Wyoming Antelope options?

[Polaris]

My wife and I are interested in going on our first out of state big game hunt next year. We are finally in a financial state to make this happen I think, but cost is still a factor. Wyoming antelpe seems to be the most practical as far as cost and travel is concerned. It's an easy day drive from where we live to Gilette or the Devils tower area, a long day to the Thermopolis area.

We're not trophy hunters, just want the experience and some goat meat for the freezer. Bonus deer, pheasant/upland or waterfowl options would be a plus. My wife is not very physically fit so 4X4 access, spot and stalk would have to be our game. I am a very good shot, confident with my .280 to 400 yards depending on wind, I'd have to keep the wife inside of 200. What are the options out there for a semi-guided, semi-outfitted hunt? If anybody out there would be so generous as to take us under their wing, I would personally guide you and another on a Boundary waters canoe/fishing trip you would never forget.

 

[Dr. Vette]

My Dad and uncle did this a couple of years ago, entirely self guided though they got tips from a friend of my uncle who did it before. Doe tags are easy to obtain, and if all you want is meat it's an easy first time hunt. Buck tags are a bit harder but not impossible.

In their case they stayed in a hotel with free breakfast, ate dinner out, and usually got lunch via sandwiches at a deli or corner gas station. All 4 doe tags filled within 48 hours.

One of the keys is also applying to access in the private lands. Wyoming lets you do this and ranchers are more than happy to let you take antelope on their land.

FYI, first and last antelope were shot practically from the truck, the rest were only a bit tougher. No ATVs needed.

If this looks like it's what you want let me know. If you want to go a bit "higher class" I fully understand. The friend of my uncle's used to hunt the same area with his full size van and took his wife along too, just as an example of the level of (non) difficulty.

Patrick

 

[FOTIS]

PM ME

I'll hook you up

 

[Guy Miner]

Polaris - I think you are going to have a LOT of fun doing this! I only got a taste of antelope hunting this fall, and loved it. Couldn't stalk within range a couple of times, and finally ended up with a very easy 160 yard shot. They really are amazing animals, perfectly adapted to their prairie environment. A few photos from October:

Wyoming has a fairly easy to use nonresident hunter application system. Could well be worth buying the more expensive tag instead of the regular priced tag, just to make sure you're both drawn. Take a look at the draw odds in the area where you want to hunt, it may be real easy to accomplish.

Look out for the little-bitty cactus while stalking on hands & knees...

Guy

 

[FOTIS]

Here are pictures from 6 weeks ago

 

[Dr. Vette]

Look out for the little-bitty cactus while stalking on hands & knees...

Guy

Note the knee pads my Dad has on in my photo. Leather gloves may be useful as well.

 

[FOTIS]

Look out for the little-bitty cactus while stalking on hands & knees...

Guy

Note the knee pads my Dad has on in my photo. Leather gloves may be useful as well.

Works well for prairie dog hunts as well

 

[JD338]

Look out for the little-bitty cactus while stalking on hands & knees...

Guy

Note the knee pads my Dad has on in my photo. Leather gloves may be useful as well.

Works well for prairie dog hunts as well

I brought one of those souvenirs home with me. Right in the knee.

JD338

 

[Vince]

I had my Tactical Timmy Knee Pads and some leather gloves.
Made a world of difference. Wyoming can't be beat. I hunted there for the first time this year and filled five tags on a DIY hunt with the help of a buddy that hunts antelope in WY every year. Sometimes you can find a rancher that will let you hunt their property for a minimal fee. We paid $200 each for a week of hunting and camping on the ranch. Make sure you buy all the doe/fawn tags you can legally have in hand as it's great meat. To travel that far for just a buck or a buck and doe combo is cost prohibitive I think but for one buck and four does, well worth the effort.
I'm hooked and plan to head back in a couple of years.

 

[DrMike]

Guy and Fotis,

Those are great pictures. When the antelope migrate, Fotis, what sort of distances do they cover?

 

[cloverleaf]

MAN...you Guys are killin me.... I gotta get out there again! The 250 is starting to rust... . Nice Photos. CL

 

[Kodiak]

Mike,

Several years ago, the State of Montana did a study on a group of tagged antelope to confirm their travels. The next year, one of those goats were shot on the opposite side of Ft. Peck Res..

Interesting to know how they got there.

Old Jim

 

[DrMike]

Mike,

Several years ago, the State of Montana did a study on a group of tagged antelope to confirm their travels. The next year, one of those goats were shot on the opposite side of Ft. Peck Res..

Interesting to know how they got there.

Old Jim

I know that they move quite a bit. It is interesting from a zoological point of view to learn about their migratory habits.

 

[Luv2Hunt]

You need to be aware of the cactus when you sit or lay down for a shot, not only when stalking. Tough lessons learned.

 

[Polaris]

You need to be aware of the cactus when you sit or lay down for a shot, not only when stalking. Tough lessons learned.

Yeah, I worked for a ut. pole inspection company in NM and Panhandle TX. Had to kneel down at every pole. I think I'm still pulling thorns. Took me a couple hours to figure out I should kneel on my gloves or shovel.

 

[FOTIS]

Guy and Fotis,

Those are great pictures. When the antelope migrate, Fotis, what sort of distances do they cover?

I found not very far at all. They are territorial. I always put the big ones to bed, if it gets too late, and the next day they are right there. Never fails.