What are your shooting expectations?

[Graybeard]

Just a thought I had while responding to a thread I think it was Mitchell who started that one. It might help Wes in deciding how to work this around those who wanna shoot a lot and those who wanna shoot a little and socialize more if we gave him an idea of our shooting expectations.

In other words how many shots per day would it take to make you happy as a pig in a mud hole. And what number would leave you feeling like you'd not gotten in much shooting? I suspect this will vary quite a bit based on how serious your shooting goal is compared to your desire to just meet and talk with the gang. Also someone who is an experienced prairie dog shooter might think he'd wasted his time when a person like myself who's never even seen a prairie dog but always wanted to shoot them would think he'd had the best shooting day of his life.

I've heard all the stories of shooting 500 rounds per day and doing it day after day after day. I gotta tell ya tho I'm thinking I'd be thinking that was almost like work instead of fun. I've never done this and reckon I don't know how I'll react when I get there but for me at least if I fired 200-250 times a day and got to do that for 2-3 days of the four I'd be as happy as a pig in a mud hole and I call myself serious about the shooting aspect of this event.

Now that's not to say someone else might not expect twice that and not even call themselves serious about the shooting. Don't make either of us wrong, just that we have different expectations.

So gang, how about giving Wes some idea of our expectations. This might help in some small way to give him a better feel for how to arrange it to keep the most folks happy while also accomodating the desires of as many as possible to attend for whatever their own personal reasons might be.

[hellacatcher]

I don't know what the top end is but I would like to try to get close to it. I mite be biting off more than I can chew, but having never done any thing like this may be wanting to much but would like to try the limit what ever it is. :-)

[mitchell]

welli'v been wantiung to do this all my life (even if it is short) but i'll take what i can get . don't worry about me

[Wlscott]

This is something that would help me out a lot.  If I could get an idea of what everyone is expecting I could really decide which way to go with this.  

I probably won't be shooting, just enjoying everyones company.  And enjoying watching others shoot prairie dogs that don't get to do it regularly.  I grew up doing it, and I usually have more fun spotting for someone than shooting myself.

Don't get me wrong, I'll have the Ultra out there.....just won't be sitting it up for any extended sessions :grin:

[Ed in AL]

My interest in this event is twofold. I want to shoot some dogs and meet the people I have seen on this board (and the old H&R) while lurking for the past couple of years. I just want to have some fun and enjoy life.  
 
We went on a two week vacation four or five years ago to South Dakota and Wyoming. While on the trip I got to see my first PD. The wife and kids thought they were cute, but I saw them as opportunities. I think this will be my only chance to actually get to go on a PD shoot. I will not be there until late Saturday, but I plan on shooting and BSing all day Sunday(and maybe some on Monday). After that, we move on further west for the remainder of a two week vacation.
 
I am researching ammo components now, since I only have 60 pieces of .223 brass. I plan on showing up with roughly 500 rounds for the Handi and a brick for the old Glenfield 60. If I go home with loaded ammo, I will still be a happy camper.  
 
I saw where a $42.50 temporary license was required to shoot. What would be the requirements for my 11 and 14 year olds if they wanted to take a few shots? My 14 year old has his hunter's education certificate, but not my daughter.  
 
Sorry for the long post,
Ed

[De41mag]

Wes;

Gonna plan on shooting quite a bit, that is the main reason for going out there. But mind you, I'm NOT gonna shoot from dawn till dusk. don't want to be too tired for the BS sessions at nite. I just want sit back and enjoy everybodys company. As was said, a two fold gathering.
Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to this.  :-)
Havn't done nothing like this since the early eighties when I would go to Canada on fishing trips.
Dang!!!! I might feel like a kid again.  :grin:

Dennis  

[lik2hunt]

Ed here's the link to the OK dept. of wildlife where all the rules and regs are listed. If you can't find what you need there just contact them thru the numbers listed.

www.wildlifedepartment.com

[Ed in AL]

Thanks for the link. For anyone else...

NonRESIDENT exemptions

Under 14 Years Old
    Nonresidents under 14 years of age are exempt from the purchase of a hunting license and HIP* requirements.

Under 16 Years Old
    Nonresidents under 16 years of age are exempt from the purchase of the federal duck stamp and HIP* requirements.

 Who needs Hunter Education?
It is strongly recommended that anyone who plans on hunting or shooting completes a hunter education class. However, it is required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1972 before they can buy a hunting license. Active and honorably discharged military personnel are exempt.

[James B]

I don't care if I get to shoot a lot or not. I would like to do a little shooting with the new Ultra. However being raised in South Dakota, I have shot a lot of dogs before. We used to have a steel silhouette range set up at a friends place. There was a dog town right next to it. When we finished our matches we would set up a bench and thin out some dogs. I did this with my silhouette rifle which was a 308 shooting 190 grain BTHP Hornady bullets. A bit of a overkill for dogs but good practice.

[Steve 48]

In my and Tommy Mace's experiences in western Kansas, you may use 50 rounds per day to as many as 300 to 500 rounds per day depending on how many dogs there are and if they have been shot at before. We have been in several large towns that we had very few shots due to the number of people shooting at them. If you shoot at a town more than 4 times a year, they get pretty smart. In June, there will be lots of young pups who are real stupid and easy to shoot. Its those really big ones that waddle to the holes that are really fun. I would bring more rounds than you think you need and several rifles. They tend to get hot and if its windy, pretty good bet it will be on some of the days, you'll need a larger bullet to keep the wind from blowing it off the mark too much. Its really fun and you'll want more and more. There's lots of action and sometimes a real fast pace. A good bench and some shade really helps also. Steve 48

[marv]

Wes,  Iprobly not do to much shooting A little maybe, but I am
 coming more for BS sessions, The Old man will ptobly slip off to
 take a nap after a little lunch, so I can stand little BSING at night.
 Maev.

[Ditchdigger]

Hey Marv; We will make quite a team, I'll probably shoot a little,BS alot and then go drink coffee and take a nap.  Bring a cot or mattress Marv,and we'll turn the air conditioner on and take a nap.  Digger