Can anyone give me any tips on field judging antelope? Heading out to Colorado in October to a "trophy" zone but I've never hunted them. What should I be looking for when I'm glassing them. What does a "good" antelope score?
Field judging antelope
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I can't give you any advice. I found them the most difficult animal to score I have ever hunted. I ended up shooting a "meat goat" at the end of the second day and after I got it home it was only 2 1/2 inches off the minimum for the book so shows what I know. I would imagine one with big height and perfect shape would be a no doubter but I never got to see any of those (most of my scoring came from girth, he was only 13.5" high) and he looked no different than the other ones. Only advice I can offer (and you might already do this) practice some longer range shooting from the prone postion. I have only hunted them twice but found that standing shots were the norm but from longer distances then what I was used to from deer hunting. Second piece of advice, learn some basic wind doping. The combination of small animal, longer ranges, and open prairie (usually windy) can make for a tricky shot. There were 4 in our group both times and everybody was successful on there first shots. Like I said it was standing shots and you had a bit of time things weren't rushed unless your stalk was blown. (then you just let them go and tried again on the same group or moved on)
Good luck and enjoy the meat. Both me and my better half have eaten everything and antelope is both our favourite.
Edit: Its easy to separate the good ones from the little ones but after that sorting a good one to a great one is almost impossible. Unless you come across one of those incredible 15-17" high no doubter but I have never got to see one on the hoof.
Good luck and enjoy the meat. Both me and my better half have eaten everything and antelope is both our favourite.
Edit: Its easy to separate the good ones from the little ones but after that sorting a good one to a great one is almost impossible. Unless you come across one of those incredible 15-17" high no doubter but I have never got to see one on the hoof.
mossyhorns
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The ears on a mature Antelop will stand approximately 6 inches high. Look for prongs that start there or higher and horns better then twice that height (twice as high as the ears) as a starting point. Just like any animal, you'll know a really good one when you see it but separating the average and better then average ones can be difficult. When I shot mine it was the last morning and I was certain he was just average but good enough so I shot him. He ended up to be bigger then I thought which was a pleasant surprise.
My wife and I also loved the meat but of course that depends on what they are eating as well
Have fun.
My wife and I also loved the meat but of course that depends on what they are eating as well
Have fun.
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If you haven't seen and hunted antelope much it is really hard to field judge them. In Alberta we have non-trophy seasons and I have been drawing tags for them as often as I can. I have a son and daughter who apply as well so I go with them and get to look over a lot of antelope over the years. The more you see antelope the more you get a handle on their size. and the more you shoot the more you learn about them.
I have read different judging advice about comparing the horn to the length or the ear and how much horn is above the prong compared to how much below it etc.
One thing I do know is that there can be a fair bit of length of the horn in the "hook" at the top. So if you see two that look similar and one has a lot of hook compared to the other, shoot the big hook. It the tip of the hook is broken off is is probably shorter than a similar head not broken.
Here is a pretty buck. If his horns had turned down in a good hook at the top he could have gained an inch and a half and scored better.
I have read different judging advice about comparing the horn to the length or the ear and how much horn is above the prong compared to how much below it etc.
One thing I do know is that there can be a fair bit of length of the horn in the "hook" at the top. So if you see two that look similar and one has a lot of hook compared to the other, shoot the big hook. It the tip of the hook is broken off is is probably shorter than a similar head not broken.
Here is a pretty buck. If his horns had turned down in a good hook at the top he could have gained an inch and a half and scored better.
Thanks for everyone's input! I'm sure our guide will have a good handle on field judging, I just didn't want to come off as a complete "greenhorn". I'm looking forward to the meat (if we get) and apparently there is a good opportunity at a B&C buck. Whatever happens I'm sure it will be an adventure. Does anyone know offhand what the minimum score is to make B&C minimums?
I gotta add remember the small frame of an antelope at 400 yards will make it seem farther away. Dont hold over too much! Ive heard lots of stories where people shot over the back or spine shot what they expected to be engine room impacts.
Trophy antelope come in all shapes and sizes, some tall, wide, thick, long prongs, etc. I primarily judge them with the naked eye, especially if they are at a considerable distance. Meaning, if I see a lot of black above their head then it would be in my best interest to close the gap and have a better look. I don't only look at the length, but thickness and prong length, that's if a person wants a good scoring buck, just like judging other animals with antlers or horns.
These three bucks were taken on a 2011 rifle hunt in Alberta that scored between 76 and 80.
These three bucks were taken on a 2011 rifle hunt in Alberta that scored between 76 and 80.
Years ago we used to get two non trophy antelope tags in Alberta and my brother shot one female out of the herd and then went to shoot the other tag. We hid in a irrigation ditch for 4 of them to get closer and shot the biggest one at about a 100 yards. It had to of weighed 25 pounds and I always wondered what the smallest one weighed out of the bunch. Also my other brother shot one and walked out in the field to find it and I was trying to figure out why he was so far out as the body was at least 100 yards closer then he was. They are very deceptive critters.
Hopefully I'll have some good pics and a story to share!
Trophy antelope come in all shapes and sizes, some tall, wide, thick, long prongs, etc. I primarily judge them with the naked eye, especially if they are at a considerable distance. Meaning, if I see a lot of black above their head then it would be in my best interest to close the gap and have a better look. I don't only look at the length, but thickness and prong length, that's if a person wants a good scoring buck, just like judging other animals with antlers or horns.
These three bucks were taken on a 2011 rifle hunt in Alberta that scored between 76 and 80.
Thanks for the pics Track. Kind of puts things into perspective seeing three side by side like that.
