Pronghorn versus Deer

A pronghorn antelope is about the same as a medium deer.

Niether is particulary hard to kill. A .243 Win is about as effective as anything. Antelope are thin-skinned like a deer, and a bullet through the lungs stops them quickly.

I've even killed a couple of antelope with a bow.

Daryl
 
I have only shot about 30 so dont have alot of experence but from those I have shot and the couple dozen I have seen others shoot I feel they are very fragile. I have seen them tumble from very slight wounds. Saw one one fall and stay down from a hoof hit.
 
Antelope are small, easy to kill (if hit properly). The problems is not how tough they are, its estimating how far away they are. Most people over estimate the range. This is because of their size, plus the fact they are often found in prairie grass or sage, where you don't see the whole animal, making them look smaller yet so hunters tend to over estimate the range.

Another reason people tend to think they are tough is they try to shoot them on the run, wounding them because of improper hits, and when they don't go down they think they are tough critters. Those puppies are quick. They get up to 45 miles per hour (about 66 FPS), so at 200 yards with a 90 grn 243 you have to lead them about 15 feet. But are they running 35 MPH or 45? The difference in the lead is larger then the length of the animal.

The above is why there are so many muffed shots on antelope, why there is so many wounded antelope leading people to believe they are supper tough, they aren't, they are fragile.

Before the season starts, go out on the prairie with a range finder. Guess the range, then check your guess with the range finder. Watch them run, see how much ground they can cover, estimate the time it takes for them to cover ground, then walk out there and see if you can step off that distance to see how close (or far) your estimate is.

Also take into account its seldom you can hunt antelope on a calm day, it don't take much wind to drift a little 90 gr bullet off target.
 
I hunt pronghorn every year, and if hit correctly they die very fast. The have the ability to travel a great deal of distance if hit incorrectly. They still run very fast with with just three legs or gut shot and can cover a lot of ground.

Don't discount the little pronghorn as being fragile and easy to kill. My hunting buddies and I have botched more shots on pronghorn more than any other animals we hunt. I find them one of the toughest animals to shoot correctly as they are hard to judge size and distance to them without a rangefinder.

Plus I find that a lot of rangefinders can't even pick them up past 300 yards. The best rangfinders I've tried for hunting this animal is the Lecia's. I've tried Bushnell, Nikon, and Leupold as well to name a few and unless there is a large group of pronghorn they will not pick out a single animal beyond 300 yards.

I had one wounded buck that I helped to put down take two shots from my .375 Ruger before he fell. I put one through the rib cage which spun him around but he was still standing so I put another through his left hip and it came out his neck on the right side. The second shot dropped him in his tracks, but I was surprised he was still standing after my broadside shot with a 270 grain slug.

My best advice for people wanting to hunt pronghorn. Be patient, don't rush the shot, be prepared to make shots out to 400 yards, and if it doesn't feel right don't take the shot. If you wound one, watch where it runs off too, and try to keep it in sight. Pronghorn are one of the most enjoyable hunts you could ever do, and they are tough to get close to.
 
A .243 is about the prefect caliber for speed goats, although I've used a .270 the last few years, generally in the plains its hard to sneak up on them, so you make some longer shots.
 
With a good shot, antelope are very easy to bring down. They are not very tough animals and certainly not as tough as whitetail in my experience. A poster above called them fragile and I agree with that term.

The real challenge with antelope is making a good shot at a long distance.
 
To the contrary of many folks' thinking, I find pronghorns very easy to hunt, and even easier to kill. As I said above, I've even killed a couple with a bow.

I've made some extreme shots on coues deer at times, but I've yet to take a shot at an antelope much over 200 yards. 212 yards was the longest, to be exact.

They're not at all hard to stalk if you take your time. Most of the time I use low ground, finishing the stalk on my belly with a little grass for cover. Once in position, wait for the right shot. I once waited some 40 minutes before finally getting the shot I wanted on an antelope buck, after stalking him for nearly 2 miles.

IMO, there's no excuse for consistently shooting holes in various parts of their anatomy from ranges beyond the shooter's capabilities. Stalk them to get within range; it's what hunting's all about. Shoot them through the chest, and they'll die quickly and without running very far.
 
They're not at all hard to stalk if you take your time. Most of the time I use low ground, finishing the stalk on my belly with a little grass for cover. Once in position, wait for the right shot. I once waited some 40 minutes before finally getting the shot I wanted on an antelope buck, after stalking him for nearly 2 miles.
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To Daryl's point, antelope can be very easy to hunt at times. While I've shot them at 300 yards, I've also gotten very close shots at them and dropped them under 50 yards.

They do have great eye sight but as pointed out, if you move very slow and use cover, you have a chance at a good stalk.
 
To Daryl's point, antelope can be very easy to hunt at times. While I've shot them at 300 yards, I've also gotten very close shots at them and dropped them under 50 yards.
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I have multiple 400+ yard called shots under my belt, as well as a 550+ yard called head shot.

....But I agree with everyone else.
Antelope are about the most difficult big game animal to properly hit. If you're shooting them on the run, you WILL lose. Whether it's wasted meat, or a lost animal; you will lose (if you even manage to hit them).

Their small size and odd body shape, in open ground, makes range estimation very tricky. And if you don't have several animals together, to judge body size to body size, it can make things worse.

Antelope are very fragile, but if you can't hit them properly... you're dealing with a wounded animal. And that wounded animal is the fastest long distance runner in the world. They can hit 50+ mph in about 3 seconds, and sustain 40+ mph for more than 20 miles. Gut shot that "fragile" antelope? It might run for 2 miles, before slowing to a "measly" 30 mph.... while you're still trying to get to your truck. Even if it collapses 1 mile away, you probably won't see it drop; and will have no idea where it ended up.

What makes Antelope very fragile, is their light construction, and massive "butter zone". Their heart and lungs are huge for their body size, and the liver is nearly three times the size of a comparable animal. These enlarged organs make a proper shot very effective.

Like Taylorce 1 - I have seen (and made) more botched shots on Antelope, than any other big game species I hunt.

They are just so difficult to judge... and then the wind comes into play. Antelope love open ground, where their eye sight can be put to good use. This means for windy locations - even on "calm" days.
If you can't read it accurately, and factor the wind into your shot, you'll be:
A) Chasing a wounded animal from a botched shot.
B) Frustrated beyond belief, because you can't hit anything.



Over the last few years, I've been changing my approach to Antelope. It helps negate several of the above factors. I grew up learning that Antelope hunting was a run-and-gun experience. Drive around in the truck, jump out, blast away, and claim your prize. That's where nearly all of my long shots (mentioned above) came from - except for the long head shot.

Now, I use the truck as transportation to the beginning of a stalk, and that's it. I made one called shot of roughly 415 yards, two years ago. Since then, I haven't taken an antelope at more than 115 yards. Getting in close takes wind out of the equation, makes distance judgments more accurate and a little more forgiving, and (for me) allows head shots off shooting sticks or a bi-pod to be an option (I hunt for meat).

Those 400+ yard called shots I opened this post with will likely never be repeated. It is so much more effective to take the time to get closer.

Antelope are fragile, but you have to hit them properly, for it to matter.
 
I have multiple 400+ yard called shots under my belt, as well as a 550+ yard called head shot.
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Like Taylorce 1 - I have seen (and made) more botched shots on Antelope, than any other big game species I hunt.
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Well, figuring this one out isn't rocket science. ;) Small, usually moving targets at long range can be tough.

....But I agree with everyone else.
Antelope are about the most difficult big game animal to properly hit. If you're shooting them on the run, you WILL lose. Whether it's wasted meat, or a lost animal; you will lose (if you even manage to hit them).
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Very seriously, I've never missed one, and never had to shoot one twice to drop it. I don't find them hard at all to hit properly, even running if they're within reasonable range. I do shoot a lot of running coyotes for practice, however.

Their small size and odd body shape, in open ground, makes range estimation very tricky. And if you don't have several animals together, to judge body size to body size, it can make things worse.
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This is correct, and the country they inhabit is also decieving.

Antelope are very fragile, but if you can't hit them properly... you're dealing with a wounded animal. And that wounded animal is the fastest long distance runner in the world. They can hit 50+ mph in about 3 seconds, and sustain 40+ mph for more than 20 miles. Gut shot that "fragile" antelope? It might run for 2 miles, before slowing to a "measly" 30 mph.... while you're still trying to get to your truck. Even if it collapses 1 mile away, you probably won't see it drop; and will have no idea where it ended up.
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In my mind, this goes back to the basics that we all know, but sometimes folks forget. Bullet placement counts for a lot, and hunters should not exceed their own capabilities, nor the capabilities of their firearm. Shot placement counts.

What makes Antelope very fragile, is their light construction, and massive "butter zone". Their heart and lungs are huge for their body size, and the liver is nearly three times the size of a comparable animal. These enlarged organs make a proper shot very effective.
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yep. Easy to kill.
They are just so difficult to judge... and then the wind comes into play. Antelope love open ground, where their eye sight can be put to good use. This means for windy locations - even on "calm" days.
If you can't read it accurately, and factor the wind into your shot, you'll be:
A) Chasing a wounded animal from a botched shot.
B) Frustrated beyond belief, because you can't hit anything.



Over the last few years, I've been changing my approach to Antelope. It helps negate several of the above factors. I grew up learning that Antelope hunting was a run-and-gun experience. Drive around in the truck, jump out, blast away, and claim your prize. That's where nearly all of my long shots (mentioned above) came from - except for the long head shot.

Now, I use the truck as transportation to the beginning of a stalk, and that's it. I made one called shot of roughly 415 yards, two years ago. Since then, I haven't taken an antelope at more than 115 yards. Getting in close takes wind out of the equation, makes distance judgments more accurate and a little more forgiving, and (for me) allows head shots off shooting sticks or a bi-pod to be an option (I hunt for meat).

Those 400+ yard called shots I opened this post with will likely never be repeated. It is so much more effective to take the time to get closer.

Antelope are fragile, but you have to hit them properly, for it to matter.
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Very good advice. :)

Daryl
 
My father killed quite a few deer as they were running, and out to some pretty good distances. And then he went with a rancher and a couple of other guys on an antelope hunt near Marfa, Texas. He was in the back of the pickup as they drove around a big pasture.

An antelope took off running, crossing the road ahead of the truck. My father figured he'd do his usual deal and show off a bit by killing the running critter.

Big mistake. He was definitely startled when the bullet went behind the antelope. Yup, "Speed goat." :D
 
They can hit 50+ mph in about 3 seconds, and sustain 40+ mph for more than 20 miles.
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On my last antelope trip, we actually had one race us. We were driving down a dirt lane and a nice buck (we were out of tags at this point and my buddy stalked this very antelope the day before, took a shot and missed) started to trot along next to us. My buddy goosed the Chevy and the antelope kicked up his speed to stay next to us. We hit 20 mph and he stayed right there. 30, 40 and then finally 50 mph and that antelope looked like he hadn't hit all his gears yet. We actually ran out of road before we could out run that antelope. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
 
Well, figuring this one out isn't rocket science. Small, usually moving targets at long range can be tough.
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I have only made one bad long range shot (~450 yards, thought it was closer and hit it in the butt with the extra bullet drop).:barf: The follow up was the only shot I have ever had to take on my own wounded, (and running) antelope. Other shots on running antelope were animals wounded by other hunters (I used a spine shot on a fawn, and double-shoulder/lung shot on a yearling buck).

But, as I said... those long range shots are not likely to be attempted again, any time soon. It's a far better experience, getting closer.

I won't shoot at running antelope, unless I absolutely have to. (Damage control, due to a bad shot by some one in my party.) I do practice on running jack rabbits, though.
I haven't even shot at a walking antelope for quite some time. My tags are generally filled with animals that were standing perfectly still, or lying down, chewing their cud (another bonus of stalking in close).
 
I've botched exactly three shots on Pronghorn.

My first I was 18 and just started big game hunting. I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I had a new scope installed on my .243 and was told by the guy who installed it it was sighted in at 100 yards. I didn't understand the difference between bore sighting and actually having a rifle zeroed. I shot my first pronghorn buck at 100 yards, and it was a quartering toward shot. My bullet hit too far back through the guts and took out a hind quarter. Fatal shot as the buck only made 200 or so yards before bleeding out.

Next several years later I had stalked as close as I could get and ran out of cover. I was about 300 yards from this buck, he noticed me getting into shooting position so I rushed the shot. My shot was low and broke a front leg, he did go down which gave me time to reload. He was up quickly and put about another 100 yards between us, my second shot took him in the lungs and heart as he turned to look for where I was at and he hesitated enough to give me the follow up.

Last one was three seasons ago and I had just got my .25-06 up and running. I saw one lone sentry doe standing up in the middle of the pasture and a bunch more laying down about noon. I belly crawled into range I though was about 300 yards as I couldn't get my range finder to work on that lone doe.

My first shot was high as I had miss judged the range, my 100 grain bullet hit just under the spine through the rib cage, without destroying the lungs or spine. She ran about 100 yards and laid down, and I made the rookie mistake of thinking it was a done deal. As I was walking back up to her she jumped up and ran off, I managed to make a snap off hand shot but it hit low breaking a hind leg, and zippering open her belly. I missed with my next two shots and pursued her for over a mile on foot before I was able to finish her off.


I had only zeroed my rifle to 100 yards developing the load I was working on and hadn't worked out MPBR yet. I had waited 4 years for this rifle to be finished at the gunsmiths so I rushed it into the field. A mistake I will not soon repeat.

I've killed several after and before these botched shots. I've learned a lot from them. I've killed several inside 100 yards and a few beyond 400 yards. None of my shots have ever been taken at running animals, unless it has already been wounded my myself or others. I've never lost a pronghorn or other big game animal.


Daryl, I'm happy you have never made a mistake hunting this game animal. However I'm grateful for the learning experiences I had through my mistakes. I'm even more grateful that I've never lost a pronghorn from my botched shots.
 
Speed goats are no harder, and no easier than other game to put down. Hit them right (I prefer heart and lungs), and they go down and stay down, muff it and they run for the next county faster than you could believe.

I muffed a shot on my second speed goat last year.......misjudged distance and wind on a doe and put a 250 grain Hot-Cor from my .358 Winchester through both rear legs, about 3 below the knees........and blew out about 6" of bones i on both sides, all that was a little strip on skin connecting the upper and lower portions together. That doe ran off at speed I would have thought impossible considering the stumps for legs she was using, untill I could put another round throught both lungs and heart. Worst shot I have ever made, which put the bullet in a horrible place, and left me chasing a wounded animal, and it was due to my underestimating both wind (its Wyoming, is it ever not windy?), and the distance (farther away than I was estimating), and that she was slowing walking, which I didn't lead enough for.
 
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