On the African and other Big Game forum areas there is a debate about the ethics of hunting (shooting) game in fenced-in areas. Sometimes the debate revolves around how large the fenced-in area is. Some say wooded areas of 1,000 acres will qualify as sport hunting and others say it must be 100,000 acres with no interior fences.
Currently scheduled to hunt prairie dogs on a 30,000 acre cattle ranch in Montana this summer.
What are the ethics of hunting prairie dogs in fenced-in areas ?
Surely you jest! Remember, they can dig out of any fence around, just going under! No sweat, no problem with ethics there, just whack 'em! Whack 'em some for me, I can't make it this year, and whack 'em some for yourself, just whack 'em!
Posts: 116 | Location: KY | Registered: 20 April 2003
In all my previous fifteen years of prairie dog hunting, have not concerned myself with the finer points of ethics.
Have used accurate rifles and inaccurate rifles, used pistols, used open iron sights and scopes, even used a 500 A-Square for a few shots. Shot 'em off-hand, with bipods, with a bench and sandbags. Shot 'em in the morning, midday, and evening. Shot 'em when they weren't looking and didn't stand a chance. Shot 'em at long range and chirping under a ten foot away bench while eating a sandwich.
But this ethics business is getting serious. So want to stay in the good graces of the important thinkers of the day.
I didn't think there were any ethics in p dog shooting as long as you do it in a safe manner. All the ranches I hunt the ranchers tell you to kill them anyway you can.
Posts: 19396 | Location: wis | Registered: 21 April 2001
Fenced in prairie dogs is kinda like fenced in earthworms....probably isn't goin to happen unless the fence is buried in the ground about 8 feet. Lets see ethics and prairie dogs to me goes something like this.
close the friggin gate pick up your trash don't shoot anything you aren't supposed to be safe don't drive off the road unless you have been told directly its ok leave everything the way you found or better(except the dogs of course) always stop and ask permission....everytime
Thats the ethics I use....as far as actually shooting the dogs........kill 'em where they stand.
Posts: 901 | Location: Denver, CO USA | Registered: 01 February 2001
I think Hammer is having a tug at our legs. Oh, don't forget Hammer, never shoot them while they're standing up. Only after they've done a back flip and all you can see is two beady little eyes peering over their mound.
Posts: 2037 | Location: frametown west virginia usa | Registered: 14 October 2001
Relax, I saw the tongue firmly planted in your cheek, and replied in kind, except for the part about not being able to go ratwhacking myself this year. I am seriously bummed about that! Oh well, gives me more time to load more ammo for next time. About the only ethics not mentioned, but covered anyway, was Ruark's notion of using enough gun, but you had that covered well, anyway. Cheers, and whack some rats for me, PLEASE!
Posts: 116 | Location: KY | Registered: 20 April 2003
As I enter the property I swing the gate wide open and yell: "I'm comming to shoot you varments and any of ya that don't want to stay have 15 min. to leave!" What could be more sporting than that?
Posts: 49 | Location: Western Montana | Registered: 04 February 2002
I was shooting PDs on a ranch of several hundred thousand acres 20 years ago [I wish I could go there again] and the hired hands were putting poison down the PD holes.
I felt it was ecological duty to kill PDs so the cattle could eat the grass, and the rancher be free of the little pests.
The only problem I ever ran into shooting P-dogs behind fences is that Jerk who runs the zoo in town. You'd of thought I was shooting his personal pets or something! That's the last time I pay a full zoo pass fee- they won't even let me bring my rifle through the gates anymore! - Sheister
I didn't think there were any ethics in p dog shooting as long as you do it in a safe manner. All the ranches 
at JohntheGreek.
