Antelope gear

[Kgkimerer]

What to bring?

 

[MountainBlacksmith]

Bring a ton of ingenuity because it weighs less on your back. Bring a comfy pair of boots and some good glass to see. Bring an old friend to have a good time and bring a new friend to make memories and plenty of good merino socks and moleskin.

I really don't know what I'm talking about, just feeling all sentimental tonight...

Have fun and take someone else's advice

 

[HARPERC]

Where, and when?

Some antelope units, and seasons can be scorching, and plenty of H2O is necessary. Plus a plan to cool animal out.

Some more definitely on the wintry side.

 

[manitou]

If in Wyoming: Leather boots, leather gloves and knee pads. There is cactus everywhere! Hard to see until it finds your knee caps, side of your foot or palm of your hand.
Decent binos. A spotter is not neccessary unless you are seriously picking apart a 80" goat from a 82" goat.
Rifle rest, bipod, tripod or something to get a good steady rest. I use my pack and APG bino carrier mostly.
As mentioned, a cooler with ice. Get them skinned out and cooled down IMMEDIATELY. If taken care of properly, antelope is some of the best wild game you can eat. My favorite big game meat.
Be prepared for longer shots, a weapon you shoot well goes without saying.
A decent day pack.
GPS or phone app with ONX maps. Back up power if using cell phone app.
Snacks, a sharp knife and drinks.
Clothes are variable. On a 7- day hunt last year I experienced 65 degree days with 4 mph wind and 25 degree days with 65 mph winds all inside a week period.

 

[Kgkimerer]

Thanks. Kansas, I am a native so I know the weather is nearly unpredictable out here. Good tip on knee pads. How about decoys?

 

[bowkill02]

Knee pads for sure!!!

 

[codyadams]

Thanks. Kansas, I am a native so I know the weather is nearly unpredictable out here. Good tip on knee pads. How about decoys?

Only if your archery hunting. If you can shoot out to 600ish yards, you won't need anything other than glass, your rifle, field dressing kit, appropriate clothing and boots. I kill 2 or 3 pronghorn every year, 2 are does. I won't shoot a buck anymore unless it's pushing or over 80" or a freak, but I live here in Wyoming and kinda know where they are.

If you want a big buck, there is something you will need A LOT of, and that is patience and self control. I usually look over 100-200 bucks before I find a buck that is 80ish or better. It is REALLY hard to control your itchy trigger finger and pass that 75" buck after you already looked over a ton of bucks already, and he is the biggest one yet, and close to what you wanted to get....but still a few inches short. When your hunting for pronghorn, it's more like shopping for them. You will see a lot. A monkey can get an antelope with a rifle, but getting a good buck takes a ton of patience, or a lot of luck. Just depends on how big of a buck you want!!!

 

[codyadams]

I would also add, spend some time practicing your field judging. Aside from Black Bear, Pronghorn are one of the hardest animals in North America to field judge. I would come check out the links I'll post, read through it, then watch their videos, take your best guesses, and they will tell you where you judged wrong. Then keep some pics of the bucks on your phone, so when you see a buck you think is 81-82", you can look at a picture of an 83 incher and realize that your actually looking at a 74-75 incher. Helps a ton....

http://www.pronghornguideservice.com/blog/how-to-instantly-be-better-at-field-judging

http://www.pronghornguideservice.com/buck-1.html

http://www.pronghornguideservice.com/buck-2.html

http://www.pronghornguideservice.com/buck-31.html

http://www.pronghornguideservice.com/buck-4.html

http://www.pronghornguideservice.com/buck-51.html

http://www.pronghornguideservice.com/buck-6.html

http://www.pronghornguideservice.com/buck-71.html

 

[Canhunter35]

I agree with Cody. I try to look for the ivory on the tips of the horns, but a person can see a pile of decent antelope until you actually see a good one. IMO they're better eating than trophy hunting

 

[manitou]

I spent a week last year and saw few decent bucks 2 weeks into the season on public. I killed a 75-ish buck and the next day I had two 80" plus bucks inside 50 yards! You never know when they may get pushed off private onto public from one moment to the next.

 

[jjmp]

if your taking a trailer build your own rack to elevate your game for cleaning and skinning use a boat hand wench/crank with 100% nylon rope 3/8 thick , build your own shooting sticks or tripod like the 3 poll type they use in Africa for plains hunting, lite aluminum fold up chair you can hang from your back while walking, go 3-4 days early scout the land & animals, take water purifaction pills and get your water localy, to heavy to pack, GIARDIA can a does kill people .............. water pills are cheaper then a couple of month's hospital stay. don't Laugh it happened to a good friend of mine while hunting/camping in Alaska, hospital bill was Increditable just saying ! take tarps for flooring cover and to make shade over your heads,sometimes trees are far n few , great luck& don't go alone for no reason at all, take lots of 100% nylon rope, super strong lite weight. its a great hunt for sure make a list and Check it plenty ! first couple of days the lopes are almost tame don't let that fool ya ......... stupid their not & after a couple of days to 1 week they get smart and stay out of rifle range consistently , then you better know how to use the lay of the land to hunt, their Vision is Ausome to say the least, know your cartridge and rifle , practice shooting 0/400 yds,you will have wind to deal with plan for it again practice with it ,safety 1st think plan ahead great luck ,wish I was going yes their Great to hunt!!!!!!! fold/up cot to sleep on above ground, list goes on , regards

 

[Kgkimerer]

Thanks again. It's a ways away, already getting excited!

 

[jjmp]

your Welcome back.............are you car pooling with friends relation? what your rifle /caliber? what state ? we are excited for you! take a pistol camp protection, Lazer range finder,spotting scope? Bino's? if you don't own or cant afford them ask to borrow from friends ,take cameras , cell phones take great short videos, power electric generator ,dry ice,solar power battery charger, some spotting scopes have cell phone adapters for taking photos n ultra clear videos help to take pixs for a life time of viewing, study where your going call ahead talk to game wardens they live there some are Fantastic people & they know Great Good Hearted People that will make your hunt even more Fantastic vs going blind and not researching your hunt enough, good talking Enjoy & make Memories lucky you Kgk !!!