Potential First Timer

[Lovellr653]

Hey Guys/Gals,

I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will draw a Wyoming Non-resident Antelope tag this year. I'm from NY (no not the City) and have never hunted out west so I figured this would be a good place to start. I plan on using my Tikka Hunter in 260 which right now I'm comfortable making 300 yard shots but am working on increasing that distance. I don't really have a game plan made up yet and was hoping to get some suggestions, tips, tricks, strategies etc. to help me make the most of my hunt. This is a whole new ball game compared to hunting deer in NY. Thanks



1st: 053-1 2nd: 021-1 3rd: 025-1

 

[gte150v]

Hi,
I was in the same place as you 7 years ago. I drew my first antelope tag, loaded up with 3 friends, and headed out not knowing what to expect. I've hunted antelope (and other things) every year since and it's still my favorite hunt. Your rifle/caliber choice is perfect.
Some of my initial lessons learned were:
1. Oftentimes they aren't spooked by vehicles, but as soon as a car door opens, they are gone. So drive over the ridge out of sight before making a stalk, even if they're far away.
2. I've taken antelope from 60 yards to 386 yards, so it's good to extend your range but 300 yards should get you opportunities.
3. Hunt all day. Antelope feed all day and generally stay put at night so they're a bit different than whitetail.
4. Bring knee pads and leather gloves. Those prairie cactus hurt.
5. Get the meat on ice within an hour if you can. We quarter them and get them in the coolers right away, and they are excellent table fare if handled properly.
6. Take a white game bag and wave it in the air like a flag if all else fails. Sounds ridiculous, but I've lured in several bucks this way.
7. Enjoy the contrast. I grew up hunting east coast whitetails as well and I enjoy Wyoming because it's stalking herd animals, primarily using your eyes/glass, all day long, at longer ranges, over miles of prairie with no trees in sight, which to me was the complete opposite of the typical whitetail woods hunt.

Let us know how the draw/hunt goes.

 

[gte150v]

Hi,
I was in the same place as you 7 years ago. I drew my first antelope tag, loaded up with 3 friends, and headed out not knowing what to expect. I've hunted antelope (and other things) every year since and it's still my favorite hunt. Your rifle/caliber choice is perfect.
Some of my initial lessons learned were:
1. Oftentimes they aren't spooked by vehicles, but as soon as a car door opens, they are gone. So drive over the ridge out of sight before making a stalk, even if they're far away.
2. I've taken antelope from 60 yards to 386 yards, so it's good to extend your range but 300 yards should get you opportunities.
3. Hunt all day. Antelope feed all day and generally stay put at night so they're a bit different than whitetail.
4. Bring knee pads and leather gloves. Those prairie cactus hurt.
5. Get the meat on ice within an hour if you can. We quarter them and get them in the coolers right away, and they are excellent table fare if handled properly.
6. Take a white game bag and wave it in the air like a flag if all else fails. Sounds ridiculous, but I've lured in several bucks this way.
7. Enjoy the contrast. I grew up hunting east coast whitetails as well and I enjoy Wyoming because it's stalking herd animals, primarily using your eyes/glass, all day long, at longer ranges, over miles of prairie with no trees in sight, which to me was the complete opposite of the typical whitetail woods hunt.

Let us know how the draw/hunt goes.

 

[Deleted member 107796]

Here is something profoundly different from deer or elk hunting... they do not move much at all after dark. If you find them before sundown, be at that spot before sunup. Good luck with your tag, when you get out there you're going to love it.

 

[Lovellr653]

Awesome thanks guys, fingers crossed. Hopefully I'll have a picture to post in a few months. Those are great tips and exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

 

[338 dude]

You'll have a great time I know my friend and I did we traveled to Wyoming

two years ago on our first DIY antelope hunt it was definitely different and very strange coming from the East Coast also very humbling I shoot long-range but when you get out there it really put you in your place One antelope was taken at 615 yards the other was taken at 783 yards you better brush up on your long range shooting it can be tough to get closer than that

 

[BlakeGipson]

Depending where you plan to hunt, you'll definitely want OnX or some other way of determining property boundaries. There are large chunks of the state that are private but not fenced and it's your responsibility to know where you (and the antelope) stand.

With that out of the way, I'm a Wyoming resident and harvest 1-3 goats every year so if you have any logistical questions, ask away.

 

[Lovellr653]

Depending where you plan to hunt, you'll definitely want OnX or some other way of determining property boundaries. There are large chunks of the state that are private but not fenced and it's your responsibility to know where you (and the antelope) stand.

With that out of the way, I'm a Wyoming resident and harvest 1-3 goats every year so if you have any logistical questions, ask away.

Thanks, once I find out if my draw is successful or not I'm sure I'll have more specific questions. I have a OnX premium membership on standby for my phone but If needed I'll get the OnX chip for my garmin GPS. Having dealt with people trespassing in the past I have no desire to negligently trespass and **** off some land owner.

 

[338 dude]

+1 For onyx I did exactly what you plan I had the app on my phone and a chip in my Garmin as a back up just make sure you download the Maps while you have a signal then They will be available even when you don't

 

[BlakeGipson]

Thanks, once I find out if my draw is successful or not I'm sure I'll have more specific questions. I have a OnX premium membership on standby for my phone but If needed I'll get the OnX chip for my garmin GPS. Having dealt with people trespassing in the past I have no desire to negligently trespass and **** off some land owner.

Perfect! I'm in the southwest corner so unless you've been accruing points for a couple years, you'll probably not be anywhere near my areas but plenty of goats to be found across the state.

 

[Lovellr653]

Perfect! I'm in the southwest corner so unless you've been accruing points for a couple years, you'll probably not be anywhere near my areas but plenty of goats to be found across the state.

If I recall two of the units I applied for are in the north East section and one in the south East section. I listed the units In my original post. My buddy and I each only had 1 preference point. We are just looking to gain some experience and hopefully some meat in the freezer. Don't get me wrong I'd love to shoot a big buck but I also have realistic expectations.

 

[338 dude]

I drew the first time I tried it was in the Laramie River area which is private land they open to the public I believe it was called the access yes program

 

[Lovellr653]

You'll have a great time I know my friend and I did we traveled to Wyoming View attachment 189495View attachment 189496 two years ago on our first DIY antelope hunt it was definitely different and very strange coming from the East Coast also very humbling I shoot long-range but when you get out there it really put you in your place One antelope was taken at 615 yards the other was taken at 783 yards you better brush up on your long range shooting it can be tough to get closer than that

I've got a 300PRC that I could reach out and touch them with but feel a 225gr pill at 2850gps might be a touch overkill. That said I'll probably ring the rifle for some long range target shooting if hunting is successful early on in the trip. I'm debating on starting a 280AI build for future western hunting trips.

 

[338 dude]

Maybe not the most exciting hunt but for a do it yourself first time hunt it was actually very good not far from Laramie had a hotel room to stay in a short drive to the area and you could drive through the area no horses etc. but a great first time experience for the do it yourselfer