2017 Hunt Planning - Two Questions

[Bowwild]

I've been in planning mode for my brother, son, and best friend for a couple of weeks. Actually, it seems I never quit.

We went to WY on a DIY antelope hunt just outside Cheyenne this past August (3 of us). My best friend killed a nice buck. My brother missed one and the closest I had was 105 yards.  Saw them every day of course, lots of fun but very difficult, open country to hunt. There were 6 waterholes but we could only hunt 2 of them due to cattle usage (rancher rule). I remain without a buck antelope with a bow. (Killed a doe several years ago).  This was first time I hunted waterhole blinds - BRUTAL heat, in fact unbearable for my brother.

I have an Osceola hunt arranged in Florida 3rd week of March this year. It will be my first for Osceola. If I kill this bird I'll have an archery slam (4).

Had been about to drop deposits on tree stand/blind elk hunt in SW Colorado ($2,500 total hunt package) but turned it down 2 days ago. My buddy is still recovering from the tree stand fall and we lost a deposit for a moose hunt a few years ago because of health.  We need to make sure of his condition before we pull the trigger on something other than DIY.

Now I'm working on WY again (different ranch) or Nebraska.  Trying to make it antelope, mule deer, and Merriams turkey. Shooting for first or second week of September. Hitting the antelope rut seems to be very difficult?  There doesn't seem to be a consensus about when it is (early Sept - early Oct.).  Pretty strange to me because I'm sure it is daylight triggered (actually lack of daylight) like with whitetails.

What are you plans?

Anyone have experience with Nebraska antelope or Mulie?

[Jeff D. Holchin]

I was hunting WY the last week of September (elk) this past fall and then drove to my next hunt on Oct. 1:  the antelope were chasing like crazy those last days of September and on October 1.

[Bowwild]

Thanks Jeff!

[Whip]

Decoying antelope is a blast,  and from my limited experience I'd say later in September would be prime time.  One factor to keep in mind though is the timing of rifle hunts.  Many areas have rifle seasons cutting that time and you wouldn't want to try decoys during that time for obvious reasons.  Start your planning by checking season dates for rifle in the areas you are considering.

[mnbwhtr]

Roy, Everywhere I've hunted antelope the rut occurs within 3 days of the 20th of Sept. In the 70's I hunted every other year near Gillette. The 20th was always best. In North Dakota three years the 20th was the best. In South Dakota the last few years the 20th has been the best. I think you a pattern, they will be rutting on the 20th. If I couldn't make it on the 20th, I'd go as shortly as I could after the 20th.