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Author Topic: Hart Mountain Pronghorn (UPDATED with pics)  (Read 7545 times)

Offline Elkstuffer

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Hart Mountain Pronghorn (UPDATED with pics)
« on: June 19, 2017, 04:50:28 PM »
After 18 years of applying I finally pulled the only nonresidrent archery antelope tag for Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge. The hunt starts on Aug 3rd so I have a ton of research to do before then. Being 9+ hours away scouting is going to be tough.

 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!!!!!!
« Last Edit: August 15, 2017, 05:27:55 PM by Elkstuffer »
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Offline kselkhunter

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2017, 05:12:25 PM »
Good luck.  That's a great tag.  I've never been lucky enough to draw. 

Offline boneaddict

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2017, 05:30:36 PM »
They have specific areas they like to hang out on the refuge.   Holy wide open!   

Offline go4steelhd

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn
« Reply #3 on: June 19, 2017, 06:01:25 PM »
Great tag :tup:
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.
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Offline Elkstuffer

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2017, 05:27:27 PM »
Got home this last Saturday and trying to get back into the swing of things :(
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!
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Offline grundy53

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn (UPDATED with pics)
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2017, 05:34:00 PM »
Congratulations! Great hunt and best of all you got to share it with your son!

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Offline Timberstalker

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn (UPDATED with pics)
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2017, 05:37:52 PM »
Wow!  Awesome hunt. Thanks for sharing this with us! 
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Offline Dode

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn (UPDATED with pics)
« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2017, 05:47:38 PM »
Congrats Ric! :tup: Beautiful goat, and that's awesome that you got to share the experience with your boy. Memories I'm sure you guys will never forget!
Mountain top!

Offline carpsniperg2

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn (UPDATED with pics)
« Reply #8 on: August 15, 2017, 06:23:42 PM »
Congrats  :IBCOOL:
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Offline Blacktail Sniper

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn (UPDATED with pics)
« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2017, 06:28:39 PM »
Nice  :tup:
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Offline Widgeondeke

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn (UPDATED with pics)
« Reply #10 on: August 15, 2017, 07:01:04 PM »
Nice slope. Sounds like it was well earned  :tup:

Offline Halo

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn (UPDATED with pics)
« Reply #11 on: August 15, 2017, 07:07:52 PM »
Congrats, Oregon antelope is no easy task, I hunted Juniper a couple years ago, I know.

Offline Bob33

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn (UPDATED with pics)
« Reply #12 on: August 15, 2017, 07:10:20 PM »
Shooting a nice pronghorn with a bow is a real accomplishment. Congratulations.
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Offline boneaddict

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn (UPDATED with pics)
« Reply #13 on: August 15, 2017, 07:12:30 PM »
That's fantastic.  I'm glad it worked out so well.   

Offline Dan-o

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Re: Hart Mountain Pronghorn (UPDATED with pics)
« Reply #14 on: August 15, 2017, 07:15:19 PM »
Wow..... with a bow!!!!
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