archery antelope

[bowtech721]

I know that there are some guys on here that have done some antelope bow hunting and I was wanting to get some opinions on what you thought... I love to bow hunt and am definately going on an antelope hunt this fall but have yet to decide on bow or rifle. The only thing that makes me even consider the rifle is that i dont know about sitting in a blind as I havent hunted like that and fear that it would be extremely boring. As far as the spot and stalk it sounds fun but for my first time i dont know about how that would work out either and i would really like to come home with something even if its not a "trophy" buck... most outfitters ive talked to say theyve had 100% opportunity over water but im just not sure how fun that would be... opinions???

[Ray]

Sitting on a water hole for days on end just is not my thing. I'd bring both weapons (if legal at the time you are going) and just look for the archery opportunity (luck). I was lucky enough to tag one with the rifle and one with the bow this past season. In Wyoming they have some archery only areas where we were hunting and that's how I capitalized. Good luck.

[Hangfire]

Look at EastWaVikings diary stories for 2009, I believe under hunting.  He is a very experienced archer with several good pronghorn taken. His 2009 pronghorn hunt is detailed.  He does only spot and stalk for prong horn.  He is a good source of information.

[bowtech721]

ya thats what i  was thinking about the water hole hunting... how would I find those stories?

[bow4elk]

I spent three days daylight to dark in a blind to tag my first antelope buck with a bow.  Rock Springs, WY.  Great hunt but I was in my underwear most of the day as it was nearly 100 degrees in that blind - all &*$% day!  I put clothes back on for photos  

I'd seek out spot and stalk hunting for antelope if I did it again anytime soon. Contact some outfitters, state game offices, and area biologists to start.  Fred Eichler (http://www.fulldrawoutfitters.net/) runs a great outfit for archery spot and stalk hunting.  Phil Philips (http://www.thebowhunter.com/) also offers some great hunts, but mostly waterholes.  Both are absolutely GREAT guys who know bowhunting antelope exteremely well.  I've spent time with both of them outside of antelope hunting and you won't find better IMHO.  I'm sure either or both would be glad to share some general direction/advice with you and not try to sell you a hunt.

[Kain]

You need to try one of those mirror shields. 

 Jim Shockey, ShadowShield Mirrored Hunting

[gasman]

That was awsome Kane 

I wonder what they cost 

[Kain]

They are expensive.  Around $400!!  If you had any kind of metal working skill they could be made a lot cheaper. 

[Kain]

Jim Shockey Bear Hunting with Caroline Pruitt and the ShadowShield

[cohoho]

Sitting on a water hole for days on end just is not my thing. I'd bring both weapons (if legal at the time you are going) and just look for the archery opportunity (luck). I was lucky enough to tag one with the rifle and one with the bow this past season. In Wyoming they have some archery only areas where we were hunting and that's how I capitalized. Good luck.

BBBBBBBBAAAAAAHHHHH!

[Ray]

Yeah sometimes they put on a show. LOL

[cohoho]

As soon as I read this post, that is the only sound in my head....

[JDNehl]

Mel Dutton Decoy, spot and stalk, walk up on them!

[bowtech721]

ive decided against the water hole hunting and its down to spot and stalk/ decoying with a guide near jordan montana or rifle season in wyoming with bow on hand in case i get lucky... the ranch in montana that the outfitter is hunting on looks like a great place for spot and stalk as its not typical flat land its actually got some more hills and terrain that looks like you might have some more cover for a stalk... still undecided for sure

[JDNehl]

http://md004.k12.sd.us/outfitting.htm   Don't know if he still does this or not, haven't talked to him in awhile.

[bow4elk]

I spent three days daylight to dark in a blind to tag my first antelope buck with a bow.  Rock Springs, WY.  Great hunt but I was in my underwear most of the day as it was nearly 100 degrees in that blind - all &*$% day!  I put clothes back on for photos  

I found a photo of this antelope...1994.  Clunky but effective homemade plywood blind, Double Bull was just getting started back then    I needed to lash the thing down in the gusty Wyoming winds.

[bow4elk]

while I'm digging into the old photos, here's a decent buck that was coming in but got skittish before I could make it count.

[Ray]

still undecided for sure

I am definitely  not knocking blind hunting. It is effective and does obviously get results. Good luck on your hunt. I think you will enjoy it either way. Make sure to have a cooler with ice and get that thing skinned and on some ice as soon as you can. I really liked eating antelope and thought they were really neat to hunt. There's nothing like watching a line of them centipede up and over a hill at high speed.

Nice critters bow4elk.

[bowtech721]

nice buck! did he make the book?

[bow4elk]

nice buck! did he make the book?

Didn't mean to threadjack here.  I never had that buck measured because he was probably right around the minimum.

[bowtech721]

I thought it looked like it might but im no expert thats for sure... one like that would be nice but i'd be happy with about anything for my first one or at least thats what im thinking now before i see whats out there