The Prairie Dog Advisory Board met August 26th, 2026, at the Box Butte County Court House, in the county commissioner’s room at 4:00 PM. Members present were Mike Johnson, Chairman, Lynn Placek, Secretary, Shawn Hunter, Vice President, Jim Furman, Bret Lauer, Weed Superintendent, and Marrisa Curtiss, Box Butte County Attorney. Tim Sherlock was not present. The board reviewed the active prairie dog forced control that is taking place in Box Butte County. We want to remind landowners that they have a responsibility to keep their land clean and free of these destructive rodents. Fortunately a large percentage of landowners have realized how out of control the prairie dog populations have become on their own property. As a result, most responsible landowners have started a control program to get rid of the destructive animals. The discussion that ensued validated that the Board is working hard and has successfully reduced the number of prairie dogs in certain areas of Box Butte County.
The active complaint list was reviewed. The active forced control was decided to be monitored for a while longer as we are in the season where legal prairie dog bait cannot be distributed in the active prairie dog holes. There were no new complaints and one old complaint that was tabled for review until the next meeting.
The community education programs held the past two years at the Knight Museum and Sandhill Center were again discussed, and it was decided to have another program on, Monday, September 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM at the same location. The purpose is to inform the community about the reason for the Advisory Board and its enforcement, as well as its effectiveness in reducing the dog population in our county.
The goal of this meeting is to have a short informative session which will lead us down a positive path for obtaining a pest control license for the State of Nebraska, which will allow us to purchase Prairie Dog bait for self-control. The board will then hold a panal discussion to answer questions as to the time for effective control and which products are legal and allowed by the state of Nebraska, as well as to how to file a complaint. This will be a very informative meeting and we hope that all county residents and interested parties will plan to attend. Again, it will be held September 21, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the Knight Museum and Sandhill Center.
The subcommittee will start writing letters again to our politicians in both Washington and Lincoln asking for help in expanding the reach of the board, both financially and with more contractors.
Meeting adjourned at 4:25 PM. The next meeting will be held again at the Knight Museum and Sandhill Center, September 21, 2026 at 2:00 pm. Landowners are encouraged to attend.
AFTERNOON COFFEE BREAK WILL BE SERVED!