I figured I'd canvas some "seasoned" Alberta antelope hunters as to whether I should go for it or hang on. I have a priority 4 for non trophy and 2 for trophy. My turf would be in the Cessford area north of Brooks. What are my chances of getting a draw? Believe it or not, I've lived near speedgoat country nearly all my life and this is my first time drawing. To expand on it a bit, I'd also like to hear your caliber choices between the .270WSM and the .257 Roberts...bullet choices etc. Any tips? never hunted these speedsters, see them all the time near the highway on the way to work, but hunting season's gotta be different, right?
Antelope draw status - go 4 it or not?
- Thread starter gitrdun
- Start date
I would say definately go for it... antelope hunting is one of my favourite hunts. I find it fun because you generally see a lot of animals every day and I love hunting the open country of the prairies. Speed Goats are very tasty as a bonus. If you're not familiar with it already, you can check out your odds of getting drawn here:
http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fishwildlife/livingwith/huntingalberta/2007hunterdrawssummary.aspx
I've always had to have been a priority 5 or 6 to get drawn, but we hunt WMUs 102 / 118, so I'm not sure about your area.
Pronghorns aren't very big and don't take a lot of gun to put down. They do have fantastic vision though and the shots can be on the long side. Either the 270 WSM or 257 Roberts would be good choices. I bought a 270 WSM a few years ago specifically for antelope / deer hunting the prairies, so that would be my choice.
Some guys hunt them using decoys, but that is something I have never tried. We usually spot and stalk them, trying to use the rolling hills as cover. I seem to put the most miles on my boots when I am lucky enough to draw an antelope tag.
I'd say go for your draw... antelope hunting is something that most Canadians don't get a chance to do.
http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fishwildlife/livingwith/huntingalberta/2007hunterdrawssummary.aspx
I've always had to have been a priority 5 or 6 to get drawn, but we hunt WMUs 102 / 118, so I'm not sure about your area.
Pronghorns aren't very big and don't take a lot of gun to put down. They do have fantastic vision though and the shots can be on the long side. Either the 270 WSM or 257 Roberts would be good choices. I bought a 270 WSM a few years ago specifically for antelope / deer hunting the prairies, so that would be my choice.
Some guys hunt them using decoys, but that is something I have never tried. We usually spot and stalk them, trying to use the rolling hills as cover. I seem to put the most miles on my boots when I am lucky enough to draw an antelope tag.
I'd say go for your draw... antelope hunting is something that most Canadians don't get a chance to do.
I'm like priority level 7 for Trophy and 4 for Non-trophy. Thinking of doing a non-trophy hunt for practice before going for the Trophy tag. My job teaching though doesn't allow much time for scouting and I'll be losing pay for the hunt itself. What is access to land like in the speed goat areas?
If you don't mind a bit of a drive and don't want to worry about getting permision before the hunting season, the WMUs south of the Cypress Hills offers some good antelope hunting. The area west of HW 41 and along HW 501 is posted "Hunting allowed on foot only." Sage Creek is a public grazing reserve:
http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/lands/usingpublicland/provincialgrazingreserves/sagecreek.aspx
If you live in antelope country and see them a lot you probably have a good idea what a good buck looks like. A lot of hunters who never see many pronghorn because they live a long ways from where there are any have a harder time of it. I know the first few times i hunted antelope i shot the first legal buck I saw. Then I started doing non-trophy hunts with my kids and we would spend a lot of time looking at a lot of antelope. Made it easier to hold off the trigger and wait for a "good buck" the next time I went for a trophy antelope.
The last buck I shot I was sitting in a ground blind at a water hole with my muzzleloader. Killed a nice buck at 66 yards. After watching some does and a coyote and a couple little bucks come in for a drink.
Good luck to you. (they are speedy but they are not goats)
The last buck I shot I was sitting in a ground blind at a water hole with my muzzleloader. Killed a nice buck at 66 yards. After watching some does and a coyote and a couple little bucks come in for a drink.
Good luck to you. (they are speedy but they are not goats)
Thanks for the info. I too will probably hold off on the Trophy antelope until I get some experience in the area. Maybe this coming season I'll try non-trophy. Sucks that I have to decide that in the spring though.
Good luck to you. (they are speedy but they are not goats)
Not even antelope either. Some wierd offshoot of ungulates with no other surviving relatives.
I've eaten them twice. First time it tasted great. Second time it tasted like rotten dog (don't ask how I know what that tastes like.) I suspect that handling and shot placement is even more important with these animals than with deer, moose etc.
Good luck to you. (they are speedy but they are not goats)
Not even antelope either. Some wierd offshoot of ungulates with no other surviving relatives.
I've eaten them twice. First time it tasted great. Second time it tasted like rotten dog (don't ask how I know what that tastes like.) I suspect that handling and shot placement is even more important with these animals than with deer, moose etc.
Antelope have hollow hair and even though they are small critters, when they are killed in mild temperatures they should be skinned and put in a cool place a.s.a.p. or you risk that rotten dog taste. Access in good antelope country seems to be about 50%. Many landowners seem to own very large chunks of land and if you have permission you may have access to a dozen sections. Most landowners do not mind the use of vehicle to access your hunt as long as you stay to the trails and there are lots because of well sites. You usually need a priority 6 for trophy, but 2 might get you a non trophy tag in some areas. Be carefull handling them, because their scent glands are not where you might expect them to be.
I'm hoping to draw a tag this year too. I'm driving out to a spot I just got permission to hunt tommorow for a looksy. This is my first speedgoat hunt too, but I'm getting excited.
Now you asked for opinions from seasoned hunters. I am not. But I'll tell you what I was talking to a friend about today. I find it fascinating reading articles from the "experts" on Pronghorn hunting. The article starts out with bowhunting. You know, get close, use a decoy, sit over water, take off your boots to stalk, etc. Later on, they always talk about rifle hunting. You need a .257 Weatherby or equally flat shooting rifle to shoot antelope. Their always at long range, don't you know. Seems kind of like an oxi-moron, doesn't it?
If I were you, you just scored the most beautiful rifle. A Featherweight with a Swarovski scope just seems right on an antelope hunt. The .257 would be wonderful, and think of the pictures afterward. Your trophy buck with that rifle laying across it's chest. You would never forget that hunt, that's for certain.
Now you asked for opinions from seasoned hunters. I am not. But I'll tell you what I was talking to a friend about today. I find it fascinating reading articles from the "experts" on Pronghorn hunting. The article starts out with bowhunting. You know, get close, use a decoy, sit over water, take off your boots to stalk, etc. Later on, they always talk about rifle hunting. You need a .257 Weatherby or equally flat shooting rifle to shoot antelope. Their always at long range, don't you know. Seems kind of like an oxi-moron, doesn't it?
If I were you, you just scored the most beautiful rifle. A Featherweight with a Swarovski scope just seems right on an antelope hunt. The .257 would be wonderful, and think of the pictures afterward. Your trophy buck with that rifle laying across it's chest. You would never forget that hunt, that's for certain.
One of my favorite animals to hunt. Beautiful country, lots of animals, and we dont usually see lots of other people.I've use a Ruger M 77 II in 6.5x55. Bring a shotgun along, cause chances are you will also see lots of birds.Good binos are a must to judge your game on the hoof. I always bring a cooler of ice and pack the body cavity as soon as gutted. One of the best game meats ever if its looked after.
Even if I dont get a draw in 08, we will go for birds and spot animals!
(Someone said take off your boots?!?, too much cactus for that where we go)
Puma
Even if I dont get a draw in 08, we will go for birds and spot animals!
(Someone said take off your boots?!?, too much cactus for that where we go)
Puma
droid1963
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The 'goat in my avatar was taken way south near Port of Aden with a Model 70 in .270Win at a little under 200 yards. Bang-flop. If I'd have had the antlerless tag, I could've got his mate, she ran off about 20 yards, stopped and waited for him. He wasn't feeling up to traveling, apparently.
All I can say from my experience is that if there's a stiff crosswind, like there was when I got my pronghorn, more bullet weight would work to your advantage. I know that's not as much of a problem near Brooks as it is down near Montana, but that's my 2 cents.
Like another poster said, it is incredible game meat.. of course, with a tank and a half of gas to scout, another tank and a half to go out and shoot one, a $50.09 license, and 40-50 pounds of meat yielded, it had better be good... that's about $8.00 a pound!
All I can say from my experience is that if there's a stiff crosswind, like there was when I got my pronghorn, more bullet weight would work to your advantage. I know that's not as much of a problem near Brooks as it is down near Montana, but that's my 2 cents.
Like another poster said, it is incredible game meat.. of course, with a tank and a half of gas to scout, another tank and a half to go out and shoot one, a $50.09 license, and 40-50 pounds of meat yielded, it had better be good... that's about $8.00 a pound!
