Non Trophy Antelope Help

[capper]

Hey Folks,

Hoping to get out this year with my dad and hunt some new country/critters we have never hunted before. My dad is the reason i started hunting and he’s approaching 70 so we are eager to try something new while he’s still able.We have been so lucky to have hunted elk, moose and deer together, spending many nights in a tree watching animals hoping they come into bow range. We will not be able to scout this year( We live in Edmonton and i’m recovering for a broken ankle) so we are struggling a bit on choosing a wmu (im a p11) as we currently have no permission secured. That said we will head up 3 days before the season to scout and try to secure some access. I’ve looked over many of the old antelope posts and have learned a lot of Tips already. Bring lots of gas, get permission, come a few days before season, get landownership maps, be prepared for longer shots, expect lots of hunters)

I’m aware i’ll be pulling this tag blind and i’m sure i’ll get a bunch of put your boots on the ground comments but it is what it is. I’ve got a rough plan but I’m looking for any other advice y’all can offer. We’re open to any wmu but im P11 so lower priority list. I’m thinking either (108), (104,106,112) Because we don’t have permission i’m thinking a zone with lower hunting pressure and some crown land. Ive been searching the maps and i see there is a decent amount of public land in 108. ( Sandstone, Ross lake N.A, Wild Rose conservation site, Twin river heritage Natural area). Do these areas typically hold antelope? I’m aware that the twin river area may be partially off limits depending on leaseholders? These may sound like silly questions but i’ve never even been to this part of the province. The goal of this hunt and get out and glass, see the country and enjoy some time with my dad. The harvest is second but i would like to know i’m at least on land that provides us a small chance. We will be using a rifle. We will also be staying in an hotel as the old man isn’t much for camping anymore. Any advice is welcome.

[300magman]

You should have absolutely no trouble securing foot access on private and getting a couple does in those areas. Haven’t hunted the crown you mentioned but have hunted the 104, 106, 112 area lots for antelope and mulies and never have an issue getting foot access. Plenty of goats all over, but I’d stick to 106. Your hunt will be what you want to make it, if you scout a couple days beforehand the hunt could be done 1 minute into legal. In a lot of ways I’d almost make a run down early, line up some land and leave the scouting alone until it’s go time for a non-trophy hunt. At least that way you’ll get to explore a bit with a tag in your pocket lol. If not, it’ll be a scouting trip with a trigger pull at sunrise of day 1.

I’ll send you a PM with a good starting point for access 😉

[300magman]

Originally Posted by 300magman

You should have absolutely no trouble securing foot access on private and getting a couple does in those areas. Haven’t hunted the crown you mentioned but have hunted the 104, 106, 112 area lots for antelope and mulies and never have an issue getting foot access. Plenty of goats all over, but I’d stick to 106. Your hunt will be what you want to make it, if you scout a couple days beforehand the hunt could be done 1 minute into legal. In a lot of ways I’d almost make a run down early, line up some land and leave the scouting alone until it’s go time for a non-trophy hunt. At least that way you’ll get to explore a bit with a tag in your pocket lol. If not, it’ll be a scouting trip with a trigger pull at sunrise of day 1.

I’ll send you a PM with a good starting point for access 😉

Meant stick to 104. Just realized I may have put 106. Check your PM’s, outlined it better there lol.

[Rackmastr]

My suggestion is draw around Brooks (142/144) and hunt EID land. Easy access and easy to find a lot of opportunities on non trophy antelope.

I’ve hunted all the ranches you note in 108. Antelope on a few of them but not in the numbers you’ll find in the other WMU options

[greasycheeks]

Check your PM’s

[capper]

Hey Folks, Really appreciate the advice suggestions and offers of help. I’m eager to start to dig into the other areas mentioned. I’m truly appreciative!! Last night i watched every “alberta antelope” video i could find. Can’t wait to get out and see
some new land. Every hunt has great memories but this one will be special. New land, new animals, new experiences.
Thanks

[clarki]

Ive been on 4 pronghorn hunts in 108. Twin River grazing coop and milk river grazing coop are easy access, lots of land and hold Pronghorn. I would focus on the area between Highway 4 and HWY 62 along hwy 501 east of Milk River

[smith88]

Bring a wagon. Easy to lift an antelope into and then pull out in case landowners aren't allowing vehicle access (and they probably won't be )

[elkhunter11]

I killed all four of my pronghorns on grazing leases in 150/151/152. We never shot a non trophy, but we would have been done the first morning every time if we had non trophy tags.

[slough shark]

Practice long distance shooting and make sure you have good optics, the areas they hang out long distance spotting and shooting is usually the name of the game.

[elkhunter11]

Contrary to what some people believe, shots are often under 200 yards, out of the 8 that myself and hunting partners killed ,4 were under 200 yards, 3 were 300 or less, and the last one was 480 yards. I used a bipod on the first two, and a Triggersticks tripod on the last two, the taller tripod was better for shooting in the rolling hills, when we had to shoot standing up..

[ram crazy]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Contrary to what some people believe, shots are often under 200 yards, out of the 8 that myself and hunting partners killed ,4 were under 200 yards, 3 were 300 or less, and the last one was 480 yards. I used a bipod on the first two, and a Triggersticks tripod on the last two, the taller tripod was better for shooting in the rolling hills, when we had to shoot standing up..

True, I killed mine at 25 yrds, 60 yrds, 35 yrds, and 125 yrds. 2 of them were killed in coulees though.

[Redrider]

I would save up and get a good spotting scope. I think you said your going for non trophy, so there might be more skiddish as they been pushed around for for the trophy season.
My son and I went two years ago for trophy in 106, we were seeing lots of pronghorns that would be non Trophy.
Good luck.

[walking buffalo]

I've taken many NT Pronghorns over the years between getting Trophy or Archery tags.
I'll take every NT tag I can get as the meat is my favorite alongside NT Sheep.

Every Pronghorn zone has plenty of accessible land without having to ask private landowners.

Every zone has areas with unique habitat.... hidden landscapes of sandhills, rolling hills and badlands. Choose any zone you desire and be confident of being able to make a fun hunt.

I prefer to draw when the Trophy season is closed.

If you don't have a spotting scope, don't worry about it.
Pronghorns are easy to glass up, and you are only looking for a lack of horns, not determining the difference between 12 and 14".

No need to worry about long range shooting.
Take your time and make a careful stalk.
Of the last 8 tags I closed, every one was shot at less than 100 yards, most were under 50, a few at less than 10.

Have fun.

[clarki]

I meant to type WEST of Milk River along highway 501 in wmu 108

[Lefty-Canuck]

NT antelope are pretty close to the fastest tag you will ever fill, don’t over think it. Honestly get permission or scout crown most tags are filled opening day before 10am… noon if you have a tough time.

LC