Prairie dogs like a less humid climate than east central Iowa. SD has the rodent and is right next door to IA. I am not sure if NE has much for dogs. Be aware there are also gophers and ground squirrels (striped gophers) that farmers and ranchers want kept in control. The pocket gopher can get to be good sized is are not as large as a prairie dog. A striped gopher is smaller than the prairie dog. I grew up shooting gophers with an open sight 22LR. The best times are morning and about two hours before the sun sets. If you can, have the sun directly behind you as it sets.