Your First Antelope Hunt - Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda

[BrentSte]

I am planning my first trip out to Wyoming next year with my 3 favorite hunting buddies, my oldest son, my brother and cousin. As I read this and other Western Forums to learn as much as I can and admire your success stories, I can't help but ask:

On your first trip (or first couple) what were some of your memorable mistakes? Did you bring or leave behind a critical piece of gear? Made a wrong move, or saved the day? Gambled with Mother Nature?

Positive or negative, if it made or ruined your hunt or made the memory even better, I am curious to hear about it so if I (or other rookies like me) find myself in a similar situation, we'll know of your experience and can either thank you later or laugh along with you!

 

[Musket Man]

The best advise i could give anyone is get a gps and huntinggpsmaps chip.

 

[Againstthewind]

Don't sneeze on your scope lenses. Its really hard to wipe off especially when you are in a hurry. This might be a good thread. I will post so I can read through them.

 

[Hilltop]

There are many things to consider but here are a couple items that I feel are very important;

1-Practice long range shooting and shooting in the wind. Most eastern shots on deer are close range so many people travelling west aren't prepared for a 200-400 yard shot. Buy a good range finder and sight your rifle in correctly(200 or 250 yard zero depending on caliber)- then practice at all distances from 50 yards to 400 yards (or beyond if you have the ability). Try to arrive a day or two early so you get a chance to shoot in the wind. Not only does it move your bullet during flight, it is also challenging to hold steady in.

2-I believe everyone should have a gun mounted bi-pod or good shooting sticks for all western hunts. It is too challenging for the average hunter to hold steady at long range without some kind of good rest.

3- Bring large water jugs. Fill them up before going out- they are very nice to wash out and cool down antelope after the harvest.

 

[razorbackhunter]

Knee pads are a good investment.

 

[CrossCreeks]

Keep a ledger, diary or whatever you want to call it. Record travel times, weather, places stopped, names of people you might want to contact again, cost and special points of your hunt ect.... you will be surprised at how often you refer back to it. I have been keeping one for every hunt I go on out west for the last 15 yrs. it can really help.

 

[Colorado T]

Most antelope hunting locations do not have anywhere to hang your game because of the flat terrain. My dad and I have made a tripod using electrical conduit to hang our antelope from, stands about 12' tall. We used rigid conduit to add the 2' extensions for easier hauling.

 

[DABAU]

Just getting back from my first antelope trip, I'd echo what the others have said. I always do a gear list and just general notes before and after my hunts while everything is fresh on my mind to go back and look at for my next hunt. The few things I jotted down after this hunt as far as the most important gear that I don't think we could have lived without are the gps and chip, spotting scope and window mount for the spotting scope. Knee pads are also high on my list. Both mine and my father's kills were from a prone position where we snuck up a hill so the knee pads were a life saver for us.

 

[HuskyMusky]

My very first antelope hunt...

I was young and rather small shooting a .270win that at the time seemed to kick me around like a mule/rag doll!
I think had I been shooting a .243win which I actually shoot nowadays for antelope but not because of the kick, I think would have helped me practice/shoot more/better etc...

I would be dead on at 200yds, and at least be comfy shooting 300yds,

I would hunt opening day, otherwise much later in the season, but not week 2/3 etc... by then I think they're very spookish.

I would hold out for something nicer than the first thing you see, although try to learn to judge them prior to hunt, ie what to look for etc... case that 1st one you see is actually quite nice!

I would schedule an extra day or 2 just in case it's needed. ie 3 days is a good plan, but having 4 or 5 if needed could mean going home vs. getting skunked.

consider bringing a game cart.

Antelope is a great hunt! Such a beautiful animal, fun to see for the first time in the wild...,
best of luck!

 

[PlainsHunter]

As Hilltop said- a gun mounted bipod, or shooting sticks. You can shoot off a pack if the grass and sage is short enough, but it seems like there is often a foot of sage and you can't lie flat. Be prepared to reduce your animal into small enough pieces that you can get in a cooler of ice if it is hot out. This year I shot mine in the moring. I quartered it, removed the backstraps and tenderloins and let air cool for an hour before putting in a cooler. Bring a backpack and pack out the meat if you are in good shape and plan to hunt away from the truck.

 

[AT Hiker]

Lots of great advice.

Me personally, just go out there to have a great time. Get a doe tag to fill your inner need to kill something and treat the rest of the time as an adventure.

-TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES

-STOP AT EVERY STORE,PARK,MUSEUM that looks cool

-PLAN TO BE ADDICTED TO IT AND GO BACK EVERY YEAR

 

[AT Hiker]

Since your fro GA, avoid going through St Louis during rush hour or a world series!

 

[ithunter]

If you don't have one thing about getting a hitch mounted gambrel...we find it makes deboning that much easier. Its almost like being at home. I will second the comments on GPS Chips...BLM Maps and St Louis.

 

[roknHS]

A GPS is considered by most to be a must have. I've never owned one and know very little about them. I know I have to add one to my growing list of things to get. Garmin is a popular choice and I've started looking and trying to learn the basics. Lots of models to choose from.
I'd like the hunting maps of course, maybe I'd use it in the vehicle for travel, compass and altimeter would be nice. Camera could be useful. So, is the Montana 600 the one I should look at or are there other models? I have seen some comments that the Montana is bigger and heavier than most.
I can buy the Wyoming chip and get the Base Camp software to use on my desk top right away. Should I wait till next summer to purchase a new unit? I'm thinking maybe there will be some new features or upgrades on new models that may not be available on units that are available now. Anybody want to give some advice?

 

[canvsbk]

The Coleman Extreme coolers really do hold ice for 5 days. $35 @ Wally world. Some thin leather gloves to go along with those knee pads that never stay on are nice. All the above advice is very good...

 

[nitis]

I think I would say an extra day before you hunt would be a must. If nothing else just to put you eyes on the animals and get used to what they look like as far as judging the size. My first hunt I had a heck of a time I was a day late because my toddler son got sick and I felt rushed the whole time

Now I personally won't get hung up too much on size unless I know there is a toad out there. You almost have to be an opportunity hunter with these things.

Another thing don't freak out when you hear the noise they make wow that is interesting.

Definately learn to shoot off sticks or a tripod or something or both you never now how tall or short the grass will be

I have gotten two so far one little average guy and one almost 80" don't let people fol you they can be tough I had to put on a two lie chase after I hit him

 

[stevevan]

Check the weather forecast. If you can be flexible when you do the hunt make sure you won't be hunting during a time when rain is predicted. The desert just about becomes impassible with the wet, slick roads.

 

[sodaksooner]

Don't miss.

Carry water.

It was actually 35 years ago though.

Missed a nice buck on opening morning at 8am from 75 yards away. Ended up shooting a yearling later that day....wasn't picky when I was 13. I had a problem when I was young of jerking the trigger. This was the hunt i figured it out...finally.

We didn't carry anything with us other than a gun and shells in those days and chased a big herd about 5 miles. We shot our goats and had to walk back to get the truck.....never been so thirsty in my life.

 

[roggom]

Good glass;no,great glass is a must. Out in SE Colorado you can spot goats over a mile out and they can also see you. Find a good vantage point and be patient. Another thing is a good LRF. Leica or swaro, maybe a high end Bushnell. It is not uncommon to have goats come in close but many times you have to poke out a little further. Leica LRF's are small,fast and accurate. Get your range and dial it in. Lastly a lens pen with brush and microfiber cloth. Dirt and dust gets everwhere.

I hunt Antelope with my daughters, hit or miss I won't trade that time for anything.

 

[siwulat]

We just got back from our first antelope hunt and I would recommend either sunscreen or a wide brim hat. My ears, neck, face, and back of head got really burned the first day which made sleeping very uncomfortable the rest of the trip.