Photo Copyright Jim Robertson
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May 19, 2014 5:59 PM
Many outfitters bring clients in to hunt pheasants, deer, and even prairie dogs in South Dakota. Recently the population of prairie dogs has been hurt by a plague, but hunters are still showing up in droves.
Prairie dogs may look cute, but their effects on pastures can be catastrophic.
“The prairie dogs from a ranchers stand point eat a lot of grass and almost mow it down to just basically dirt. They do a pretty good job of hurting the value of the land and how well you can utilize it, “said co-owner of Buffalo Butte Dillon Springer.
Some land owners though have found opportunity with the reckless rodents, which some affectionately call the barking squirrel.
“We started doing it five or six years ago just as a small blurb, some of our pheasant hunters wanted to do it, “said Springer.
A recent outbreak of Sylvatic plague has put a huge dent in some prairie dog populations, and that’s a good thing right? Not for outfitters who cater to clients who travel from all over the country to hunt the critters.
“You take those folks from the city who never see land that stretches out as far as this does, and they’ve got their guns that they just can’t shoot, “said Springer.
For many the prairie dog hunt brings a laugh and a reasonably easy shot. But they are now an important slice of the revenue pie for the outfitters.
“They are pretty resilient critters, they can bounce back from a lot of stuff, “said Springer.
Even with a plague and hunters trying to eradicate the vermin, they continue to hold their ground.
Exposing the Big Game 
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“The prairie dogs from a ranchers stand point eat a lot of grass and almost mow it down to just basically dirt. They do a pretty good job of hurting the value of the land and how well you can utilize it, “said co-owner of Buffalo Butte Dillon Springer.
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Really? Prairie dogs hurt the value of the land? What about what cattle do to it?
No shit
That’s all cattle do !
So I guess it only their right to do since they drive revenue and are not a self sustaining ecosystem model but a blight on the land and unbeknownst to them these global warmers cause wildlife their lives everyday because of an outmoded and unsustainable land use policy dating back to the 1800’s
And I can’t imagine the hunting of the “praying ” prairie dogs …
They hang out in communities, take care of one another and pull their dead away. ..this is ‘fun ‘ to kill these social beings!?
What idiocy in men’s minds and hearts
Wake up and get some science folks!
This hunting and ranching model is all twisted and turned on itself .. Killing all that raise a paw for mercy
“You take those folks from the city who never see land that stretches out as far as this does, and they’ve got their guns that they just can’t shoot, “said Springer.”
Aww, I may cry. Such a tragedy!!!!