School me on Antelope

My son is always talking about doing an antelope hunt.  Where in Wyoming would be a good place for an out of stater to go?  Years ago the tags were over the counter and ranchers hated them.  Since then, I have lost the one private land contact I had, where several guys from here hunted, access and camping fee and use of a large freezer was a bottle of Ancient Age whiskey.
Are tags still over the counter?

[Jack Skinner]

Yep pavan those were the good old days. Antelope are limited quota. What happens is res/nonres apply, there is a draw. After the draw left over full price tags go on sale (That was on the 8th I think)and it is first come first serve on the G&F web site. Then anything left after that goes on sale on the 15 of July,  usually doe/fawn reduced price tags go out to vendors and for sale to the general public. In the old days my family could come up and we would go to a vender in the area we wanted to hunt and by a few tags and have great hunt. And these hunt areas had lots of public land to hunt. Now all the left over tags are in areas with little to no public land and I dought a bottle of AA will get you in, maybe a bottle of Pappy's  :eek:

[BWallace10327]

I think antelope will school you on hunting antelope.  It looks like you have a nice blind overlooking a watering hole.  I've never had that amenity so I've relied on spot/stalk tactics.  I have rifle and bow hunted them and I believe they can tell the difference.  I have never had problems getting within 150 yards with a bow, and the times I've gotten within 50 yards with my bow in hand, they'll only trot off to 150-200 yards and then bark at me.  I had my best luck when I could keep the sun to my back when it is low during early morning or late afternoon, as it helps mitigate their excellent vision.

[Frenchymanny]

TTT, season is coming fast!

F-Manny

[Cyclic-Rivers]

The forest service has said its been super wet this year.

Any advice for hunting in those conditions?

[centaur]

Maybe this will whet your appetite. This pic is what we call a 'duck under', where goats go under fences. They will jump fences, too, but prefer to go under them.
 
The prey….
 
 
I will be hunting goats this year after a several year layoff. We have had a wet year, but they are still using waterholes. I spooked several off a hole two days ago while scouting an area.
Have fun!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Thank you Pat.

I am naive. would that trail under the fence be somewhere you would consider setting up? Or would you back off and watch to see if they are currently using it wit binoculars?

I think I found a water hole near an open gate. Its hard to tell if its on public or private land however.

[centaur]

If I had time for them to get used to the blind, I would set up on that spot. At times, several might line up to cross, so there is a bit of a traffic jam. In this case, that duck under is within 70 yards or so of a good waterhole, so I would put the blind on the water. Pretty easy to tell if they are using the fence crossing; tracks, poop, and hair all around.

[Gehrke145]

I'm headed up next week.  I thought of another must if your sitting water, sling shot with small rocks for the darn cows!

[Charlie Lamb]

Consider taking a ghillie suit along Charlie. You never hear of it from antelope hunters, but my experience is that it works like magic.

When hunting trails and fence crossings from natural blinds don't make a move to shoot until the animal is past you. They can be quite oblivious once they get past your position.

Like almost everything else they are creatures of habit (as mentioned above). Use your binoculars a lot and pay attention to how they move through the country. You'll pick up on patterns pretty quickly.
   

I noticed that antelope were funneling through the space between a hay stack yard fence and a bunch of rocks. I put up a pop up blind and bingo. Fresh antelope loin.
       

Old saying... when an antelope comes to water he kisses the water twice and the third time he drinks.
   
 
Once an antelope is done drinking they'll most often leave the water hole without hanging around.

Stay flexible in your thinking and you'll do fine.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Thank you Charlie, Great Advice which I will place in my playbook.

I see why you are taking pictures in the above post, there is an arrow already discharged.

Congrats on the Antelope. I for one will not be choosy unless animals are all over. I really dont foresee that happening so it will probably be the first kit to come in.

Hopefully My next question is about favorite recipes.

[elkken]

Antelope is mighty tasty Charlie        

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Out of curiosity. what do people do to go to the bathroom?  do they keep a  jug in the blind or do the poke out the door?

[centaur]

Just let it fly. Antelope aren't real scent sensitive, but their eyes make up for it.

[J. Holden]

Great thread!  I leave in 12 days for Buffalo WY.  Can't wait!  Thanks for letting me follow along and read all the tips.  I am using an outfitter but it's always good to hear from those that have gone before...  Good luck Mr. Janssen!

-Jeremy  

[centaur]

Jeremy, where are you hunting around Buffalo? I will hopefully be done with antelope when you arrive, but will be heading up for elk about that time. We have lots and lots of goats; hope you find a cooperative one.

[Mint]

Great thread. I'll be hunting with the Eichler's next year on an unguided antelope hunt.

I've hunted them before and I would add that if you are using a blind only have the windows open at the front facing the waterhole. If you are highlighted they will see you. Wear dark colors.

Stay in the blind till dark, sometimes they sneak in for a quick drink just before dark.

bring one of those spray bottles with a fan on it for the blind to stay cool.

Remember they are smaller than deer and are closer than they look.

Both times I went before I was holding out for a monster that I kept seeing but he never gave me a shot. This time, the first nice buck that comes along I'm taking. Just because you see big bucks doesn't mean they will come in to drink.