Alternatively, the landowner can encourage varmint hunting, which if practiced with sufficient diligence, can keep the population in check at a sustainable level that the landowner can afford. Contrary as it may sound, as experts in this field agree, varmint hunting has proven to be the best method of population control for such species.

Existing Equipment
When shooting conditions are good, with a modern factory varmint rifle, good factory varmint ammunition (Black Hills is renowned in this field), a good scope, a laser rangefinder, and the proper rest, a practiced marksman can expect to routinely center a prairie rat to at least 300 yards without much problem. Most who have been at it a while can extend this to about 400 yards. Similarly, most who have sent enough bullets down range in this endeavor will agree that on most days, field conditions and other limitations make it very difficult indeed to center targets much beyond about 400 yards. Therefore, most of us will agree that a varmint chambering that will deliver explosive performance to 400 yards will satisfy the vast majority of our varminting needs. So, what is the ideal gun and chambering to achieve this goal?