different dog towns that are physically separated. With respect to domesticated animals, we shoot away from the ani- mals into a different quadrant.” APPLESEED’S “FOUR SAFETY RULES” 1. Always keep the muzzle in a
safe direction. 2. Do not load until given the
“Load” command. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger
until the sights are on the target. 4. Be sure those around you follow
the safety rules. Safe Rifle: Magazine out. Bolt
back. Safety on. Chamber flag in. Rifle grounded. Step back. (This is optional, but many are already doing this.) No one touching the rifle. Mark, 11 years old, went on his
first prairie dog shoot last June. It was my ninth annual trip to the prairie, but my first with a shooter below the age of 18. This would be an adventure for all of us. Mark is home schooled and had never spent any time away from his mother. He was concerned about being homesick, even though he would be traveling with his father. Homesickness never became an issue on the trip. (This article will report on Mark’s first shoot.) Star, of course, also would remain my traveling partner. Every trip to the prairie dog fields
is different from the last. Our hunting areas have shifted over the years. As I said, last year we went to the southeast- ern corner of Colorado. Otherwise, Bill- ings, Montana, has been our destination over the years. However, when in Mon- tana we have used various dog towns. Picking a week to make the trip
has been a crap shoot over the years. Rain has been the major weather factor that has dampened (pun intended) our outings. In the past, we have had any- where from four out of five days of al- most constant rain or drizzle to fair skies and brief afternoon thunderstorms. During rainy weeks, we have spent a lot of time in Billings patronizing the town’s many gun shops. Prairie dogs seek shelter from the rain and tend to stay holed up even when it is simply overcast. Sunshine is needed for an optimal target rich town. In addition, trails to and from dog towns become impassable with the slightest amount of precipitation. By impassable, I mean that the gumbo mud sucks at your tires and you cannot move an inch. Personal
Michi-GUN
www.michigunandtackle.com
31516 Harper Avenue St. Clair Shores, MI 48082 Phone: (586) 296-2360 Fax: (586) 264-8307
experience has demonstrated this. Planning coalesces in the winter
when that year’s players confirm their participation. The participants put their heads together and pick a week in the spring to meet. Then work schedules have to be synchronized and vacation dates assured months in advance. This is not easy when three physicians are involved. Rifles need to be cleaned and
checked for function; many have not been used since the previous year’s doggin’ adventure. Decisions concern- ing adequacy of rifles need to be ad- dressed. Was accuracy fading and a new barrel needed? Was an additional rifle needed? Or should I say wanted? Optics and choice of ammo also needs to be assessed. As an example, I have found that fine reticles are extremely helpful when shooting small animals such as prairie dogs at long distances. Thick reticles can entirely cover one of those rascals at 600 yards. THIS YEAR I TOOK
THE FOLLOWING RIFLES: 1. 22 Hornet, factory Anschutz
rifle. Leupold VX–III 2.5-8x36 scope. 2. 204 Ruger, factory Remington
Model 700 rifle with a Timney trigger. Leupold VX-II 2-7x33 scope. 3. 204 Ruger AR15, with White
Oak upper and Rock River lower with two-stage match trigger. Leupold LPS 3.5-14x52 scope. 4. 6mm Remington, factory Rem-
We are YOUR Nightforce Dealer!
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Also Stocking Optics By: Leupold
Swarovski Zeiss
Redfield, Nikon Vortex
Trijicon and Counter Sniper
ington Model 700 with a Shilen trigger. Bushnell 4-16x50 scope. 5. Switch barrel rifle: 22-250 AI and
6.5-284 with 30" Broughton barrels on a Stolle Panda action with an Anschutz two-stage trigger bedded in a “prone” Robertson stock, built by John Whidden. NightForce 8-32x56 scope for optics. 6. Switch barrel rifle: 22-6mm Rem.
AI and 6mm Rem. AI with 26" Brough- ton barrels on a Surgeon action with a Jewell trigger, bedded in a McMillan stock, built by my close friend Robert Gradous. Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 scope. 7. Switch barrel rifle: 30-378 Weath-
erby Magnum and 338 Lapua Magnum on a BAT action with 30-inch Broughton barrels, a Jewell trigger bedded in a “prone” Robertson stock, built by John Whidden. NightForce 6-22x56 scope. Af- fectionately named “The Big Hammer.” Why so many rifles? I pull a trailer
for the drive from South Carolina so space is not a factor. In addition, I’ve had malfunctions in the field (even though the rifle had been checked out before the trip) and it has been easy to switch to a similar rifle appropriate for the distance being engaged at that time. Be sure to clean out gunk (actions and trig- ger groups) that has built up and check for function before traveling. This is a lesson learned from prior trips. Also, I share my rifles with fellow travelers so all of the rifles tend to be used during the trip. In addition, a variety of rifles keeps us from overheating barrels and
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