Buck Hollow Sporting Goods - click or touch to visit their website Midwest Habitat Company

Anyone hunted Antelope?

Monsterbuck

Monsterbuck

Active Member
A buddy and I are thinking about trying an archery antelope hunt this fall. We're looking at Ridgemaster Outfitting who sponsor the IBA and donate a hunt ever year for the banquet. Anybody hunted there and have any comments good or bad? (PM me if you don't want to post bad experiences).

Any other outfitter suggestions? What's a good price for an archery antelope hunt?

Thanks.
 
Good luck..they definately aren't cheap. I am trying to put together a Wyoming trip near Sheridan this fall. Self guided but my wife has family there to point me in the right direction. Learn as you go type thing. I looked at some outfitters and most were aroung $2000 or more. You can get a left over tag over the counter for $250.
 
I have gone a few times out to Edgemont, South Dakota. This is probably the cheapest route you will find but it is totally self guided. There are literally a million acres to hunt. It is all either public or walk in areas. The best way to do it is around sept 20th (that is the Nov 8th of antelope hunting) head out drive around and find a good watering hole on ground you can hunt set up a blind over it and wait. With the cost of the tag the $30 a night hotel and gas and food split with a couple buddies the trip will cost between $400-$500.
 
No experiences with outfitters but I did a DIY antelope hunt in central WY last September. We hunted and camped on public ground (BLM). Depending on what county you hunt in, there are walk-in-areas on private ground that adjoin most BLM ground. The WY game and fish website can provide tons of info including unit draw stats. Pick up a land status map from the BLM and you can tell what is public ground. We both tagged out the first full day of hunting. After a few unsuccessful decoying attempts, I grabbed the rifle when I had a chance at a big one. Next time archery or bust! Drawing a pretty good unit takes 1-2 preference points for a hunt like this. Going with an oufitter would probably eliminate the need for points which would allow for a hunt this fall.

Antelope hunting is definitely a lot of fun and is one hunt that you can make as hard or easy as you want. As you probably know, blind hunting over a waterhole with archery has the highest success rate. Another buddy and I tagged out this way in Colorado in 2009. Fortunately we didn't have to sit all day in the blinds...not sure I could have done that anyway.:D

PM if you have any specific questions I can help with.
 
SWBUCKHNTR said:
I have gone a few times out to Edgemont, South Dakota. This is probably the cheapest route you will find but it is totally self guided. There are literally a million acres to hunt. It is all either public or walk in areas. The best way to do it is around sept 20th (that is the Nov 8th of antelope hunting) head out drive around and find a good watering hole on ground you can hunt set up a blind over it and wait. With the cost of the tag the $30 a night hotel and gas and food split with a couple buddies the trip will cost between $400-$500.
Click to expand...
Are tags in SD over the counter??
 
I think you have to prove that you had an archery tag from your state though otherwise you have to take a class.
 
Phantom said:
After a few unsuccessful decoying attempts, I grabbed the rifle when I had a chance at a big one. Next time archery or bust! Drawing a pretty good unit takes 1-2 preference points for a hunt like this. Going with an oufitter would probably eliminate the need for points which would allow for a hunt this fall.
Click to expand...

So the tags are either bow or gun? I plan on bow hunting, like you said archery or bust. :way:

I didn't realize you needed preference points, like another post above I had heard they draw for tags but don't sell out and usually have plenty of leftover tags for sale.

I like the price of the DIY but I don't think my buddy I'm going with is really the DIY type.

Surprised no opinions on Ridgemaster, I thought a lot of IBA members have hunted there.
 
SWBUCKHNTR said:
I have gone a few times out to Edgemont, South Dakota. This is probably the cheapest route you will find but it is totally self guided. There are literally a million acres to hunt. It is all either public or walk in areas. The best way to do it is around sept 20th (that is the Nov 8th of antelope hunting) head out drive around and find a good watering hole on ground you can hunt set up a blind over it and wait. With the cost of the tag the $30 a night hotel and gas and food split with a couple buddies the trip will cost between $400-$500.
Click to expand...

Are the a lot of other hunters? I would think that guys would all be jockeying to hunt at the water holes. Can't be that many good watering holes can there?
 
Yes, WY is any weapon for the regular "type" seasons. You can hunt archery only earlier on the same tag if the archery stamp is purchased. We waited until September for the rut to try and decoy some in. We just didn't give it enough time.

I believe you can draw WY lope tags with no preference points but the better units take a few points to draw. The easier to draw units typically have a higher percentage of private land.

I've read stories about Ridgemaster in the IBA mags. Sounds like a good operation for both lope and mule deer. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Monsterbuck said:
So the tags are either bow or gun? I plan on bow hunting, like you said archery or bust. :way:

I didn't realize you needed preference points, like another post above I had heard they draw for tags but don't sell out and usually have plenty of leftover tags for sale.

I like the price of the DIY but I don't think my buddy I'm going with is really the DIY type.

Surprised no opinions on Ridgemaster, I thought a lot of IBA members have hunted there.
Click to expand...
 
Just caught the post. IBA Life Member here.
I have hunted with Chuck Cureton at Ridgemasters 3 times. I have had a great time every time.
For the money you can't beat it. Lots of Antelope,good food and a great camp.
We have had times when the hunting seems almost easy,and then times when we struggled to fill our tags.That's why they call it hunting!
It is not a guaranteed hunt by any means,but Chuck and his guy's will do their best to get you an Antelope.
You have to trust them when you are there. They are there all of the time and know the ground and animals well.
You have to be flexible,these are not Whitetails!
Good Luck ! Send photo's !
 
I've been rifle hunting in Wyoming on a DIY several years ago. Then me & a buddy went to Montana on a guided bow hunt with Arrowhead Wilderness Outfitters. There aren't the numbers of antelope in Montana that are in Wyoming but we each got a P&Y buck. Montana is on a draw, but it is pretty much garaunteed draw. Lot of spot & stalk, & sat on some waterholes. Make sure you can accuratley shoot out to 65-70 yds if you can, and a rangefinder is a must at all times. Good Luck, and pm me if you would like to check out Arrowhead Wilderness Outfitters, I'll get you the website & phone numbers. They did an awesome job of getting us on speed goats. There were only 4 in camp at a time.
 
I did a guided hunt at Cody, Wy last Sept with Rod Kilian, Wyoming Wildlife Adventures, www.wyohunts.com. While I used a rifle I was set up in a blind over a water source, it was a great hunt, great guys and I would recommend them. If they can get me on a great goat they can get anyone on one.
 
I've booked a hunt at Ridgemasters for the second week in September. I've heard great things about the operation and am looking forward to the trip.
 
If your thinking of booking with Ridgemasters, better do it soon, Talked to them yesterday and sounds like they are filling up fast. Booking into September 2011 now. Get on the phone and call. 307-265-8229
 
Monsterbuck said:
Are the a lot of other hunters? I would think that guys would all be jockeying to hunt at the water holes. Can't be that many good watering holes can there?
Click to expand...

There arent near as many hunters as you would think. I think I have seen 3 different trucks at most one year. There are a few good watering holes or little ponds but the thing is you have to do a little exploring to find them. I was lucky enough to get in with a group that had gone years before so they showed me where everything was.
 
tags

unless i was mistaken you can buy a bow tag over the counter there were only a thousand bow tags gave out last year in SD res and nonres together if you go out earlier in the year you can find private land to hunt just pay a tresspassing fee thats the way if you dont want to walk your @#$ off on public ground i think the tag is 150 archery only tag
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom