| u do a Google search for Antelope Hunting, you will | | | | professional outfitter, I am the first to tell you that |
| find many outfitters to choose from. As you | | | | there are many excellent outfitters throughout |
| research your possibilities of where to take your | | | | Wyoming and all of the other western states. That |
| next adventure for a trophy antelope, you should | | | | being said, you are probably wondering, How do I |
| consider the following criteria to ensure the best | | | | know which one is the right one for me? At this |
| hunting experience. I have outlined six important | | | | stage, you (the hunter), need to make some |
| factors to keep in mind when trying find the right | | | | decisions about what you want your hunt to be like. |
| outfitter. | | | | Do you prefer a fancy lodge? Do you want to stay |
| Location | | | | in a camp? Do you prefer to stay in a motel and |
| As you research your trip, the first thing you will | | | | have access to the other urban activities in the |
| discover is that Wyoming is the Pronghorn Antelope | | | | evening and after your hunt if you get done early? |
| capital of the world. The open plains of Wyoming | | | | The bottom line is you need to decide where your |
| offer the perfect habitat to support large herds of | | | | priorities lay and go from there. All good outfitters will |
| pronghorn antelope. As a native of the Laramie Plains, | | | | provide you with good food and adequate sleeping |
| in southeastern Wyoming, I have spent my entire life | | | | quarters but you need to decide if a camp with a |
| studying, hunting, guiding, and outfitting here in | | | | wall tent is what you are looking for, or if you want |
| Wyoming for the pronghorn antelope. | | | | a 5 star lodge, or all the above. After making some |
| Hunting Area | | | | personal decisions find out what each outfitter offers |
| Wyoming is broken down into many different hunting | | | | and narrow down your list accordingly. |
| management areas. When selecting an area there | | | | The Guide |
| many factors to consider such as: draw success, | | | | Another key factor that a lot of hunters forget to |
| season dates, quality of animals, number of animals | | | | ask about is their guide. Most likely you will spend |
| and the amount of hunting pressure. | | | | much more time with your guide than you will with |
| Many areas throughout the state of Wyoming | | | | the outfitter. If the outfitter is willing to put you in |
| contain vast amounts of private land. These areas | | | | contact with some of his guides that will be guiding |
| tend to have a higher draw success rate due to | | | | during your hunt, I highly suggest talking with them. |
| limited public access which leads to fewer applicants. | | | | Ask the guide how long he has been working for the |
| The low hunting pressure in these areas allows | | | | outfitter. Find out how many seasons he has been |
| animals to reach maturity and in turn produce trophy | | | | guiding in the area where you will be hunting. The |
| pronghorn antelope year after year. An animal that is | | | | more questions you ask the better you will be able |
| harvested without being stressed also yields better | | | | to make a decision. As with any other business, |
| tasting meat. | | | | honesty, trust and the integrity of the people you |
| Season dates are very important because you need | | | | are doing business with is worth the utmost |
| to choose a timeframe that fits your schedule. | | | | consideration. All other factors being equal, what |
| Wyoming offers a special archery season for most | | | | really makes the difference between a good |
| areas in addition to a rifle season that generally | | | | antelope hunt and a great antelope hunt is how well |
| follows. Unlike most other big game species, antelope | | | | your personality matches up with your outfitter and |
| hunting is not always better during the rut. Some | | | | maybe more importantly your guide. The best |
| areas are better before the rut, some during and | | | | hunting in the world is not enjoyable if you |
| others after the rut is over. An experienced antelope | | | | don’t get along with your guide!! |
| outfitter will be able to give you his/her advice for | | | | Outfitter Qualifications |
| what’s best depending on what your individual | | | | Last but not least check with the Wyoming State |
| expectations might be. | | | | Board of Outfitters to make sure your outfitter is |
| When trying to decide on the quality and number of | | | | licensed. All licensed Wyoming outfitters are required |
| animals in a hunt area, ask the different outfitters | | | | to obtain the proper permits and authorizations in the |
| what their success rates are and ask to see pictures | | | | areas that they hunt. Most outfitters are willing to |
| of all the animals they have harvested over the past | | | | help you with the application process to ensure that |
| few years. When you compare one to another it | | | | you apply for the correct area and type of antelope |
| won’t take you long to figure out what looks | | | | license for the hunt you want to do. A qualified |
| good and what doesn’t. Use some common | | | | outfitter should be able to provide you with a list of |
| sense when making this judgment. If you find an | | | | suggested gear, clothing and equipment. Most |
| area with a good draw success rate and an outfitter | | | | outfitters are more than willing to help with travel |
| with a high success rate and proof he has the quality | | | | and taxidermy arrangements, as well as motel |
| to go with it, you will realize that you don’t | | | | accommodations if needed. |
| have to hunt the biggest herd in the state in order to | | | | Price |
| be successful. | | | | Most guided antelope hunts range from $1200-$2500 |
| As far as hunting pressure goes, this comes down to | | | | depending on what is included. I do not suggest that |
| a few simple questions. One, ask how big is the area | | | | a hunter use the price exclusively to evaluate the |
| that you will be hunting. Second, ask how many | | | | quality of the outfitter or the hunt but do keep in |
| hunters will be hunting the same land you will be | | | | mind you may get what you pay for. Generally |
| hunting both before and after your scheduled time. | | | | speaking the more luxurious the accommodations, |
| Last, find out if the land you will be hunting has public | | | | the more expensive the hunt will be. Just make sure |
| access. When you know the answers to these | | | | when price shopping that you are comparing apples |
| questions, you will have a good feel for how hard the | | | | to apples and that you understand what is included |
| area has and will be hunted. A well managed area will | | | | and what is not. Don’t forget to ask about |
| have the same quality of hunting the last day of the | | | | license fees, trophy fees, meat processing, meat |
| season as it did the first day if not better. Antelope | | | | shipping, hunting stamps, gratuities etc. as all of these |
| are not dumb and they will move from hard hunted | | | | expenses will add up. A hunt that may seem like a |
| areas to areas with less pressure and they will | | | | good deal may not be quite so good when you really |
| remember year to year where they are safe and | | | | start looking into what is actually included. |
| where they are not. Just remember that the quality | | | | As a hunter, outfitter and sportsman, I understand |
| of a hunt area CAN NOT be determined by the draw | | | | that the enjoyment of a hunting trip is much more |
| success rate, as there are many other underlying | | | | than just the opportunity of harvesting of an animal. |
| factors which come into play. | | | | As true sportsmen, we realize that even though we |
| The Outfitter | | | | are hiring a professional guide service there are many |
| Once you have researched and decided on a location | | | | factors out of human control. Hunting is hunting and |
| and hunt area, the next step is to choose an | | | | there are no guarantees on harvesting an animal, |
| outfitter that operates in that area. As a licensed | | | | especially when it is fair chase hunting. |