Recommend a good Antelope hunt

[SNOW]

Hey guy! I took my first guided hunt last year to Nova Scotia for bear. I DIDN'T DO ENOUGH RESEARCH AND GOT BURNT BAD! For $1500, I was put out every afternoon in the same spot about 30 yards off of a public dirt road over looking an empty 5 gallon bucket. I'd be happy to share the name of the guy to help anyone else avoid the same. Anyway, I don't want this to happen again. I am looking for a place where three Army guys (I throw that in there to make the point that we aren't made of $$) can go have a good time and get on an Antelope and mule deer if available (combo). Not looking for the fancy lodge, fine meals... just a good honest guide to point us in the right direction and say get him!

Any references or info will be appreciated.

Chris

[Varmint Hunter]

I was also interested in finding a guide/outfitter for an antelope hunt this fall. What I did was go to the Harrisburg Show where hundreds of outfitters were there to discuss price, services and sucess rates. I am also able to call some of their references and get a feel for the type of hunt I can expect and to get some tips from the guys who have already been there.

I'll be going to Wyoming this Sept for opening week.

By the way, if you intend to hunt antelope in Wyoming, your tag applications must be in by March 15th. Other states may have similar dates.

I am told that if you get tags in an area with large tracks of private land that hunting permission is not hard to obtain. This may be an option that would save you some money.

VH

[gspsonny03]

SNOW, I don't know what you have in mind when you say 'good' antelope hunt, but here in Wyoming with a guide they are getting anywhere from $800 to $1500 for an antelope and a combination can run you upwards of $3000. Like VH said, there is a lot of public land hunting in Wyoming, and with good maps you can hunt all week without asking permission from anyone. If you're interested, the Red Desert is the # 1 area to draw for Antelope. That's not the number of the area, that just means it's the best place for huge antelope. Now I've never hunted there so can't help with directions, but it's in the middle of nowhere and I mean that literally, you're a hundred miles from anywhere. I guess what I'm trying to say, is there's no way I'd spend that kind of money to anyone for an Antelope when they are so easy to find. Pick a spot in Wyoming and find a land map, and there is probably Antelope, even in the mountains you can find some. If you want some info on different areas let me know I might be able to point you in the right direction.

[Nulle]

South Dakota is about the same at 1,500.00 for a guided hunt and that may get you a 12 to 13" buck is all.

[bigbrother]

If you're concerned about whether an outfitter is going to give you your money's worth, I'd consult a booking agent. There are lots of them out there. I've heard good things about Cabela's agency. They've already done the research and you don't pay a penny more for the hunt than you would if you booked with the outfitter direct.

[ol_spark]

Good idea there big b.

[SNOW]

Thanks guys. I'm not a "trophy" hunter. I am just wanting a good overall hunting trip. Good looking land, see plenty of game, all party members have a good time, and hopefully taken some decent quality aniamls. If all of this happens, it was a good hunt. ANy particular towns to start looking around for info? Hotels, within hour or so of the hunting?

[Purebred Redneck]

I wouldn't pay more than a $200 tresspass fee to hunt antalope. I shot 3 antalope three years in a row that meaured that 11-13 inches. Combined the tresspass fee cost 150 bucks TOTAL. Did I see 15''+ animals? Yes I did.

And there are a lot of animals on BLM ground. Just find a town in WY, find a large chunk of BLM withhin 50 miles, check to make sure it's at least decent hunting there, and make sure the BLM forbids atvs. Just hike back 1 mile or 2 and you'll be by yourself. That or hunt along the BLM/private line. I was hunting on a cattleranch and shot a 13in buck as he jumped (yes they do jump) the fence from a ranch that cost 2000 dollars.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't kill a 12in buck and a doe in 3 days.

[gspsonny03]

Snow,

PR gave you good advice here, but if you are going to put in for Wyoming, you will need to make up your mind soon, because the deadline for drawing in getting close at hand. Good luck to you.

[SNOW]

If I hunt with an outfitter, do I have to apply for draws?

[gspsonny03]

I believe that in Wyoming, you are still responsible for getting your own tags. I know that the outfitters were trying to get it so they could buy tags and then sell them to clients, but I'm not sure that passed. I do know every outfitter I'm aware of has his clients get their own tags. Hope this helps.

[hnter]

No outfitter or land owner can sell any kind of hunting licence in Wyoming!!!!!. They may help you fill out and send the application in but nothing else, nor does that have anything to do with increasing your draw chances. All antelope areas in Wyoming are LQ draw areas.

When I hunt for antelope with big horns I hunt area 47 N of Medicine Bow WY, it's large, mostly public and isolated with no services avaliable. Otherwise I hunt the Thunder Basin National Grasslands between Douglas and Newcastle WY. Lots of public land with good access and many antelope.
Hope this helps.
Lucl to ya,
hnter

[elkfitter]

I have a couple of extra landowner vouchers for units 3/301. This is one of the best trophy areas in the state. If your interested shoot me an email.
Elkfitter@aol.com