Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Forest Service plans to poison 10,000 prairie dogs

Forest Service plans to poison 10,000 prairie dogs

Jul 18, 2006 - 15:03:12 CDT

By LAUREN DONOVAN
Bismarck Tribune

Some 10,000 prairie dogs will be killed with poison this fall on the Little Missouri National Grasslands around Watford City.

The U.S. Forest Service is taking comments on its plan to poison the burrowing animals scattered throughout 11 colonies on 310 acres in western North Dakota.

The colonies are not the only prairie dog sites on that part of the grasslands, but they are all encroaching on private and state-owned land.

The Forest Service says it will only kill the prairie dogs in areas where the adjoining landowner does the same.

So far, it appears nearly all private parties are interested in a cooperative project, said Gary Petik, Forest Service range specialist.

"We will not treat our side unless they treat theirs," Petik said.

It has been at least a dozen years since the Forest Service poisoned prairie dogs, or "treated" them as their proposal puts it.

The McKenzie District of the grasslands where the project is targeted covers an area of nearly 500,000 acres in dry prairie and Badlands country.

Since then, the agency has been negotiating a good neighbor policy, which resulted in killing colonies that are encroaching only if the neighbor wants to do the same.

In some cases, the prairie dogs may not bother the neighboring landowner, Petik said.

The Forest Service will monitor nine other colony sites for encroachment and then initiate a poison program where it happens.

The dry conditions are causing the colonies to move and expand as the grass-eating prairie dogs look for forage.

Petik said the Forest Service has a kind of live and let live policy when it comes to prairie dogs, and this action only comes about because the colonies are moving off of federal acres onto private.

The Forest Service is deviating somewhat from its normal procedure, by combining both the scoping and comment periods for the project.

That means the public will get one opportunity - not two - to comment on the plan and have standing in the event of any appeal.

Petik said the Forest Service plans to do the poisoning between October and December, when migrating birds have already passed through.

The targeted colonies first will be marked out by boundary.

The colonies are first pre-baited with rolled oats to get the prairie dogs interested in the food and identify active burrows. After about a month, the poison, zinc phosphide, which works in the animal's digestive tract, is mixed into the oats and set out at the mouth of burrows.

Most deaths will occur underground in the burrows.

Petik said a third trip, about three weeks after the poison is laid out, will be used to bury any rodents that haven't been carried off by predators and to establish the success of the poison.

Petik said the zinc phosphide compound quickly disintegrates inside the prairie dogs and isn't a threat to scavenger birds and animals.

Prairie dogs that survive the first poison are harder to kill on a second attempt.

Petik said the Forest Service will put the project out on bids after its final plan is issued.

The colony areas may be leveled and seeded with native grass to protect the soil from erosion.

Anyone who wants to comment has until Aug. 14 by contacting the McKenzie District at 842-2393.

(Reach reporter Lauren Donovan at 888-303-5511 or lauren@;westriv.com.)

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Comments

I M SICK wrote on Jan 16, 2007 10:54 PM:

" LINDA JUST LET ME SHOOT THEM P DOGS IN PEACE! "

Mark wrote on Aug 10, 2006 6:26 PM:

" I live in Colorado and a farm that grows food for much of the world. Other farms and ranchers can attest to this statement. Prairie Dogs do not only make mounds of dirt around their burrow entrance, they eat anything they so choose. On grass lands they eat the good grasses that cattle and other wildlife eat. On farmland they love to destroy the growing plants that were planted. Sometimes all they do is nip the very bottom of the stalk and kill the rest of the plant. I don't think they even eat half of the plants they kill. Around one prairie dog hole there is about a twenty foot (radius) circle of plants killed. Lastly every time we farm prairie dog infested ground we half to slow down to go over the humps which cost time and money due to using more fuel. I'm sure prairie dog lovers spend a lot of money on fuel also, but think about a tractor (may I remind you a tractor pulls the machinery that plants your preciouse food that is convientanty on a store shelf) uses 200-250 gallons of diesel fuel a day. So next time you wonder why we hate prairie dogs think about this, not your own thoughts because you have no experiance! "

Pete wrote on Aug 6, 2006 9:02 PM:

" Why are you complaining about the PD's ruining the land? How can mounds of dirt ruin acres and acres of what is a state full of dirt anyways? "

Varmit Hunter wrote on Jul 31, 2006 5:55 PM:

" There are lost opportunities every day. This is one of them! If your organization would spend 1/8 of its poisoning budget on marketing or just information dissemination the sportsman around the country would help you manage this land. Towns like Watford could really benefit from this. Economic development comes in may flavors! If they start poisoning they will continue. Opportunity lost. "

More research please wrote on Jul 31, 2006 2:20 PM:

" The sad thing is it sounds like FS has already mad the decision so this opportunity to voice an objection really doesn't matter. I can understand the problems presented by the PD perhaps some studies can be down to understand the likes and dislikes of the PDs. If you spend anytime around PDs you will notice they do not like all plants/grasses and stay out of certain fields. This could be very affective approach to control PD habitat around and keep them away from ranchers. The team put together for the poisoning would be a excellent start for collecting data. I like to see FS spend more time and money on getting rid of all the mosquitoes rather than Prairie Dogs. "

yeah wrote on Jul 28, 2006 8:58 AM:

" Poison them all, it's a problem, just take care of it. "

Strait Shooter wrote on Jul 25, 2006 8:19 PM:

" The U.S. Forest Service publishes a fine map that pinpoints several Prairie Dog town locations throughout the Little Missouri National Grasslands. When on gov't land no permission is required to shoot PDs, also, no license is required. Plus, the "season" is year round. This past winter, for example, they never hibernated at all. Don't bother with a .22LR. High power scope and a bipod are a must, since most shots are over 150 yds. Let's all do our part to put these critters on the endangered species list! "

funny wrote on Jul 25, 2006 3:58 PM:

" interesting views in here. I'm getting a good laugh at you but not at the prarie dogs. They've ruined my yard !!!! "

Punker wrote on Jul 25, 2006 1:40 PM:

" Truck the neutered feral cats out there and let them duke it out with the prairie dogs!! "

DAS wrote on Jul 25, 2006 10:41 AM:

" WHY POISON??? HAVEN'T YOU HEARD OF BITH CONTROL. MORE HUMANE THAN THE OTHER OPTIONS I'VE READ!!! "

SR wrote on Jul 24, 2006 10:41 PM:

" Who really cares? I dont "

Hey Economist wrote on Jul 24, 2006 4:56 PM:

" Read the Grasslands PLAN report, when not adjacent to private land, they actually SUPPORT the spread of prairie dogs, but shows how much research you did beofre slamming them... "

Chad wrote on Jul 24, 2006 3:37 PM:

" Too many people enjoy shooting prarie dogs and it is much more humane poisioning. Do not poison. Let people come in and shoot them. CHarge a nominal fee and designate safe areas for shooters. this helps resolve the "problem" and can create some money for better conservation efforts. "

Ecoeconomist wrote on Jul 24, 2006 3:07 PM:

" Pairie dogs are a huge attraction to marksman all around the country and world. Turn this problem into a highly marketed event. Sponser a pairie dog hunting competition. Maybe even 3 times a summer. Allow two or four man teams to hunt for two or three 8 hour shifts over a weekend. Entry fees, lodging, dining, music, video producers, ammo sponsers, raffles...etc. Make a win win. Not a lose lose (typical government) View the dogs as a resource for the declining economy of that area. It needs to me marketed/advritized however. Contact Outdoor Life Network...let them host a secial on the event. Just don't poison...don't spend money on a potentially great economic resourse. "

HEY!!! wrote on Jul 24, 2006 12:46 PM:

" Hey, let's make up a bunch of comments on a censored stroy we don't know all the facts to! Makes me feel better, and boy can I sleep at night knowing I can put down these goverment employees who know what they are doing. Get real, obviously there is a problem if the government has to resort to poison. And to all of you who call yourself shooters, where were you the last few years trying to help the situation, pouring money into other states to hunt theirs cause you didn't even ask in state where these towns are. Hey!! That's not government for you, that's people blaming others for something they could have helped all along. "

PD Shooter wrote on Jul 24, 2006 12:13 PM:

" It is classical government... to spend tax money to do something that people will do for free. There are many Prairie Dog shooters around the country that have trouble finding a place to shoot them. The average Prairie Dog shooter will drive half way across the country, and spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars in the local economy for food, motels, and other things. Shooting is more humane, the the dead dogs are rapidly consumed as part of the food chain. Make sense??? Naw. First, lets pay teams to go out to teach 10,000 Prairie Dogs to like oats. Then send more teams out to poision the dogs with the oats that we taught them to like. Then send more teams out to pick up the poisoned dead dogs, because they are not fit to be consumed in the food chain. Yup... government at work. Write another tax check to keep these fools in a job. "

Barry wrote on Jul 24, 2006 10:40 AM:

" Poison is NOT the way to go. Leave them alone! Poison will also kill the birds, eagle, coyottes, etc. that eat other dead animals. DO NOT POISON ! "

To Varmint Hunter wrote on Jul 24, 2006 9:44 AM:

" This story has to do with the Mckenzie Nationa Grasslands, not the Grand River Cedar River, but thats ok.... "

PD Shooter wrote on Jul 24, 2006 9:26 AM:

" You have to realize how many are there! I have shot PD for a long time, and you will not control a whole environment with a few guns, they get smart, they keep their heads down. Poisoning is a last resort, and that is what the FS is backed up to. Also knowing one of the contacts from the FS, I don't believe he has ever said quote, "10,000" maybe someone should go back and ask LAUREN DONOVAN where she got her numbers, as I remember she has always been stretching and mangling the truth about the FS for a few years now, I remember articles where she attacked them for fire suppression two years ago, maybe she should give the FS a break... "

Varmint Hunter wrote on Jul 24, 2006 9:26 AM:

" I think by them putting out poison the state of SD shooting them selfs in the feet. Why I say this is the poison cost big bucks plus it cost the state money to have guys put this stuff out for the PD's to eat. Also if you kill off all the PD's in SD the guys like me will stop coming out and sending money to shoot PD's ......... I am or ready starting to here guys heading to other state's to shoot PD's so SD has or ready lost money coming in to your state. I think SD should open up more land for shooters. "

Jim in Mich wrote on Jul 24, 2006 8:00 AM:

" I wish the state would have a web site that lists areas where they want Prairie dogs controlled. A lot of PD hunters travel great distances to shoot, sometimes without to much success. Shooting them is a quicker death and will do no harm to other animals that feed on them. "

Alan in GA wrote on Jul 24, 2006 7:59 AM:

" Shooters with detailed safety permit [signed for]describing land use rules to follow while SHOOTING the PDs. Using specialized [common among varmint hunters] 17 caliber rifles, lead will be minimal [avg 7 to 12 gr. of lead per 20 grain bullet-other ingredients are plastic [tip] and copper jacket. Minimal or NO ricochete. Poisoning is last resort. A QUICK kill from a specialized varmint bullet is preferable to poisoning in my opinion. No 'secondary' kill. No NON TARGET kill of predatory birds, predator animals. I have been in the exterminating business for 32 years. Specialized SHOOTING is sometimes the BEST method. "

Billy Bob wrote on Jul 23, 2006 10:31 PM:

" For all those who think controlling prairie dog population is evil, prairie dogs can easily break the legs of cattle, horses, and other large animals when they step in a hole. The critters need to be controlled because they make a mess for other species, and can wreck a landscape. "

S.G. wrote on Jul 23, 2006 7:48 PM:

" prairie dogs are rats, if you people were made to allow rats to live unmolested in your homes,and provide them with food as the ranchers are forced to do, your opinion on a small reduction in their numbers (less than 1%)would likely be quite different! "

ME wrote on Jul 21, 2006 5:39 PM:

" IF YOU DO YOUR DARNED--IF YOU DON'T YOUR DARNED! "

To Concerned human wrote on Jul 21, 2006 10:07 AM:

" If the prairie dogs are having "explosive births" that should solve the population problem. Just don't get in the way! "

LM wrote on Jul 21, 2006 10:01 AM:

" Prairie dogs can carry Y. pestis (plague), F. tularensis (tularemia), and monkeypox. Do we really want the prairie dog population growing out of control? I think not! While it may seem inhumane to poison them, it will help control the spread of these diseases that are harmful to humans and wild life. If it's the poison you are against, maybe we should vacuum them into a large bag and drop it in a deep pond. "

Barbara Kay Carlisle wrote on Jul 20, 2006 10:17 PM:

" I think poisoning prairie dogs is terrible. Not only is it cruel, but what about other wild animals, creatures, birds, as well as roaming pets? If it's not harmful to birds, then why are they waiting until the birds are done migrating? Poison is poison & poison will kil more than their intended targets. Find a more humane way to deal with it--or live with the prairie dogs...after all, it's humans encroaching onto their territory--there's no reason to kill them all off. What's the ramifications of messing up the prairie's food chain? These questions need to be thoughtfully considered. "

Just Wondering... wrote on Jul 20, 2006 11:22 AM:

" Will the poison affect the taste of my now famous Prairie Dog Stew? "

I'm concerned too wrote on Jul 20, 2006 8:30 AM:

" to Concerned Human, So much concern that pests aren't uncomfortable when they die, but 40 million of god's creation didn't even get the same consideration! "

Concerned Human wrote on Jul 19, 2006 1:26 PM:

" I can understand the need for population control when necessary as long as it is humanely done. All animals have feelings and can suffer pain including what some are called varmits/vermine/pest. Perhaps in the future a form of birth control can be used to control explosive births. After all, If we can put men on the moon we should be able to control wild animal population with science and not poison/guns. We as a race do call ourselves the humane species and consider ourselves to be of higher intelligence, that being said we need to exhibit those qualities and live by those standards. "

Dog hater wrote on Jul 19, 2006 11:48 AM:

" Thanks Darrick I'm going out for a big water gun today and GTW if I had 40 acres of land then I'd have to deal with those darn gophers! "

Just Me wrote on Jul 19, 2006 10:23 AM:

" What happened to the good old daze when i was a kid they had gopher days? We would go to town at the end of summer just before school started and get 1 Cent that's right 1 penny for each gopher tail we would bring in, it was something for us kids to do besides the every day things on the farm. I remember 1 year 4 of us kids went to town with over a 1000 tails and we we so proud we had earned enough money to get something we each wanted. The gopgher and the praire dog are from the same family and are a very big pest to all they are around. I commend anybody that try's to control them. "

Derrick wrote on Jul 19, 2006 9:31 AM:

" To dog hater - it is not the dogs fault that his owners are not responsible people. Try shooting the dog with either a paint ball gun or a strong shooting water gun filled with food coloring and water. That way when the dog goes home and lays on the carpet the color from the paint balls and/or the colored water will come off onto the carpet. The dog is not harmed and the owners get a strong notice that their dog is some where it is not wanted. "

GTW wrote on Jul 19, 2006 9:30 AM:

" To doge hater: If you don’t like dogs – buy yourself 40 acres of land – put your house in the middle of it. Far far away from everyone. "

Franc wrote on Jul 19, 2006 9:25 AM:

" This is clearly George W. Bush's fault. "

SD lady wrote on Jul 19, 2006 8:46 AM:

" Yeah! We have them all around us and they are just eating everything, the rodents are crossing the highways eating the food for people's livestock, I am now taking a test so I can be certified to use the oats but land that has to be covered is sooooooooo much not sure we will be able to take care of them all. All I can say is do it!!!!! "

Dog hater wrote on Jul 19, 2006 8:35 AM:

" Where can a guy get some of this poison, I've been using anti-freeze on the neighbours dog but now most anti-freeze is pet friendly. I would only use it on my land, he comes over and digs up my yard and scares the kids, if it's o.k for the ranchers to protect thier property can't I do the same? "

Steven wrote on Jul 19, 2006 8:30 AM:

" How can we control some people from breeding? After reading some of these postings we need to seriously consider fixing some humans so they don't breed more of their kind. "

kill as many as you can wrote on Jul 19, 2006 6:48 AM:

" 10,000 is just a drop in the bucket. prairie dogs leave the soil in ruins. plague, disease, rats. "

Karen wrote on Jul 18, 2006 11:31 PM:

" I know people who have just recently gone into the rodent control business because there is a definite need. They can be relocated if so desired or exterminated, which ever the landowner prefers. "

ryanm424 wrote on Jul 18, 2006 11:16 PM:

" Perhaps we can negotiate with the prairie dogs or offer an ultimatum. "

S.G. wrote on Jul 18, 2006 11:07 PM:

" For the information of the shooters and the poisoners, back in the early 80's a study on prairie dog control was done and determined that anything less than a 75% kill stimulated reproduction (larger and more litters) and resulted in more prairie dogs. while shooting is fun, it is not really a viable method of control. As for college students last question it is a damn good one and should be diected at the USDA Forest Service, private land owners have been fighting the tide of range rodents spilling over from federal lands for years "

Beesh wrote on Jul 18, 2006 9:24 PM:

" In response to 'to army wife' Army wife brought up her husband because 'Me' brought up how the war is a waiste (sp) of time. When a topic is introduced, it is open for comment. You need to go back and research a post before blindly commenting. Oh, and by the way, chastising army wife for talking about her husband and then talking about your own? Sort of hypocritical, huh? "

Beesh wrote on Jul 18, 2006 9:14 PM:

" to Me you wrote, "I am sure we can afford to move these critters, look how much $$ is waisted in the war." Gosh you anti-war fanatics would finds a way to bring the war up in a story about mammograms. How about we name them all personal councels to ex-Pres and Mrs. Clinton. They'd all end up dead in Fort Macy Park! "

RAL wrote on Jul 18, 2006 8:39 PM:

" To the people that are concerned about other animals that eat these poisoned prairie dogs please reread the 5th sentence from the end of the article and you will have an answer to your question. Thank you. "

HIS wrote on Jul 18, 2006 7:42 PM:

" These vermin are just rodents that need population control. Check out Medora Linda. Even deer need to be under control for their sake as well as ours. We are not wiping out a species for heavens sake. And guess what they are never in a confined area! Check out their "towns" B4 you share your misguided opinion. "

RAL wrote on Jul 18, 2006 7:26 PM:

" Dear Boys & Girls, Can you all say "Population Control". We control the earth's population of people in various ways. There is only one way to control the population of these varmints and that is to get rid of them, period. End of story. No we cannot relocate them. You will end up with the same problem. Relocation might work for people but it will not work for parairie dogs. End of story again. Like it or not people, getting rid of them is the only thing that will solve this problem. You all have a nice day!! "

to army wife wrote on Jul 18, 2006 6:28 PM:

" hi I'm a marine wife. Do not bring your husband and his job in iraq into a debate about prairie dog deaths. I'm sick of military wives thinking they can wave that card around whenever they feel like it. Don't get me wrong it is an honor to have my husband fighting for this country, but I don't go around throwing it in someone's face just to try to win an arguement. Also, is there anyone out there, WHO IS EDUCATED ABOUT THIS, that has any information on the affects of this poison on prairie dog predators, such as the family dog, coyotes, eagles, hawks,etc? Please let me know, I am very curious and concerned. "

Amazed wrote on Jul 18, 2006 6:04 PM:

" I think many of the authors of these postings should be ashamed. Sarcasm, ridicule, and high emotion have no place in true, mature, discussion and argument. I feel confident that most the posters would not speak to their own mothers this way. But, because folks know that through the nameless, faceless internet, thay can now "get away with it" and have no fear of reprisal, they gleefully attack another. This kind of behaviour is rude, yet revelatory of each person's true nature. I suggest we all try to show more composure. Thank you. "

Online Editor wrote on Jul 18, 2006 5:18 PM:

" To Yoh and other readers - Yoh believes that I have made the rules about what can be posted and also broken those rules. I judge each comment individually and it is a subjective process. There are some things that definitely won't be posted, other things that are questionable. If I decide that a comment can't be posted for some reason, the writer is open to modifying her or his comment and submitting it again. Many people that post comments have done that with success. Remember, the process is a subjective one, it is done by a person and not solely by a computer. My editor, Dave Bundy, has created standards for comments with input from other people at the Tribune and made it my job to make sure posted comments meet those standards. Several comments related to this story weren't posted because they made personal attacks. Once again Yoh, if you would like to modify and submit your comments again, I will review them for posting. "

College Student wrote on Jul 18, 2006 5:04 PM:

" I understand the problems prairie dogs can create, as I grew up on a ranch. But from the article, it sounds like the poisoning is not totally effective "...harder to kill on a second attempt..." Is there a way to relocate the prairie dogs back onto state land? Of maybe a zoo would want them-I've been to plenty of zoos where prairie dogs are an exhibit. This also seems like an extreme number of prairie dogs that are going to be killed-why did we wait until the problem got this big, shouldn't we have been "managing" the population since the last poisoning, 12 years ago? "

Online Editor wrote on Jul 18, 2006 4:55 PM:

" To 'Yoh' - Feel free to call me if you would like to discuss the posting rules. Jason Lueder - 250-8291. "

Country bound wrote on Jul 18, 2006 4:47 PM:

" Thanks Glenn...I am a city girl who just moved here and had no idea about any of this. I'm still waiting to see my first jackelope :) "

Army Wife wrote on Jul 18, 2006 4:46 PM:

" To "ME" when you say "waisted" I am sure you meant to say wasted. I have a husband overseas and he is fighting for this country for both you and me. He has lost a few friends also. I don't think we can compare these useless rodents to the cost of a human life. So if you consider the loss of these great soldiers a waste, talk with their families and loved ones. We shoot deer every year and they are much cuter than these rodents!! "

Glenn wrote on Jul 18, 2006 4:34 PM:

" I confess, I have enjoyed the honesty of the interaction between rural and urban. For those of us who grew up rural - we have the experience of living with nature, not against it, so we view issues of animal and pest control differently. We seek balance between human and nature. For those who grew up urban, the decisions made to maintain this harmony appear cruel and unnecessary. While I understand this perception, the reality is that it is necessary to control the expansion of pests. Prairie dogs are pests when they are in places they need not be in populations that harm the usefullness of the environment for not only human use, but other animals. Taking steps to curb their domain is necessary. "

Me wrote on Jul 18, 2006 4:27 PM:

" Why not trap and relocate them? I am sure we can afford to move these critters, look how much $$ is waisted in the war. This is war on prairie dogs. "

Simmer down people wrote on Jul 18, 2006 4:12 PM:

" It's a good thing Linda commented on this article because apparently no one would have anything to say otherwise. WOW!!! Maybe try educating people without the use of sarcasm....you'd be surprised how much better they will listen! "

Online Editor wrote on Jul 18, 2006 4:10 PM:

" To 'Yoh' - Each comment is judged individually. If you feel your comment had merit and wasnt posted, try editing it and posting the comment again. "

Online Editor wrote on Jul 18, 2006 2:45 PM:

" We appreciate comments, but will not post comments that contain personal attacks. "

RAL wrote on Jul 18, 2006 2:42 PM:

" I must agree with most people that have responded. Linda, get in your little old car and take a trip to the Solen, Shields, and Selfridge area and you will see firsthand the destruction your lovely little critters are causing. In the drought conditions we are having these animals are on the move looking for something to eat. New prairie dog towns are popping up all over the place. These animals have destroyed thousands of acres of land and the destruction is continuing at an alarming rate. Linda, you had better do some research on prairie dogs then you may change your mind. If that doesn't work then you have no common sense or, you have lost your mind. "

E F wrote on Jul 18, 2006 2:40 PM:

" Linda must live in town, where she dosen't have to live around the destruction the prairie dogs do. If the Forest Service want's prairie dogs on public land,thats fine. But I as a land owner should not have to put up with the destruction they do on private land. Between the Forest Service transplanting the prairie dog and having a litter every 28 days,with up to 8 in a litter. We are over run with them. It's about time something is done. "

Not opposed to the idea wrote on Jul 18, 2006 12:41 PM:

" I grew up with prairie dogs - literally :) I don't have a problem poisoning them. However, has anyone considered putting together hunting expeditions for them? There are people all around the US that would pay for a chance at a guided prairie dog hunt. I do think it would take off. It would take some organization and some advertisement around the country. Personally I know at least 100 people that would pay to shoot at prairie dogs all day. - or you could just poison them - or put them in Linda's yard:) "

John wrote on Jul 18, 2006 12:33 PM:

" There is an alternative to killing them. Check this out: http://www.cnn.com/EARTH/9612/16/sucking.dogs/ Then we'll have the guy back the truck up to Linda's house and unload. "

James wrote on Jul 18, 2006 12:19 PM:

" It is not like they will kill all of them. Sure they will get a lot of the little critters. Personally I support the shooting of them as it truly helps the economy. There are a lot of items that need to be purchased to go shooting and it all helps. Granted some people here are anti-America and can not see what needs to be done because of the blinders and green glasses they are wearing. We do not live in the Emerald city nor does it exist. The fact is we live in the reality and these things need to be done. "

Deb wrote on Jul 18, 2006 11:57 AM:

" Let's not forget that these animals carry the bubonic plague. It's only good animal husbandry to control their numbers, not as much for our sake, but for theirs. Over population leads to disease. And these animals have been studied enough in this state that when the ND G&F says we need to kill 10,000, that probably means that we could take out about 50,000. Don't worry, next year there will be another crop of about 100,000 to oggle and ooo and awwww at. "

Beesh wrote on Jul 18, 2006 11:42 AM:

" To ryanm424, you ask, "Does anyone know of a better way to kill prairie dogs?" I do, send them to Planned Parenthood for little gopher condoms and give abortions to the pregnant ones! Having rode horseback in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the guide has told us that at times culling the colonies is necessary to curtail disease, inbreeding and to reduce the devestation of the land. The previous commentor was right that the holes cause injury to horses, cattle and even buffaloes. They are like crabgrass, no matter how many get rooted out, they are back as strong as ever in a year or so. "

Fyrfly wrote on Jul 18, 2006 11:28 AM:

" I say we all have a prairie dog hunt! Linda, you can keep count. "

t wrote on Jul 18, 2006 11:27 AM:

" Wait, wouldn't the predators that eat these poisened prairie dogs be at risk also? "

BB wrote on Jul 18, 2006 10:47 AM:

" How sad i hate to see anything get killed, but these are a very distructive animals i have seen first hand the damage they do, the reason people feel sorry for these animals is we put them on display like pets the "Zoo" has them and "Medora" has prairie dog town, put them next to Cemetary and you'll see first hand damage that they do it's disgusting. "

Sick of the creatures wrote on Jul 18, 2006 10:26 AM:

" I am all for this!! Wish the city of Bismarck would do the same. We have spent time and money on poisons, pellets, smoke bombs and flooding the little creatures out of our yard. They have chewed thru into our garage (no there is no food or anything in there) and are not afraid to run next our children. Should we just stand by and wait for one of them to be bitten?? Go for it I say!! My husband is a hunter and I completely understand why this must be done. Linda, let's see you go out and 'trap' the little rodents and keep them safe at your house. "

LOL wrote on Jul 18, 2006 10:19 AM:

" Lets get all the prairie dogs together and take them to Linda's house for a little party, then maybe she will understand what these cute little, hole digging, grass eating, water drinking, rubber biting, cross country traveling, disease carrying, ankle braking, Osama Bin Laden look alike, rodents can do. Linda just incase you didnt know, these rodents (if not contained) will climb in the wheel wells of tourist vehicles and brace themselves under there for hundred of miles. "

WOW wrote on Jul 18, 2006 10:06 AM:

" Well first of all i would like to thank Linda for YELLING at everyone. we got your point. And Franc, great idea on the mosquitos. I mean, you are right, they have been around forever. Linda seriously, do you really think the rancher killed the mountain lion just for giggles? I would say he was DEFENDING his family (which includes pets). And prairie dogs, yes a cute gopher like creature, but Get educated had a great point. And i really dont think this is such a bad thing. We need to have some control, unless of course we want to just run wild with the animals. I sure dont, last I checked I was the top of the food chain! "

Barney wrote on Jul 18, 2006 10:02 AM:

" Linda - what is your address, we can go get the prairie dogs and put them in your yard - I will pay for the cement wall about 10' deep around your property so they can't get into someone elses property and you can keep these for yourself. I'm sure I can get PETA to help me. When you have had your fill of them and they have ruined your land - and multiplied and multiplied you can still enjoy them in their confined area. "

DJ wrote on Jul 18, 2006 9:20 AM:

" Linda, take a chill pill. These are RODENTS. And they're destructive to boot. And hit that CAPS LOCK key for crying out loud. "

Top of the food chain wrote on Jul 18, 2006 8:57 AM:

" Let me know when I have a couple of rifles to sight in. "

Mike wrote on Jul 18, 2006 8:57 AM:

" It is not eradication, it is control. It is not desecration, it is control. It is not an abomination, it is control. It is our responsibility as caretakers of nature to control over-population and ruination. We do it with spiders, dandelions, creeping jenny and wood ticks. Why not prairie dogs? Oh, I know. Sorry. I forgot they are cute and furry. Of course, how silly of me. Cute and furry trumps devastation. Cute and furry wins every time! Gee, now that I look at it THAT way, Osama Bin Laden is kinda cute and furry, too. (Surely I use hyperbolic jest to make a point.) "

Get Educated wrote on Jul 18, 2006 8:56 AM:

" Linda, you obviously have never seen first hand what happens to land that prairie dogs take over. They totally destroy the land so it is completely bare with holes all over. If a rancher is running horses or cows, they break their legs from stepping in those same holes- Which can possibly lead to an agonizing slow death if they are not found immediately. If you don't like hunting or the reality of life, you are living in the wrong state. Move to San Franciso and go hug a tree. "

ryanm424 wrote on Jul 18, 2006 8:53 AM:

" Does anyone know of a better way to kill prairie dogs? "

ridiculous wrote on Jul 18, 2006 8:52 AM:

" wrong, just absolutely wrong. "

Not to defend poisoning... wrote on Jul 18, 2006 8:49 AM:

" But, there are a lot of problems associated with the expansion of prairie dogs. The damage they do to the land is horrible. You have to see the devastation to believe it. Now, about the poisoning...I think that there must be a better way to control this problem. Poisoning is an awful idea. If you feel that strongly about poisoning...submit comments. They probably will not be taken into consideration but maybe you will feel better having spoken your peace. You mention, "confined." There is no way to confine a prairie dog...they go where they please. My suggestion is that you take a trip out north of the Fryburg exit about 4 miles and take a look at the land out there...it is devastated by prairie dogs. Bring a rifle...they are fun to shoot!! "

Franc wrote on Jul 18, 2006 8:41 AM:

" I agree with Linda!!! And quit spraying for mosquitos...they have been around forever!! Not to mention the in-humane "fly swatter". They should be outlawed! "

Tony wrote on Jul 18, 2006 8:34 AM:

" There is a reason why they are in a confined area. You would feel differently if they were in your yard. That goes for both the prairie dogs and mountain lions. "

Shocked wrote on Jul 18, 2006 8:09 AM:

" Absolutely disgusting! "

LINDA SITTER, wrote on Jul 18, 2006 8:08 AM:

" WHY??? THEY ARE IN A CONFINED AREA AND NOT SPREADING THROUGHOUT THE STATE.. LET THEM ALONE. IT ISN'T ENOUGH THAT THE STATE IS SICK ENOUGH TO KILL MOUNTAIN LIONS, NOW THEY'RE GOING AFTER THE PRAIRIE DOGS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOREVER... THIS IS SICK!!!!!!!! "

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