Pronghorn the hard way

[SPTalley1978]

I live in eastern Nebraska so even getting to our own pronghorn herd is a minimum of 5 hours away. The headache with trying to hunt them here is setting up a blind on public land with time for them to adjust and not have it stolen is almost a waste. I've made a few attempts to get within range, but lack of terrain that allows a guy to get inside 60 years is tough enough but inside 20 is next to impossible. Are there any states with places that would actually suit a spot and stalk hunt, or am I relegated to just dreaming?

 

[Beendare]

I've seen some Antelope in the high country sage brush that a guy might be able to stalk. I was deer hunting and was a bit surprised to see them up in that NV high country- but they were.

What about a bale blind...or semi bale blind with that straw fabric thats used for erosion control?

Cheap, not worth stealing and the antelope get accustomed to it quickly as it looks like a hay bale.

 

[cck311]

It must be possible because there are plenty of examples of guys getting it done. Here in Utah, I've got enough points to draw my limited entry buck pronghorn tag and a doe pronghorn tag as soon as I decide to cash in my points. I plan on trying to do it with my recurve.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

This is an antelope I took here in Colorado a couple of years back. Notice the broadhead in the horn just above the base. I took it near a waterhole and obviously he had been using it and someone just missed getting a nice buck. I found the blind where the archery shooter had shot from also.

 

[olsont2]

So hard to draw even as a resident of some of these western states because of the bad winter a couple years ago

 

[Cornhusker]

My advice would be to keep at it in Nebraska. I know it's hard to get in range with a bow but it's possible as I've taken several antelope spot and stalk inside 40 yards. I've also failed a bunch of times. I do have access to private land which I realize helps a lot. I'm certainly nothing special as a hunter. I knew a UPS delivery guy who was successful most every year on public land just North of me I think he was really patient and could really read open country. I use a Montana decoy which sometimes works and sometimes scares the hell out of them.

 

[nomadicbohunk]

My dad has shot a couple with a recurve doing spot and stalk in the grasslands. So it is possible. I don't know how, but it is. The sandhills would be better for it. I've gotten close a few times there just for fun. I think he's wizard though. I once watched him get out of a tree stand and stalk up on a whitetail walking in a prairie and get it with a recurve.
Also, if you've got someone to go with, I've been with my dad a couple times and we've done the "You set up here, I'll go a mile that way , circle around, and chase them around to you. in the grasslands. That does work well out there if you can read where they'll probably go. You've got to be patient though.

Pro tip. You might get yelled at by a rancher if you don't know them, but make a foldable platform and set up in a windmill like a treestand. It works.

 

[SPTalley1978]

I've seen some Antelope in the high country sage brush that a guy might be able to stalk. I was deer hunting and was a bit surprised to see them up in that NV high country- but they were.

What about a bale blind...or semi bale blind with that straw fabric thats used for erosion control?

Cheap, not worth stealing and the antelope get accustomed to it quickly as it looks like a hay bale.

I've thought about that but it's one more thing to port around. Plus it gets hot in those things

 

[S.Clancy]

I've killed some inside 30 with a compound. I've been inside 30 several other times, but the shot happens too fast for a compound. I think a recurve spot and stalk is definitely doable

 

[SPTalley1978]

My advice would be to keep at it in Nebraska. I know it's hard to get in range with a bow but it's possible as I've taken several antelope spot and stalk inside 40 yards. I've also failed a bunch of times. I do have access to private land which I realize helps a lot. I'm certainly nothing special as a hunter. I knew a UPS delivery guy who was successful most every year on public land just North of me I think he was really patient and could really read open country. I use a Montana decoy which sometimes works and sometimes scares the hell out of them.

Honestly, I kinda figure if a fella can get within stickbow range here and get a shot off, he'd be dangerous in other states. Our lower numbers and open country might reduce the number of stalks, but if you make em count I think you could become effective.

 

[Undomesticated]

Sure, much of Wyoming antelope country looks very conducive to stick bows. You’ve got lots of animals and old-growth sagebrush to hide behind.

 

[smoke]

I'm also in eastern Nebraska. I blew a shot with my recurve in the Chadron area many years ago after a long stalk but did get it done in Wyoming. Wyoming will give you many, many more opportunities.

 

[Grassymike]

Bowhunting isn't supposed to be easy. I remember it took me 21 full days of trying through 2-3 different years to kill my first antelope buck with a bow. Keep trying different methods ,eventually it will happen.