When most think of prairie dogs they think of a vermin or a pest. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Prairie dogs are a vital part of grasslands; they provide shelter to burrowing owls and are food to most surrounding wildlife. They also are crucial for keeping soil healthy and increasing the soils carbon supply- this means more fertile soil and thriving plant health.

Now to the main part, hunting. Many people find joy in killing prairie dogs, some will murder hundreds in one hunt, most go to organised events- some paying $500 to massacre these innocent creatures. The event centres tend to advertise the hunts as ‘pest control’ to disguise the immorality of prairie dog hunting. Some participating in these events will try and justify their actions by saying: ‘their holes are dangerous to livestock’ or ‘they carry the plague’. While I agree prairie dogs can pose a risk to livestock (as can most burrowing animals!) the hunting I am referring to happens with organised groups on private (and sometimes federally managed) property intended for raising prairie dogs and other animals to be killed, not farms. Studies have also shown that cattle prefer to graze alongside prairie dogs as the soil is more nutrient dense. And as for ‘they carry the plague’, so do rats, squirrels, rabbits and more- there is also ethical ways to control plague such as; insecticide dust to eliminate fleas or vaccine laced bait which helps prairie dogs build an immunity to plague. So no, there is absolutely no excuse for participating and funding these inhumane, cruel activities. Prairie dogs are living beings with complex emotions, not target practice.

Here is a simplified data analysis from a research project published by Jonathan N. Pauli & Steven W. Buskirk

Increased Vigilance:
After being exposed to shooting, prairie dogs significantly increased their alertness. This hyper-vigilance lasted even 10 months after shooting had stopped, suggesting prolonged emotional disturbance.

Reduced Natural Behavior:
Survivors reduced time spent above ground, foraging, and resting. These are key daily activities essential for physical health and survival, and their reduction indicates a sustained stress response. Reduced foraging also impacts surrounding wildlife, the grasses nutrition will decline and many predators will lose a valuable food source.

Social Disruption:
Shooting caused deaths within close social groups, likely disrupting social bonds. Prairie dogs live in complex family-based colonies, and social structure plays a key role in reducing anxiety and promoting normal behavior.

Stress Hormone Elevation (Juveniles):
Juvenile prairie dogs showed elevated corticosterone levels in response to shooting. While this hormone helps animals cope with immediate stress, chronic elevation is linked to poor health, suppressed immunity, and reduced reproductive success.

Long-Term Behavioral Impact:
Although most behaviours returned to normal the following summer, the persistence of elevated alertness suggests lasting emotional impact, possibly due to trauma or a reshaped social environment.

What I am hoping to achieve: I am looking for a ban on the organisation, participation and advertisement of commercial prairie dog hunts. I am also looking for strict guidelines regarding prairie dog hunting on federally managed land.

 I’d like to end by saying, I am not against hunting for food in a humane way, I believe in honouring the animals you are eating and acknowledging- yes, some animals have to be eaten in order for our survival. Hunting excessively for animals you are not eating, no matter the species is completely unacceptable. Please sign my petition to ban commercial prairie dog hunts.