Hunting prairie dogs is a fun, affordable, and low-pressure way to introduce new hunters to the sport, get in some great shooting practice, and enjoy some success without breaking the bank. Although small, these animals are not harmless to farmers and land managers. With their burrowing tendencies, prairie dogs can damage land, destroy crops, and cause injuries to livestock. That's why many landowners will gladly allow hunters to take out as many of the pests as possible—sometimes for little to no fee. Prairie dogs are obviously found in areas with lots of prairie land—sandy soil with short grass—where they can easily burrow and feed. Whether you're planning to knock on doors or scope out public land for a DIY hunt or book with an outfitter, these are the best states for prairie dog hunting.
Wyoming
Wyoming is where I first hunted prairie dogs, and it was an absolute blast. The state is home to both black-tailed prairie dogs in the eastern part and white-tailed prairie dogs in the western part. While Wyoming offers plenty of outfitted prairie dog hunt opportunities, you can also find the animals on some public land throughout the state. You won't need any special license or permit to hunt these non-game animals in Wyoming, but you are required to secure landowner permission before hunting them on private property. If you pick the right area, you can expect to fire hundreds of shots in a single day.
Oklahoma
You'll find black-tailed prairie dogs throughout the grasslands of the Sooner State. To hunt them on private land, you'll just need a resident or non-resident hunting license, and it's legal to use just about any weapon to take an unlimited number of prairie dogs. You can't hunt them on many federal or public lands throughout the state, so be sure to check regulations if you're planning a DIY hunt. Prairie dog hunting is open year-round in Oklahoma during daylight hours only.
Montana
Like Wyoming, Montana holds both black-tailed prairie dogs and white-tailed prairie dogs in different portions of the state. Summer is usually the best time to chase these critters in Montana. Hunting regulations on these animals have evolved over recent years, so be sure to check for the latest updates before heading onto any public land, where you'll also need a hunting license. If you're hunting on private property with a reputable outfitter, you likely won't even need a license in Montana.
South Dakota
You can find considerable populations of prairie dogs throughout two-thirds of South Dakota, making it a great place to go for this type of hunt. You will need to purchase an affordable license to hunt them, but the season is open year-round, you can hunt any time of day, there are no limits, and weapon restrictions are pretty much non-existent. There are, however, some restrictions on federal lands, so be sure to check with South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks before hunting prairie dogs in the state.
North Dakota
Prairie dogs can be found in North Dakota west of the Missouri River in the west and southwestern parts of the state, with the largest concentrations in the Little Missouri National Grasslands Complex and the Standing Rock Complex. The season is open year-round, and there are no bag limits on these animals. Residents don't need a license to hunt prairie dogs, but out-of-staters are required to purchase a non-resident fishing, hunting, and furbearer certificate, a non-resident non-game license, or a non-resident furbearer and non-game license. Hunting is restricted within federal lands, and you may need an additional license if you plan to hunt on any tribal lands. Be sure to check regulations.
Kansas
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Prairie dogs are primarily found in the western part of Kansas, namely the northwest counties. According to the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, most of them are also located on private land, so you'll likely need to gain permission or book with an outfitter to have a successful prairie dog hunt in the state. Kansas residents don't need a license to hunt prairie dogs, but non-residents need to purchase a non-resident hunting license. There are no bag limits, and prairie dog hunting is open year-round in Kansas.
Nebraska
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The Oglala National Grassland in Nebraska is a great place to hunt black-tailed prairie dogs, and a map is available to pinpoint locations of known prairie dog towns throughout the state. Nebraska residents are not required to purchase a hunting permit to shoot prairie dogs, but non-residents must buy a small game hunting permit from the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. There are some areas off-limits to hunting prairie dogs in the state, so be sure to check the latest regulations before heading to Nebraska.
