1st time Wyoming antelope hunter

G

GAR700

New member
I drew my second season tag for unit 48 in Wyoming this year. It's not that hard of a draw of course, but i am still excited. It takes darn near a decade to draw a decent tag in Oregon.
I was hoping to get some advice since nobody in my party have ever personallly hunted antelope or hunted in Wyoming. I went with a friend on an antelope hunt in this unit two or three years ago, so I kind of know my way around.
I know I need good glass, a good range finder, and a rifle I am comfortable with. I know I need to shoot a lot and be prepared to buck the wind. I am aware that Winter could be there by the 3rd week in October, which is when I am planning on going. Besides that, I know little else.
Any advise you could offer would be appreciated.

Thanks
GAR
 
I have been trying to draw a tag for more than a decade. I think it is more like a once-in-a-lifetime draw :p.

Can't help with your question, but there are plenty of WY guys on here who I am sure will.

good hunting!
 
In Unit 48 you should be able to close in to 150-200 yards without too much effort. If you really try stalking, you can probably close in to 70-100 yards.

However, it's definitely in your best interest to do some shooting, and learn to work with the wind. Some years (like 2008 where I hunt), the antelope just don't let you get close. If you haven't practiced long shots, you may regret it.

If you get a chance, take a trip to the unit. It is really useful to see how the animals move through it.

And... the cooler weather in October would be nice, and will definitely help a little with caring for the carcass. However, the animals may be pretty worked up by then. If they've been heavily pursued during the opening weeks of the season, your closest sighting could be pushing 1000 yards.


My number one piece of advice for Antelope:
Wash the carcass thoroughly.
Skin it as soon as possible.
Do NOT let them hang to "age". Hanging is fine, just don't try to age the meat.
Butcher the antelope as soon as it's out of rigor mortis.
Do NOT fill the carcass with ice to cool it. The muscles will "cold shorten", and the meat will have an odd taste with almost no moisture. Let it cool normally in the shade (other than water used to wash the carcass).

Most important - Trim every bit of fat you find from the meat (when butchering). The fat is where antelope get the bad taste most people complain about. No fat. No fat. No fat. I wouldn't recommend a commercial processor, since most treat antelope like deer.... and you get a lot of fat in the meat. Fat-free antelope meat is absolutely delicious. It's poor cleaning/dressing/butchering/preparation that give the animals a bad name.
 
Gar, terrain will be broken hills, sagebrush and open space. You will be bordered on the west side w/ the North Platte River. Be sure to bring your fishing gear. All the better if you are a fly fisherman. There is a section of the river there considered blue ribbon.
Bring chains for your truck, emergency equipment, food and water. Very dry country. Consider carrying extra fuel. Many folks are starting to use decoys w/ good success.
Be able to shoot 300yds accurately w/ a flat shooting rifle. The range finder would be a must, especially for someone used to heavy vegetation areas.

Where do you plan to stay while here?
elkman06
 
elkman06,
We were planning on camping at that little campground on the North Platte River. I have camped there before and it worked out great for covering that unit. The open, dry, and desolate country will be nothing new to me as I was born and raised in the high desert of central Oregon and have spent my short career working on rangelands all over the West.
I am torn between rifles for this hunt. I want to take my .243 but the wind spooks me a little. I am starting to lean towards the 300 win. I guess I will just have to practice with both until I decide.
I guess that means more range time....Darn :D
 
What FrakenMauser said,
He has done this before,and understands how top quality game meat is rendered.
Only other thing I could add is be ready opening morning show up a few days early at least and know exactly where you want to be.Once the shooting starts it will be very difficult to get close.
I have some misgivings on the use of decoys,yes they work,so does a waved white towel.The white towel will not be mistaken for a Antelope.
 
Minimum caliber for big game in WY is .224 dia. excludes .223 cartridges for big game. .243 is a near perfect cartridge for Antelope with 100gr. Nosler Partitions.
 
Yes on flyfishing gear for the North Platte, as a side trip.

No, on the 243.

Perfect goat cartridge = 270, 130 gr. flat and doesn't get puched around too much in the winds of WY.
 
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As for cartridge, either one will be fine. The last buck I shot was w/ my daughters' Tikka .243. The 100gr Hornaday made him sick quick.
The campground will be good. Remember, Casper is only about 40miles north of you there w/ even more good fishing as well. They also have some top quality sporting goods places, food, etc.
Once the shooting starts it will be very difficult to get close
Click to expand...
I dunno, the terrain helps alot, I've shot a lot of goats well after opening day. A lot of it just boils down to your own skill-set. The buck you really want may be out there aways though.
I assume you will travel from Sinclair north, right?
elkman06
 
Perfect goat cartridge = 270, 130 gr. flat and doesn't get buched around too much in the winds of WY.
Click to expand...

Thats what I have used for years.

A lot of people truck hunt speed goats, and while it may be easier on the feet, stalking antelope on foot is so much more fun. Pay attention to the wind, and use the hills and gullies to mask your approach as much as possible. They have great eyesight and can run faster than you can believe, but are also very curious animals and can be attracted to the weirdest things (like you hiding behind a sagebrush and waving a hat overhead......its worked for us before). I love hunting antelope, by far the funnest of the "big game" I hunt, and, the best tasting meat.
 
I've used a .243 Win and a .270 Win for speed goats.

The .243 was launching factory 100 grain Core-Lokts, and did quite well. However, the 100 grain category I think is too heavy for most .243s. You're better off with a good 87 to 95 grain bullet. (And the velocity was too fast on one of the antelope I shot with the .243. I had MASSIVE meat damage, and lost almost half the animal.)


My preferred goat rifle is my .270 Win with 130 grain projectiles. It shoots fast, flat, and predictably. The .277" bore size allows for some better bullet construction, too. So, you get more predictable meat loss for the shot you choose to take. (Such as more meat damage from a ballistic tip, a little less from a Core-Lokt, or even less from a partition.) Or... no critical meat damage, if you get a perfect lung shot.

If all you have are the .243 and .300 WM, take the .243 with 87-95gr loads. If you have something in .270, 7mm, '06, or .308 - take that. I've seen what happens to antelope hit by a .300 WM.... it's not a pretty sight.
 
Right, about the 300 WM. Goats aren't hard to knock down. It is the getting the bullet to them to knock them down that is tough...distance....wind......differential elevation.........
 
In Unit 48 you should be able to close in to 150-200 yards without too much effort. If you really try stalking, you can probably close in to 70-100 yards.
Click to expand...

I second that one. Practice, but with a little work, you can certainly get some shorter shots.
 
Thanks for all the great thoughts,
Elkman, I will indeed be traveling from Sinclair North. That was the way I went in last time I was there. We will probably stop in Rawlins for some last minute provisions and be on our way. I will be going with two guys who have never even been in the state so we will try and time it so we are driving in during the latter half of the day. This will let them get an idea of the terrain and let us look around a little before we hunt. This is doubling as my vacation this year so I will be looking to get out and enjoy the desert.
We are going to hunt the third week of the second season just so we don't have to deal with too many other people around.
My 243 load is an 85 Barnes TSX over RE19. It will work if I can get one where I want it.
I have seen a few goats shot with a 300 Roy. They do a lot of damage but bullet selection can make a big difference there. I am more concerned with shooting something I am comfortable with.
Oh by the way. Can anyone suggest a good map that shows topography and ownership. I have the BLM maps but I was looking for something a little more detailed
Thanks for all the input and keep it coming...
GAR
 
Gar, for terrain detail, I really like USGS topo maps. Stop at Bi Rite Sporting goods in Rawlins and pick some up. They will have them. Land ownership is still probably best w/ the BLM maps. I typically carry both. You can always get a Rand MCNally Gazeteer for Wyo which is real good on ownership also, with more detail. You can order them on the net from anywhere, for anyplace.
elkman06
 
Private land permission

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread...
My hunting partners are pestering me about access to private land.
Is it necessary to hunt private land in Unit 48? Last time I was there we found lots of antelope on BLM. Has it changed?
We met a couple of ranchers when we were there last time that allowed us to hunt their property. The guy I was with didn't need to hunt their property to harvest. What is the best way to go about gaining permission? Is it easy to come by?
Thanks
GAR
 
Go to Wyoming Fish and Game web page and look for Landowner access.As I recall there were still a good supply of private land access permits.Pathfinder Ranch near Alcova is huge and they have in past offered and allowed hunters.
You can print the permission slips off your computer.There are other large ranches in the area that do the same.
Landowners and ranchers a busy this time of year and do not like being disrupted so they have allowed F&G to manage access on their properties.
I would encourage you make a small donation to the "Access Yes" program as well as the search and rescue.Be sure you get "written permission" verbal is no good in Wyoming if the law is cranky it can be no fun.Always make sure you are where you think you are,tresspassing is a big no no.
Good luck
 
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