Impossible Until it’s Not - Bowhunting Pronghorn Antelope
When I put in for this hunt, with the preference points I had, I knew it’d be an easy-to-draw tag, but not so simple when it came time to hunt them. But how hard could it be? As you’re driving the highways throughout the western states, pronghorn antelope don’t seem so smart, especially the ones that see oil-field workers all day. As for this unit, that was not the case—they knew right away if they were being hunted.
Arriving on the unit two-days early to scout, I quickly found most of the antelope were around cattle on private property. With hat-in-hand, I started knocking doors on the farms that had antelope in their fields. All the farmers granted me permission without hesitation, but they’d say good luck getting close enough.
Without a lot of terrain to work with, I tried my hand with cow, elk, deer, and antelope decoys. The decoys were highly effective at getting me within 150-200 yards, but the antelope weren’t having it if I tried to get any closer. Slowly walking straight towards them was the most effective method, any side-to-side movement would alert them sooner. I think a larger full-body cow decoy would’ve worked well.
After multiple failed attempts, I knew that I had to find antelope in stalkable territory. Leaving the lush feed, water sources, and cattle country, I set out to try them in the rolling hills of sage and cedars. With fewer antelope to hunt and miles of country covered, I started to feel my chances dwindling, but I wasn’t giving up.
On the evening of the last day I could hunt, my new friend, Ethan Wetmore teamed up with my loyal cameraman, Jeff Shanor, and I for moral support and to show us a different area. On the ride there, I spotted a nice lone buck feeding on the backbone of a ridge littered with dead cedar trees. At this point, I was more than a dozen deep on blown stalks and I didn’t care if we were able to film it—I was there to hunt, not make a film. Leaving Ethan and Jeff behind, this was my last opportunity to make it happen.
Out of sight, I circled above the buck, and slowly picked my way through the downed cedars towards him. Just as I thought I was getting close enough to see him; he bolted. He didn’t see me, but I undoubtedly spooked him. He trotted broadside below me, and I quickly moved parallel alongside him. With his head looking forward, I could tell he wasn’t that alarmed, and he was going to stop and try to see what spooked him.
Once he began to slow his trot, I crouched with my rangefinder dead-rested on my bow’s top limb. As soon as he stopped and looked up towards me, I quickly ranged him, slowly dialed my sight, and came to full draw. With my bottom sight pin parked on his chest, I broke the shot. He didn’t flinch until after it hit him.
As he wheeled around to run, I saw my orange fletchings buried right where I wanted it. It was a well-placed shot. He didn’t go far, so I closed the gap using the cover between us and put one more arrow in him for good measure.
It felt like I had come from behind and won the match. Whether it’s hunting or competing, I don’t always win, but the potential feeling of clinching the victory is what motivates me—it’s why I do it.
Pronghorn Antelope Hunting Gear List
- Hunting Shirt: Gila LS Crew
- Hunting Pant: Kutana Stretch Woven Pant
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Insulated Hunting Jacket: Kenai Hooded Jacket
- Waterproof Rain Jacket: Chugach TR Rain Jacket
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Waterproof Rain Pant: Chugach TR Pant
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Hunting Face Mask: ULTRA Merino 145 Neck Gaiter
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Sock: StrongWool Hybrid Crew Sock
- Shoe: Salomon Speedcross 6
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Binocular: PRO G3 Bino Harness with Revic BLR10b
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Rangefinder: PRO G3 Rangefinder Holder with Leupold RX-Fulldraw 5
- Hydration: PRO G3 Hydration Rig & Hoser
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Hunting Pack: PRO 2300
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Hat: PRO Airmesh Flexfit Hat – In the film you’ll notice I cut a slit in my cap, I do this to hang it from my sternum strap while I hike.
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Camo Pattern: Valo hunting camouflage
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Tent: Summit Star 1P Tent
- Sleeping Bag: Super Down Altai 15F Sleeping Bag
- Decoy: Ultimate Predator Stalker Decoy
Bowhunting set-up for Spot-and-Stalk Archery Pronghorn Antelope
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Hunting Bow: Hoyt RX5 Ultra: 70 lb., 30.62” Draw Length
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Arrow Rest: Hamskea Trinity
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Peep Sight: Hamskea Raptor 3/16
- Sight: Spot-Hogg Fast Eddie, 5-pin: 20-60 yards. Bottom pin slider: 20-120 yards.
- Arrow Quiver: Hoyt Superlite QD
- Stabilizers: Bee Stinger Micro Hex
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Hunting Arrow: Gold Tip Pierce Tour 300- Total Arrow Weight: 450 grains, 290 FPS
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Broadhead: Grim Reaper Pro Series Mechanical, 3-Blade, 100 grain
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Arrow Fletching: Flex-Fletch 225 4-fletch, Left Helical
- Arrow Components: Easton Titanium Half Out Inserts & Easton Deep-Six Nocks
SHOP THE GEAR
Explore some of the products featured in the article.
1. GILA LS CREW
2. Kutana Stretch Woven Pant
3. PRO 2300 Full Kit
4. PRO G3 Bino Harness
