Range of Pronghorn Hunting

[rodwhaincamo]

Having just driven through the desert near the mountains I noticed many pronghorn in small groups out in open country.
I've read that they have exellent eyesight, which they rely heavily on, and what I recall having read concerning hunting them were small to medium caliber magnums being used from long ranges.
What kind of hunting methods do you use for them? Seems walking/stalking would be highly difficult. What kind of ranges do you shoot from?

[Colorado Redneck]

Antelope ain't the brightest animal on earth. However, after they have been shot at and chased by "hunters" in trucks, they get spooked really easy.

Stalking them is fun, and you don't have to be Daniel Boone. Try to approach them from down wind and stay low so they can't see you. doing some "before season" scouting can help you find places where they might be during season.

25-06 is my number one choice. 243 is good. 270. 257 Roberts. If you think you might shoot at 400 yards a Weatherby 240 or 257 is as flat shooting as there is. 7mm-08. 30-06. 7 mm Rem Mag. I dunno---the list is endless. Some guys shoot 300 win mags at Antelopes.

[Brandy]

Agree 100%. We killed 4 last year including my buddy's nice buck (120 yards) with Savage 99s in 300 Savage. Camo, cover and terrain will get you a shot at 250 or less.

[rodwhaincamo]

Colorado: What's the closet you're generally able to get to them? Most of what I saw was fairly flat with some slightly rolling hills. Almost reminded me of driving through Oklahoma and Kansas.
From what I saw they looked to be about the size of Texas hill country deer (100-130 lbs). I would think 25 or 26 caliber would be plenty.
The one thing concerning me is how gusty it always seemed to be.

[HiBC]

Drive around folks ,IMO,aren't hunting.They are just running all the antelope out of the country.
I hunt them with my boots and a .257 AI. I know where I'm going,and I go in before dawn .I see antelope as the light comes on.They are not so dumb.That lone doe you see off a wayson high ground is a sentinal.The herd can see her,and often she can see you.Use the texture of the land to travel.If you can't see them,they can't see you.Your head up on high ground,they will see you.Move,they will see you.You can't see them,they are in defilade,low ground.I have gone to the bottom of a bowl,pulled a poncho liner over me,and taken a nap to wake up with a herd sharing the low ground
I have knee pads and gauntlet work gloves with the fingers cut off because I crawl through prickly pear.
Have a laser or know how to estimate range with a scope reticle.Open country will fool you.Ther will be some wind and mirage.Antelope season is warm.They aren't hard to kill cleanly,but wound them and they are heart breaking tough.A dicipline to accept,just because you can see them does not mean shoot.If you are a Hunter,you can get within 200 or 300 yds.If you are a tourist with a gun,you will try very long shots.
I have finished a cripple lasered at over 700.(Not mine)I have killed two at over 400,both were one shot kills,but neither was hit just where I was aiming.Just a little wind error matters.Now,I have decided,less gun,more hunting.I suggest less than 400,for sure.How far can you get a first round cold barrel hit in a little breeze on an 8" paper plate?Not bench rest,field shooting?

I you do get one,get the bladder out while it is still full,get the hide off quick,and get it refrigerated same day.It is superb meat but easy to ruin in warm weather.

[Daryl]

Antelope are sharp-eyed, but they aren't that hard to stalk. Use low ground and cover to hide your movement on a stalk.

Antelope are also fairly easy to predict. They don't like to jump fences, and they'll use the same spot to go through one. I've taken two antelope bucks with a bow, and one with a rifle at fence crossings.

Stalking them is the most fun, and most challenging way IMO. In very open country I use small folks in the ground to hide my movement, and you'll be amazed at how close you can get.

Daryl

[Scorch]

Antelope really are a lot of fun to hunt, no need getting up in the middle of the night or sneaking through scratchy brush. Most of the ones I shot were ambushed at a water hole (easy pickins), and one I walked up on. We had watched him the evening before, and I got close in the dark (before sunrise). When the sun came up, he was about 100 yds out.

[rodwhaincamo]

The vegetation I noticed through those states were small scrubby stuff. Nothing over a foot tall, and the ground mostly flat, which was why I asked about the hunting methods. Seems extremely hard to stalk in the areas I saw without army crawling the entire time.
The wind is what has me concerned most. I wouldn't feel comfortable shooting beyond 300 yds, and more like 2. The trajectory isn't a problem as I can zero for 250 and still be within the zone to 300.
Thanks for the advice, and sounds like a real challenge!

[oneounceload]

They are VERY curious animals. My friends and I have been able to decoy them in fairly close with a white rag. One friend bow hunts them - hides behind a nice sage and waves the rag frantically - they come close enough for him to stick them. Personally, I like anything from .243 and up. In northern NV, you can be looking at shots from 50 to 350 yards. Find a waterhole and watch where they go to and fro from. In NV, it is illegal to sit AT the waterhole, but if you learn which trail they're using, you can get close to them.

They don't call them "speed goats" for nothing - seems like 0-60 like a 911 Turbo

[mete]

My very limited experience with pronghorns includes a drive where we were suddenly escorted by one while doing a steady 55 mph. He paced us for some distance then got bored and left us in the dust.At 55 he gave no indication of any effort and when he accelerated he must have hit 70 !! Large lungs and esophogus make him a runner. Anyone else have some actual numbers ?

[Colorado Redneck]

Rod--I have only shot a few of them goats. Last fall was the farthest, a bit over 350 yards broad side with a 270. It knew I was there, and was looking at me and then turned and actually stood broad side.

My son and I stalked a bunch of does a few years ago, and we got within 200 yards. He braced himself on my shoulder while I covered my ears and he dropped one in its tracks. (25-06) Again, she was looking right at us...we had stooped down and weaved around in some gullys and draws to get closer. When we slowly straightened up, they were all looking our way. Meantime, a pickup full of guys had driven up on a hill behind us and stopped and were watching the whole thing.

Another time I was walking through some large sage brush in southern Wyoming. A herd of antelope ran right in front of me and then stopped. I couldn't believe it. I picked the biggest doe and shot her off hand at about 150 yards. And then---get this--they started to run, but a couple of bucks turned and stopped. I was really wishing I had a buck license about then.

So, in my experience, you can't make a difinitive statement. There are places where the ground is flat and there is no cover. Long shots are likely the only chance you have. But if there is rolling hills or gullies or sage brush, you should be able to get close enough. It is great fun. Lots of public land in Wyoming.

[30-30remchester]

I have hunted them for years in the northwest corner of Colorado with great sucess. In this region I was able to approach close enough to shoot 2 with open sighted handguns, as there were many draws and revines. I thought that after 25+ goats I knew it all. Then I hunted last year on the southeast plains of Colorado and found out that unseen approachs were very difficult or impossible and 400 yard shots were common place and nessasary if you wanted antelope for supper.

[FrankenMauser]

If you hunt in the right type of terrain, 25-75 yard shots are easy.

However, antelope like open country, with mildly rolling hills (where the 25-75 yard shots are hard to find). You really have to work, to stay out of sight.

The 2008 and 2009 Antelope seasons were the shortest collection of (successful) shots I have seen, in quite some time. Although we did have two shots over 550 yards, almost everything else came in at less than 250. The shots that really skewed the data were two fawns shot at about 70 yards and 15 yards, and a 100 yard shot on a doe. Everything else was in the 200-250 range.

Those seasons were our first real attempts at stalking, though. As kids, we grew up under the wings of "truck hunters" (for antelope), and took it as the norm. We grew up watching hunts end with 400, 500, 600, and 700+ yard shots; and always heard the stories of my grandpa's 900 and 1000 yard shots. It wasn't until '08 and '09, that we ignored our elders, and started really trying to close the distance on foot.

Even in 2007, after a 2 mile stalk, one of my brothers and I had "close" shots, for that year, at 650 yards (simultaneous shots - his in the chest; mine in the left eye).

Overall, I would put our average past shots at 400 yards. However - hunters that are willing to stalk, and be patient, can usually close that to about 200 (some years, the antelope are just spooked too badly). As I said above; in the right terrain, you can regularly get to the 50-100 yard range - with a little effort.

[FrankenMauser]

They don't call them "speed goats" for nothing - seems like 0-60 like a 911 Turbo

Yep. Last year, I showed my wife what they're capable of - by paralleling a heard spooked by another hunter. It was a dirt road, but in good condition. I called out the speed and watched the road, while she kept her eyes on the goats. They beat us to top speed, but we caught up, and held 55 mph for more than 3/4 mile. They had plenty more in them, but turned quickly, crossed behind us, and dropped into a gully.

They really are amazingly agile (other than the "we're afraid to jump fences" issue). They can stop on a dime, turn on a pin head, and accelerate like rockets.

[elkman06]

but we caught up, and held 55 mph for more than 3/4 mile

Well, though interesting enough, this would pretty much make you guilty of harassing wildlife, now wouldn't it? I would turn you in for this my friend. Don't come to Wyo..okay?

I personally have done the spot and stalk method on them. If I did see them from the rig, I got out and used the local terrain to my advantage. 300yd shots are not uncommon.
elkman06

[Brandy]

Geeze don't tell em' not to come to WY. Shooting at flatlanders on ATVs who're chasing speed goats is more fun than anything. And the GD ATVs are so noisy, they don't hear the misses! (Just funnin!)

[FrankenMauser]

Well, though interesting enough, this would pretty much make you guilty of harassing wildlife, now wouldn't it? I would turn you in for this my friend. Don't come to Wyo..okay?

Did I say I was chasing them? Did I say I spooked them? Did I say how far away I was? Did you actually read the post?

If you live in Wyoming; you should know, very well, that there are ways to pace an antelope without harassing it. The Harassment of Wildlife charge is very discretionary. I can give you a 99% guarantee, that given the circumstances and location, no wildlife officer would have considered it harassment.

If what I did last year (remember, you weren't there) was considered harassment - then every antelope / vehicle collision should be considered poaching.

I'll see you in September, Elkman. Remember: Look for the cheek patch!

[cornbush]

Well, though interesting enough, this would pretty much make you guilty of harassing wildlife, now wouldn't it? I would turn you in for this my friend. Don't come to Wyo..okay?

I was there, the reason they spooked was they were coming over a hill I just happened to be driving up.
There was no harrassing, he was simply showing his wife what they can do.
The goats were not right next to the road, were not being "chased", and were not pursued after they crossed behind.
The lady happens to be from New York and was absolutely in awe of the beauty and peculiartities of the antelope.

Don't come to Wyo..okay?

She is all for hunting after that trip, if you were not there, maybe you shouldn't judge so quick.
Or maybe its just that we're "those damn ouda' staters".

Brandy- not once has anyone in my family hunted off ATV's.

[Brandy]

That's good, you'll be safe.

[elkman06]

Yep, I know where you're from guys. Remember Frank, you said you "caught up" to them...Your words. Anyway,, have fun, just remember we keep an eye on things here too..

showing his wife what they can do

Pacing for 3/4 mile is a parrallel course, unless math is different in Utah...hmm, might be I guess.
You should have stopped and let them do as they chose. Instead you continued a chase situation in their minds..that equates to causing them stress and therefore harrassment.

those damn ouda' staters

Is that how you talk down there?
Have we covered the two on one gang up?
It is truly amazing how some people don't ever see the mistakes in their actions. You can learn if you pay attention to them.
I have been watching the invasion the last few years and while the G&F is happy to collect your money, I see our resources being depleted, I see hunters afield who don't read the regs and know what to do about their kills in CWD areas. I watched a group last year who drank most of the night, slept till 3 and then drove around in their Super Duty until dark, killing whatever 2pt buck happened to come out onto the right of way at dusk just to be shot from the road. Not hunters in my book. I don't doubt there are some respectful people in the bunch but as a group, I will take Ca hunters. They typically have invested alot to get here, stay longer and want a higher quality experience. Same w/ most of the people from back east.
Anyway, I have admittedly shown my predjudice here and you guys have shown your wiilingness to try and justify your actions. I just hope you think about it on your next trip here.
elkman06

[Crankylove]

I have been watching the invasion the last few years and while the G&F is happy to collect your money,

It must be horrible for you to watch money from out of state contribute to the conservation and management of your local wildlife. All those silly people from other states, dumping money into Wyoming to help make your hunting experience a little better............what are they thinking? I hope you never plan on hunting Caribou in Canada, Bear in Alaska, or maybe some African plainsgame............that would make you the invader, wouldn't it?

I watched a group last year who drank most of the night, slept till 3 and then drove around in their Super Duty until dark, killing whatever 2pt buck happened to come out onto the right of way at dusk just to be shot from the road. Not hunters in my book. I don't doubt there are some respectful people in the bunch but as a group, I will take Ca hunters. They typically have invested alot to get here, stay longer and want a higher quality experience. Same w/ most of the people from back east.

I am glad to see you an open minded individual, and don't lump all out of state hunters in the same lot since they don't hunt exactly the same way you do.

I just hope you think about it on your next trip here.

We will be there in September, be glad to have ya tag along..............if you could stand to be seen in the company of some Utah hunters.

[FrankenMauser]

It's clear that you're simply biased against out of state hunters, and will not accept that more than just myself judged the situation to be something other than a pursuit or harassment. I won't argue any more.

However - Crankylove makes a good point.
I don't enjoy seeing A*hole trophy hunters destroy wildlife in my state, either. But, I understand that the stupid system put in place to get massive amounts of cash from them is what allows me to still purchase an Elk tag over-the-counter for less money than a tank of gas. I am still able to hunt affordably, simply, and only, because of the idiot out of state hunters.


I'm sure this topic has drifted into oblivion, but if it is salvageable....
To rehash the subject - The average shot I have seen is about 400 yards. If you're not careful, you'll spook them before that (antelope have been shown to recognize predators up to a mile away, but wait for them to expend energy in getting closer). If you watch what you're doing, use the terrain, and know how to stalk; you can close the distance to 25 yards or less.

[kraigwy]

Horses:

Antilope live on range land, either private or government leased range land.

They are use to cows and horses. As you get close, you can get off the horse and use them for cover as you work yourself closer.

Remember, as good as antilope eyes are, they dont know how many legs a horse has.

[wyobohunter]

Insectohorse

You can also set up on a watering hole. Where I come from (SW Wyoming) watering holes can be pretty few an far between. Set up near a watering hole and glass the country while occasionally glancing at the water.

[FrankenMauser]

You can also set up on a watering hole. Where I come from (SW Wyoming) watering holes can be pretty few an far between. Set up near a watering hole and glass the country while occasionally glancing at the water.

Indeed.

Even better, is setting up between two (or more) watering holes. Where I hunt, it is possible to set up right in the center of what could be seen as a pentagon, or a triangle (depending on whether two of the holes have dried up). The Antelope do a 10-15 mile loop around the water holes, every day; beginning and ending at the same one.

A good vantage point gives me the ability to see which herds are where, and let my anticipate where they'll be at any given time. (Even if they are spooked by other hunters, they tend to return to their normal loop.)