When to go ?

[Nimrod]

I have saved 2 weeks vacation for this years antelope hunt, it will take me 1.5 days to get to Wyoming so lets say 4 days travel time, that leaves 10 days to hunt. How would you use those 10 days? Should I go early and spend a few days scouting before the season opens, or should I skip the opener and go later in the season ? I realize it won't likely take 10 days to shoot a good buck but I can be more selective with extra time.

Thanks!

bob

 

[bigbuck]

Since know one else has chimmed in i'll give you my opinion. i would say even if you've been to this area to hunt befor you would still benefit from atleast one day of scouting posiibly 2 days. Sometimes the game moves from year to year . If you've never been their before then I recommend 2 days allowed for scouting that way your days are spent hunting the best possible spot that you have found .

BigBuck

 

[300 ultra]

I have hunted wyoming every year for the last seven years for Antelope and mule deer. I would fly there the day of the hunt, rent a car and drive to your spot. Shoot your goat in a hour. gut it, cape it and donate the meat. Send the cape and horns to your taxidermist and fly back home. Hunting antelope in wyoming is like shooting Buffalo at one of those game preserves. Not a challenge. Now a good Muley is a different story. My 2 cents if you want the truth.

 

[Nimrod]

I have hunted wyoming every year for the last seven years for Antelope and mule deer. I would fly there the day of the hunt, rent a car and drive to your spot. Shoot your goat in a hour. gut it, cape it and donate the meat. Send the cape and horns to your taxidermist and fly back home. Hunting antelope in wyoming is like shooting Buffalo at one of those game preserves. Not a challenge. Now a good Muley is a different story. My 2 cents if you want the truth.

I appreciate your reply, but that is not my style of hunting. I guess I should have been a little more specific, I have a Pronghorn buck on the wall that scores just a little less than 80" and I'll be looking for a better one. The quality of the hunt, placing my shot with surgical precision, enjoying a few brief days away from computers, television, cell phones, etc.
I drive to my hunting area enjoying the scenery along the way, camp and cook my own food. This is my vacation and I am not going to get in a big hurry to do anything!

bigbuck, I have never hunted the areas I applied for and haven't been through them for a long time. The tentative opener is the 15th. of September without looking at a calender I want to say a Wednesday and I was thinking of arriving on the Sunday before. I just didn't know whether to expect a large crowd for a mid week opener.

Please keep it coming, I want all the opinions!

Bob

 

[300 ultra]

The season opens on wednesday sept 15th. The area I hunt doesnt seem to pressured to heavily but it depends on your hunt area. I have heard to hunt them as late in the season as possible because there horns keep growing throughout the year. What part of the state are you going to be in. Closest town will be sufficent.

 

[Nimrod]

The season opens on wednesday sept 15th. The area I hunt doesnt seem to pressured to heavily but it depends on your hunt area. I have heard to hunt them as late in the season as possible because there horns keep growing throughout the year. What part of the state are you going to be in. Closest town will be sufficent.

I applied for unit 73 with 72 as a second choice so if I do get drawn I'll be west of Casper. 73 has a lot fewer tags and more area than 72 so it should be less crowded. I never thought about horn growth continuing throughout the season but have heard to wait until after opening weekend to avoid the "ride, slide and shoot" crowd.

Bob

 

[Buffalobob]

Being as it opens on a weekday be there then. OR EARLIER. As was said it takes about two days to find animals and get familiar with what a good set of horns looks like. The second time you go antelope hunting you will need less time to get familiar with an area.

There are several kinds of locals. Those that know where a big buck is and will make sure to go on opening day and try to get him. Then there are the ones who will go after work. Then there are the local weekend hunters which may include friends or family. As far nonresidents there are three kinds also. One type shoots the first tan and splotched animal they see and hope it is not a basset hound. One type has a guide to show them the difference between a hereford and an antelope. Then there is the guy who is going to get a nice head with a decent set of horns.

If you wait, then you are dealing with spookier animals and you will need to scout harder to find a good animal but they are still there. Done it that way several times but prefer to be there opening day

 

[SHRTSHTR]

All good advise. I personally prefer to hunt late in the season if hunting public land. Private land, I am usually setup a day or two prior to the season. You will still have hunters but not near as many. Shooting a Buck of your liking should not be a problem either. There will be enough shooters for you to look over, especially if your longrange hunting.
I spoke with a game biologist in Casper last year about the same areas your planning on going. He highly suggested waiting 1-2 weeks after the opener. He was right, the Antelope had settled down and I only saw a few hunters in a 4 day period. Our group harvested 8 Antelope.
I suggest you call the Casper office and ask for the Antelope game biologist. I'm sure they will help you make your decision.
One other thing to keep in mind is the weather. Last year it got pretty nasty in early October.

 

[300 ultra]

My experience is the locals are usually cutting fields during this time and you dont see much local traffic at all. I usually see more out of state plates than local. I would say be there for the opener for sure especially since it is on a wednesday. Deer opens on a friday this year and it wont be nearly as pleasant. Good luck. Oh I will be closer to Thermopolis area and dont no about those units your trying.

 

[JARHEAD1371]

Since the timing of the hunt has been hit on several times, I'll throw my .02 in towards location. If you are hunting public walk-in areas, take your map and use a highlighter and color in all the areas within 1-2 miles of any road that is open to public traffic. Then concentrate your hunting and scouting on the non-highlighted areas. Where we hunt almost every hunter you see is in the highlighted area, if not sitting in their trucks. If you get away from the roads you will find un-pressured game. It takes more effort but if you are in good company the walks are much more enjoyable.
Good luck.

 

[davkrat]

I've never hunted Antelope but was in Wyoming for a week last year and completed the Cutt Slam. What are the options for over the counter tags? Missed the draw but I'd be happy with an eater doe. Public land DIY would be what I'm looking for. PM's are fine don't want to blow up anyone's spot! I've heard there are several areas where OTC doe tags are not hard to get. Thanks for any info!

 

[Nimrod]

Thanks for all the info gentlemen! I will most likely be hunting public land and plan to get as far from the roads as I can. I plan to try and get this done with a specialty pistol if possible but will have a LR rifle or 2 just in case! As far as good company, mine backed out on me at the last minute so it looks like this will be a solo affair.

davkrat, Depending on where you want to hunt left over tags can be pretty easy to come by, buck or doe. They go on sale in July, just be aware that most of them will be in areas with limited public access. You have to do your homework to find a place to hunt but it sure is fun!

Keep it coming!

Bob

 

[Ron Ankeny]

I have been hunting antelope in Wyoming for over 30 years and my preference is to go as late in the season as possible. As far as locals, some of the die hard trophy hunters will spend all summer scouting under the guise of p-dog hunting. Sunrise on opening morning, let the fun begin. If the area has mountain/hilly terrain that is pretty much not accessible, late season can be the ticket. The critters are down for the winter and bunched up. You would be amazed at the trophy quality in some areas on the last weekend. If you hit area 72 send me an e-mail and I'll see if I can set you up on some private ground. For that matter, I took early retirement (age 54) and I plan on laying out of work for a year, or two, or three...and I would be happy to show you around.