Archery Antelope

[abhunter8]

Well I am pretty excited for my Archery Antelope hunt near Medicine Hat. I will be going Sept 18 - 22 and trying to decoy one into range. I have hunted trophy antelope in these zones before but this will be my first attempt with my bow. There used to be a gentleman on hear by the name of Leafy that I have spoken to last time I hunted antelope. If anyone knows how to get in touch with him I would appreciate the help? Wish me luck on my hunt.

[DRhunter]

We may run into you out there as my brother, dad and I also have tags for that area. We will be out there around the same time frame!

I have not spent a ton of time out in the prairies during archery season and did not realize that there was no Sunday hunting even during archery season in the 100's until I read the regs a little more thoroughly in preparation. Oh well.. I guess we can get an early start home on the 22nd.


DR

[calgarychef]

The worst part of decoying antelope is the bloody wind. Gosh I hated that.
Bring some guylines and big spikes for your decoy and lines.
If it’s a Montana decoy bring a screwdriver to make holes in the hard ground for the legs. I never could understand why they didn’t make lag screws in the buttons to screw them into hard or frozen ground.

[smith88]

I have a couple of those shoot through Ultimate Predator antelope decoys if you would like to borrow them. Bring a wagon to load the antelope in because most, if not all, landowners won't let you drive in for retrieval. Maybe a cooler to throw some ice in to put in the carcass after as well.

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by calgarychef

The worst part of decoying antelope is the bloody wind. Gosh I hated that.
Bring some guylines and big spikes for your decoy and lines.
If it’s a Montana decoy bring a screwdriver to make holes in the hard ground for the legs. I never could understand why they didn’t make lag screws in the buttons to screw them into hard or frozen ground.

Which is why I made this for my decoy.

Stomp it in, and it won't spin.

[abhunter8]

Some good ideas, thanks. I have a game cart I will have with me. A screwdriver to make a quick hole in the hard ground for the decoy is a good idea. Last antelope I caped it, then threw it whole under a tarp in the box of my truck, with 2 bags of ice in the body cavity and 2 bags along the back of the animal and in 24 degree heat, some of the ice made it the whole 6 hour drive home. I hung it the eve at home and butchered it the next morning.

The biggest obstacle this season has been getting access as many crown leasee’s are flat out denying access due to the dry conditions.

[abhunter8]

Some good ideas, thanks. I have a game cart I will have with me. A screwdriver to make a quick hole in the hard ground for the decoy is a good idea. Last antelope I caped it, then threw it whole under a tarp in the box of my truck, with 2 bags of ice in the body cavity and 2 bags along the back of the animal and in 24 degree heat, some of the ice made it the whole 6 hour drive home. I hung it the eve at home and butchered it the next morning.

The biggest obstacle this season has been getting access as many crown leasee’s are flat out denying access due to the dry conditions.

[goldscud]

Can also install a 2nd stake to keep decoy from spinning. Carried mine in the quiver

[cacty]

Bring a ton of drinking water my man, it was 34*C in the shade Sept. 2 in MH.

[Hilgy]

Originally Posted by cacty

Bring a ton of drinking water my man, it was 34*C in the shade Sept. 2 in MH.

Confirmed. 37* in the Canola in 163 this past weekend. Tons of goats around this year. Havent laid eyes on any crankers yet though

[abhunter8]

I waited til now to hunt them, cooler weather and Antelope rutting. Best of luck everyone.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by abhunter8

I waited til now to hunt them, cooler weather and Antelope rutting. Best of luck everyone.

Good luck, post up a few pics and story too

[DRhunter]

abhunter did you end up having any luck?

We were able to fill 2 of our 4 tags last week (will post up some pics in Lefty's archery harvest thread when I get a chance). The antelope were certainly rutting and seems to be a great population of goats this year.

We did not get any of the real aggressive action of bucks coming in hot to run our "buck" decoy off. All of our close encounters were from curious bucks where we were able to get into 100-150 yds out of sight and pop up the decoys; the bucks would come in and slowly work around us trying to get downwind (or just pack their does up and walk the opposite way). So much fun to hunt and tons of action with very few shooting opportunities. All of our chances were bucks circling us between 50-60 yds.

DR

[abhunter8]

Well… day one and day 2 saw lots of action with 17 stalk and decoying attempts. One decoyed antelope from 400 yds away covered the distance to 40 yds in 30 seconds on the afternoon of day 2 but didn’t stop for a shot. One stalk resulted in a 50 yd shot opportunity uphill and I shot a couple inches over his back. This brings us to the morning of day 3…. I was very focused and determined to make an attempt at every decent buck we saw. By 9:30am and 4 stalks to 60-70 yds we spotted a buck with 3 does. They trotted over the hill. We stalked them for 1km over and around the hills to keep the wind in our favour and to stay out of sight. We finally saw them bedded at the bottom of a coulee 200 yds away. We snuck up to the top edge of the coulee with the decoy in front of us and the buck saw us and immediately stood up and headed towards us. We backed up a few quick steps and jammed the decoy in the ground. My buddy quickly ranged the top edge of the coulee where he would first appear and he said 16yds. I was busy knocking an arrow and getting my release hooked on the d-loop. This all happened fast as the buck appeared over the hill on the run within 15 seconds from the time he stood up. When he appeared over the coulee edge I was at full draw and we attempted to stop him. He ran right passed us at about 8yds and as he passed the decoy and saw us he picked up speed. At this moment I was already swinging on him and let an arrow fly. A complete pass through a little far back. He ran to the bottom of the coulee and bedded down but was still head up and aware. We knew he would die but didn’t want him to suffer so we quickly stalked from behind him to 40yds and I put a second Arron through his lungs. It was a super exciting hunt. I was very thankful for my hard earned first archery animal (other than grouse).

[walking buffalo]

Great to hear of your success!


We forgot to tell you.

You didn't follow Pronghorn rut protocol.

When a buck runs past you, that is his challenge to a race.
Pronghorns rely on speed for survival and this is part of the rut test.
You're supposed to run with him side by side for a mile or two.
If you can keep up, he will stop and then challenge you to a battle of the horns.

That's when you arrow him.

Next time you'll do it right.

[abhunter8]

That is good to know for next time. I will start practicing my running 40km/h while bent over hiding behind a decoy with bow in hand ready to shoot, for next time! 😂

[calgarychef]

What an exciting story! I wish we had more opportunity to hunt antelope.

[waldedw]

Congrats on the nice goat, well done,

[Demonical]

Antelope are a blast to hunt, the extra effort with a bow is above my skill level, haha.

Nice antelope and writeup.

[Bushrat]

Congrats on a nice buck!