Antelope Unit 48

Green Back

New Member
Aug 20, 2014
7
1
Hi ya’ll. I’m excited to say that I have a unit 48-1 tag in my pocket for this fall! It’s been close to a decade since I chased antelope in the great state of Wyoming. In addition, I did pull a permit for the Hanna HMA in the southern part of the unit, which will open up close to 96,000 acres in the BLM checkerboard region. This will be a DIY hunt and planning on camping out in the prairies on BLM wherever the goat herd leads me.

I will admit, I will not have time to scout this country pre-season but do intend on arriving a full 2-3 days prior of the season to get a feel for the land and hopefully locate a mature shooter. There were 150 tags issued in the draw for type 1 and the HMA was limited to 50 permits. So, I do anticipate seeing others, especially the first few days of the season, which will open on a Sunday this year. Also, I do intend to hunt right off the bat and not skip the opener, despite other folks around.

I’ve emailed and left v-msgs to both the local game warden and biologist and have yet to hear anything back??

I’m looking to anyone who is open to share their past experience in this unit and willing to share their advice. Not looking for honey holes or exact spots but just general advice and how their hunt panned out. What to look or lookout for? Current goat herd condition/population? South end better than the north?

Furthermore, I’m willing to hold out for a mature shooter caliber buck. Last time I hunted goats I dedicated 7 full days to find a booner and came a inch short of that goal and was very happy with him. Not looking for a good average buck. I have the time set aside for this hunt and willing to hold out. End of the day, time in the unit and boots on the ground should tell you what to expect out of the area. Walking 5-10 miles a day in prairie country is not a problem and I intend to do so. I did notice this unit is riddled with roads but is what it is.

I’d really appreciate if anyone has any feedback and feel free to message me directly. Thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: gonhunting247

Hilltop

Veteran member
Feb 25, 2014
3,844
2,227
Eastern Nebraska
I have seen some good ones come out of that area. Do some good internet scouting on the square BLM pieces you can access. Most ignore those and occasionally they produce a good one. Good luck and please let us know how you do.
 

wy-tex

Veteran member
May 2, 2016
1,064
347
SE Wyoming
Don't over look taking a drive to the northern part. At our meetings bio. said north end looks good and south end is ok.
Not sure if that area got any of the rains the mountains got lately but if so conditions should be improved as in not as dry.
Roads will be more than "iffy" if it rains for your hunt. Our mud is undriveable when really wet.

Good luck, not sure on trophy caliber but mature bucks should be findable.