Post by: sled on March 26, 2011, 09:45:09 AM
Post by: Ridgerunner on March 26, 2011, 09:53:12 AM
Post by: washingtonmuley on March 26, 2011, 10:01:09 AM
Post by: Craig on March 26, 2011, 10:06:09 AM
Post by: ribka on March 26, 2011, 10:09:50 AM
If hunting an area with many animals spend the first day or 2 looking at as many bucks as possible to practice estimating horn size.
If doe tags are available buy a few. Very reasonable. If on private land ask beforehand if charge extra for shooting does
Have a system in place to butcher/bone out animal as soon as possible after the kill. Bring big coolers with plenty of ice every day you go out hunting. By the end of our hunt and many animals harvested we were able to skin, bone out, package an animal in 20 minutes. Gasman picked up the big zip lock baggies that came in handy and a large plastic butcher board to lay in back of truck to put meat on to bone out.
Gasman made a neat device to hang animal for butchering. I think Cabelas has them for sale
The ranch where we hunted suggested putting ice water and rock or kosher salt in the cooler to soak the meat. I tried it and meat turned out very good and mild tasting. Change/drain water every day.
We stayed in a hotel that had big fridges and freezers. Came in handy because we each took five animals.
Have fun and explore the area. Lots of neat things to see in WY.
Post by: Hangfire on March 27, 2011, 05:07:21 AM
I would get the latest pronghorn DVD from Eastmans, or their book on pronghorn hunting. I hunted in Wyoming from 1977 to 2000, about 10-12 times. My son still hunts there about 4 out of 5 years.
Pronghorn are small, most people over estimate the distance. Learn to shoot in the wind.
Post by: MADMAX on March 27, 2011, 07:39:55 AM
Thanks for the info also
I will be trying my first time for antelope if we get drawn also near Douglas WY
Post by: Gutpile on March 27, 2011, 07:49:17 AM
Post by: sled on March 27, 2011, 08:05:22 AM
Post by: Bob33 on March 27, 2011, 08:07:14 AM
• Do not define hunt success as requiring an animal of a certain size. A 12” antelope is a nice buck. If you don’t have a buck tag, all the better in a sense. For your first trip, enjoy the experience, learn the country, meet some local landowners, and have a good time.
• If you are planning to hunt public land, buy a GPS and a map product like this: http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/states/wyomingdownloads.html (http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/states/wyomingdownloads.html)
• Knowing where the public and private land boundaries are is absolutely essential.
• If you are interested in killing a trophy, study books and materials in advance. Antelope are some of the hardest animals to field judge. One inch here and there makes a significant difference.
• Have a plan for caring for your meat. I typically immediately field dress mine and take them to a butcher to skin and process. I’ve had them in this situation for four hours or more with no problem. If you don’t have a local processor, you will need coolers and ice.
• Don’t fall for the premise that antelope meat is not good. I’ve eaten meat from more than 50 different animals and never had a bad one. If cared for properly, antelope meat is better than any other wild game in North America that I’ve eaten.
• Bring a good rangefinder. I like the Leicas. Scrimping on a rangefinder can cost you. It can be difficult to get a good reading because the terrain is flat and the animals are small. I’ve had some friends that could not get readings at 400 yards. Also, remember that it’s not just the shooting distance that matters. I often use my rangefinder to plan a stalk: “if that antelope is 800 yards away, and that knoll is 500 yards away, then I will have a 300 yard shot when I get to the knoll.”
• Bring 10x binoculars. A spotting scope with window mount is helpful.
• KNEE PADS. Did I tell you that you must bring KNEE PADS?
• Know your gun’s trajectory to at least 300 yards. 400 yards is better. Don’t shoot beyond 400 unless you really know what you’re doing. Antelope are not difficult to kill, but they are hard to hit: small targets at long distances, often with lots of wind currents.
• Take a camera and bring back the memories. I think Wyoming antelope hunting is about as fun and enjoyable as it gets in the western United States.
Post by: sled on March 27, 2011, 08:09:16 AM
Post by: mtman on March 27, 2011, 08:12:13 AM
Post by: MADMAX on March 27, 2011, 08:12:19 AM
Leaving here the Oct the 8th back the 18th Of Oct
Post by: BigFoot02 on March 27, 2011, 08:49:28 AM
(http://)
Post by: MuleDeerCrazy on March 27, 2011, 09:36:50 AM
Post by: gasman on March 27, 2011, 05:47:52 PM
The visitor center in Gillett has maps and information for the surrounding units. They also have a list private land owners that are looking for hunters to thin out the herds on there property. The list changes all the time, so check in with them often.
As for field judging. Look for horns that fork above the ears, and have long hooks on them.
Don't shoot the first buck you see, get a couple does out of the way first. Always look for does that are grouped together and look for the bigger doe. A single doe looks big from a distance but after you shoot it, it shrinks :chuckle: :chuckle:
Some older does will have 2-3 horns above the hair line, but be sure you know the difference between doe and buck horns.
When I got home. I cooked up a steak right out of the ice chest and the meat tasted like the hide. I added Kosher Salt to the ice chest and soaked the meat. The meat tasted much better after soaking for a few hours ;)
Post by: Bigshooter on March 27, 2011, 06:19:28 PM
My advice for a first time antelope hunter:These gps cards work great I bought one for oregon an idaho last year and they worked great.
• Do not define hunt success as requiring an animal of a certain size. A 12” antelope is a nice buck. If you don’t have a buck tag, all the better in a sense. For your first trip, enjoy the experience, learn the country, meet some local landowners, and have a good time.
• If you are planning to hunt public land, buy a GPS and a map product like this: http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/states/wyomingdownloads.html (http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/states/wyomingdownloads.html)• Knowing where the public and private land boundaries are is absolutely essential.
• If you are interested in killing a trophy, study books and materials in advance. Antelope are some of the hardest animals to field judge. One inch here and there makes a significant difference.
• Have a plan for caring for your meat. I typically immediately field dress mine and take them to a butcher to skin and process. I’ve had them in this situation for four hours or more with no problem. If you don’t have a local processor, you will need coolers and ice.
• Don’t fall for the premise that antelope meat is not good. I’ve eaten meat from more than 50 different animals and never had a bad one. If cared for properly, antelope meat is better than any other wild game in North America that I’ve eaten.
• Bring a good rangefinder. I like the Leicas. Scrimping on a rangefinder can cost you. It can be difficult to get a good reading because the terrain is flat and the animals are small. I’ve had some friends that could not get readings at 400 yards. Also, remember that it’s not just the shooting distance that matters. I often use my rangefinder to plan a stalk: “if that antelope is 800 yards away, and that knoll is 500 yards away, then I will have a 300 yard shot when I get to the knoll.”
• Bring 10x binoculars. A spotting scope with window mount is helpful.
• KNEE PADS. Did I tell you that you must bring KNEE PADS?
• Know your gun’s trajectory to at least 300 yards. 400 yards is better. Don’t shoot beyond 400 unless you really know what you’re doing. Antelope are not difficult to kill, but they are hard to hit: small targets at long distances, often with lots of wind currents.
• Take a camera and bring back the memories. I think Wyoming antelope hunting is about as fun and enjoyable as it gets in the western United States.
Post by: Widgeondeke on March 28, 2011, 01:01:17 PM
But... If you are truly going DIY and going all public land and not staying in a motel. Camping on BLM land is FREE for 14 days, no permit or $$ required. Thats how we did it :) .
I didn't shoot the first buck, but the second one was good eating. A decent 12.25" buck. Stalked & dropped @ 147yds.
Watch for rattlesnakes. We saw approx 8 in 4 four days (by saw; came within rattle distance :yike: )
We bought dry ice and put our meet in coolers with it. It was frozen 4 days later when I got home.
My shots (3) ranged between 147-158 yds, but on average with 13 lopes downed the average was maybe 200yds.
Best of luck getting drawn.
Post by: cohoho on March 28, 2011, 07:06:27 PM
Post by: Craig on March 28, 2011, 07:25:18 PM
Post by: Wea300mag on March 28, 2011, 07:25:31 PM
Post by: mebyrne57 on April 25, 2011, 11:03:23 AM
http://www.huntingandfishingnw.com/Feature4.html (http://www.huntingandfishingnw.com/Feature4.html)
Enjoy, it was a great time!
Mark
Post by: DeerThug on April 25, 2011, 05:54:36 PM
The only thing to add to the meat handling tips etc.
Practic crawling 30-50 yards. It is more phisically demanding than you think and that ability can make or blow a stalk. I mean really crawling and staying belly on the ground with you gun etc.
Find out the elevation. Wyo can be flat, but high elevation. That can take a toll on hy dration... drink a lot of water!
Take twizers to pull the cactus out. If you really hunt you will get them. Knee pads will really be a plus. I took an old leather apron from bucking hay and that worked really well for crawling.
Another thing we did was make a plywood cut out of a lope and used that for target practice at different yardage. Even though you may have a range finder, knowing where to hold can be a real plus.
AND DON'T SHOOT THE FIRST ONE YOU SEE. It is not deer hunting in WA.
Post by: Rob on April 26, 2011, 05:26:39 PM
As for field judging. Look for horns that fork above the ears, and have long hooks on them.
Bingo. I have hunted Prongs in Wy for 15ish of the past 18ish years and I'm headed out there again this year. Best way I find to judge a speed goat is to see how far above the tip of the ear the prong is. If it is even with or lower than the ear tip, I keep looking. It is amazing how you can think you are looking at a massive animal and then take note that the prong is not even clearing the ear. I guess the issue is that unlike members of the deer family, pronghorns racks are all the same shape so unless you are looking very carefully, it can be hard to tell. Also, females have horns too so if you decide to settle be aware of what you are shooting. bucks have a black spot on the side of their head.
We hunt north of Gillette and have yet to fail to fill all our tags (usually 2- 4 tags in our party) in the first 2-4 hrs of hunting on day one. Our prongs have ranged from 13 to 19 inches over the years with most being around 14 ish.
Best advice I can give you is that if you are hunting a place with lots of prongs, have a plan B for day two so you are not stuck sitting in town at the local coffee shop killing time. We try to go find some local varmint shooting if the weather is nice enough that they are out and about.
Check out these stats from the 2009 season (see photo). 96.74% success rate in Pronghorn tag fills statewide. That's not to shabby. I'd say depending on were you go, you will have multiple shot opportunities. So like everyone else has said, take your time and pick out the one you want.
you can get county stats here: http://gf.state.wy.us/wildlife/hunting/stats/harvest/2009/index.asp (http://gf.state.wy.us/wildlife/hunting/stats/harvest/2009/index.asp)
Post by: sled on August 14, 2011, 08:45:38 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 14, 2011, 10:50:05 PM
- Practice crawling with your rifle and hunting gear
- If you stop the truck to glass a buck, don't get out of the truck there. Drive out of sight, then work back on foot.
- One good tactic is to stop the truck below the top of a rise, then get out, sneak over the top and glass.
- After driving your area, pay attention to the basins with no visibility from a 2-track. A few hundred square feet with a 6' depression easily hides a herd; antelope learn where these spots are, they are very reliable after the first few days, especially on hard-hunted public areas.
- Most walk-in areas are very good. Most antelope hunters don't walk. See previous bullet.
- Hunting into the wind, on foot, over undulating mountain foothills is a great tactic. Lots of antelope hide in these small finger draws, especially on public ground.
- Have your rifle sighted in, and practice shooting at 100, 200, 300 yards at a minimum. If you aren't accurate, you will miss a ton of shots.
Post by: gasman on August 15, 2011, 04:54:02 AM
Post by: seth30 on August 15, 2011, 06:28:07 AM
Post by: gasman on August 15, 2011, 03:11:36 PM
Can a speed goat last the 1200 mile trip to a taxidermist?
With propper care, yes.
Post by: Rob on August 15, 2011, 07:23:03 PM
Post by: ribka on August 15, 2011, 07:40:36 PM
You do know we will all be royally po'd if you don't post photos, right??
X2 and lots of pics!!
Post by: seth30 on August 15, 2011, 07:48:57 PM
Post by: Widgeondeke on August 15, 2011, 11:01:07 PM
Sled - get dry ice in Casper the day before hunting. It will keep meat frozen/fresh for a week plus to get home.
Widgeondeke
Post by: xxlx7 on August 16, 2011, 04:34:24 PM
Kyle
Post by: cryfowl on August 18, 2011, 01:35:25 AM
Post by: gasman on August 18, 2011, 05:03:34 AM
Thats a lot of time to hunt speed goats. I dont know any one that took more then 2-3 days to fill there tag, unless they were trophy hunting. We filled 10 in 2 days and could have done it in one.
I like the freezer idea :tup:
Post by: Rob on August 18, 2011, 10:31:46 AM
Is it sad that I am almost entirely packed for my trip? I am leaving Sept. 28th and will be staying in Gillette and coming home on Oct. 8th, unless we tag out early. First time for speed goats and can't wait! Bought a chestfreezer that will fit in the back of my truck and am taking my meat grinder and vacumn sealer to process everything (I hope) before we leave.
Think of a plan B. I expect you will tag out on 10/1, or 10/2 if you are picky. Prarie dog shooting is good if the weather is nice. There is fly fishing to be had in Buffalo too. If you are a golfer, there are a couple courses in town. (personally I took up hunting so I don't have to golf).
We will be hunting between spotted horse and Recluse so we stay in Gillette as well. We plan to arrive in Gillette on 10/6, hunt 10/7, and pick up our meat on 10/8.
Should you decide to have your meat processed, Olds processing on the north end of town is dependable. they will cut, package, and freeze your meat for you. but get in as early as possible if you tag out on 10/1 or 10/2 as they fill up fast. These little old ladies run the place and it is like being run thorugh the soup nazi's line. But they are good.
http://www.manta.com/c/mtk5y0v/olds-processing (http://www.manta.com/c/mtk5y0v/olds-processing)
Granny's kitchen has a good breakfast if you want to get on the road early.
http://www.manta.com/cmap/mmd0l43/granny-s-kitchen-west (http://www.manta.com/cmap/mmd0l43/granny-s-kitchen-west)
There is a good sporting goods store on the South side of town. Rocky Mt. Discount sports I think:
http://www.bing.com/maps/Default.aspx?encType=1&v=2&ss=yp.sporting%20goods%20stores~sst.0~pg.1&where1=Gillette%2c%20WY&style=r&cp=44.293185~-105.504765&lvl=11&mkt=en-us&FORM=LLSV#bGlkPXluOTg5eDE2NTA3MTAw (http://www.bing.com/maps/Default.aspx?encType=1&v=2&ss=yp.sporting%20goods%20stores~sst.0~pg.1&where1=Gillette%2c%20WY&style=r&cp=44.293185~-105.504765&lvl=11&mkt=en-us&FORM=LLSV#bGlkPXluOTg5eDE2NTA3MTAw)
Have a great time!
Post by: Rob on August 18, 2011, 10:41:21 AM
Post by: xxlx7 on August 18, 2011, 11:47:44 AM
Post by: cryfowl on August 19, 2011, 12:48:08 AM
Post by: Rob on August 19, 2011, 08:44:45 AM
The prong are amazing, but you will be taken aback at the # of mule deer in the area. (although the #'s did get hit really hard with the winter of 2010).
Some photos to whet your appetite
Post by: Rob on August 19, 2011, 08:46:52 AM
Post by: HardCorpsHuntr on August 19, 2011, 08:54:58 AM
Lots of great advice already given. A few suggestions:
- Practice crawling with your rifle and hunting gear
- If you stop the truck to glass a buck, don't get out of the truck there. Drive out of sight, then work back on foot.
- One good tactic is to stop the truck below the top of a rise, then get out, sneak over the top and glass.
- After driving your area, pay attention to the basins with no visibility from a 2-track. A few hundred square feet with a 6' depression easily hides a herd; antelope learn where these spots are, they are very reliable after the first few days, especially on hard-hunted public areas.
- Most walk-in areas are very good. Most antelope hunters don't walk. See previous bullet.
- Hunting into the wind, on foot, over undulating mountain foothills is a great tactic. Lots of antelope hide in these small finger draws, especially on public ground.
- Have your rifle sighted in, and practice shooting at 100, 200, 300 yards at a minimum. If you aren't accurate, you will miss a ton of shots.
I'll add one to DL's that he forgot.
- If you and your partner are trying to convince each other to shoot a certain goat in front of you, give in, as it may just be a 84 incher :chuckle:
Post by: cryfowl on August 19, 2011, 12:35:29 PM
Post by: Rob on August 19, 2011, 01:25:14 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 19, 2011, 09:19:07 PM
I'll add one to DL's that he forgot.
- If you and your partner are trying to convince each other to shoot a certain goat in front of you, give in, as it may just be a 84 incher :chuckle:
That IS good advice. How are the toes?
Post by: cryfowl on August 25, 2011, 05:43:17 AM
Post by: Rob on August 25, 2011, 08:44:34 AM
We did not have any deer tags that day. We were hunting prongs only. Then we saw that monster on the way out. We watched him for a while and dad decided he wanted him. So we drove all the way to Sheridan to the G&F office (~80 miles I think) and bought a tag, then drove all the way back. When we got to the place he was, he had moved... about 50 yards. Dad shot and we had the deer.
Post by: MADMAX on September 09, 2011, 09:10:57 PM
I got the elk done now can I get a deer and 2 antelope ? , hope so.
Post by: Widgeondeke on September 12, 2011, 08:40:01 AM
Sled, I will text you pics and the camp grid coordinates later this week. I'm leaving in a few hours :IBCOOL:
BTW - my brother got there yesterday and already stuck a doe with his bow :archery_smiley: on the first day. Camp meat :cue: is waiting for us.
Post by: 300bullelk on September 12, 2011, 09:22:41 AM
Post by: Widgeondeke on September 22, 2011, 08:53:39 PM
Congrats on your camp filling 7 tags yesterday. Can't wait to see your pics and read the story :tup:
Post by: sled on September 23, 2011, 11:38:46 PM