Spooked!

[PLP]

Ok...Antelope on public land isnt as easy as on tv..thats for sure!They will wind you!They see anything that doesnt look normal..they are gone!!Out of sight nowhere to be found!!Dont believe this bull that they will just stand there and look at you,or that they will just go a little ways and go back to normal..not on highly pressured land they wont!!Anyways..I spooked antelope from 2 different spots..One was a bedding area,and the other was a waterhole..What are the odds they will use these places again?Thanks!!

 

[packer58]

Ok...Antelope on public land isnt as easy as on tv..thats for sure!They will wind you!They see anything that doesnt look normal..they are gone!!Out of sight nowhere to be found!!Dont believe this bull that they will just stand there and look at you,or that they will just go a little ways and go back to normal..not on highly pressured land they wont!!Anyways..I spooked antelope from 2 different spots..One was a bedding area,and the other was a waterhole..What are the odds they will use these places again?Thanks!!

PLP, hang in there.........if you've only spooked antelope from 2 spots your doing better than most. Hear's the deal, in my experience antelope do not have typical bedding areas like mule deer will because they move around so much. Also they will generally only lay down "rest" for relatively short periods of time and then go back to feeding. You may have spooked them from one of there resting areas but probably didn't run them out of the country. As far as the water goes, it depends on how much water is in the area. If it's the only water for many miles they'll probably be back. One thing to keep in mind is that antelope will use different water sources "if available" on any given day.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I've notice too that they know we're to run too. Like a deer always has an ecscape route. The Antelope we bumped would run about a mile or so then go rite back to feeding and even bed to rest. The problum was they would go were most wouldn't hike to to get another opertunity, and if a guy would they would see him comming and would take off again. I had my daughter with me so any kind of long stock was out of the question. I did also notice the Antelope we saw one day would be no where to be found the next day or for that matter a few hrs later. All I can say is stay with it. You will get a opertunity. I agree with you about it being tough to hunt them. I've only hunted then twice and once with a friend. Non of these three hunts were similar in any way.

Good luck!

 

[PLP]

There are water sources every half mile or so..there is no possible way to pinpoint which one they will use..HOWEVER...there are cattle near alot of these places..first thing I picked off was the lopes kept away from the cattle,and were using water sources away from them..secondly I found a fence crossing..I have seen them cross at this crossing 2 times..It is aggravating when you have 18" of grass to hide in..No cut outs or ditches..and I dont believe there is a camo pattern made that will blend!!Every camo pattern seems to be too dark or too light..There are not many antelope in this area,so potentially I walk ALL day for that one shot,and it seems that its gone in 15 seconds..I swear..the second time..everything was perfect..I used some hills to move in..got within 75yds..they were all behind a bluff(completely out of sight)..when one just pops up over the hill..runs up the bank and stares my way..then he sees me curled up in the fetal position on my knees at 75yds..locks onto me,and hauls butt with the others..!!Had to of smelled me?!?!?I guess I still looked like a blob but come on I wasnt moving a muscle,and only my back was exposed above the grass.

Only thing that may be messing me up..My fletchings are white and green!Could the small amount of white be sending a signal?I hear that white is a real attention getter for them..

 

[hardstalk]

Use their own safety against them. On my lope hunt this year there were wild horses everywhere. I used horses to close the distance (personal tame horses) if there are alot of cattle either build or buy a cattle decoy. Thats one thing i learned this year. "when in rome, do like the romans" pinpoint the weakness and exploit it. They may not care for cattle but they are definitely comfortable around them. As far as them seeing you. They will spot you everytime. Unless you have cover. Imagine taping a pair of 8x75 swarovski hd binos to your eyes. Thats what they see. If you do go the decoy route dont just blaze a trail straight toward them because you have cover. Become a cow. I know it sounds silly but get in the 7-800 yard range and hang out for 30 minutes. Close the distance a bit and hang out again. They have all day to save their own life youve got to be patient.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Nice post hardstalk.

"Become a cow." I love it.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Mooo I think to become a cow you will need to make cow sounds too. JK Hardstalk. Sounds like some great advise to me

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I was watching one of the outdoor shows (don't remember exactly which one) and the hunter (archery) had on a tee shirt and a hat/helmet that looked like a buck antelope, horns and all. It was during the rut and the other bucks didn't hesitate getting closer for a look at the "intruder". Might work, who knows!

 

[Whisky]

What are you guys seeing for rut activity in Wyo right now, anything?

 

[hardstalk]

I tried the hat and shirt. Its called bethedecoy.com. I dont think the rut was busy enough they wouldnt let me in bow range with it.

 

[PLP]

I may just go ahead and get the cow decoy..The only bad thing is walking up and down miles of hills toting it,and with 30 mph winds it will be exciting I am sure..lol..Thanks for the advice! I know there were other guys out there with various antelope billboards,and they struck out..these goats are some kind of spooky...

 

[PLP]

What are you guys seeing for rut activity in Wyo right now, anything?

I wasnt in WY,but I have seen bucks with harems,and I saw a bachelor group of 4 smaller guys that looked like they got kicked out the group,and I saw a pair of young bucks another time..all the does have had only 1 decent buck tending them.so maybe it is starting up?That said..I havent seen any chasing of any kind..