Antelope hunt recommendation

[Cwillimon]

I am considering hunting pronghorn this coming season and I am asking for recommendations from the experienced on what route I should take. I currently have five points in CO, and WY. I live close to NM so applying there is not an issue as I apply for elk every year as well. I am open to using an outfitter as long as it is fair and reasonable. What would you do in my shoes?

Thanks!

 

[dirtytough]

I would apply in NM and if you don’t draw there apply in WY.

 

[TaperPin]

We all have different things that make a hunt more or less enjoyable. Personally, I like to be in the middle of nowhere with as few other people as possible, and no fences anywhere. Even if the biggest antelope were on a ranch and guiding fee was zero I’d pass.

For that reason and others I wouldn’t ever apply for an area that wasn’t seen in person. Keep in mind the closer you are to a town, the more hunting pressure it will get since locals can hunt it more often due to shorter commute times.

Walk in areas are a totally different experience compared to relaxed driving on two tracks, glassing from a vehicle, compared to side by side access when you don’t have a side by side. Tall brushy areas that hide antelope are different from sage flats. Flat flat flat areas are different from areas with a little elevation here and there.

If you’re after horn size, good genetics and easy winters are a bigger predictor than draw odds, number of tags, or area popularity.

 

[Idahobugler]

Good Wyoming hunts to be had, I guess it depends on what your priorities are on this hunt to decide whether an outfitter is needed or not. Regardless for the ease of finding antelope I don’t see the need to use an outfitter.

 

[NW_Whitetail]

I would apply in NM and if you don’t draw there apply in WY.

Antelope draw in NM is later is it not? If the season dates do not conflict I would put in for both. Could find yourself having two awesome hunts if lucky in the NM draw. You can find a decent hunt for 5 points if willing to go in the special draw for WY. Look for units with walk on areas etc. Even small tracts of land bordering highways held some good numbers when I hunted last year. If this winter does not end up being too harsh and we have some good spring precipitation, any unit can produce nice bucks.

 

[dirtytough]

Antelope draw in NM is later is it not? If the season dates do not conflict I would put in for both. Could find yourself having two awesome hunts if lucky in the NM draw. You can find a decent hunt for 5 points if willing to go in the special draw for WY. Look for units with walk on areas etc. Even small tracts of land bordering highways held some good numbers when I hunted last year. If this winter does not end up being too harsh and we have some good spring precipitation, any unit can produce nice bucks.

Deadline for NM is middle of March I believe. Deadline for WY is June 1st. (I could be off a day or week. Too lazy to look it up )

 

[NW_Whitetail]

Deadline for NM is middle of March I believe. Deadline for WY is June 1st. (I could be off a day or week. Too lazy to look it up )

I stand corrected. I was thinking NM with a later antelope draw date, but it is Montana that has a late date for their draw (you do not find out about rifle until August). Been looking at too many states over the last few days lol.

 

[dirtytough]

With states like WY, MT, AZ, etc that have different app dates depending on species there is a lot to remember.