NANCE: No prairie dogs but hunters have a lot to look forward to in Florida
One of these idle summers, I’m flying west for an honest-to-goodness prairie dog shoot, an outing with benchrest rifles, spotting scopes, and ample ammunition.
I sampled prairie dogging last May in Wyoming. Ranchers despise these tunnel-dwellers as they will denude pastures of grasses needed to feed their livestock. In an arid climate where such resources are precious, a colony of several dozen dogs is quite taxing, and the environment surrounding their burrows resembles moonscape.
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Fun Fact: Prairie dogs also carry the plague. I joked, at the time, that this was just a ruse outfitters put on to keep clients from breaking ankles in their holes or being tagged by a lurking rattler, but indeed, prairie dogs are host to the flea-borne sylvatic plague that can be transmitted to humans.
Anyway, free-of-charge, I was invited out to a prairie dog town to test my shooting skills after my turkey hunt had ended.
I shot two boxes of .22-250 in a howling wind from the hood of an F-150 and tagged three whole rodents, much to the immediate delight and ultimate dismay of the host. It was the most aggravated I’ve been with a rifle; my profanities are likely still rolling across the foothills of the Bighorns.
My redemption journey for prairie dogs won’t be anytime soon, though, especially with the ongoing ammunition shortage. Fortunately, there’s plenty to keep up with here in Florida in the world of hunting, so let’s touch on some of the highlights:
► Phase I for big game limited-entry permit applications ends June 15. These include quota, special-opportunity, and National Wildlife Refuge hunts for deer and wild hogs during the 2022-23 season. For unsuccessful applicants afterwards, Phase II will start June 24.
► Phase III for Statewide Alligator Harvest permits is June 3 to June 13. A handful of permits for northern counties remain. And if they’re remaining this late in the game, can’t say their desirability is that high, at least for $280. I certainly wouldn’t apply for any if you’re not familiar with the area.
► The 2022-23 Florida Hunting Regulations have been published. On Page 33 is a photo of a handsome hunter you might know. These rules can be found at myfwc.com/hunting/regulations/
► Among the major rule changes for this year, hunters must report all harvested wild turkey to a telephone or internet-based reporting system within 24 hours and log the kill prior to moving the gobbler.
► Speaking of turkeys, folks can assist biologists learn more about Florida’s wild turkey population by reporting all wild turkeys you see during your normal daily activities from June 1 to Aug. 31. FWC’s goal is 4,000 reports. Though relatively healthy in Florida, turkey populations are fluctuating throughout the south. Any data people can provide will help monitor the health of flocks. For more information, please visit myfwc.com/hunting/turkey/
Though the calendar hasn’t rolled up to the official date yet, hard to doubt summer has hit the Sunshine State. Dreaming of airing out a few prairie dogs — or trying to — in a mountain breeze to escape the oncoming heat and tropical systems will carry me through for at least a little while. Good luck on those quota hunt applications and report your turkey sightings!
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: NANCE: No prairie dogs but hunters have a lot to look forward to in Florida
