quarterbored
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The discussion of pronghorn cartridges starts... and ends... with the .25-06!
Antelope hunters.....help me choose a caliber
- Thread starter Hidalgo
- Start date
HighPlainsDrifter
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Quote:
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It seems that jumping a fence is a learned behavior.
That's probably the case. I wonder- are you in barbed wire or sheep fence country? In the case of a sheep fence, jumping would be about the ONLY way they'd get over, would it not?
Most areas its just three strand barbed wire fence. I have seen some sheep fence but its fairly rare. I tend to agree that Antelope around sheep fence would have no choice but to go over. I am not sure exactly why some Antelope learn to go over instead of under fences. It does seem like the places I have seen them jumping more than usual are places with higher concentrations of Mule Deer. I suppose its possible that some Antelope may learn they can actually jump a fence by watching the deer. I also suppose those same Antelope could possibly have an identity crisis of sorts /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Quote:
It seems that jumping a fence is a learned behavior.
That's probably the case. I wonder- are you in barbed wire or sheep fence country? In the case of a sheep fence, jumping would be about the ONLY way they'd get over, would it not?
Most areas its just three strand barbed wire fence. I have seen some sheep fence but its fairly rare. I tend to agree that Antelope around sheep fence would have no choice but to go over. I am not sure exactly why some Antelope learn to go over instead of under fences. It does seem like the places I have seen them jumping more than usual are places with higher concentrations of Mule Deer. I suppose its possible that some Antelope may learn they can actually jump a fence by watching the deer. I also suppose those same Antelope could possibly have an identity crisis of sorts /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Mathews DXT
Easton AXIS 500 Arrow
Montec 100grn Broad head
Montana Decoy
Look for Goat see goat walk out in field set up decoy
goat runs up to 57 yards stops turns broadside. Shoot goat
with bow take pictures go home eat goat boil out head nail to wall with all the rest of the dead goats.
If i had to use a rifle for goats 243,25-06 etc
use what ever you have they are not much bigger than a coyote. But i still recomend the bow for goats.
Have fun they are an awsome animal to hunt do some reserch they are almost Dinosors.
Easton AXIS 500 Arrow
Montec 100grn Broad head
Montana Decoy
Look for Goat see goat walk out in field set up decoy
goat runs up to 57 yards stops turns broadside. Shoot goat
with bow take pictures go home eat goat boil out head nail to wall with all the rest of the dead goats.
If i had to use a rifle for goats 243,25-06 etc
use what ever you have they are not much bigger than a coyote. But i still recomend the bow for goats.
Have fun they are an awsome animal to hunt do some reserch they are almost Dinosors.
NM_HighPlains
New member
Quote:
It does seem like the places I have seen them jumping more than usual are places with higher concentrations of Mule Deer. I suppose its possible that some Antelope may learn they can actually jump a fence by watching the deer. I also suppose those same Antelope could possibly have an identity crisis of sorts /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
That's an interesting point! We have some mulies here but they don't generally mix with the 'lopes- different terrain, different times of day.
It does seem like the places I have seen them jumping more than usual are places with higher concentrations of Mule Deer. I suppose its possible that some Antelope may learn they can actually jump a fence by watching the deer. I also suppose those same Antelope could possibly have an identity crisis of sorts /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
That's an interesting point! We have some mulies here but they don't generally mix with the 'lopes- different terrain, different times of day.
Gander D. Bander
New member
Yep of all the antelope I have seen over the years. I have only seen a hand full ever "attempt" to jump a fence. Most of them were in the winter when there was snow on the ground. It wasn't really a jump it was more of a "fall" over the fence. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Don't let anyone tell you that antelope are a 300+ yard game. With a little homework and scouting you can easily kill them under a hundred yards. So any gun will work Next year I am taking my Ruger SBBH handgun in 41 Mag.
My wife and I both shoot 25.06's. But as of last year the wife and I would perfer shooting them from a ground blind with our bows. ALOT more fun!
Don't let anyone tell you that antelope are a 300+ yard game. With a little homework and scouting you can easily kill them under a hundred yards. So any gun will work Next year I am taking my Ruger SBBH handgun in 41 Mag.
My wife and I both shoot 25.06's. But as of last year the wife and I would perfer shooting them from a ground blind with our bows. ALOT more fun!
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Gander D. Bander
New member
Its a montana decoy. I wouldn't call them "spooky" more of an "always aware of their surroundings". The old saying "curiousity killed the cat" fits them very well. If they haven't been pushed around much often they will walk towards you trying to figure out what you are. I am trying to think but I can't recall any of them I have shot that were much over 100 yard shots. This years was 80 with my rifle. Not really any need IMO to have to make 300-400 yards shots unless you are trying to impress your buddies.
As far as bowhunting them goes. They are leary of the blind for a day or two then after that they will often walk within feet of it.
Heres a couple video's of our hunts from this year...check um out. One of my wifes goat with a bow and My uncle's first antelope with a rifle. Unfortunatly, we all had doe tags.
As far as bowhunting them goes. They are leary of the blind for a day or two then after that they will often walk within feet of it.
Heres a couple video's of our hunts from this year...check um out. One of my wifes goat with a bow and My uncle's first antelope with a rifle. Unfortunatly, we all had doe tags.
okoyote
New member
Quote:
Not really any need IMO to have to make 300-400 yards shots unless you are trying to impress your buddies.
Not true in flat land with no routes to stalk or antelope that have been pushed around. Yes, if the terrain allows you can get close to antelope. I would agree that filling the doe tag is no problem at 100 yard or even less. To get the shot on a trophy buck be prepared to stretch out the shot. The only chance you may get could be 300-400 yards. Where I hunt they will often loaf in the alfalfa fields that are as flat as a pancake without cover. Good luck getting within 500 yards if they have been hunted at all.
BTW-My first antelope was with a 30-30 lever at 75 yards with iron sights. I do agree that any rifle will work to get "an antelope", you may have to shoot long to get "the antelope" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Not really any need IMO to have to make 300-400 yards shots unless you are trying to impress your buddies.
Not true in flat land with no routes to stalk or antelope that have been pushed around. Yes, if the terrain allows you can get close to antelope. I would agree that filling the doe tag is no problem at 100 yard or even less. To get the shot on a trophy buck be prepared to stretch out the shot. The only chance you may get could be 300-400 yards. Where I hunt they will often loaf in the alfalfa fields that are as flat as a pancake without cover. Good luck getting within 500 yards if they have been hunted at all.
BTW-My first antelope was with a 30-30 lever at 75 yards with iron sights. I do agree that any rifle will work to get "an antelope", you may have to shoot long to get "the antelope" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
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callerofthesongdog
New member
220 swift - Gramps killed a truckload over the years(in Montana) with his and he got to watch it throught the scope. Might suit your son well.
kapac
New member
Hidalgo, I have hunted antelope in many different ways and with many different weapons. Although it would seem that some of these guys are telling you that you could never get close to a "Trophy antelope".
I can tell you from first hand experience that all you have to do is do your home work as with anything else.
I have used a Bow and the best one with a bow was 18", I have also shot one with a Rem. XP-100 pistol chambered in .223 and was a 230 yard shot that lope was 17 3/8". So as you can see these are all on the low end of things, these animals are very thin skinned and are some what fragile.
So the answer to your question I would say that a .243AI would be my choice!
Good luck
Kapac
I can tell you from first hand experience that all you have to do is do your home work as with anything else.
I have used a Bow and the best one with a bow was 18", I have also shot one with a Rem. XP-100 pistol chambered in .223 and was a 230 yard shot that lope was 17 3/8". So as you can see these are all on the low end of things, these animals are very thin skinned and are some what fragile.
So the answer to your question I would say that a .243AI would be my choice!
Good luck
Kapac