Versatility for Antelope

Although the most consistent method of harvesting an antelope with a bow is to hunt in a blind at a waterhole, being versatile in your hunting methods can make for exciting hunts and create success that may otherwise pass you by. The long days of waiting in a hot blind are not a lot different than sitting for extended hours in a tree stand waiting for that trophy whitetail or bear. However, utilizing other techniques such as spot and stalk and decoying may prove to be the order of the day that helps you tag your antelope.

 

All Important Timing

The time of the season we are in the field plays a definite role on which method should be considered. Many of the early season bow hunts now start in August. This arid, dry time of year points to waterhole sitting as the method of choice, but when that window of opportunity comes and goes and you are left staring at an empty waterhole, what then? The rut is another time of the season that choosing the proper hunting method will increase your chance of success. Decoying is the method of choice here, but what do you do when the big buck you are hunting doesn’t respond? This is where being versatile can help.

 

I have been fortunate to harvest numerous antelope with the bow. Each time seem to be a different scenario. One thing all of these successes had in common was an open-mindedness to stay versatile. Here are some of my experiences that may help you the next time your first choice doesn’t always work.

 

Experience from the Field

On an antelope hunt in southwestern North Dakota, I had built a natural blind several weeks before the season. This was set-up on the end of a waterhole that was heavily laden with antelope tracks. On my arrival the first morning of the hunt, I found the blind washed out from heavy rains just days before. Although discouraged, I knew that my odds had changed because of the heavy rains, so the next best way to hunt was to get aggressive and spot and stalk. I began glassing the area in hopes of finding any pronghorn that may be nearby. Within 15 minutes I spotted a small herd, and less than 45 minutes later I closed the gap to less than 50 yards and arrowed a nice mature animal.

 

On another early season hunt, I was ready to test my spot and stalk skills once again. It was well before the rut and most of the bucks were scattered throughout the rolling hills and badlands. I glassed two satellite bucks in a wide-open area. There was only one small hill near them and the closest I could get would be probably 125 yards. With this in mind, I grabbed my decoy, folded down the horn to make it look like a doe and start out. When I got to that 125-yard range I popped up the decoy. After shaking the decoy to get their attention, one of the bucks came tearing in, giving me just enough time to knock an arrow, draw and shoot him at 20 yards. Being willing to try the decoy even before the rut paid off for me with a nice buck.

 

My best buck to date was a dandy that I spotted while hunting in Montana. I hunted this buck 5 different times before I was able to get a shot. He was heavy and long and had great prongs. After several attempts to pull sneaks and waiting on travel routes, I tried decoying. He would look at the decoy from 100 yards then stroll away following his harem. On the final hunt, I left the decoy behind and began following him and hoping he would make a mistake. As he was again trailing his does, he walked over a ridge; I quickly scrambled to the edge hoping to get close enough for a shot. As I peak over, he was less than sixty yards. My arrow found its mark and I finally had him. I had once again used all the methods of hunting this guy and it finally paid off. He scores a Pope and Young 77 6/8.

 

Remember, when you are out in the field, don’t let yourself get caught-up on one hunting technique. There are many factors you need to be successful including good equipment and practicing for consistency and accuracy. But being versatile can be one factor that may definitely increase your odds of harvesting one of those prairie speedsters.

 

Wayne Muth is an avid big game hunter and FBO Field Staff member. He attributes much of his success to hard work and quality equipment. Mathews bows, Rocky Mountain Broadheads and Gold Tip arrows top the list of quality tools to make his hunts successful.

 

Top Photo: Waterhole antelope taken by successful spot and stalk methods. Middle Photo: A decoy antelope used to pull an antelope buck within bow range. Bottom Photo: Wayne with his Pope & Young antelope scoring 77 6/8. #1 Mt P&Y Antelope scored 77 6/8. #2Waterhole antelope – Spot and stalk methods that paid off. #3 Decoy antelope – Unable to sneak close enough , the decoy work to pull this buck within bow range.