Hart Mountain Pronghorn (UPDATED with pics)

[Elkstuffer]

After 18 years of applying I finally pulled the only nonresidrent archery antelope tag for Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge. The hunt starts on Aug 3rd so I have a ton of research to do before then. Being 9+ hours away scouting is going to be tough.

 If anyone knows anything about this hunt or knows anyone that has drawn it I would greatly appreciate any info you could provide. It ain't no sheep hunt but should be a great time looking over lots of pronghorn.

Thanks!!!!!!

[kselkhunter]

Good luck.  That's a great tag.  I've never been lucky enough to draw. 

[boneaddict]

They have specific areas they like to hang out on the refuge.   Holy wide open!   

[go4steelhd]

Great tag
I deer hunted it a few years ago. I bet there is 3000 antelope in that unit. Most bucks are 12 inches. I did see in buck that would go book that year 82-83ish. There was rumors of a 90 in her out there. I spent 15 days scouting and hunting. I did not find that buck if he did exsist. I seen bucks from the top of the mountain to the flats. The east side of the unit has the highest numbers. Half way north and south on the east side was the highest population. It was unreal. I seen 7 antelope from Moses lake to the north gate to Hart mountain. Then when you get inside it's impressive.

Tips. Nearest food or gas are an hour drive away. It's is illegal to have a target inside the unit. I got talked to scouting and a written warning hunting  Its a federal wildlife life area. So it's federal fish and game not Oregon that patrols it. He did site guys for shooting a coyote and cougar. Check out the warm springs it's pretty cool. You have to camp in a camp site.
Pm me if you have other questions

[Elkstuffer]

Got home this last Saturday and trying to get back into the swing of things
Anyone that hasn't visited the Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge needs to put it on their list. It is a diverse beautiful high desert area with elevations over 8000 feet.
I went into this hunt after talking to dozens of past hunters, biologists, BLM range managers, state and federal game wardens and other taxidermists. And I had to throw everything that they told me out the door. After a 15 yr drought the snow pack was so great that there was water everywhere. The pronghorn were blind shy and would avoid the blinds and go to the next water hole that didn't have one setting on it. After setting 4 twelve hour days in the blind and only having a doe and her fawn come in it was apparent that this was going to be a spot and stalk hunt.
I've hunted pronghorn in MT 3 times previously and all 3 times it turned into a spot and stalk hunt with me bringing nothing home but knees and elbows full of cactus spines. So at this point moral was way down. My son kept me going telling me daily to be positive and acted as my rock.
Finally on the 6th day of the short 8 day season we found a buck in a great stalking position. The only problem was that he had 15 does with him. The does busted me early on and I was able to get up under the buck on the back side of the ridge. When he turned to see where the does were headed I was able to take 2 step up and guessed him at 40 yrds. Only seeing the top of his back my arrow arched over the rise and I heard the "THUNK" I was waiting for. By the time I got up the hill he was bedded down and I was able to get to 17 yrds for a follow up shot thru the heart.
Finally, the pronghorn monkey off my back. My son watched the whole thing unfold and by the time he got there I was a mess. What a special hunt in a special place with a special boy! It was truly a hunt of a lifetime!

[grundy53]

Congratulations! Great hunt and best of all you got to share it with your son!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Timberstalker]

Wow!  Awesome hunt. Thanks for sharing this with us! 

[Dode]

Congrats Ric! Beautiful goat, and that's awesome that you got to share the experience with your boy. Memories I'm sure you guys will never forget!

[carpsniperg2]

Congrats 

[Blacktail Sniper]

Nice 

[Widgeondeke]

Nice slope. Sounds like it was well earned 

[Halo]

Congrats, Oregon antelope is no easy task, I hunted Juniper a couple years ago, I know.

[Bob33]

Shooting a nice pronghorn with a bow is a real accomplishment. Congratulations.

[boneaddict]

That's fantastic.  I'm glad it worked out so well.   

[Dan-o]

Wow..... with a bow!!!!

[NRA4LIFE]

Cool, nice heavy looking buck.  Glad you could share it with your son.  Congrats.

[Okanagan]

GREAT hunt well told!

 

[JoeE]

Nice job!

[Bigshooter]

 

[Brushcrawler]

Outstanding. I would love to hunt pronghorn someday. Thanks for taking us along!

[DeerThug]

Awesome hunt and awesome story.   that kind of hunt is what it is all about

[lokidog]

Sweet!  I drew an antelope tag in OR back in 91 or so, didn't end up hunting it, I still regret that.

[PlateauNDN]

Nice, congrats Ric.

[shootem]

Well done Ric. Congrats. Sounds like a great adventure.

[bowhunterforever]

Great goat Congrats

[redi]

Great story and goat. Congrats

[Eric M]

Congratulations!

[idaho guy]

nice job! glad your son was there

[pianoman9701]

Boy, what a beautiful animal. 

[hunting4sanity]

Congratulations! I've always thought that antelope are one of the best looking game animals out there, then you add in the bow and your son along for the hunt ....... perfect.

[Elkstuffer]

Thanks guys! Definitely a trip to remember!!!