Thousands of Prairie Dogs Killed in Shoot

On a wall in Shields Bar, in Shields, N.D., are seven charts tracking 23,895 kills. Each number represents a dead black-tailed prairie dog. An additional 4,912 prairie dogs were shot in six hours during the 8th Annual Prairie Dog Extravaganza, a competition that drew 70 shooters. To local ranchers, it’s another battle in an ongoing war against land-wrecking pests. To animal rights activists, it’s an unnecessary slaughter. Participants pair up and spread out to prairie dog colonies within a 30-mile radius of the town. The top 10 shooters win $1,900 in prize money. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is working on a plan to maintain a “viable” prairie dog population, a spokesman said. It has not determined what level is viable.