Prairie dogs are mostly active during the daylight hours. Scouting around for a good town of dogs ahead of time will increase you chances for a good day of doggie catching. Once you have found a good active mound, set your rod and reel a good distance away as prairie dogs are very vigilant for predators. It is recommended that you be at least fifty yards from your prey. Loosen the drag on your reel and make a good noose on the end. With the loop of your snare in hand, walk slowly toward the active hole. If you hear barking it will be the prairie dogs warning each other of approaching danger. These critters know how to stick together. Once you get to the mound look for fresh sign and tracks in the sand. Make a loop twice as big as the hole. Prairie dogs are keenly aware of their surroundings so spread some sand over your fishing line to conceal it. Walk slowly back to your rod and reel and wait for the fun to begin. Once a prairie dog pokes his head out of the hole to check out the area get ready. You want to wait until his front legs are above your fishing line. At that point you set the snare and start reeling in your catch. You will have to guide the scrambling dog around sagebrush, cactus, rocks and other obstacles found on the prairie.
Always remember this rule! The closer they get the meaner they get. Be prepared to render the little beast unconscious. If you cannot reach a net or a doggie whacker, the next best method is what we call 'flailing the dog'. To flail the dog, reel it in until there is three to four feet of fishing line past the last eye on your rod. Set your drag tight so that the line does not release from the reel. Grab the handle of your rod with both hands. With a swinging motion launch the critter into the air, and slam it down at the ground with an attitude. Remember not to let any slack in the line as you may break your line and the prairie dog may take off into the air as if flung from a great slingshot. Repeat this until the little critter is immobilized.
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