Hunting Regulations

• As nongame animals, prairie dogs are not governed by Montana's hunting laws. The Montana Department of Agriculture considers prairie dogs and ground squirrels to be agricultural pests, and likewise does not regulate prairie dog hunting. Any caliber rifle may be used to shoot prairie dogs in Montana, and there is no bag limit. Also, because you are, in legal terms, not "hunting," you do not need to wear blaze orange while out on a prairie dog hunt.
  
  

Hunting Seasons

• You may legally shoot prairie dogs year-round on private land, and on public lands, except where land management agencies have special rules in place. For example, prairie dog hunting is prohibited on most national wildlife refuges, which are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In most parts of Montana, prairie dogs are most active from April through August.
  
  

Guided Hunts

• Several outfitters offer guided prairie dog hunting in eastern Montana. Hiring an outfitter is an easy way to access some of Montana's best prairie dog hunting on large tracts of private land. Some outfitters lump various species of ground squirrel together with the larger prairie dogs, so if you are picky, make sure to ask about the species you will be hunting. See the resource listing for a directory of some of Montana's prairie dog outfitters.
  
  

Unguided Hunting

• If you prefer to hunt on your own, make sure you get permission from any private landowners whose land will be included in your hunt. Respect postings and orange markings on fence posts and trees that mark private property, and leave gates open or closed, the way you found them. Make sure you check with the appropriate land management agency for special regulations before hunting on public lands. You will need a state lands recreational license to hunt on most state lands. If you need help planning your hunt, see the resource section for a do-it-yourself prairie dog hunt planning website. Some of the outfitters listed in the online directory also posted in the resource section may let you hunt unguided on their property for a fee.
  
  

Safe Hunting

• Prairie dog hunting can be a fast-action sport, so bring plenty of ammunition. You may burn through 200 to 500 rounds in a single day of hunting. Prairie dogs prefer wide-open, sparsely-vegetated grasslands, and congregate in areas where cattle and humans have already disturbed the terrain. Be sure you are not shooting in the direction of buildings, roads, or cattle. Keep a constant eye out for other people, including ranchers and researchers, who might be in the area. Avoid touching a prairie dog, as it can transmit disease and fleas.