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Old 05-03-2005 | 07:31 AM
  #7  
Alsatian
Giant Nontypical
 
Joined: Jul 2004
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Default RE: Antelope Hunting

Switchbkshooter:

My son and I did a pronghorn hunt in Unit 23 near Gillette, our first pronghorn hunt, last year. We paid $125/apiece trespass fees to hunt a ranch for a couple of days. Our ranch was about 5 miles from downtown Gillette, and my son took a 13.5" buck. The draw in this unit is just about guaranteed. As a matter of fact, I think there are usually left over permits that can be applied for, perhaps in July after the regular drawing. Phone the Buffalo, Wyoming field office of the Wyoming Fish and Game department to ask them to email you a list of land owners that will let you hunt on their lands. I think you can do it for well less than $1700/hunter. To my knowledge the heads are not overly big in Unit 23, so if your goal is big horns, you ought to look elsewhere. There is also a large piece of public land in Unit 23 -- the Thunder Basin National Grassland -- but I have heard rumors that this land is heavily trafficked by hunters. Maybe hunting during the week, a couple weeks into the season would be a strategy to avoid heavy hunting pressure.

Pronghorn hunting isn't too complicated. Get on top of a hill with binoculars, find the animals, determine an approach to stalk up on them, and go for it. If you fail or spook the animals, guess what, there are more pronghorn and more stalks just around the corner!!! There are tons of antelope in the Gillette area. No kidding. I don't see what an outfitter or guide gets you, other than access to private herds that might have bigger horns and a guide who has good experience field judging horn sizes who can say "Oh, that one is only 14.5", you should hold out for 15.5" in this area." Close to Gillette, you can drive your truck to Gillette and have your taxidermist cape your head for you, if you choose to mount your antelope head. So, in my humble opinion, if your funds are limited and you are not head hunting, save your money and do it yourself. Practice your marksmanship.
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