Antelope shed question

[Outdoorsman]

Due to constraints with work I will have to hunt an Antelope Unit with a later season opportunity this year (November timeframe). The warden told me the bucks shed their antlers around Nov 10th. Anyone have any late season advice?

 

[JimP]

First off the North American antelope do not have antlers they have horns and do not shed them completely. But they do shed the outer sheath of the horn as they grow.

As for hunting them later in the year I wouldn't worry about it. Most likely they will still be in large herds and tough to put a stalk on so long shots may be the norm. Just go out and have fun.

 

[bghunter]

We were hunting antelope early November 2016 and some of them sheded their horns already. Yes, they are sheding the outher sheath, but inside part is soft and smaller. If you are after horns then you might have hard time to find good one in later November.

 

[Tim McCoy]

I've seen plenty sheathless before 11/10. I think it is fair to say they start the process in early Nov., possibly a few may shed at the end of Oct. No expert, but I've seen some shed by 11/2, and it's been apparent the sheath shedding is in full swing in early Nov. This is E MT., can't speak to other areas. The last two seasons deer hunting, we had trouble seeing any sheaths on after 11/9-11. The earlier in Nov the better for a hunt IMO.

 

[Hilltop]

Best late season advice I have is to hunt does- they are delicious. A November buck hunt won't really be a trophy hunt due to shedding so why not focus on meat?

 

[gonhunting247]

Both these bucks were taken on 10/29/11 in Eastern MT, The Sheathes were still good and tight that year. The last couple years I've been over there deer hunting the 1st and 2nd week of Nov. and there was definitely some herds that bucks had shed their sheathes. We did see a few still carrying though! I would listen to the game wardens advice for his area, as he probably has good knowledge for that herd location.

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If you are going much later than the 1st week of November I think maybe doe hunting is real good advice. If you're wanting to only hunt bucks, I think I'd try and wait. If it's an either sex tag that isn't burning points, then go have a blast.
Just my thoughts, good luck!

 

[Work2hunt]

You do not state if you are trophy hunting or not. As was stated I would listen to the game warden and others. You also do not mention when in November you plan to go. The longer you wait the less bucks that will be sporting sheaths. I would highly recommend going for doe's, especially if you planned to burn points for this hunt. I would save them for another year.

 

[Outdoorsman]

Thanks for the advice. I will likely be hunting starting around Nov 8th. I will not be burning any preference points. Wish I could get out sooner!

 

[HiMtnHnter]

This year in southeastern Wyoming the bucks started casting sheaths in mid November, but some will hold well into December. There's a good chance you'll see some horned bucks in early November.

 

[wy-tex]

We hunt a unit that goes until mid to late november and can always find bucks with their horn sheaths still on. Some will start shedding them early November some later. Have had the sheaths pull off a buck while dressing it so they can and will come off easily that time of the year. They will be in large wintering herds by then but can be less spooky due to the late season. Just try to not push them while hunting, they are starting to look for winter range by then. The areas with November tags are usually wintering range hunts with seasons set to help reduce herd numbers . Get some doe tags and if the bucks are dropping find a good doe instead.

 

[OldGuy]

Years ago in SE MT we had a sheath come loose while dragging a buck to the truck. Opening day was near the 10th of Oct then.

Jim