What do you look for?

Rock 2.0

Member
May 31, 2012
93
0
When your glassing antelope, whats the first thing that you look for in a quality animal. Height, monster prongs, huge mass? Just curious to see what the first thing is that catches your guys' eyes?
 

ssliger

Very Active Member
Mar 9, 2011
900
0
Laramie WY
The first thing I look for is to make sure the prong is above the ear, then I look at the prongs,then mass. One thing you do not want to do is judge an antelope that is staring directly at you. With their black face they all look huge.
 

Ikeepitcold

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 22, 2011
10,026
1,612
Reno Nv
When your glassing antelope, whats the first thing that you look for in a quality animal. Height, monster prongs, huge mass? Just curious to see what the first thing is that catches your guys' eyes?
The simple answer is YES
 

velvetfvr

Veteran member
May 6, 2012
2,026
0
Nv
I just watch and make a assessment of size and if I want him. Then the stalk begins.
 

7200

New Member
Jul 27, 2011
22
0
Wyoming
i look at the prongs first. i look for them to be above the ear, and their length. generally speaking, the prongs are going to dictate the mass that the horn has. i.e. the higher they are the farther up the horn the mass will be carried. of course this is a general statement, i and many others on here have seen goats with prongs that aren't above the ears but with a boat load of mass below them. i've got to agree with the others though, if i come across a freak i don't care about height, mass, prongs etc. gimme a goat with both horns sweeping below the eyeline and i'll be a happy camper.
 

Umpqua Hunter

Veteran member
May 26, 2011
3,576
88
61
North Umpqua, Oregon
I have taken about a dozen antelope, and have been trying to harvest a book buck the last couple years. In 2010 I scouted/hunted 9 days in Unit 33 in Nevada and never found the buck I wanted and went home empty handed. I'm hoping we will score on Wyoming tags and this will be the year! :)

This winter, while reading Mike Eastman's book "Hunting Trophy Antelope" (excellent book) I learned a pretty critical piece and that is that good mass ABOVE the prong is critical. That was totally new to me, and may be the piece I have been missing.

This is what Mike said in his book "Generally on a buck with great mass, those two lower circumferences are going to be in the seven inch range. However, what separates an average buck from a super buck are the two circumference measurements ABOVE THE PRONG. Finding a buck with three to four inch circumferences on those last two measurements will ensure a quality trophy.

Mike lists it in the following priority:

1. Mass both above and below the prong

2. Prong length

3. Horn Length

I would hafta agree :)
 

6mm Remington

Very Active Member
Mar 27, 2011
978
49
Western Montana
All of what you list are good points, but there is just something about a pretty buck too! I was lucky enough to get this guy on my grandfather's ranch the first year I hunted it a few years after he died. He was 16" long on both sides when I first got him.




He was long but not heavy, but a freak buck! I loved the way my buddies buck has both horns that tip out over his face.



Now this is an awesome buck. I took a picture of him at the Boone & Crockett club here in Missoula. He is huge!

 

6mm Remington

Very Active Member
Mar 27, 2011
978
49
Western Montana
Here's another huge buck from the Boone & Crockett club! He's just gorgeous!



This guy is one of the two that are currently tied for the largest antelope ever taken. I like the looks of a couple of the "smaller" bucks than him even. I just think they are prettier. He is big I'll give you that!

 

Rock 2.0

Member
May 31, 2012
93
0
6mm, I am with you all the way. Sometimes a buck just looks good. And those are certainly some monsters the one in the last picture has some huge scoops on his prongs,