Antelope on the Brain....

[gregg dudley]

Lately I have been seeing antelope in my sleep.  Having never hunted the species, my knowledge is limited to what I have seen on TV or read in magazines.

Help me out.  

1.  Where do I want to go for a good chance at an antelope?

2.  Who do I want to go with?  I am thinking about doing this guided or semi-guided.

3.  What are the questions I should be asking?

Since I am an educator, I really would need to find an early season hunt.  Early August would be best.  That may be too early, but that is part of what I don't know.

Throw me some hints.

Thanks.

I should add that I am probably 2 or 3 years out on this.  It usually takes me that long to save the money to go!

[Kamm1004]

colorado and wyoming. Best states IMO.  Good draw results for non residents. The property I hunt along the Colorado/Wyoming border is consistently packed with herds up to 50 or more at a time. And u can't drive thru the countryside without seeing dozens.

[Wiley Coyote]

Spearhead Ranch. I would go back in a heart beat. Wyoming. Your problem might be timing as I don't think the archery season there opens till the third week in August??? Not sure about that. Anyway we had numerous chances inside 20 yards. The Moore family were awesome hosts and guides. You can't go wrong going there!!      

[Mike Yancey]

Wyoming has August 15 opener and is the best. You need to apply by mid March. The Wy g&f has info on walk in areas and you can contact local coc in good counties that have land owners that offer hunting by fee.
Best hunt out there!
Mike

[Kamm1004]

dont overlook montana either. I hunted mule deer two years back in eastern montana near South Dakota in custer park,and saw tons of antelope and some real shooters too! btw thats public land and is kind of plains/hilly with some pine trees, deep ravines, and lots of water. Shouldn't be too hard to put a stalk on or sit on a watering hole.

[scbowhnter]

I think you better plan on two trips!!! One early season to hunt over water and another a later to catch the rut and use a decoy.

Granted, I now make my living selling decoys but decoying antelope has to be some of the best fun a bowhunter can have. Timing is critical as a week too early or late can take the wind out of their sails. But man when you get it right it will get your blood a pumping!! Or at least it does mine.

[gregg dudley]

Thanks for the great information, guys!  I will follow up on these suggestions.

[huntnmuleys]

And be ready to be surprised how good the meat is. Love the stuff.

[snufer]

What huntmulets said! Be sure to get it skinned and cooled down as soon as possible. I shot one a few years ago and a friend and I skinned it and put the meat in a cooler with the pulses still throbing! Excellent eating!!
On the other hand, I also shot an older buck in the rut and my dog turned up his nose at the meat! (This dog would eat an old shoe!)
Have fun wherever you go.

[KentuckyTJ]

Pick me up on your way through Gregg!

[Breakfast Boy]

Spearhead Ranch or Full Draw Outfitters (Fred Eichler's outfit).  Either one is spoken of highly.  That being said, when I went in 2009 I went with Big Sky Outfitters in Montana...

 www.bigskyoutfitters.net

Greg, Big Sky has a Facebook page and you can also look through my Facebook photos from our hunt out there.  My pics will show you the lodging and some of the terrain/scenery, blinds, etc.  But don't be shocked when you see I was using a wheelie bow that hunt...Lol!  Was going through some shoulder issues that year.


-Jameson Olson

[Flingblade]

I'm going back to Nebraska this year for the aug. 20th opener.  I'm hunting a ranch in the northwest corner that is 1 mile from wyoming and 3 miles from south dakota.  Saw alot of nice antelope, missed one, but had a good time.  Hunted out of treestands and blinds on alfalfa instead of waterholes as there had been good amounts of rain.  Semi guided was $800 and the tag is over the counter cost $155.  If interested pm me for more info..

[gregg dudley]

Great information guys!  I will definitely send a pm or two tonight. Thanks so much.

[gregg dudley]

Thanks again for the information!  Looks like the season starts a bit later than I had hoped it did in most places.  I'm going to keep on researching and find a way to make it work.

[Montanawidower]

Montana is lousy... don't bother.

I hit these with a truck.  

2010
 

2011
 

[Breakfast Boy]

Originally posted by Montanawidower:
Montana is lousy... don't bother.

I hit these with a truck.