Cantalopes

[muzzy]

Hey guys, I thought I'd try out this forum to see if I can get any pointers for a Pronhorn hunt me and 2 others are planning for the end of September. We are bowhunting and none of us has ever hunted these "speed goats" as I hear they are called. We are leaning towards hunting the Bowman County area grasslands?? Thought it would be fun to try something different on some different terrain. Spot and stalk? Are there waterholes in that area for blinds??? Fencelines? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks

[iffwalleyes]

Ok antelope huh. Well I did my first hunt last year in both ND and SD with rifle. Let me say I am learned very quickly the keen sense these animals have and how aware they are. I am by no means an expert and I don't have any really good tips for archery other than I have heard you really need a decoy. I would set up in water areas or fence lines. The other thing that I realize is that if you spook a herd out of where they are set up there and wait because they typically want and will come back to that spot why I don't know but they do. Water can be tough out west as it has been really dry but fence lines are all over. Fence lines are great funneling spots as they will not jump a fence they are insistant to go under the fence. Here is another tip. Talk to the ranchers as they hate antelope so they are more than willing to lend a hand and help you out to help thin the heard. They might even let you hunt by a bale stack as that is a popular antelope hang out. Lots of good people in the western part of the state. I had a great hunt by Rhame last fall and just got my goat back and it is on the wall in my office.

[muzzy]

Hey thanks for the reply. Sounds like you had some good luck out there. I have a ground blind I can use but want to know if I would need to use it on a fenceline or hay bale or whatever. I guess there eyesight is much more profound than a whitetail? Either way should be a good time. Thanks

[Scoot]

Muzzy, I've chased them with bow for four years now. We hunt mulies early and late and chase goats mid-day. I've yet to stick a goat... I called in a very nice (14 7/8") got for my buddy last year and he made good on the deal. It now hangs in his office. We've used a combo of spot and stalk, decoy/calling, and ground blind at the water hole. Water hole hunting hasn't been very effective for us because there's too many sources of water where we're at. If you're going to be in an area with very limited water, that'd likely be a good option. We've had our best luck with a combo of sneaking to as close as we can get and using a decoy/call. My buddy is 3/4 in the last four years- seems it's always his turn to run the bow when the darn things come in. Always my turn when they turn tail and walk/run away! Good luck! For me it's been a balance of pure frustration and great excitement. Let us know how you do.

[muzzy]

Hey Scoot thanks for the reply. I'm getting pretty excited about this hunt and definitely ready for the challenge. Unfortunately we can only hunt for 3.5 days during the last week in September. Do you know if they respond to calls at that time of year? From what I understand, they are in rut during mid September? I might get a call/decoy combo to try out...probably totally different from calling deer? I'd like to try the very southwestern part of the state in the Bowman/Slope county areas. I went through there a year ago coming from the Black Hills and there were quite a few goats in the grasslands. Didn't see much for water which might be nice if we can find them. Would my Ameristep blind work (as far as camo goes)? Most important question of all is...how do they taste???

[iffwalleyes]

Taste wise I think they are better than deer. I have always heard others say they aren't as good. But I really like mine. But we did get it skun out and on ice fairly fast after shooting it. The do have a odor on them that is different. But I really like it thought. I ran out of antelope way earlier than I did deer. Althought they are much smaller than deer too .

[Scoot]

Yep, I agree with IFF- they taste grrreeaat! (Note: this is not a Frosted Flakes ad).

I'd guess you'll still be able to call and decoy at that time. However, even when it's good for calling and decoying, it's tough. My buddy likens it to placing your genitals on the counter and beating them with a spatula!!! It really can be a painful, frustrating process. However, it's always fun trying. I'm sure you'll have a good time regardless of whether you get to find out how good they taste or not.

In the area you're talking about hunting you'll likely find it easier to spot and stalk than we do in the area we hunt. It's pretty gentle rolling hills where we chase 'em, so it's tough to sneak up very close. If you can find them near any steeper stuff you'll likely be able to put a good sneak on them and get a shot.

Good luck!!!

[muzzy]

Thanks for the great tips guys!

[muzzy]

Hey guys,

I thought I'd give you a report of how we did in ND last week. Thanks for all the tips and yes I tried em all. Ground blinds were too boring so we only tried that once. Our party of 4 did not tag any goats during our 4 day venture. We had a blast however. We stayed 1/2 hour north of Killdeer at Badlands Trail Rides. Lots of Mulies but not much for goats. We put A LOT of miles on I tell ya! It was fun chasin' them around and I hold a lot of respect for anyone that can stalk up to one of these creatures and shoot one. I shot at one at 50-60 yards away which as a Minnesotan is totally out of my comfort range especially with the wind. I shot just under him. I would definitely try it again but would probably move farther west to find more numbers if possible. Can't complain...had a great time.

[marine_man]

glad to hear you had a good time! Even with a rifle they're a challenge to get - I can't imagine doing it with a bow!

marine_man

[iffwalleyes]

Ya glad to hear you have fun. Maybe next time you can connect up. The other think is the Bowman, Rhame area probably has a little better population it might be worth checking into. Land isn't to hard to get on there if you are goat hunting make sure they are clear on that. Ranchers hate them down there so access isn't too bad.