How Hard with a Bow?

[jtevanMT]

I have a spot and stalk hunt planned in MT again this year. It was a lot of fun last year, but did not harvest an antelope. I was within 60 yards a couple of times but no luck. Several stalks each day, learned a lot about stalking in open county and using minimal cover to get close.

Hot, dusty, bugs, and crawling through cactus (bring knee pads and gloves), but still a lot of fun seeing a lot of animals, planning stalks and spending time with family.

 

[camelcluch]

I have images of a big wheeled wagon pulling all the equipment through the sage. Xbow, tripod, chairs, coolers and who knows what else. It’s like softball dad on an antelope mission.
BUT, it can be done.

 

[tboltz34]

I've went on two archery antelope hunts. I didn't recover my first one before the coyotes got to it and the second year my group went 4 for 4. All have been spot and stalk (or spot, stalk, and wait behind cover).

I personally do not believe it is as hard as what most say. I was expecting it to be almost impossible to get close. Terrain is your biggest friend. Always have something in-between you and the antelope while stalking. 75% of the time the antelope will see you before you shoot. But usually they give you enough time to range, draw, and shoot. However, expect a lot encounters to be far, 60 yards plus.

Decoying can be good. Definitely bring one with if you're hunting the rut. We've had some success having them close the distance and sometimes even within 30 yards. However, they can spook while drawing back. Most of the time they close the distance to 80 yards and don't go any further. In the future, this is when I would try using a buck call.

Although not in Wyoming, we've had the place to ourselves during bow season. You should be seeing a lot of antelope and getting multiple chances each day. It's more of a numbers game before everything falls just right. Everyone will have a ton of fun!

 

[cq0302]

Very impressive, what decoy do you use?


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[tboltz34]

Very impressive, what decoy do you use?


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We had Montana full body decoys and the bow mounted one. We had both buck and doe of each. I’d probably use the buck decoys more. I’m not sure if it matters much since an ole timer local told me he uses a pizza plate and paints one side white and flashes it.

Bow mounted can be tough with the wind but it’s easier with one person. You could probably lay down the decoy at the last second if it’s really windy.

Most the time it doesn’t work but just gotta find the right one at the right time. I’m curious to see if adding the buck call increases that percentage when they get hung up.

 

[tboltz34]

We had Montana full body decoys and the bow mounted one. We had both buck and doe of each. I’d probably use the buck decoys more. I’m not sure if it matters much since an ole timer local told me he uses a pizza plate and paints one side white and flashes it.

Bow mounted can be tough with the wind but it’s easier with one person. You could probably lay down the decoy at the last second if it’s really windy.

Most the time it doesn’t work but just gotta find the right one at the right time. I’m curious to see if adding the buck call increases that percentage when they get hung up.

We also went the first week in September the first year, and the second week in September the second. We saw some chasing but I think we were a little early. I’m assuming peak rut the third week would be even better for decoying.

 

[Jmyers12]

Difficult