to be a annual trip. Tim and staff are amazing. The lodge is amazing. Book your days you won’t regret it.

Richard Smith

01:13 25 Jun 21

During our two days at 10 Gauge we shot at hundreds of prairie dogs and burned thousands of rounds (five shooters). It was one of the most fun things I've ever done. The lodge is amazing, Tim and his wife were incredible hosts. We also had a couple of late nights hanging out with other hunters in the well furnished common area. We will definitely be back again.

Neil West

01:00 18 Apr 21

Excellent guide, accommodations were first. I couldn't be happier with my turkey and the experience.

Kurt Meyer

22:25 15 Apr 21

Top class.. amazing place to stay, great staff and guides. Went above and beyond expected to make sure it was great experience!

Ken ans Vicki Meyer

22:22 15 Apr 21

Brought 4 family members for a turkey hunt everything was great from guides to the owners great people can't wait to come back going home with all of our turkeys and big smiles.