SEASONAL PRAIRIE DOG SHOOTING CLOSURE ON PUBLIC LAND
The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) reminds small game hunters that the season for shooting prairie dogs on public lands is closed from March 1 through June 14. The seasonal closure was enacted by the Colorado Wildlife Commission to protect dependent young during the spring.
The closure does not affect private lands, where landowners are allowed to control prairie dogs year round to prevent property damage.
The new regulations bring Colorado in-line with other western states that have seasonal closures in place. In addition, by establishing a single statewide closure covering all three prairie dog species in Colorado (white-tailed, black-tailed and Gunnison), the regulations are simplified statewide.
Prior to the change, several sets of regulations governed hunting prairie dogs. “While small game hunters in some parts of the state will have to get used to the change,” explained Brett Ackerman, CDOW regulations manager, “having one statewide regulation should make it easier for sportsmen to understand the rules no matter where they are at the time.”
The CDOW is hopeful that the new regulations will assist in keeping Colorado’s prairie dog species from being listed under the Endangered Species Act. Such a listing could have a significant negative impact on land use statewide, including potential impacts on the ability of private landowners to control prairie dog populations.
PRAIRIE DOG FACTS
Black-tailed prairie dogs are found mostly in eastern Colorado, while white-tailed and Gunnison prairie dogs are found in the mountains and western Colorado.
Black-tailed prairie dogs are active year around. White-tailed and Gunnison prairie dogs hibernate during the winter.
Adult prairie dogs weigh from one to three pounds, and are 14 to 17 inches long.
Females have only one litter each year.
The typical litter size is three to five pups, but there can be as many as eight in a litter.
Prairie dogs have a life-span of three to five years in the wild.
Prairie dogs are known for creating an elaborate system of underground burrows (the burrow system isn’t really called a town.)
Prairie dogs communicate using a variety of calls, especially the “alarm” or “bark” to alert the community to danger.
Prairie dogs are an integral part of the ecosystem. Many other wildlife species, including black-footed ferrets, rattlesnakes, burrowing owls, foxes, eagles, hawks, badgers and weasels interact with, or depend on, prairie dog towns for their survival.
Prairie dogs eat grass, seeds and some insects.
Prairie dogs “clip” grass to keep it low so they can see predators approaching from a distance.
It is illegal to keep prairie dogs as pets in Colorado or capture prairie dogs and move them without a permit.