First Antelope Scouting Trip

[Nebraska Outlander]

I went on a four day scouting trip and ended up seeing two Antelope. I found a lot of tracks that looked like deer but around half the size of deer. Either there are a lot fawns running around or they were Antelope tracks. However I am not sure so I thought I would ask you guys here. Are these antelope tracks?? I have more pics of tracks but I will load them later.

I have never hunted Antelope and this was my first of hopefully many scouting trips just a 250 mile trip to do it. I had a lot of fun and got to use my new spotting scope which is a Redfield Rampage which I am glad to have. However I believe I only needed a scope that would go 35 or 40 power max 60 power seems to be over kill. To get a scope that has great clarity and focus at 60 power you would need to spend a lot of money which I don't have. I really like the scope but 60 power it was hard to focus.

One of the antelopes I saw the smaller one. The other one I couldn't get pictures of wasn't thinking of that he was the first one I saw and he was pretty big. His fork part was above his ears by an 1/2 an inch or better. Good curles also.

 

[Nebraska Outlander]

more tracks

 

[Nebraska Outlander]

Another

 

[Nebraska Outlander]

And a pic of the smaller goat I saw

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Yep, look like prairie goat tracks.

That is getting a jump on the season!

Where I hunt in MT, antelope are pretty migratory, and won't be on their hunting season ranges in numbers until late summer.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Same here. Kinda early for scouting but your in the rite place it seems. That's always a good thing to look for is the Prongs, Cutters, Diggers what ever you want to call the to be above the ears. You should pick up Mikes Antalope book for field judging it could help you out. Also watch this weeks Eastmans. Some good Info for you.

 

[Nebraska Outlander]

Thanks guys, I also called the park ranger and he said he has been working in that area for the past couple weeks and has been seeing around 20 to 50 antelope a day. I actually went up there to turkey hunt also but that was a bust so I scouted instead. This will be my first time hunting Antelope and my plan is to order the book and dvd combo here soon from Eastmans.

I figured that they have different areas for different times of the year which is why I didn't see many Antelope. So do they migrate north during the summer then start working back south towards the fall??

I have a lot more research to do and plan on going up again here in June or July. My boy wants to do a survival trip so I figured I would go back up there do a lot of hiking and scouting up there while showing my boy how to survive on the land. He and I watch a lot of survival shows like Bear Grylls and Dual Survival so he is pretty excited about going.

Thanks for the info guys!!!

Nebraska Outlander

 

[Blue Skies Hunting Advent]

Where were you scouting at, I was in the pine ridge area last week and saw lots antelope, couple easily in the mid 70's, lots of deer and turkey, buffalo and more phesants than I have ever seen up there. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[Nebraska Outlander]

McKelvie national state park was where I was

 

[Nebraska Outlander]

Where is pine ridge?

 

[Nebraska Outlander]

Where is Pine Ridge?

Figured it out! Just south of Oglala

If you were to hunt in Nebraska for Antelope and didn't want a lot of people pushing Antelope around while you were archery hunting where would you go. I have been told Oglala is hunted pretty hard by the games and parks.

Nebraska Outlander

 

[Blue Skies Hunting Advent]

Near the town of Chadron, northwest part of the state. Great area.