How does one get into antelope hunting?

[mikeg1005]

My friend and I would like to try hunting out west some day(from IL).

Elk hunting sounds like a very fun time, but realistically speaking we'd like to have something a little more reasonable in price for a first time out west hunting, both of us like shooting longer range stuff and we figured antelope would be a decent start.

I have been looking around online and I talking to people, most say that Wyoming is probably the best place to go with regards to prices and luck of getting something.

So where does one start? Does one pay the price and get a guide, or try their luck on their own w/o one? Part of me wants to get a guide since I am not fimiliar with the area and will not have countless months in advance to scout for the best hunting locations. Online website seem to be pretty vague, they give you a price range and then the duration of the hunt, not a lot of detail on the rest. Unfortunately the outdoor show that comes to Chicago every year will not be around anymore(awesome right ) I remember they had A LOT of outfitters there from out west.

So far the best priced one I found is "Wyoming Trophy Hunts"... $1100 + tag for 3 days of hunting, I think I'm going to shoot them an emial with more detail.

With regards to the hunt itself... a trophy animal would be cool, but we are there more for the experience, so getting anything would be acceptable.

Any help from the veterens would be greatly appriciated.

Thanks,

Mike.

 

[RioHondoHank]

So far the best priced one I found is "Wyoming Trophy Hunts"... $1100 + tag for 3 days of hunting, I think I'm going to shoot them an emial with more detail.

You can hunt much cheaper than that. I hunt in SE Wyoming in unit 35 and only pay $100 for trespass fee + license, including campsite on 33,000 acres. Of course it is not guided, but I have always been successful and don't see the need for a guide unless you are looking for a record trophy.

 

[squirrelduster]

If you're not after a monster pick an area you can get a tag easily then purchase a map from BLM. Just remember they can see you at ridiculous distances.
Have fun.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Quit a few guys here have hunted here. In fact there is a group there right now. Wyoming Antelope | Antelope Hunting | Elk Hunting | Deer Hunting | Tyler Sims Outfitting. Send them and email and they will send you a packet with everything you need to get you started.

 

[HARPERC]

Antelope is a very do able non-resident DIY hunt. I'd start with the maps and nail down where I was going to hunt then apply. The variables of the point systems is a fair sized subject. While certainly not necessary there are good outfitters, that earn their money smoothing out some of the wrinkles. Doesn't hurt to talk to the pro's.

 

[trebark]

Me and a buddy went to Wyoming this year on a DIY antelope hunt. The adventure started in January when we put in for tags. We looked over the WY Game and Fish website and found the areas where the draw results were very good. We put in as a group so that we either both drew tags or neither of us drew tags. Luckily, we both drew tags. Once we knew our hunt area we started online scouting...google earth and I bought the huntinggpsmaps.com SD card for my Garmin GPS. We also started asking questions on this board and emailing/PMing people that we knew were in Wyoming or had hunted there. They provided a lot of info on how to hunt. Once we arrived, we started chatting up the locals on how and where they hunt. After a half day of scouting, we pretty much had it figured out and were able to take a couple of nice bucks.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/2-va-lrhers-eastern-wy-78874/

My recommendation would be to not go with an outfitter. It's easy enough to hunt them on your own. Alternatively, while we were there, we found out about a couple of private ranches where you could get a guide for a day (~$200).

 

[sp6x6]

When I go antelope hunting . it is actually a vacation for me. You see lots of game and many shot opportunities. Nothing like the elk hunting I do. Fun hunt

 

[dk17hmr]

Antelope hunting is a really fun hunt and it is very much a do-it-yourself hunt. The weather is ussally pretty good for the first couple weeks of season out here in SW Wyoming, by the end of the season you have a good chance of rain/snow/mud.

If I were to plan a hunt out here as a non resident I would pick an area with a good chance of drawing a tag that had alot of BLM/State land that was open to the public, there is alot more public land in the SW than in the SE corner. Deside what type of experience you want, camping or hotel, road trip out or fly in. If your going to draw a buck tag you might as well put in for at least one additional doe/fawn tag because they are only $50. There is a good chance if your not to picky you will have your buck tag filled before lunch on your first day. If you draw buy a BLM map for the area you draw, $4 worth of info that will make your life easier.

Long Range is great and if you have a personal goal for a long range big game kill antelope ussally allow that. I do suggest if you get a doe tag try and spot and stalk to under 100 yards before you shoot, its alot of fun and stressful at the same time.

I really like antelope hunting and would be happy to go/help anyone out in my area.

 

[EFR]

I just took my 12 year old daughter to Wyoming for a self guided antelope hunt. Like you, I asked for advice here, and was well rewarded with areas, butchers, camp sites, even maps of areas to hunt with previous success mapped out! I did all of my scouting from the internet, google earth, one game warden, and one biologist. I had never set foot in that area of Wyoming, and had only been to Wyoming twice before, ever. I highly recommend the GPS map, it makes things MUCH easier. End result: two antelope bucks in two days, then site seeing, horseback riding, and coyote hunting. Go for it.