For those getting an antelope, what was preferred method for hunting them? Spot/stalk, blind, decoy, etc? And those with close encounters.
Lookin into a South Dakota trip at some point in time and would be interested in hearing. Thx Mike
Getting excited about the season coming up. Here is my experience. I don’t have all the experience in the world but here is how I approach it
Water holes are the early season method. Most scout water holes the antelope frequent and set up a blind. Me personally it’s too hot and I hate sitting still.
I like the chase and spot and stalk with decoying seems effective. last year was my first year connecting with the longbow. The reason was the bucks were rutting hard! Sept is all about bear and elk usually but I switched it up. What a good decision. Long story short was with a days trip east to eastern Montana I got on three different groups. First one I busted.
Second I weaseled into 100 yards and laid down while a buck hung with his does. Another buck came on the scene and just as one doe was heading my way the buck cut her back in. Then he saw the other buck and he was off. Like fighter jets, one chased the other and in seconds they were gone.
Third was the charm. I spotted what I thought was a lone young buck. Size means nothing to me so I was off to the races! I slipped into 40 and if I would have been there a little sooner I could have had a shot. He walked out of the depression, and I started taking my shoes off for added stealth. Just then I caught a doe out of no where staring me down. Another doe was with here and flirting with the young buck and boom! Here comes the stud chasing off the young buck passing in front of me at mere feet. I joke I could have tripped them both. Lucky for me the young buck took a straight coarse away and the big boy made the mistake of doubling back at 17. Once he stopped I sent the wood (Barta style!). Great day
Point is in mid sept they are all rutted up and chasing each other like crazy. And if you can muster not chasing elk (same or close rutting time) there is no one around. I saw 0 hunters. When I was laying with the second group, they were between me and a road for about an hour. Each truck I saw coming I cringed at thinking they were going to blow the lopes out. No one even hesitated. Also, I hunt in country that has a lot of topography which makes stalking easier...
Get a tag. The non res app for MT is something around 250. 600 and 700 regions are healthy with antelope. The 900 tag is an archery only tag and pretty much guaranteed. My brother will be out from PA to have some fun. He drew first go no bonus points. Compare that to elk and deer and it’s a bargain. They are prolific, up all day, and a blast to chase. Good luck
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