beginner antelope gear

[Rich M]

Rifle & scope you can hit with out to 300 yards or so, boots on feet - binoculars are nice - 10x.

Take the scope & binocular recommendations as Ford vs Chevy - worst case, borrow some binoculars. I bought a pair of closeout $500 binocs for $200 and was all proud of myself. 2 buddies show up with $150-$175 new glass and it was better than mine (which is still nice). Crazy how optics have improved with the lens coatings.

Everything else is totally optional. Cooler, game bags, knife, jacket - use what you have. We've entered a competition to see who can buy the most stuff and most of it isn't necessary.

 

[Dead eye BT]

I didn’t read through all the posts here, so hopefully I’m not repeating what’s already been posted... You don’t need any specialized equipment to hunt antelope. Just bring a rifle you’re comfortable and familiar with, don’t shoot any further than you know you should, and bring a pair of binoculars. Don’t be the guy looking around through a rifle scope.

 

[rollie]

10x42 binos. The best you can afford. If I was a rifle hunter I think I’d put a bipod on my rifle for antelope.

 

[jrm02]

I didn’t read through all the posts here, so hopefully I’m not repeating what’s already been posted... You don’t need any specialized equipment to hunt antelope. Just bring a rifle you’re comfortable and familiar with, don’t shoot any further than you know you should, and bring a pair of binoculars. Don’t be the guy looking around through a rifle scope.

This. You likely already have the gear you need. If you're looking to spend money, buy some more ammo and spend more time practicing with your rifle at the range; and shoot from various positions, don't just shoot prone/off a bench. And when it isn't possible to get to the range, dry fire, dry fire, dry fire. Get as comfortable as you can with your rifle.

 

[browning2480]

Also, bring along an AR or another varmint type rifle and plenty of ammo for it. We found some prairie dog towns and since we killed out the second day, spent another two days driving around killing prairie dogs. We had as much fun doing that as we did killing Antelope. We would just drive from one town to another then circle back. It was a blast.

 

[revcwood]

We have a few trips under our belt and I agree with what previous posters have said. I second the leather gloves as there are cactus everywhere you will crawl. I run 10x50 binos because they’re what I have. A tripod makes all the difference in the world. If you are new to out west, I have found a rangefinder to be very helpful: you can see way farther than you can shoot in the sage flats. If you are hunting public, a gps chip or app is very helpful especially if it’s a new area for you. I have used OnX for years, and recently switched to BaseMap based on cost...same results so far.

Have a blast-it’s a fun hunt. We have introduced 3 new guys to hunting with WY antelope as their first trip. we normally hunt the NE part of the state on 1-2 points as we are coming from WI.

 

[zacattack]

Knee pads, leather gloves and binos
After a few of those prickly pear bastards sting you you’ll want the gloves and knee pads trust me.

 

[eaglemountainman]

I’m not gunna lie I hope I have to work for it a little! But good to know, the hunting is so different from florida where I’m from it’d be an experience

There will be plenty of tough hunts throughout your life. Take the easy ones when you're lucky enough to have them fall into your lap, and don't ever feel guilty about it.

The advise here is good. A good rifle setup, decent 10X binos, sharp knife and a positive attitude, and you should be good to go. Best of luck to you. Hope you have a blast!

EDIT: I would also add a decent day pack, preferably, with a load shelf, in case you find yourself with a load of meat a few miles from the truck.

 

[Elkchaser24x7]

Knee pads, leather gloves and binos
After a few of those prickly pear bastards sting you you’ll want the gloves and knee pads trust me.

This is a^^^Pro Tip here. I don't know how many times have had to drop my pants on the prairie to pull prickly pear needle from my knees from a antelope stalk and crawl. I would add a Leatherman to pull them out.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

Depending on terrain, I like to have a bipod on my rifle for belly crawling and taking prone shots. In some areas the sage brush can be too high to make this an option. Flat, harvested wheat fields and overgrazed grass make for easier prone shots with a low bipod.

A cooler full of ice at the truck to get the meat cooled off as soon as possible.

Kneepads to protect you from rocks and cactus. Aftermarket plumbers kneepads work but are kind of clunky. I have a pair of hunting pants with removable kneepads that work really well.

A good pair of 10x42s is all you need. Unless you are counting inches and holding out for a giant, there's no need for a spotter.

 

[Biggie]

10x42s, rifle, shooting sticks, pack and gamebags, 70qt cooler full of ice (I fit two boned out with ice), knee pads, leather gloves, and some water.

 

[Hunt30]

I’ve been on a lot of antelope hunts, so I guess you could call me an expert. In addition to your license, gun, ammo, other mandatory equipment includes potato chips, soda pop, a large selection of candy and other snacks, a fresh playlist, and accommodations in a good hotel. It would be highly recommended that you stay in a town close to your hunting area, with an abundance of good restaurants and if there is an Indian casino close by even better. Plan it over a weekend so you can watch football in the evenings. Most of the rest of the stuff is optional in my experience.

 

[ckeehn]

Hey guys,
So brand new to the forum but I’m trying to get into my first western hunt and want to do antelope, I’ve been in contact with game and fish agency’s asking questions and doing a ton of research. I have clothing, boots and a rifle covered but I feel like the most important aspect is optics and I feel overwhelmed.
First off would you go with both a spotting scope and Binos or one or the other? And what would you recommend, I don’t wanna spend a ton of money but I also don’t want crap, I’ve been looking at vortex but am open to anything.
Also any other gear you’d consider essential? Hopefully after this I’ll continue to build the gear list to continue western hunting so versatility is key.
thanks!

Tweezers-Cactus sucks. Chapstick. Eye drops.

Last year i went and honestly had two vortex razor spotters in backseat. My 22-48x65mm that i used often and my buddies big 27-60x85mm that i didn't use. I drove around with my buddies viper 15x binos on a window mount and my viper 10x42s constantly looking. I used the spotter here and there but once you get out a few hundred yards the heat waves don't care how expensive your glass is.

Imo- buy one this year (spotter). Expect to spend $750+ with tripod. Buy once, cry once. Then in the following years buy another piece.

 

[Marmots]

The most overlooked piece of gear for new antelope hunters is some sort of meat care system.

Pronghorn meat is excellent, but a lot less forgiving of bad care than any other animal I've experienced.

Antelope hunts aren't physically demanding so I encourage you to carry whatever makes field dressing easier and faster for you.

You don't need a fancy or big cooler, but you most certainly will want a cooler cold and ready to receive lope meat at a moment's notice.

 

[kpk]

Knee pads, leather gloves and binos
After a few of those prickly pear bastards sting you you’ll want the gloves and knee pads trust me.

Agreed 100%. I got on an antelope within 30 minutes of being out there. Stalk came to a pretty abrupt stop after finding some prickly bastards. I even had the leather gloves in my pack, but got on antelope so fast that I forgot to put them on.

 

[ArcherAdam]

Sunglasses and chapstick. Actually 2x of each.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[Bkusant]

Great thread. Sunglasses are a must for me.

 

[Miflatlander91]

I know everyone says you don't need a spotter but I was using mine after we found a heard just to check if a buck was with them from a long ways off

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[Uncle Bill]

I’ve been following this thread. I’m planning on doing an antelope hunt with in the next two years as a retirement present to myself. All of you have answered all of the questions I had. Thanks.

 

[wapitibob]

Knee pads, leather gloves and binos
After a few of those prickly pear bastards sting you you’ll want the gloves and knee pads trust me.

and tweezers