Wyoming Antelope Gear

[handwerk]

I’ve now done 11 antelope hunts and look forward to my next one.
I would get really comfortable with that .243, have top shelf binos, a dependable rangefinder and bring a tripod or support you can shoot off sitting, kneeling and standing.
Often your only shot is getting your rifle above the sage and it can be quite tall.

 

[IdahoYeti]

I agree with the tripod or tall bipod idea. My longest is about the same as my buddy's longest a bit over 400. He used a 7 prc and didn't know if he hit it or not. He did and didn't need a follow up shot. I use a 6.5 cm. I didn't need a follow up on that one but have on others. It is nice to see the impact so I say use the 243.

 

[Macintosh]

No expert but imo the beauty of antelope hunting is you can make it into whatever you want—its much more about what you WANT out of a hunt, than whats REQUIRED for a hunt. So the below is geared toward the way Ive most enjoyed doing it.

Having shot a couple in the state in question, I agree with those who posted “dont over-think it”.

Any cartridge will do. If you pick a bigger cartridge use a hard bullet, because a soft bullet with a big cartridge WILL blow up a lot of meat if you hit meat. They’re small critters, not hard to kill at all, and not going to “disappear into the forest in seconds”.

Get it cooled off asap and on ice at your vehicle, and its some of the best meat Ive ever had.

Ime antelope are crazy easy to see, even with mediocre optics. The only reason to bring a spotter or worry at all about optics is if you are only after a “premium” antelope. If just after “a cool buck” any old 10x binos have been fine for us. If its no hassle to bring, a spotter is fun to have, but definitely not even approaching a necessity anywhere Ive ever hunted. Again, maybe unless you are being uber-choosy. Yeah, theres the “I could only see the tips of his horns above the sage” situation, its just never been critical for us.

Imo the best hunt is to be uber-choosy on the situation, not on the animal. Give me a “acceptable” animal with a super cool stalk that goes just right, versus a bragging set of horns and a less than awesome stalk and situation. Its easier than youd expect to end the hunt before you know it, so imo relax and just have fun and worry more about the situation than the particular animal.

My order of importance:
Cooler and stuff to get it on ice faster
A “slow down and relax” attitude
Binos and gear you already have.
Whatever rifle you like, just be practiced to 300yards or so from sitting, kneeling as well as prone. Or 250. Or 200. Whatever. We’ve never needed to shoot past that range or in very heavy wind. Not that it doesnt happen, but in several trips to central WY we’ve not run into it yet.
Get ready to belly crawl
Dont forget a fishing rod for after you shoot

 

[kcm2]

As for optics, a 3x9 is plenty. My shots with rifles have ranged from 50 yards to 550. I have take 40+ pronghorns over the years, helped by years with 2 Wyoming tags and a Colorado tag. Average is probably 175 yards if you don't count the seven killed with a bow under 25 yards.