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Best spot for Antelope

Printed From: The BaitShop
Category: Hunting
Forum Name: Big Game
Forum Description: Deer, elk, antelope, and all other big game on all continents.
URL: http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=27177
Printed Date: 28 March 2024 at 05:16
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Best spot for Antelope
Posted By: MapleHill
Subject: Best spot for Antelope
Date Posted: 28 December 2020 at 08:10
Hey guys, as you may know I have been to MT deer hunting a few times with good results. We have seen some pretty decent size herds of antelope, not a lot of them, but decent size. From research I found that there is a 50/50 chance of getting a tag in MT. Which is OK, if I get a deer tag anyhow, other than the lope season runs a little earlier. I have always read that WY is the mecca for lope, but know nothing about hunting in WY. Is it similar to MT as far as the deer? High percentage for getting a deer tag and lope tag? Seasons run similar time? Public land opportunity? I love MT and will be going there next fall, but the addiction of the west is strong and looking to check out another spot. Not looking for honey holes, just suggestions...of course if anyone here has a ranch they need the antelope and/or deer herd thinned out we can help...LOL 



Replies:
Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 28 December 2020 at 08:54
Out west, there are two ways to hunt: Private land   or Public.

Use to be it was easy to get on private land.  But due to lots of outfitters and easterner paying to hunt, the $$$ have gone up.  Most private land are really guaranteed hunts.  cost vary.  some Indian lands allow hunting with their license, and a paid guide.

Lots of State and Bureau of Land Management lands out west.  Land is marginal, cattle grazing lands; but open without $$$.  But lots of people get 'lope there every year.

Herds vary from great years to low population years.

Tags for non-esidents usually need to be applied for in spring, and require you to apply for specific  WMA or area.  Left over licenses (un sold) and landowner licenses maybe availble over the counter even up to the October opening day, but that is 'iffy'.

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/hunting" rel="nofollow - https://wgfd.wyo.gov/hunting




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“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”


Posted By: MapleHill
Date Posted: 28 December 2020 at 10:23
I looked at the site Bear. To say the laws and regs are confusing is an understatement...for most of the western states. So quickly, you have to draw an antelope tag, nothing is over the counter? Does WY have the same system, or similar, to MT as far as block management land? I am really comfortable navigating MT lands, knowing where I can or cannot be. I guess I will dive into the website more thoroughly when I get the time. I like talking to those I trust that have been there, makes me feel better that I am on the right path.


Posted By: Irish Bird Dog
Date Posted: 28 December 2020 at 10:48
maple....do you know of or use "onXhunt" system in your GPS or on computer????? If not look them up and see what they have to offer for land/owner information by state.
IBD


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Irish Bird Dog

NRA Life/Endowment

2nd Amendment Supporter


Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 28 December 2020 at 11:26
IBD is right.  If you want to hunt out west the 'chip' in your gps is necessary.  Westerners don't mark their boundaries.  not even a fence line is visible.   MUST HAVE.


Also 'corner jumping' is a crime.  So if four pieces of property meet at a single corner, and public lands are diagonally opposite...you can't cross the corner from one piece of public land to another piece of public land. 


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“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”


Posted By: MapleHill
Date Posted: 28 December 2020 at 13:03
The last couple times I was out there I did not have OnX. This past Nov my buddy went and used it and said it is fantastic. I will certainly have it next time I go. We had a pretty good handle on things in MT simply because my buddy had been going out there for several years bird hunting, we just started going after deer in '17. I think I am going to apply for an antelope permit this year coming in MT. My buddy said he saw more this year then ever before. The other conundrum is when to go after them. We would like to coincide deer/lope season. From what I've read, antelope hunting is better earlier in Oct. We usually go out the first week in Nov, would this be OK still? Or should we move up a week to opening week of deer?


Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 28 December 2020 at 15:18
As usual, the earlier season id best.  as the season progresses, the herd gets smaller.

MT is ok but Wy is the best in the USA.

Let me know when you go, I could join you in either state.


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“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”


Posted By: MapleHill
Date Posted: 28 December 2020 at 16:30
I know WY is the best. But we have a pretty good base in MT. We might venture out after next year. My buddy has looked into Colorado, we may buy some preference points for deer. Of course being working guys we don't have a snowball chance in hell for sheep, goats or moose out west. A bighorn sheep is my absolute bucketlist, but just lack the 50-60K for a governor tag and don't feel like applying for 30yrs and draw one when I'm 75. Deer, antelope and elk are easy(ier) for DIY. We have no desire to hire someone to point out the animal to us. We have become addicted to the thrill of doing it ourselves. Can't wait to be able to bring my boys and nieces, they will love it!!


Posted By: d4570
Date Posted: 28 December 2020 at 18:29
Hill, where you hunt is it 600's or 700's areas?
700 seams to be a little easer to draw and you don't have a specific area to hunt, but there is a lot of private land and fewer BMAs. I think.
600's are a smidge harder to draw, but more public lands an HUGE BMAs to hunt.
In my mind the 400's are the better areas but with that comes harder draws, lot of public and hundreds of BMAs, the first two weeks are the best, no deer hunters out stirring up the antelope, they rut early too.
IF you get a tag with a small amount of effort you will get an antelope.
Wyoming is way bigger goats and probably a better chance of a very good antelope. But if you only want a 13/14" buck we have a LOT of them. As far as numbers there at a historical low just starting to come back up. 15 years a go it was nothing to see a herd of 200 in any direction you looked. The ranchers would beg you to shoot them. let us know what you do, Gota get the apps in soon.


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Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box


Posted By: MapleHill
Date Posted: 28 December 2020 at 20:23
D, we hunt in the 600s. First year we were out we seen a few, last year quite a few more and my buddy said this year he saw tons of them. Locals are saying they are coming back pretty good. The issue we are running into it is when to go. My guess was the best time was early season, first week of Oct, but no deer hunting. So, earlier the better, we move our deer trip to opening week and try to get a goat as well. IIRC, there ae preference points, if so, I will buy a point this year, do a little more scouting, and try to get a tag for the next year.  It is just something else to check off the list. I like the looks of them and, like the muleys, a pretty iconic western game animal. We may also venture a little further west in the state and look over some elk territory. I am bringing my Dad again this year to try to get him a muley, so not sure how much extra travelling we will do. I wish I could go right now, once you do it, it's in your blood. Plus, with the terrible hunting here, it spoils you. 


Posted By: d4570
Date Posted: 28 December 2020 at 20:40
Come on up and look.
I don't know about nonresidents and points.
 But we can and do buy points.
I find you really can't do more ten one hunt at a time or you don't get either done right.
Deer or antelope not both.


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Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box


Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 07:01
Good advise from D.  pick one and focus efforts and time on that animal.
Opening day has animals less spooked by hunters and trucks.


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“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”


Posted By: MapleHill
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 08:23
I agree, but the dilemma is picking one. I think it depends on how much time we take. If we are out there for 10-14days, it is doable. Time it up around opening week for deer. We'll see, probably won't happen this coming year, gonna check on buying points and going from there. The research work starts now!!  


Posted By: Wing master
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 11:37
I live in northeastern Wyoming. I don't know all that much about the nonresident applications but if you need any information I can probably get it for you. 

Most seasons in Wyoming start on October 1st and go through October 31st. 

I would also suggest going early in the season. It has been my expierence that late in the season the antelope start bunching up. Early I normally see groups of 4 or 5. Late in the season I see groups of 50-100. It's relatively easy to sneak up on a group of 4-5. A group of 100 that has been shot at is hard to get within shooting distance of. It only takes one that sees you and starts to run and the whole herd is gone.  

Unless you seperate your hunts I would focus on either deer or antelope. They like different terrain. Mulies are usually found in rougher country where antelope like flat grassy areas. Although you could see either of them anywhere. 

Don't hesitate to ask any questions. I am more than willing to help any way I can. 

Wing master


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I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.


Posted By: MapleHill
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 16:26
Thanks Wing! Actually NE WY was where I was looking on the map. Seem like a decent amount of public land. I know when I travelled thru there the goats were everywhere. I will dig deeper, but it is not out of the realm of possibility to go to WY early Oct, then MT early Nov...hmmm. DIY keeps the cost very manageable, tags are, by far, the biggest expense. This coming year we are keeping it simple, with Dad going and all, the year after we will probably venture out to something new. Wing, I will PM you as my research continues, Thanks again! 


Posted By: Wing master
Date Posted: 29 December 2020 at 17:54
Maplehill

Their is quite a bit of public land in northeastern Wyoming but those areas are harder to draw a tag. I think it would be worthwhile to start getting preference points to help your odds. 

That being said, don't count out the areas with smaller amounts of public land. Their are antelope everywhere. A lot of good antelope hunting is done on state school sections. (The blue sections numbered 36 on BLM maps) A lot of those areas have literally 100's of leftover licenses every year. 

Let me know when you start making plans. I will help out any way I can. 

Wing master


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I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.


Posted By: stinky
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 13:12
As a side point...

Not sure if it is true, but they say that they are more Lopes than people in WY

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John 14:6


Posted By: jsgbearpaws1
Date Posted: 30 December 2020 at 14:23
Well, to be honest, people only live in the western part of the state. The wind is so strong that shots fired on the western side finally drop on the eastern side....nobody wants to dodge the bullets!

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...oh yeah! thats gonna hurt!


Posted By: Wing master
Date Posted: 31 December 2020 at 13:26
Stinky

I have always heard the same thing. 

The population (people) in my county is around 30,000-40,000. According to the game and fish, The antelope population is around 70,000. 

The population of Wyoming is just over 500,000. It wouldn't surprise me at all if their was more antelope than people. 

Wing master


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I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.


Posted By: Wing master
Date Posted: 31 December 2020 at 13:30
JSG,

We keep the liberals in the western part of the state. (Jackson Hole)

That way they don't pollute the rest of the state. 

We learn to dodge bullets at an early age. 

Wing master


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I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.


Posted By: MapleHill
Date Posted: 31 December 2020 at 16:01
Originally posted by Wing master Wing master wrote:

JSG,

We keep the liberals in the western part of the state. (Jackson Hole)

That way they don't pollute the rest of the state. 

We learn to dodge bullets at an early age. 

Wing master

The liberals pollute every state, no matter where they are!!


Posted By: BEAR
Date Posted: 31 December 2020 at 19:39
LOL

Beer


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“ The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other in opposite directions.”



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