2025 Hunt Advise

[Oilfieldmiller]

First off, I'm a lifelong hunter here in Ohio and WV. I've also hunted Elk in WY/MT/CO with success with both bow and rifle. However, I've never hunted antelope except thru binos along the highway when traveling.

I'm looking to take my older two kids (15/14) to WY for antelope in October to get their feet wet and peak their interest in western hunting before committing them to backcountry excursions. I'm choosing an antelope hunt because I can quickly shift the hunt from hard to easier via camping/hotel/hiking/road hunt/etc so they have the most enjoyable time and get them hooked. We'd have about 3.3 points as a group and we also have option for special tags that will increase any odds to get a tag.

My question is, with only about 5 days to actually hunt, is trying to fill three tags a tall order? I don't want to get into situation where we are setting up for failure to get three lopes when two is more reasonable and more enjoyable. Love to get my first but love even more making an enjoyable trip for them. Even with me not in the pool it seems we could draw a good tag if we went with the Special Draw so my points aren't a make or break for the party application. Mainly looking at central and south-central WY.

I know there is a ton of variables that would affect this and there is no right answer but just looking for insight from folks who have party hunted before and have experience. Thanks for the time folks.

 

[dirtytough]

Easily doable to fill 3 tags in 5 days. I would even try to get a few doe tags.

 

[cnelk]

Easy Peasy.
We've limited out with bucks and does in about a half a day

Its a fun hunt. No need to be out there at the crack of dawn either

 

[philos]

I think antelope is the perfect gateway for folks looking to hunt the western US. They’re not hard to see and they’re not hard to kill. Sometimes you do have to shoot a fair distance but not half a mile like some people think. The last one I shot was about 75 yards. They’re tasty and a real cool looking little animal. They make neat little European mounts I think.

You could teach your kids how to stalk and you wouldn’t have to be disappointed if you blew a couple of stalks because there’s typically a few animals to choose from.

I bet you guys could have a blast hunting them as a family

 

[go_deep]

Yes, take them hunting! If your willing to pay the special, do it and go have a great time!!

 

[Oilfieldmiller]

Thanks all for the info and support. Sounds like 3 tags isn’t a stretch and more than doable. Hopefully I’ll have some posts on the 2025 Meat Pole thread this fall.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SouthernCharm]

Select your area wisely, big winter kill 2 years ago. They come back fast and strong, however I saw few antelope in my normal area.

 

[Kevin W]

I was in a similar situation almost ten years ago. Two young sons and an idea to go antelope hunting in Wyoming. We did one tag at a time and hunted back to back years.

 

[voltage]

If you can swing it, I think the special tag is worth every penny in your situation.

 

[sndmn11]

I'd consider 1 buck tag for whoever, and then someone else next year, and then that last the following year.

Three memorable trips beats one.

 

[Onehorse]

First off, I'm a lifelong hunter here in Ohio and WV. I've also hunted Elk in WY/MT/CO with success with both bow and rifle. However, I've never hunted antelope except thru binos along the highway when traveling.

I'm looking to take my older two kids (15/14) to WY for antelope in October to get their feet wet and peak their interest in western hunting before committing them to backcountry excursions. I'm choosing an antelope hunt because I can quickly shift the hunt from hard to easier via camping/hotel/hiking/road hunt/etc so they have the most enjoyable time and get them hooked. We'd have about 3.3 points as a group and we also have option for special tags that will increase any odds to get a tag.

My question is, with only about 5 days to actually hunt, is trying to fill three tags a tall order? I don't want to get into situation where we are setting up for failure to get three lopes when two is more reasonable and more enjoyable. Love to get my first but love even more making an enjoyable trip for them. Even with me not in the pool it seems we could draw a good tag if we went with the Special Draw so my points aren't a make or break for the party application. Mainly looking at central and south-central WY.

I know there is a ton of variables that would affect this and there is no right answer but just looking for insight from folks who have party hunted before and have experience. Thanks for the time folks.

Yes, 5 days is enough time in most reasonably good antelope areas. I've killed a couple of dozens over the years here, in Montana. I never needed more than 3 days to get a goat, even when I let my first-time guests shoot first. These were ALL walk-in hunts - no road hunting for me. You are correct about all the variables, but if the weather is good and you do your part, you'll be fine. I think you and your sons should have a blast. Good luck and be safe.

 

[bkjastrebsky]

Wyoming makes a great trip. According to to Gohunt you can draw a lot of units in the special. Seems like with the price increase in tags it is keeping folks out of the special pool. Given 5 days and 3 tags i think yall can pull off a great hunt. I killed an antelope a couple seasons ago just over 2 miles on foot and I can almost guarantee noone else was going that far on foot for an antelope. Take the kids, take the packs, and go have fun.