My buddy and I are headed to Montana tomorrow morning for our first PD shoot. In checking weather sites we see where we can expect rain for three of the four days we will be there.

Great.

I assume that the little buggers hole up during a rain, but how does the weather effect their behaviour prior to a storm and just after? What have you guys seen happen?

Not much we can do about it, but am curious as to what might be expected. We're bringing along some reading to catch up on, a deck of cards, etc. but hoping to get some shooting in. In any event, it will be good to get away from phones, women folk, etc. for a stretch.

I've never hunted PDs in the rain simply because usually when I hunt them it is cold so it is more likely to snow then rain. Yet, the dogs don't come out when it is cloudy or overcast. I think it is because they can't see too well and the potential for a pedator to get them increases. Yet, if it is cloudy in the morning and then turns out bright and sunny in the afternoon, I hope you brought enough ammo because those little suckers will definately be out foraging.

Good luck on the upcoming shoot!

Rain in that part of the world, especially in summer, is usually intermittent. I don't know what the forecast is, but if you have thunderstorms popping up, during the typical sunny periods between storms prairie dog activity goes into overdrive.

Good luck, and have fun!

Aah, somewhat optimistic replies..thanks. The forecast would indicate intermittent rain, so perhaps all hell will break loose in between storms!

Got to watch for the mud, though. I understand it can be really tough to drive through the mess.

quote:

Originally posted by Borealis Bob:
Got to watch for the mud, though. I understand it can be really tough to drive through the mess.

There will be fewer dogs up the rain as stated usually doesn't last. But if it's a good rain like Bob says watch out for the mud.

Well your most likely gone by now but when I have tried hunting in he rain it really sucks not many dogs out. Didn't get much hunting done

The worse part is the prairre turns into slime and one can not get off the blacktop with out getting stuck or tearing up the ranch roads. Thats makes the rancher not very happy.

P dogging with rain makes a very long trip with out pdogs it just plain sucks.

I have to agree about the slimy mess rain makes out of that Montana clay!!! I swear it takes a hammer and a chisel to get it off from under the pickup. There are backroads that I travel to get to PD towns in Montana that I'm sure I couldn't get back out of even with a 4-WD vehicle if I was dumb enough to stay out there when it began to rain. When I see rain clouds gathering, I chicken out and head for the nearest all-weather road.

Give us a report when you get back. I hope the weather cooperates so you get in some shooting.

the PD are only out in the sunshine. you do not want to be off road during rain, you will probably be there for some time. in the gumbo ground it is easy to get stuck on level ground, never mind trying to get uphill.

----AND: don't be the tallest item on the prairies in a storm either. They just might find you there later in the spring burnt to a crisp from a lightning strike.

Best to play safe then be sorry. Lot's of livestock has be struck.

Have lot's of fun,

George