Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: wa.hunter on January 01, 2015, 12:38:17 PM

Title: Washington Antelope
Post by: wa.hunter on January 01, 2015, 12:38:17 PM: Looking for any reports of antelope that individuals might have seen. I was fortunate enough to assist SCI and the Yakama Nation in introducing antelope to our state a few years ago and we are trying to get as accurate a count of what is still out there as we can. We released 99 antelope all from Nevada, with their blessing. To do another introduction we need to get some numbers of what is now out there. SCI will be funding some air time at a cost of around $6000 to attempt to relocate them is possible. We know they are pretty spread out from Goldendale to Kennewick and that is alot of country. It would be nice if we knew where to spend air time as it is will not cheap to find them. I was over yesterday and found 29 in one group and only 3 had ear tags which could be a good sign. Where are the other 96 ear tagged antelope? We do know a couple died and 2 have been poached and we do have rewards out for information on whom poached them. If anyone has any current info it would be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: actionshooter on January 01, 2015, 12:41:26 PM: No info, but thanks to you for your work.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: boneaddict on January 01, 2015, 12:43:18 PM: send butcher98951 a pm. He has some in his "backyard" and probably has very reliable intel for you. I know he sees them often. and Thankyou for working on this project.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: PlateauNDN on January 01, 2015, 12:51:26 PM: Are you working with YN Wildlife bios?
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: buglebuster on January 01, 2015, 12:58:04 PM: I know there was a few hanging out on top of alpowa grade east of pomeroy, but not sure if they are from those released?
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: jackelope on January 01, 2015, 01:14:10 PM: Quote from: buglebuster on January 01, 2015, 12:58:04 PM
I know there was a few hanging out on top of alpowa grade east of pomeroy, but not sure if they are from those released?

I don't think they're there anymore, and they moved in from Anatone via NE Oregon. Pretty sure they've moved back the way they came. Unless they're back again. They were gone for sure.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: buglebuster on January 01, 2015, 01:15:37 PM: Good to know jackelope. I thought I heard the were still around, but looked for them thanksgiving time with no luck.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: wa.hunter on January 01, 2015, 01:34:39 PM: Yes we are working with YN bio's, with out then this wouldn't have happened. Unfortunately would be nice if they moved alittle faster on getting things done. Actually the flights will involve their head bio every day both on and off the YN lands. WDFW is even onboard and will help with surveys off of the res. only.
The lopes that were around Anatone have left and gone back to Oregon.
Thanks again for any updates.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Timberstalker on January 01, 2015, 01:43:31 PM: PM Sent.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: splitshot on January 01, 2015, 02:27:46 PM: i personally don't think antelope will take to Washington . too many people and too many poachers. if you know where they are don't tell anyone. I wish they would take in a big chunk of land like the firing range or the Yakima reservation. mike w
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: butcher98951 on January 01, 2015, 02:36:09 PM: I know of 2 different herds that we watch all the time and one herd that we just happen to see when we were duck hunting in a place I wouldn't of thought of them being there.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: splitshot on January 01, 2015, 03:10:05 PM: wow, that is great news. don't tell the wolves. the 4 and 2 legged ones. mike w
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: buglebuster on January 01, 2015, 05:36:50 PM: I think they would do very, very well up by mansfield. It feels like antelope country up there.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Firedogg on January 01, 2015, 08:43:53 PM: Did not know they were in the state, that explains the animals we could not identify way off in the distance on our way over to Clarkston back at the end of September.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: klickman on January 02, 2015, 05:08:49 PM: while you are counting antelope. It would be interesting to see how many horses are on the rez too. They are the reason the Antelope have dispersed so much. I have only seen a few antelope off of hwy 97 in the last year.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: HUNTaHOLIC5 on January 02, 2015, 08:17:50 PM: Quote from: klickman on January 02, 2015, 05:08:49 PM
while you are counting antelope. It would be interesting to see how many horses are on the rez too. They are the reason the Antelope have dispersed so much. I have only seen a few antelope off of hwy 97 in the last year.
I'd be very interested in that too. It is really a disgusting amount especially when you take a look at what they've done to the land.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: wa.hunter on January 03, 2015, 09:32:05 AM: I feel that the anti's have been pretty hard on what the YN can do with the horses. At one time they were shipping them out of the country to have them processed for other purposes, but that came to an end. Now they do have a huge problem and I do know they have been working on it. Results have not been to good for the antelopes to stay there. Sure could feed alot of hungary people with the problem they have.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: boneaddict on January 05, 2015, 01:04:04 PM: I'd love for the natives to thumb their nose at the feds and take care of the horse issue. Its out of control.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: idaho guy on January 05, 2015, 04:30:46 PM: thats awesome that you are introducing antelope over there. I always wondered why there were not any in a lot of eastern washington looks like a lot of good habitat and some of it reminds me of eastern montana where I used to hunt antelope a lot. I hope it works out for ya
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Maverick on January 05, 2015, 06:47:38 PM: Worked on highway 97 a lot last summer around the horses and never saw and antelope. I've looked around but havnt spotted one yet! Hope they make it!
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Gringo31 on January 06, 2015, 01:39:32 PM: There is some work being done on the horses. :-X

The antelope that I see don't seem to stick in one specific area very long with the exception of those few just outside of kennewick. They will need new genetics if they are to survive but I can't say I care for the lack of rule following that takes place............or I should say the hiding behind the res so it doesn't have to follow the rules that everyone else does.

But, I don't want to hijack this thread or get into that whole thing again. I haven't seen any in the last month.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Badhabit on January 06, 2015, 01:57:47 PM: I've seen a heard of about a dozen 2x's off of Hwy 221 just north of Sellards road.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: nalley112 on January 16, 2015, 05:22:30 PM: my brother see a few almost every day on his way to work.. between prosser and patterson..
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: wa.hunter on January 27, 2015, 09:53:50 AM: Antelope update
Yesterday all the groups involved in doing the surveys gathered again and set a date of the first week in March, as the week would be doing the surveys. Those groups involved YN, WDFW, and SCI individuals put what we hope to be a very thought out plan using both ground crews and an airplane over a 3 day period to cover the areas between Klickitat area west of Goldendale all the way east to Kennewick. A very large area, however thanks to some of the information we gather from this site and other sources we do have a good starting point. Thanks again for the information you supplied. Last week one of our SCI members counted 40 antelope in a couple of these areas. For those of you that do see the antelope and have bino's we are trying to gather informations as to how many in each group have collars and or ear tags. Of the original 99 that were released all had ear tags, therefore any that you see that do not have ear tags are born and raised Washington antelope and not a part of the original release which occurred in Jan. 2011. As March gets a little close we will be looking for any additional sighting that any of you might have as it would be very beneficial both in time and money.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: C-Money on January 27, 2015, 05:51:57 PM: Tagging along...
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: chester on January 27, 2015, 06:14:08 PM: :yeah:

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Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: GUscottie on January 27, 2015, 06:39:41 PM: Freaking exciting to hear that there could be some WA born antelope! I hope to get out this summer and photo them...
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Timberstalker on January 27, 2015, 08:05:11 PM: I've seen a number of new fawns this year.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: caseyv21 on February 17, 2015, 06:17:26 PM: saw 15 today, pm sent
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: wa.hunter on February 17, 2015, 08:10:42 PM: thanks for all of the updates. Due to some really nice weather there may be a chance the surveys might just take place in the next 2 weeks and as early as next week. It appears WDFW has been working on some moose surveys but due to lack of snow they are having difficulty locating them so me might just step up our survey. At least the wolves haven't ate our antelope so we should be able to find them. I will keep you posted as to when, so you can let me know what you are seeing out there. Thanks again.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: wa.hunter on February 20, 2015, 05:28:59 PM: SURVEY DATE has been set for Feb 25th nad 26th of next week. That will be a Wednesday and a Thursday. Our intention is to do both ground surveys and airial useing a fixed wing flying transect throughout the release area. Any current sightings would greatly be appreciated as we intend to have individuals on the ground watching these one just to see if the plane actually spots them. You folks have supplied alot of good information in the past few weeks since I made this post and it is greatly appreciated. Anything you see now with close locations and numbers would be greatly appreciated. PM have also work well and if a couple people would like to help out with this just let me know and I will fill you in.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: cem3434 on April 21, 2015, 01:04:53 PM: Any update on how the survey went?
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Timberstalker on April 21, 2015, 01:08:58 PM: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,170872.msg2263702.html#msg2263702

Try this one. He started a separate thread.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Gringo31 on September 15, 2015, 08:44:45 AM: Saw a pretty good buck yesterday that had 10 does with him. Appears the rut is about to kick in.....
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Bob33 on September 15, 2015, 08:59:48 AM: Quote from: Gringo31 on September 15, 2015, 08:44:45 AM
Saw a pretty good buck yesterday that had 10 does with him. Appears the rut is about to kick in.....
Do you mind mentioning where? I'd love to take a sight seeing trip. Thank you.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: splitshot on September 15, 2015, 09:06:30 AM: please don't tell any location on this site. poachers have eyes and ears and will shoot anything. pm is the way to go if you want. I am not telling you what to do , just saying. antelope have been poached way to much. part of the problem is one person can carry one on his/hers shoulders and they are gone. thanks, mike w
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Gringo31 on September 22, 2015, 09:44:45 AM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F09%2F22%2Fbf4f22e40591d46f77a9277373f66b31.jpg&hash=f5b2f1237d37041b2ca4fe0a7a6b5787375b8596)

This is the buck I saw

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Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Timberstalker on September 22, 2015, 10:05:21 AM: That looks like a good buck Gringo. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: C-Money on September 22, 2015, 10:34:40 AM: Wow! he has some mass!! Great buck there.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: lhrbull on September 22, 2015, 09:46:12 PM: were there many fawns with the group
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Gringo31 on September 23, 2015, 06:53:03 AM: Saw a smaller buck in the same spot today. He had a foe with him and was keeping her all to himself. Lots of running to prevent her from getting back to the herd

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Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Maverick on September 26, 2015, 08:34:05 AM: That's great to see! I really hope the herds get going strong some day
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Gringo31 on November 07, 2016, 11:02:12 AM: I saw a good group of around 20 this morning..... :tup:
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Woodchuck on November 07, 2016, 11:07:40 AM: :tup: Very cool, any pics?
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Timberstalker on November 07, 2016, 09:11:52 PM: Awesome. Any fawns?
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: wa.hunter on December 07, 2016, 09:45:02 AM: Nice to see this tread is still going. We did not manage to do a survey last winter but do have in the plans to do another one this winter if conditions permit. Things are looking pretty good for it. WDFW has agree to head up the survey again with the use of an airplane to fly on a grid system. WDFW has also agree to fund the cost of their personal and plane. Is nice to know there is actually a pronghorn account now to work on this project. Not sure when the date will be however I assume the next 2 months. One thing we like to do is have a few individuals on the ground watching particular groups, to confirm that the plane doesn't miss them. If it does then it will help give a percent error on our counts.
If possible and if anyone has any information on their locations it would be great if you could PM me with that information. Also if you would like to participate on the ground let me know and I will see what can be arranged even though we do not have a date set.
Thanks
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Gringo31 on December 07, 2016, 09:54:26 AM: I saw 20 or so last week. But...don't think they're in a spot people are unaware of.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: wa.hunter on December 07, 2016, 10:10:10 AM: 2 years ago we found 147. We are hoping that there are alot more this time. 20 is a start though.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: jackelope on December 07, 2016, 10:14:41 AM: Joe-
Is the survey likely to happen on a weekday or weekend?
I'd be interested in coming over but would likely only be able to do it if it was a weekend.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: boneaddict on December 07, 2016, 10:17:06 AM: Pmd you Joe
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: cbond3318 on December 07, 2016, 10:19:06 AM: Any info on what is to be done with the Colville plants that are no longer on the Reservation?
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: boneaddict on December 07, 2016, 10:28:21 AM: Hopefully they thrive
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Gringo31 on December 07, 2016, 10:40:22 AM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20161207%2F1602aaf7b162db3240adc9b61d0ed14e.jpg&hash=a1e0f2dfae04af85c38fc032d0c986a40cfdc3e5)

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Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: wa.hunter on December 07, 2016, 05:19:05 PM: Thanks Bone, Jack- yes more than likely, being that we are working with State employed individuals, the survey will be during the week. Pictures are great too, I have some myself. Nice to see born and raised Washington antelope. All of the original release had ear tags and would be interesting to know if any of those are left.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: JDHasty on December 07, 2016, 06:08:05 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on January 05, 2015, 01:04:04 PM
I'd love for the natives to thumb their nose at the feds and take care of the horse issue. Its out of control.

No kidding
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Luckyone on December 07, 2016, 07:49:20 PM: Last week I saw about 15 of the Colville ones I can only assume? Pretty far off the res. But really really far from Yakima. Never would have thought to see them here!!! Pretty cool though...
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Timberstalker on December 08, 2016, 06:48:30 AM: Quote from: Luckyone on December 07, 2016, 07:49:20 PM
Last week I saw about 15 of the Colville ones I can only assume? Pretty far off the res. But really really far from Yakima. Never would have thought to see them here!!! Pretty cool though...

Whereabouts were these?
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Luckyone on December 08, 2016, 12:00:55 PM: Close to blue lake
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: wa.hunter on January 07, 2017, 01:09:04 PM: We are currently setting a date of Jan. 26 and 27th to do the surveys. WDFW has set up the airplane and things are looking like a go. Any current updates on sightings in the area would be appreciated so save a little time in ground crews being on top of it to confirm we don't miss anything from the air. PM me works fine, if you are interested in being a ground spotter let me know also and I will see what I can arrange. We appreciate your help.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: wa.hunter on January 18, 2017, 07:38:33 AM: We will be up and running on the antelope surveys next week in the Yakima - Tri-City area. Any sightings would sure help out. If time permits we will be covering areas westerly to the Goldendale also. Would be great to find that the herd has expanded and increased in population.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Timberstalker on January 18, 2017, 07:40:41 AM: Looking forward to the results. Good luck. :tup:
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: farmin4u_98948 on January 28, 2017, 11:53:09 AM: Quote from: Timberstalker on January 18, 2017, 07:40:41 AM
Looking forward to the results. Good luck. :tup:

:yeah:
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: runamuk on January 28, 2017, 12:27:30 PM: A photographer posted a pic of a group of 4 or 5 he took near Vantage.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: C-Money on January 30, 2017, 08:18:40 AM: Quote from: runamuk on January 28, 2017, 12:27:30 PM
A photographer posted a pic of a group of 4 or 5 he took near Vantage.

Wow! That is very cool. Wonder if they are form the Yakima or Colville release?
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: wa.hunter on January 30, 2017, 04:41:57 PM: runamuk,
Can you tell me where the pictures are. More than likely the group near Vantage would be part of our Yakama release. I would like to know as close as possible where they were seen.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: runamuk on January 30, 2017, 04:49:46 PM: Quote from: wa.hunter on January 30, 2017, 04:41:57 PM
runamuk,
Can you tell me where the pictures are. More than likely the group near Vantage would be part of our Yakama release. I would like to know as close as possible where they were seen.
it was a photographer on Facebook on the group Kittitas county photographers. I could go dig through the group and see if I can find it again and get you a name.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: wa.hunter on January 30, 2017, 05:17:08 PM: That would be great. Location with coordinates are really nice too. These lopes have really got spread out.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: GUscottie on March 08, 2017, 06:48:40 PM: I know that last year in Sept/October there were a couple groups (maybe same/split) in the area of Mansfield. I know that was long ago, but it could be helpful. My buddy sent me pics of them in the cut wheat fields he owns.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: C-Money on February 13, 2020, 03:14:51 PM: Saw my first Washington antelope today. Very exciting! Saw a group of 3. Appeared to all be doe.
Title: Re: Washington Antelope
Post by: Loup Loup on February 14, 2020, 08:03:14 PM: All this interest and money down a rat hole on a modern day invasive specie, while our Mule deer in Chelan and Okanogan counties, are being mismanaged to the point of virtual extinction