Post by: Elkstuffer on June 19, 2017, 04:50:28 PM
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!!!!!!
Post by: kselkhunter on June 19, 2017, 05:12:25 PM
Post by: boneaddict on June 19, 2017, 05:30:36 PM
Post by: go4steelhd on June 19, 2017, 06:01:25 PM
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 :bash: 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
Post by: Elkstuffer on August 15, 2017, 05:27:27 PM
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. :bash:
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!
Post by: grundy53 on August 15, 2017, 05:34:00 PM
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Post by: Timberstalker on August 15, 2017, 05:37:52 PM
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Post by: Okanagan on August 15, 2017, 07:41:58 PM
:tup:
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Post by: bowhunterforever on August 16, 2017, 01:21:07 AM
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Post by: idaho guy on August 16, 2017, 10:19:17 AM
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Post by: hunting4sanity on August 16, 2017, 10:27:00 AM
Post by: Elkstuffer on August 21, 2017, 09:14:51 PM