Need thoughts on Antelope hunting with a bow

[Rhino0427]

I recently won a five day, semi-guided, antelope bow hunt for August-September east of the Springs. I'm fairly new to Colorado and don't have a ton of experience bow hunting. Anyone have any tips/hints or research suggestions to get ready? Obviously I'll go to Sportsmans or somewhere similar to get the bow and arrows set up. I'm looking more for advice on the actual hunt or for resources to go to get "smart". Also, what should I expect from a semi-guided hunt? I've had guided bird hunts before, but never semi-guided or with big game.

I know these are some newby questions, but I'd rather ask stupid questions than take a stupid shot.

[gnihcraes]

Semi-Guided? Not sure what that really means. They will locate and drive you close to the antelope and let you go on your own from there?

They really are not an animal to "Stalk". For many years, my family has hunted them on "water" - meaning we setup a blind or tree stand on a water hole, water well, windmill producing water for Cattle. Sit and wait.

If the guide already has something like this setup, then that is good I would say.

I've heard of folks shooting fancy compound bows, over draws, light arrows out to a 100 yards and hitting the animals successfully. Equipment costs will be High I believe.

So, I'm not sure this is any help? Just depends on what the Guide involves.

[def90]

Guided hunts are like having a golf caddy. they will take you right to the animal and coach you on what to do down to pulling the trigger, they typically also clean and pack the animal out for you. A semi guided hunt is a hunt on private land where they will show you exactly where to go and give you a bit of coaching on what to do and what to expect but they are not there in person to direct you to the animal or coach you to the pull of the trigger, you will likely need to clean and pack your own animal. Semi guided hunts are often just like fully guided hunts in which you stay in a lodge and all of your other food and lodging stuff is taken care of for you.

A semi guided hunt is going to require that you at least know some hunting basics and have a bit of skill and experience with your firearm/bow of choice.

[4gunfun]

I've hunted antelope in Wyoming a couple times. Hunting them with a bow sounds crazy.

[Citizen_Soldier]

You're gonna be doing a lot of waiting... My roommate bow hunts antelope and deer. From what he tells me, I don't envy his antelope hunts one bit. Personally I might consider deer hunting with a bow, but pronghorn are just too jumpy and I don't have that much patience.

[TRnCO]

most archery antelope are shot over a water hole. IF that is what your hunt turns out to be, over water, be prepared for long hot days in a blind. When I say long, I mean you're in the blind before sunrise, and not out until you kill or the sun goes down. It'll test your patience.
Spot and stalk is very difficult, but also really fun. There are places in Colo. that the terrain allows some success, and then there are lands that you simply won't be able to sneak up on them because it's too flat. I've been successful twice and spot and stalk antelope with my bow. IF you go spot and stalk, be prepared for longer shots. If you go spot and stalk, look for single animals. It's much easier to sneak up on one than it is a herd.
I'm guessing that being guided, or partially guided, they'll put you in a blind. Take some books, plenty of water, food, a ipod, and anything else that you can think of that will help you kill time.

[CO Hugh]

I believe they make decoys for hunting them with a bow for stalking. I'd recommend searching you tube you may find some videos of people that were successful at it.

[wyome]

Most of my antelope/pronghorn hunting was done from a blind of some sort...near water.
One guy we hunted with in Wyoming, out by Gillette, used a couple cow shaped decoys we carried till we got close enuf for a shot...kinda fun, not always a guarantee of a kill...everything spooks antelope, except for cows

[Colorado Osprey]

I help guide antelope hunting east of Springs on about a dozen or two private properties.... I'm interested to know who's property you will be on. I'm betting T-Cross. (Which I've hunted lots of parcels many times)
Bow hunting by spot and stalk is some of the toughest hunting in the world but it can be done. Stock tanks (cattle water tanks) and blinds are the only way to have a chance with a novice bow hunter.
Unit 110 is currently highly depleted of antelope. The DOW has put high kill numbers on the area and the population has been easily cut by 2/3 in the last 2 years.
The largest population is on the Banning Lewis Ranch (BLR) which is over populated but the ranch manger does not allow hunting... the reason for the over population.
Properties bordering the BLR have huntable populations but they come and go into the BLR.

Good luck BTW.

My only wisdom that I can add... practice shooting from various positions including sitting. Shoot at various targets at elevation changes (up and down) and at unknown distances to get you up to speed on judging distances. When you get good at this you will be ready. There is an excellent range at the USAF Academy with unmarked distances to help practice. It is open to the public but you will have to join a membership to get access.

[denverco]

http://www.fieldandstream.com/articl...ur-decoy-stalk

Good article from F&S.