They're fast. Don't shoot at a running goat.
They're eyesight is impeccable. If you can see them. They see you.
They are really not that big. Know your range.
If your using a guide. Trust his judgement.
Nailed it. Spot on advice. I may also add, Goats that have been running also stink to high heaven and tend to pretty much taste the same. Try to find a calm one that isn't all pumped full of adrenaline; you'll thank me I promise. At least in my area, they tend to trust their eyesight a lot more than other senses. As wyowinchester pointed out, they have impeccable eyesight. 3x magnification IIRC. But understand, the Antelope is a highly inquisitive animal. If you're still and they spot you, remain still. Don't be surprised if they actually come closer in an attempt to satisfy their curiosity; I've witnessed this MANY times.
gotcha. thanks. We are going alone, no guides, on public land and private walk in only. I'm assuming we can drive and just spot and stalk them, but not really sure how to approach it since we haven't ever done it. I guess the plan is to find a high spot in the different areas and just break out the spotter. Once we locate them, then try to use terrain to stalk in closer.
Public land and walk in areas. Please, and I mean that with the utmost sincerity. BE RESPECTFUL of the land. Now, I'm not casting judgment on you and yours. Just some seriously bad experience in my past. Let's just say that our ranch is no longer open to the public due to very poor sportsmanship and unbelievably ignorant/disrespectful people. Don't be that guy.
In all honesty, at least in my experience.... Antelope are not the mythically difficult animal hunt that some journalists portray them to be. Spot and stalk can work VERY well if you plan accordingly and stay out of line of sight while moving. Keep in mind that they can be very flighty if they've been pushed/harassed. They tend to act like a flock of birds. If they do bust you and high tail it, keep one person where you are as I tend to observe every year a group of 30-50 that get pushed out of an area only to circle around and end up right back where they were 20-30 mins earlier.
Another issue I experience with the gents I host every year is timeliness. I mean this in respect to getting ready to shoot after you've spotted your game. If you have a shot, take it in a timely manner. We lose several shot opportunities every year due to clients... for lack of a better term... "d!cking around" while getting setup for their shot. Not having ammo in the rifle mag, not having sticks or their bipod at the ready, wanting to stare at their animal thru binos to "make sure", getting comfortable behind the rifle... and these are gents I consider "seasoned"... and every dern year...lather, rinse repeat....
I know this sounds ridiculously obvious but... they're not going to stand there forever.
I may be over generalizing and telling you things you already know, if so, I apologize. You asked
I hope that helps and wish you luck on your hunt.
t
