Nebraska mulie / pronghorn, what 10 days do you recommend??

[The last savage]

Hey guys , first of all thx for any and all input,,ok my son and in are planning a trip to Nebraska this year. Public land,mule deer and pronghorn.archery,camping,,dirt bag cheap ! We're looking at west central ne, not asking where but when? We'll have about 8 days, early season looks appealing to me , summer pattern ,not spooked or pushed yet.my window is Sept to second week in Oct, or later. In the season. Can't do anything from mid Oct till 3rd week of Nov...thx for any input,,we're planning spot n stalk,ambush,Tree stand or blind,,we're both pretty good hunters and solid out to 60 yards,,thx PAT

 

[Muley bound]

I’ve hunted west central Nebraska for Muleys quite a bit. All of my hunting has been on private land though. There are a lot of deer in that part of the state, that’s for sure. I have seen some nice bucks on the public ground while driving around glassing. My 2 cents, would to be locate some water sources and find where they’re bedding in relation to that for early in the season like you’re planning. If you can’t find many deer, I wouldn’t hesitate to knock on some ranchers doors. Some people are more inviting than you’d think, especially since you’re bow hunting.

 

[Hilltop]

There really won't be much difference in deer activity until late October so I'm not sure dates will matter too much for them. Plan on crops still being in the fields. Locating good buck deer may be a challenge but it is doable. Since you are doing a combo, you may as well maximize the antelope dates and hit that rut in mid September.

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

Best time for archery mule deer hunting is right before gun season. Won't make a difference on the deer when you are looking.

Antelope may be a challenge in that part of the state on public ground. Check the regs as many public land areas in that part of the state restrict antelope hunting and there are not many. Really the only place where there is enough public land and antelope for a good hunt is in the NW corner. But the mule deer hunting is horrible up there right now and they cut tags back again this year.

 

[The last savage]

Thanks mulie,hilltop and hph,,,good advise ,well noted,,so the phone rut is mid Sept.? Ok,, may be a bit cooler than the beginning of Sept too? Yeah we're looking st the nw corner for ph.I'm arrowing the first decent buck I have the opportunity on! Do the mulies feed mostly on crops ?do they head to the bedding areas early or depend on how hot\bright it is out? Thx fellas ,rookies here,,,at mulies and ph

 

[Hilltop]

Thanks mulie,hilltop and hph,,,good advise ,well noted,,so the phone rut is mid Sept.? Ok,, may be a bit cooler than the beginning of Sept too? Yeah we're looking st the nw corner for ph.I'm arrowing the first decent buck I have the opportunity on! Do the mulies feed mostly on crops ?do they head to the bedding areas early or depend on how hot\bright it is out? Thx fellas ,rookies here,,,at mulies and ph

Yes, antelope rut mainly during the month of September. Mulies in Nebraska do use crop fields primarily but it can depend on exact location and deer as to their habits. The hunt you are going, as other have mentioned, isn't going to be easy by any means but should be a lot of fun if you let it be. The deer population in that region took a huge hit a few years ago and the rebound has been slow. The antelope aren't as plentiful as in Wyoming so don't expect to see a herd over every hill. That said, if you hunt hard you may get an opportunity or two. Good luck!

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

IF you are thinking the NW corner for Antelope I'd skip the deer all together and buy a turkey tag or two. The fall turkey hunting is easy as nobody else is chasing them.

If you want to see how the herd is doing look at the 2019 game comission meeting tag numbers. Look for areas where tag numbers are increasing or at least stable, avoid places where tag numbers have dropped the last few years.

https://www.omaha.com/outdoors/nebraska-game-and-parks-commission-approves-deer-antelope-and-elk/article_848b4665-e658-5932-88a5-4c31c804572f.html

NW part of the state was reduced last year and had winter/spring kill this year so they converted the any deer tags to whitetail for 2019. Not the place to be deer hunting on public ground. Give it a few years and once the tag numbers are back up you will have a much more enjoyable hunt.But that is the best part of the state for hunting antelope.

After reading the article I'd focus deer efforts on the Frenchman region. Go drive around the first day to get the lay of the land to see if there are many antelope. Then decide if you want to purchase the antelope tag. It's OTC so no reason to go there and find out there really aren't many antelope.

 

[NE69]

After reading the article I'd focus deer efforts on the Frenchman region. Go drive around the first day to get the lay of the land to see if there are many antelope. Then decide if you want to purchase the antelope tag. It's OTC so no reason to go there and find out there really aren't many antelope.[/QUOTE]

My uncle and a buddy shot antelope in the far west end of the Frenchman unit 50 years ago, the first year tags were available but I have never seen any. They are few and far between as I have lived and hunted here for over 50 years.



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[HighPlainsHunter]

After reading the article I'd focus deer efforts on the Frenchman region. Go drive around the first day to get the lay of the land to see if there are many antelope. Then decide if you want to purchase the antelope tag. It's OTC so no reason to go there and find out there really aren't many antelope.

My uncle and a buddy shot antelope in the far west end of the Frenchman unit 50 years ago, the first year tags were available but I have never seen any. They are few and far between as I have lived and hunted here for over 50 years.



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Exactly. Aside from the NW corner there really aren't a lot of great public land hunting spots for antelope. Now it sounds like he has moved on to Scottsbluff area, where again there are not a lot of antelope on public land, but a few here and there. That's why I suggested waiting to buy a tag until he sees some antelope as there is no reason to buy one in advance since they are OTC.

 

[hunttrap]

I'd check the muzzy season dates, mid September and the rifle season dates for antelope, maybe October. It can be a zoo out there in that part of the state for antelope. Ive been out there every year for the past 10, and my experience is the population has decreased from what it was my first few years out and hunter numbers have increased dramatically. Remember no driving off the marked roads, unfortunately I've had a few stalks blown by people driving through the grasslands so be prepared for that. Make sure you have great tires, not good tires. Had 3 flats within a quarter mile out there once. Thank goodness for a taged out hunter wanting to help a couple guys in a pinch. They used rail road rock on a couple of there roads out there and it chews your tires if they aren't the best. Good luck.

 

[The last savage]

No actually I didn't "move" from the Scotts bluff area,,it has been my intentions all along to hunt that area.however I've spoke to a few guys that say there are lopes in the scotts area just not huge numbers,thx for the tip on tires hunttrap! I thought if I could find both species In 1 area I'd rather spend time trying to find them rather than driving 7 hrs, that being said,if we can only be successful with taking a mulie so be it..thanks to everyone for their advice ,it's all appreciated...thx Pat

 

[NE69]

Muley numbers might be down in the NW corner of the state, but there are still huntable numbers up there. New state archery muley record was taken there is 2018. Most of the best public antelope ground is up there too. The terrain is very open, expect tough stalks and make the best of the few chances you get. It all depends on which species is your priority on where to go.

 

[The last savage]

Thx ne 69. Appreciated

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

No actually I didn't "move" from the Scotts bluff area,,it has been my intentions all along to hunt that area.however I've spoke to a few guys that say there are lopes in the scotts area just not huge numbers,thx for the tip on tires hunttrap! I thought if I could find both species In 1 area I'd rather spend time trying to find them rather than driving 7 hrs, that being said,if we can only be successful with taking a mulie so be it..thanks to everyone for their advice ,it's all appreciated...thx Pat

You must have moved as Scottsbluff is not West Central part of Nebraska. For example Colorado is considered West Central United States so West Central Nebraska would be between North Platte and Valentine.

Hopefully you figured out where the Frenchman unit was as well. I got a kick out of your PM, LOL.

 

[The last savage]

Wow what an ASSH#LE!!!

 

[NE69]

Might try this. Saw it in Kimball NE at the diner. I have been seeing more antelope in this area recently. It?s 45 miles south of Scottsbluff.


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[HighPlainsHunter]

I'm an asshole because you can't seem to figure out what West Central means??? LOL
Scottsbluff is not West Central Nebraska. Guess that makes you mad but it's true.

I have been nothing but nice to you, even answered your PM. And you have the nerve to call me names.

Wow, I guess it's not surprising that I was looking over the Scottsbluff craigslist farm and garden section looking for some equipment and ran across this gem. LOL. I always wondered what kind of people look for hunting access on craigslist, guess now I know.

https://scottsbluff.craigslist.org/grd/d/scottsbluff-any-pronghorn-on-your-farm/6905782442.html