2017 antelope hunt

[white121]

I have a lifetime dream of taking a antelope and I am looking for any suggestions from people that have gone on hunts. There is alot of guides to choose from in multiple states, so any help would be appreciated. I should add I will be hunting rifle.

[Bob33]

Where on the spectrum are you between wanting a Boone & Crockett buck, and a doe for meat?

What do you expect a guide to do for you?

How much walking are you willing to do?

What is your budget?

You can go to Wyoming and hunt public land on your own with leftover licenses, or pay a guide $10,000+ in New Mexico to drive you to within shooting distance of a 90" buck, or anything in between.

[white121]

I'm looking for a decent buck and willing to walk miles. I would say 3000$ limit and high success rate is what I'm looking for.

[bobcat]

With no points I would say going with an outfitter in NE Wyoming on private land would be a good option. I've seen 3 day hunts advertised for $2000. Success rates on that kind of hunt will be nearly 100%. If you know how to shoot, to be successful is a sure thing. You could probably even buy two buck tags in that area if you want. Or get one buck tag and a couple doe tags.

[Bwana Bob]

White, how many points do you have for WY? no need for a guide. Been on 10 antelope hunts in WY. I'm a member at Renton. I can help you out if you need help.

[greenhead_killer]

Tagging.

[Bill W]

If it was me I'd go with a 700 area tag in Montana and a few phone calls to the local wildlife bio.   It's possible to get a B&C antelope on a DIY hunt.   All you need to do is pick an area with good genetics and then have the patience to not shoot the first antelope you see.   When talking to the bio also see if he can steer you towards spots that are either public land or in the block management program.   

While the 700 area isn't the best area in the state for big antelope it is the best area for drawing tags. 

[white121]

Thanks for the replies. I need to start figuring out these out of state points systems and start putting in. Can you put in ghost points like you can here in Washington just to build points?

[greenhead_killer]

Yes you can. I've got 4 antelope points for Wyoming for when I'm ready to finally pull the trigger and go. Want to be ready. You can buy them up till sept 1st I think, and just buy the point

[Bob33]

Yes you can. I've got 4 antelope points for Wyoming for when I'm ready to finally pull the trigger and go. Want to be ready. You can buy them up till sept 1st I think, and just buy the point

The deadline is October 31.

[ornrybass]

Rifle is a little bit tougher to draw here in Utah but if you do draw I would be happy to help you out.

[JLS]

If it was me I'd go with a 700 area tag in Montana and a few phone calls to the local wildlife bio.   It's possible to get a B&C antelope on a DIY hunt.   All you need to do is pick an area with good genetics and then have the patience to not shoot the first antelope you see.   When talking to the bio also see if he can steer you towards spots that are either public land or in the block management program.   

While the 700 area isn't the best area in the state for big antelope it is the best area for drawing tags.

The antelope populations in the 700 area have really taken a hit in the last decade. 

[lhrbull]

call Big Horn outfitters in Wyoming they provide a great hunt for over the average antelope

[USMC86]

Really late jumping into this thread, but hopefully I can offer some advice.  We've hunted them every year in WY since the early 90's, plus a bunch in NM and Nevada. 
1) Drawing a tag outside of Wyoming and Montana takes time.  Sometimes a lifetime.  We apply in every state that offers antelope hunts and so far, WY has consistently been the easiest.  You can literally hunt there every year.
2) The amount of money that you mention is more than enough to enjoy a really nice hunt.  It won't get you a hunt in NM, or an outfitted hunt with folks like Pronghorn Guide Service (check out there facebook page if you want to see some dandies), but it absolutely will get you a nice guided hunt in Montana or Wyoming.
3) Which leads me to my next point- you don't need a guide to hunt antelope.  Although guides can be helpful in judging antelope- and often they are also the best option to get a good NM ranch hunt- a DIY for pronghorn is fun, and couldn't be easier to put together. Our annual approach is to put in for a difficult unit in WY as our first choice (57, 60, 53, etc.; basically the south central units) and an easy draw unit in the eastern part of the state (usually around Douglas or Gilette) as our second.  We usually don't draw our first choice (but have been blessed to draw a few great tags over the years, and build preference points in between), do draw our second, pay an access fee to the rancher and go hunt for a couple days.  Fly in and out of Denver, stay in a Holiday Inn Express, eat lots of Mexican food, easy!  All in, it's about $1,000 per person with flights, tags, etc, and a fun hunt with lots of animals to look over. 
4) I'd also strongly recommend applying in Nevada.  They make you buy a nonresident license to apply, but for minimal money after that you can put in for antelope, elk, sheep, mule deer, etc.  Over the years, Dad and I have both pulled elk and antelope tags and the quality of the hunt is exceptional.  Great trophy quality, tons of public land and really good outfitters.

Hope that this helps.  If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ping me.