Antelope Hunting

I have never understood why rifle hunters don’t have antelope on their “bucket” list.  First, I am going to give you a couple of reasons why rifle antelope hunting with Peak Adventures should be a priority and then we’ll discuss antelope rifle hunting techniques.

There are many reasons to hunt antelope with a rifle. I’m going to discuss the three that make the most sense according to the hunters that I’ve talked to in the past at our camp.

1. Antelope Rifle Hunts – Give You Options
   1. In Wyoming, antelope rifle hunting season runs from mid-September to the end of October.  In the areas Peak Adventures hunt, the rifle antelope season runs from October 1st-31^st.  This gives the hunter flexibility while planning his antelope hunt.
   2. Antelope hunting and mule deer hunting can be done during the same trip.  Our Wyoming rifle deer hunting season coincides with the antelope rifle hunting season from October 1^st – 20^th.  Why not hunt a mule deer if you’re already hunting antelope?
2. Antelope Rifle Hunts – Are Reasonably Priced
   1. So you’ve never been on an outfitted or guided hunt and not sure if it’s for you.  Fair enough, if you’ve ever thought about going on a guided hunt then this is a great first time hunt.  Antelope rifle hunts are priced so that you’re not risking a lot of money.  You just might find out that the benefit of a guided antelope hunt encourages you to use outfitters in the future.  
   2. Trying to get your kid or grandkid interested in hunting?  Who doesn’t want to get youth interested in hunting?  This is a cheap way to expose youth the hunting world.  Peak Adventures is located near Gillette, WY near the Pumpkin Buttes.  The LARGEST ANTELOPE HERD IN THE WORLD lives in the area we hunt.  Your youth will see hundreds of antelope during their hunt keeping them engaged.
3. Antelope Rifle Hunts – Physically Less Demanding
   1. I used to guide elk hunts in the Gros Venture Wilderness.  In a few cases the client was physically fit enough to take the mountain on.  I would venture to say 98% of the time they weren’t.  Rifle antelope hunting is NOT physically demanding. The hardest part of antelope rifle hunt is the stalk.  We spend most of our time glassing antelope out of a vehicle or on top of a ridge.
   2. The mind is willing but the body is unable.  Our rifle antelope hunts are not demanding and if you have a physical limitation, Peak Adventures can adapt to help you harvest an antelope.  We’ve had a number of clients hunt antelope out of a blind during rifle season with success.

These three things are a common answer when we ask our customers why they are antelope hunting.  Now that you agree hunting antelope is a good idea let’s talk about antelope rifle hunting techniques.  If you’re going to spend the money it only makes sense to learn as much as you can about rifle hunting for antelope.

1. Antelope Rifle Hunting – Glassing for Antelope
   1. I’ve always found it best to get to the highest spot possible when rifle hunting antelope.  From a good vantage point you can take your time and view a lot of country.  Antelope are typically not too difficult to find if they are up moving about.  I like to start with a good quality pair of binoculars and scan the area.  Once I’ve made a quick scan of the area I’ll create a grid pattern of the terrain and begin to dissect the land.  If I haven’t seen any antelope by this time, I move on.
   2. If I have spotted antelope then I’ll pull the spotting scope out.  My personal opinion is you should pay more for your spotting scope than for your binoculars.  The spotting scope has saved our clients a lot of unnecessary stalks.  Antelope are difficult to field judge but with the use of a spotting scope it saves the client and guide time in determining the quality of the antelope.
2. Antelope Rifle Hunting – Stalking Antelope
   1. Before we get into the techniques.  It’s important that we talk about safety when hunting antelope with rifles.  Always be aware of where the barrel is pointed.  Remember, a safety is a manmade mechanism that is destined to fail.  At Peak Adventures, we demand the following of our hunters:
      1. Absolutely no loaded guns in the vehicle
      2. When stalking with a bolt action rifle.  You’re allowed to have one in the chamber BUT you ARE NOT allowed to close the bolt.  The bolt can be close when the hunter is ready to take the shot.
   2. You’ve found the antelope you want to harvest.  Let the games begin!  This is the best part about antelope rifle hunting.  Most times it’s not the buck you have to worry about busting you, it’s the doe’s.  Depending on what time, in October, that your rifle hunting, you may be being watched by 100 or more sets of eyes.  In early October they are winding down the rut and the herds are smaller, 20-40 head in a group.  Once the snow blows in, antelope will congregate and sometime there will be up to 200 in one bunch!  This make’s the stalk very difficult.  Don’t zone in on one animal during the stalk, watch the herd.
   3. Use the terrain when stalking antelope with your rifle.  This isn’t archery hunting; you need to get within a couple of hundred yards not forty yards.  Use ridges, drains, valleys, washes, sagebrush, creeks and river bottoms to your advantage.  Low and slow that’s our motto. 
   4. Being patient is one of the hardest things to do for rifle antelope hunters but it’s crucial to your success.   When a herd of antelope are grazing in a general direction, one technique we employ is stalking to a vantage point in front of the herd in hopes of an ambush.  If they don’t see you then stay still and let them come in.  Why take a 300 yard shot if you can take a 100 yard shot?  BE PATIENT!
   5. Know your weapon and your capability with that weapon.  You’ve found the antelope of your dreams.  You’ve made the perfect stalk.  You waited for the right shot opportunity.  You lower the bolt, aim, and POW!  The buck of your dreams vanishes into the Wyoming prairie. I’ve seen grown men, guides and hunters, absolutely loose it over missed opportunities.  Most times hunters don’t know their weapon and don’t know their limitations.  This is a pet peeve of mine because I’ve never understood why someone would spend the time and money to go on a hunt and not take the time to practice with their weapon.  It doesn’t make sense!  If not for your own satisfaction, out of respect for the animal your hunting, know your weapon and learn how to use it properly before your hunt.

We’ve covered a lot of information about rifle antelope hunting.  I hope this information helps you decide that hunting with an outfitter for antelope is a good investment.  Once you’ve decided to make that investment, the rifle antelope hunting techniques discussed will help you and your guide to accomplish one goal; harvesting a trophy antelope with your rifle.