Post by: furbearer365 on June 22, 2017, 03:29:50 PM
Post by: jamesfromseattle on June 22, 2017, 03:37:22 PM
This will be my first honest effort at an antelope hunt. You ever hunted down there? Not sure if I should be focusing around the irrigated areas or just head off into the desert and try to get away from people.
Post by: WAcoueshunter on June 22, 2017, 03:41:22 PM
Post by: Bob33 on June 22, 2017, 03:43:37 PM
It helped me a lot when I first starting hunting pronghorns.
Post by: longrange7mm on June 22, 2017, 04:11:17 PM
Post by: jamesfromseattle on June 22, 2017, 04:11:31 PM
Anyone interested in learning more about antelope might consider getting a copy of this book: https://www.eastmans.com/store/details/books/hunting-trophy-antelope
It helped me a lot when I first starting hunting pronghorns.
Thanks for the recommendation, Bob--I've actually got it on the shelf. When I drove through Wyoming for the first time a handful of years ago I saw a bunch of antelope and didn't even know what they were. Googled them when I got home and discovered that book (it may have even been via another recommendation on here), which convinced me I should be applying for tags.
By the way, the 26-06 I'm taking with me will probably look familiar to you.
Post by: Bob33 on June 22, 2017, 04:29:37 PM
It's got a lot of antelope memories. Add some more. :tup:Anyone interested in learning more about antelope might consider getting a copy of this book: https://www.eastmans.com/store/details/books/hunting-trophy-antelope
It helped me a lot when I first starting hunting pronghorns.
Thanks for the recommendation, Bob--I've actually got it on the shelf. When I drove through Wyoming for the first time a handful of years ago I saw a bunch of antelope and didn't even know what they were. Googled them when I got home and discovered that book (it may have even been via another recommendation on here), which convinced me I should be applying for tags.
By the way, the 26-06 I'm taking with me will probably look familiar to you.
Post by: Stein on June 22, 2017, 04:33:18 PM
Post by: Bigshooter on June 22, 2017, 04:35:42 PM
Don't shoot the first one you see.
What if it's an 80 incher?
Post by: furbearer365 on June 22, 2017, 06:13:52 PM
Don't shoot the first one you see.
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on June 23, 2017, 11:08:58 AM
Another tip you may not need. Antelope know vehicles mean trouble, and get extremely nervous when doors open. If you see a buck that looks really good from the truck, keep driving until out of sight, then leave the vehicle and make a stalk back using topography to hide and get in range. Doesn't matter how far away you are, if they can see you they are nervous.
Post by: Bob33 on June 23, 2017, 11:17:55 AM
If you find a good spot and don't see any antelope, sometimes it pays to just wait a bit and glass, or to revisit the spot a few times later in the day.
Post by: fishsticks on June 23, 2017, 05:44:49 PM
Another tip you may not need. Antelope know vehicles mean trouble, and get extremely nervous when doors open. If you see a buck that looks really good from the truck, keep driving until out of sight, then leave the vehicle and make a stalk back using topography to hide and get in range. Doesn't matter how far away you are, if they can see you they are nervous.
Some sound advice here. We learned this the hard way our first year in WY. Once we started employing this strategy success came quick.
Good luck, and have fun. Antelope hunting is a blast!
Post by: longrange7mm on June 23, 2017, 06:50:56 PM
Have a blast, and I concur with sticking to the vast public land. Don't be dismayed by relatively low antelope numbers, the northern Bighorn Basin has lower antelope densities than much of Wyoming but good quality. A good strategy is to drive the extensive road systems to figure out where the little valleys are that you aren't seeing into from the road - pronghorn can and do hide from vehicles in very subtle folds in the topography, and bucks also hide their harems from view of other bucks that way too. Walk to those areas and check them out, you'll see more bucks that way than just driving. A word of caution - a lot of that country is bentonite clay, and off the graveled roads the 2-tracks are hell when wet. If it rains hard, don't get off the gravel, 4 wheel drive and even chains aren't that great when that stuff is wet. It'll dry out fast once the rain stops. I'd go in September, the rut will be in full swing, tapering off sometime after the first week of October. It would not be a bad idea to go a couple days before the opener, that way you won't shoot the first buck that looks good :)
Another tip you may not need. Antelope know vehicles mean trouble, and get extremely nervous when doors open. If you see a buck that looks really good from the truck, keep driving until out of sight, then leave the vehicle and make a stalk back using topography to hide and get in range. Doesn't matter how far away you are, if they can see you they are nervous.
Double lung nailed it. I will shoot you a PM and I will hook you up with a few spots I live in 78 and spend lots of time in it. My mom drew it this year but shes looking for "the big one" her words not mine. shes got an 84 5/8 and 86 2/8 both out of that unit. Growth is great this year 80" goat should be achievable with a little bit of patience and self control
Post by: GUscottie on June 24, 2017, 09:06:15 AM
Post by: longrange7mm on June 24, 2017, 03:51:17 PM
Good luck! Can't wait to hear the stories!! This is one of my favorite areas in all of Wyoming. Derik....you better get your mom "the big one"...hahah!
Ha we will see shes pretty picky and I got lots of other critters to chase over one of these stinking buggers. Her last 2 and the ones to beat
Post by: Bigshooter on October 25, 2017, 07:52:26 PM
Post by: jamesfromseattle on October 26, 2017, 05:18:32 PM
After the end of the second day, but wife was pretty much over the whole trophy hunting thing and decided to just shoot a smaller buck that was more cooperative. Probably only an 8-9'' buck, but we're getting it mounted anyways. Beautiful little critters. Nobody we know in Seattle has ever seen an antelope, so I'll just tell everyone that is as big as they get...
Post by: Bob33 on October 26, 2017, 06:25:37 PM
Post by: Widgeondeke on October 26, 2017, 06:48:59 PM
Post by: GUscottie on November 10, 2017, 06:54:27 AM
Post by: Bigshooter on November 23, 2017, 05:28:00 PM
Post by: actionshooter on November 24, 2017, 08:38:18 AM