Pronghorn antelope

[smilinicon]

Hello to all,

I am getting back into archery after a long layoff with medical issues. I also hit the big 5 0 this year and I want to start livin' some dreams. Two biggies would be to hunt elk and antelope. I will start with antelope. They have held me spellbound ever since I first saw them on a trip across the country in 1973.

I am thinking of working with an outfitter that is used to traditional archery clients, though a DIY type hunt is not out of the question. I am still undecided on which state and other details and just now doing research into my options. I would like to hear from anyone who has, like me, wanted to hunt antelope and traveled west to do so.

   

Thanks and Happy New Year,

Cary

[Mike Yancey]

Do yourself a favor and do the antelope, you will have a blast! They were made to bow hunt, I have hunted them all over the west but WY is the best. You can do a DIY but a guided one for your first trip is a good deal as well. Once you get out there you can start checking out the area for a DYI later.
Mike

[Steve O]

Listen to Mike!

Also, antelope is fun to do with a group.  Get your hunting buddies together and head west.

[Montanawidower]

I have hunted mostly elk and whitetails, but a few years back I started sitting waterholes.  It is as close as I'll ever come to Africa.  Seeing a group of pronghorns working your way from a mile off is something every bowhunter should experience.  It is crazy how exciting it can be.  On the flip side, be prepared to sweat!!!

[traditional beagle]

Yep, Wyoming is the deal. Only been once but it was a great hunt with an outfitter. Would not do a DIY hunt 1st. time either but possible after you figure out what you are supposed to do.

[fireman_3311]

Mike, that wall is awesome!!!

I'll be headed back to Wyoming this august for my 5th trip for speedgoats!!!  Fun critters!!!

My first

 

2nd...

 

3rd...

 

And this past year, my best!

 

[silvertip73]

Never done the antelope thing with trad gear, but can't wait to try!

[Wiley Coyote]

My buddy and I went to the Spearhead Ranch in Wyoming last September. That was the most awesome hunt ever. Close shots and lots of animals. The Moore family bent over backwards to accommodate us. We both got fine bucks. We will return some day......  

[Wiley Coyote]

Arrowed this buck Sept.8/10 Super Shrew longbow with a 2216 and an Ace Express broadhead.

[smilinicon]

thanks to all for replies,

I am currently researching different outfitters as I am planning to do it for sure. Perhaps this season if things work out.

fireman_3311, I saw your pics on the BW Photo gallery  

Cary

[Bowwild]

I may be headed back to WY this September for antelope also. I've done two antelopehunts, both DIY.  The first one I had only a doe/fawn tag and killed a doe coming to alfalfa.  The second one I had an either sex tag and hunted 45 miles west of Casper. Lots of antelope but they weren't using the waterholes during the hours we were watching. One of the three in our party killed a buck antelope. I didn't get any closesr than 80-100 yards. We were too late for decoy use.

There is lots of public land with thousands of antelope thanks to the Walk-in-Hunting program. WY has good maps of these lands too.  However, if you can afford a guided hunt for sure that would be the way to go.  I turned down an alfalfa hunt on a ranch I used to hunt every year in the 80's because the access fee was $500. The fee exists because the rancher has leased the place to some out-of-state hunters and they wanted the $500 (each) to allow my buddy and I to hunt their lease with bows.

This was probably very dumb because this ranch has irrigated alfalfa and the fields have antelope in them all day. I just thought $500 was too much money -- I know, I'm using faulty math: Gas cost $600 there and back, license is $286, we could camp for free on the ranch, etc. DUMB of me to turn this down as I'm 99% confident we would have killed buck antelope.

[smilinicon]

thanks Wiley, have looked into the Spearhead Ranch. It looks great and is close enough for me to visit my friend that works at the Rapid City Cabela's (if I drive).

Bowwild, the more I look into it, the more $500 seems like a great price to pay.      

Do any upland seasons open that early for a possible combo hunt? (will look when I get a chance)

[Cocklebur]

That is something I would like to do someday. What is the deadline to apply in Wyoming?

[ksbowman]

Here is a buck I got 4 years ago on a Wyoming DIY five of us went and four of us got an antelope, the fifth could have if he had kept hunting another day. It was all on BLM and land enrolled in the walk in program.              

[smilinicon]

WY DNR NR Info  

Here is a link for NR hunters from the WY DNR site.

[carbonflyr]

mike!!! man you got some niiice goats there,
       

[mikebiz]

That goat wall is SIIIIIIIIICK!  I hope to making my first trip to Yellowstone next year.  Not hunting, but I can't wait for all the wildlife viewing, especially all the big mammals.  That said I would love to do a pronghorn hunt someday.  Good luck to any of you that go.

[traditional beagle]

Made it Douglas, WY. for the first time Aug. 2010. For an eastern hunter the West is an amazing place. Makes you want to re-locate. So big and so many antelope. For sure planning on going back. Antelope has been my most enjoyable hunt ever.

[Flingblade]

Smilinicon,  I too have been wanting to do my first antelope hunt.  If you are interested in another hunter sharing the trip let me know.  I have looked at Spearhead ranch in WY and an outfitter that books through Bowhunting Safari Consultants in NE South Dakota. Spearheads website is spearheadranch.com.  I am just north of you in MI.  I would also be open to a DIY hunt in WY or NW South Dakota.  SD tags are over the counter; not sure about WY.  SD requires bowhunter dafety course to get a license so I am planning on taking that this spring.  
Gary

[J. Adams]

we have plenty of prairie goats for you to hunt here in NM too.

here is the link to the NM Dept of Game & Fish:

 www.wildlife.state.nm.us

Good luck to you!