I wanted to see if you guys know of any good DVDs or Books on antelope hunting. I want to learn methods, judging size, behavior things like that. I've hunted in Virginia for 20+ years but last year I got married and my wife's family owns about 3K acres of farmland near Pueblo CO. They have a good number of antelope on their land so I'm hoping next year to be able to take my first noneastern big game animal.I know this is a year in advance but I don't think there's such a thing as beingTOO prepared.
While I'm at it, this is a pic I took of a buck on their land when I was there in Sept. I apologize that it's a little blurry but it was taken at 600mmusing a 2x teleconverter and the wind was blowing like crazy. Pardon my ignorance but is this a mature, good size buck? I saw a couple this size. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Sorry about the pics, I had to copy and paste them because it kept saying it was the wrong file type despite them being jpegs. Oh well sorry about that.
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"Yes, well, I’m polymerized tree sap and you’re an inorganic adhesive, so whatever verbal projectile you launch in my direction is reflected off of me, returns to its original trajectory and adheres to you." - Sheldon Cooper
There is a book on Pronghorn hunting in "The Complete Hunter" set of books. I have a copy on my bookshelf. It speaks a little about how to judge and ways to hunt them. I live in Denver and there good Antelope's down near Pueblo. My grandmother still lives out on the County (east side) and went ever I head west of Pueblo I always see them out in the pairie. If you want someone to hunt with let me know what unit I will use some Preference Points and get a tag. Is their land East or West of Pueblo? Jovan
Great! thanks for the help I'll see if I can find that book. They have two pieces of land. The larger piece, and where I saw the most antelopeis in Huerfano County. (only been there once so I can't tell you exactly where to be honest) From what I understand since they are land owners they get tags automatically somehow.... Not sureif I understood them correct and since they're not hunters I'm not sure they completly understnand themselves.They got a tag this year for me but I told them I wasn't prepared to hunt them yet so I passed and said I'd do it next year. I hope to know more about them by then. From everything I read it looks like it's just a spot and stalk kinda deal. (I will be gun hunting by the way)
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"Yes, well, I’m polymerized tree sap and you’re an inorganic adhesive, so whatever verbal projectile you launch in my direction is reflected off of me, returns to its original trajectory and adheres to you." - Sheldon Cooper
I have only shot 5 antelope so I am no expert. I have learned thatthe cutter should be above the ears to be a decent size buck. I shot a 13"er in Wyoming this year so you can see I'm not a trophy hunter, not that I don't look for big bucks though!!
What part of Virginia are you from?? I grew up in Western Maryland, but left when I went in the service in 1980.
They got a tag this year for me but I told them I wasn't prepared to hunt them yet so I passed and said I'd do it next year.
Now that's something I would not expect to hear, no offense. It seems to me that the best way to learn about hunting any critter is just to get out there and do it. You're going to make mistakes no matter what, but that's "the meat" of the learning process. Heck, it seems like you have recurring opportunities, so go have some fun and watch those little white arses run to the horizon. I'm not saying that you shouldn't prepare as much as possible for the next time, just remember that you're only going to get a finite amount of "hunts" in this lifetime and if you can avoid it, don't "pass" on any more. They are worth too much
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and my wife's family owns about 3K acres of farmland near Pueblo CO.
BTW--Does your wife have a sister???
just kidding--sorry girls I'm already taken
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If you don't already have one , get a good spotting scope and IMHO binoculars should be 10x42. Depending on the amount of pressure the antelope recieve on the land you're going to hunt will a bearing on how hard you will have to work. The more you view the better you'll get in judging an animal and knowing which one is worth a stalk or shot.
Like in any hunting getting familiar with the terrain goes a long way in a successful hunt. If you've been a good whitetail hunter over the years you're going to find antelope fairly easy. The name of the game here is patience. A little hint , I've found antelope a creature of habit and predictable and easily ambushed if you are willing to get up early, do some hiking and be set up 45 minutes or so before sunrise.
Any rifle you're capable of shooting well does the trick. A properly place shot from most any caliber will drop a speed goat in it's tracks. 270,280, 25-06,308, 30-06 or any 7mm are good choices and odds are you probably own one or more already.
Good luck and enjoy antelope hunting! They are my favorite big game animal to hunt.
There's a company in Bargdner, Montana called Elk,Inc that has excellent products. I use several of their calls and have been very pleased with the videos I have purchased. Check out http://www.elkinc.com/VIDEOS_vta.aspx
Check gun regs in CO and make sure to have proper caliber. Here in Wyoming you have to use ".23 cal. or bigger" for instance. Hunting lopes is very different from what you've been used to.
First, you are out in the prarie and can literally see for miles. So can your prey! Lopes have 8 power eyesight and are very skiddish. L-o-n-g shots are the norm. I'm talking 200 yards+ are not at all uncommon. As a former Antelope guide, the one piece of advice I could give to a "back east" hunter is to practice long shots and get good at it before coming out.
Also, regardless of how you get here, always re-check your gun when you get there. Put a couple in the paper just to make sure beforew launching lead at the game. There seems to be a potential difference in the shot when you change altitudes, humidity, and air density.
Which caliber is for another post. Just don't bring a 12 GA with deer slugs or a 30-30 (lol).
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New to antelope hunting...
. I'm not saying that you shouldn't prepare as much as possible for the next time, just remember that you're only going to get a finite amount of "hunts" in this lifetime and if you can avoid it, don't "pass" on any more. They are worth too much
