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Pronghorn Antelope Hunting

December 25, 2003

History
Antilocapra americana, which literally means the "American goat-antelope". There are 5 Pronghorn subspecies:

Antilocapra americana anteflexa
A.a. oregona
A.a. mexicana
A.a. peninsularis
A.a. sonoriensis

mexicana, peninsularis, sonoriensis are endangered and protected.

The pronghorn is the only species in its family. The only other large North American mammal that can make that boast is the mountain goat. The name pronghorn comes from the pronged or sharply pointed horn of the male antelope. Antelope have true horns in that the horny tissue is composed of fused hairs which form over a bony core.

Both sexes have horns, but the female's are only tiny spikes and are rarely pronged as are the twelve to eighteen-inch horns of the male. The horn is made up of two parts: a bony core covered by a black outer sheath. This sheath is made up of a stiff, hair-like substance. Pronghorns are the only animals in the world who shed their horns annually, (annually in males, irregularly in females). The outer sheath of the horn falls off each fall and grows back by the following summer.

Range
Pronghorn antelope are native to the prairies of North America. At one time they numbered in the millions and were found on the open plains from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains and from Mexico to central Canada. With the European settlement of the plains, the population was reduced nearly to extinction. A subspecies known as the Sonoran pronghorn, Antilocapra americana sonoriensis, occurs in Arizona and Mexico.

Color and Size
A conspicuous characteristic of the antelope is the white rump patch. When alarmed, the hair stands erect and appears as a white flash that can be seen for miles. Tan is the dominant body color, with sharply contrasting white markings on the head and neck. The top of the buck's nose is dark and there is usually a triangular black patch below the ear. The doe does not have this black cheek patch. A short mane is present along the top of the neck. Shedding is continuous with the individual hairs being loosely attached making antelope hides worthless as rugs. Since the hairs are hollow and can be erected at will, pronghorns are able to adjust to temperature changes. No other animal is more strikingly beautiful than the pronghorn when he "poses" on the open plains. Adult male antelope weigh 90 to 120 lbs. Females are about 20 lbs. lighter.

Antelope are gregarious. They are found in mixed herds most of the year; except in the spring when the bucks are alone or in small groups. In the fall, bucks collect harems numbering up to 15 does, which they then defend from other bucks.

Diet
Antelope are primarily browsers, especially on sagebrush, with grass being only a minor food source. Wild antelope usually reach ages of 6 to 8 years. Pronghorns have 32 teeth. As in deer and bovids (antelope, cattle, etc.), they have a tough, horny pad in place of upper incisors. Pronghorn have hypsodont, selenodont cheek teeth. Like deer, antelope, goats, and other artiodactyls, pronghorns walk on two toes, or hooves, on each foot. (These are the third and fourth toes.) However, pronghorns are unusual in lacking the two tiny (vestigial) “dewclaws” that are located behind and above the hooves on deer and related animals. Pronghorn feed mostly on forbs and browse plants.

Defenses
Pronghorns make a variety of sounds: Calves bleat when separated from their mothers, which grunt when seeking their calves. Bucks roar during fights. Bucks and does alike blow through their nostrils when angered. But none of these forms of communication are as well known as the white rump patch warning signal. Antelope have exceptional eyesight, often compared to high-powered binoculars. The pronghorn also has excellent peripheral vision because its eyes protrude from the sockets. The running gait of the pronghorn is beautifully smooth and their powerful legs can carry them at a remarkable pace across the roughest kind of terrain. As the fastest North American mammal, pronghorns can reach speeds of 60 miles per hour. At high speed they cover the ground in great strides of 14 to 24 feet, and are known to run for long distances at speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour. The pronghorn is the fastest mammal in the world in a sustained run, only the cheetah and possibly India's blackbuck has an edge in a short sprint. Despite their speed, antelope are reluctant to jump over objects, preferring to crawl under or through fences. Pronghorns are good swimmers, and will cross rivers with ease.

Reproduction
Antelope breed in August and September and the young are born in May and June with about 60% of the births being twins. Pronghorns have been known to breed as fawns but they usually breed for the first time when they are 16 to 17 months of age. The gestation period for the antelope is the longest for big-game animals in the United States. About eight months after mating, one or two fawns are born. The young are not spotted like the fawns of the deer family, but instead have markings similar to the adults. The newborn do not have an odor and instinctively lie motionless for hours. This is their main defense from predators such as bobcats, eagles, and coyotes. The fawns remain hidden, with the doe feeding them several times a day until they are strong enough to travel with the adults.

Judging Age
Pronghorn in North America are primarily born between late May and early July. Therefore, when most animals are harvested in October they are considered either four months, 1 1/3 years, 2 1/3 years, 3 1/3 years, etc., in age. For consistency across species, however, we generally age big game animals in half-year intervals (i.e., 1 ½, 2½, etc.). The overall age structure of a hunted pronghorn population is younger than many people think. Horn and body size can give some indication of a buck's age, but physical characteristics are often misleading and provide little help in aging does. Horn size in bucks and physical development in both genders is greatly affected by diet, which may account for differences between animals of the same age taken from different locations.

Telling Age By the Teeth
The science of aging pronghorn is based on tooth development and wear. Like humans, pronghorn replace their "baby teeth" with permanent teeth at a relatively set rate. As surely as a 6-year-old child will soon get her two front teeth, a 16-month-old buck will be in the process of gaining its central two incisors. By the time an antelope is 3½ years old, all permanent teeth are in. At this stage, estimating age is based largely on rate of tooth wear. Diet and soil types may accelerate tooth wear, but generally, estimating adult pronghorn age is straight-forward until they reach 5½. Beyond that, estimating age by tooth wear is less reliable. If you want to learn more on aging pronghorn antelope, click on this link. Teeth aging info with pics

Antelope Scouting Tips

Scouting

Scat
Pronghorn antelope scat looks similar to deer scat. It is approximately 1/2" to 3/4" long. The color can be a light brown when fresh to almost black when dried and hardened by the sun and wind. Pronghorn feed mostly on forbs and browse plants.

Tracks
Pronghorn tracks look similar to deer tracks and are approximately 2 3/4" in length for rear foot and 3 1/4" for a front track for an adult. Young pronghorn tracks are generally about 1 5/8 inches long. Like deer, antelope, goats, and other artiodactyls, pronghorns walk on two toes, or hooves, on each foot. (These are the third and fourth toes.) However, pronghorns are unusual in lacking the two tiny (vestigial) “dewclaws” that are located behind and above the hooves on deer and related animals. In some areas where mule deer share some of the range with pronghorn, their tracks may be confused. Although pronghorn tracks are much like those of deer, the pronghorn track tends to be more narrow toward the front.

Where to Find Pronghorns
Pronghorn antelope use open areas with little cover. They are usually found in flat to rolling country, and not too far from water. Antelope run to gain distance from perceived threats and tend to run in circles when spooked. Unlike deer, they do not seek close hiding cover. When scouting or hunting antelope, keep the sun at your back while its low in the sky (morning or evening). Pronghorn antelope are usually very easy to see at distances of a mile or more under good light conditions. Look for the white rumps or black horns or markings on the bucks.

Pronghorns will bed down in wide open areas at any time of the day as they roam around browsing. When they are together in a group not all of them will lay down, some will keep a vigil as they feed around the other resting antelope of the group.

Because pronghorn antelope are creatures of open habitats, you can hunt them all day. However, you run the risk of exhausting yourself. Try to pace yourself and concentrate hunting mornings and evenings. Stalking can be a long process, so remember to bring gloves, knee pads and elbow padding to protect yourself from sharp rocks. Binoculars and spotting scopes can be a great asset for observing antelope at long distances.

Antelope Hunting Strategies & Tips

Decoys, Flagging and Calls

Decoys
should ONLY be used in the archery season, and can be used to lure in a buck antelope for a better shot. Dutton and Flambeau make life-like cardboard and foam cut-outs. decoys. You can also make your own out of plywood or cardboard and some paint. Make sure you have a way to support the decoy in the wind. Buck decoys are best used before and during the rut since the the bucks are a little more defensive of their does and will try to run the intruder off. When hunting with a partner you can use the tendency for older bucks to circle to your advantage by posting a partner to one side. Some hunters use a doe decoy to fool the herd buck into thinking one of his does has strayed off. Doe decoys will work at any time. Also, if you make one, make another and have it appear as a bedded animal. This puts a buck at ease as he approaches. Basspro has the Flambeau "CommandDoe" doe decoy and CommAndalope buck decoy. The decoys are their catalog but not on their webpage. Mel Dutton Decoys - P.O. Box 113 Faith SD 57626, Ph# (605)-967-2031

Calls
Antelope make quite a few sounds. Beginning in late August the bucks start the challenge sounds and by the middle of September they near the main point of the rut. For the next 10 days or so calling can be very effective. Lohman, Knight & Hale and Primos make an antelope challenge call that imitates a bucks peculiar snort-chuckle.

Flagging
Another way to lure in a buck is to use their keen vision and curiosity against them. I know this sounds crazy, but waving a white towel in the air will sometimes entice a buck into range, especially during the rut. The thought of another doe or even a challenger is too much for some bucks to ignore.

Fence Crossings
Pronghorn use some of the same trails to water or feed areas so you can set up on a fence crossing for a shot if you find a trail that is being used. Pronghorn usually don't jump a fence, they go under like a dog. You can caret a fence crossing by covering any open spots in the fence and widening the hole where you want them to cross so that the pronghorns have to go under the spot you choose. Your setup should take into account the wind and which way your scent will travel.

Waterholes
Most pronghorn habitat is arid and that means sitting on waterholes can pay off using a blind for archery hunting. Try to be in your blind before light and stay as long as you can, pronghorns will water at any time of the day. Patience is the key here. Make sure you put your blind out in advance of your hunt so that the pronghorns will grow accustomed to seeing the new bush near their waterhole. 2 weeks in advance if you can get the blind up that early. If you want to move your blind, do it at night. Wait to take your shot when the antelope is drinking.

Antelope Tracking and Recovery

When you take your shot with your bow or rifle, mark the spot where you shot from and where the animal was. This will help in finding any blood or hair sign to start your tracking. Studying antelope hides can help you identify any hair that may have been cut by the bullet or broadhead to pinpoint the area on the deer where your bullet hit.

Bright pink frothy blood
means a lung hit and the deer shouldn't go far.

Bright red blood
indicates a muscle hit which can be a minor wound. Also look for bone fragments which can tell you if you hit a leg bone or muscle.

Stinky green or brown paunch material
means a gut shot and you should let this animal bed down and stiffen up. 4 to 6 hours in cold, 8 hours in warm weather.

Some tips on tracking wounded game

1 and only 1 guy on the blood trail, preferably your best tracker. Keep the shooter nearby and ready in case the animal bolts from a bed, it may be your only chance to finish the job.

Use a camping lantern like a Coleman with a light reflector, they make blood really stand out at night.

Mark your trail so you can look behind yourself and get an idea of the travel route of your animal. You can use orange marker tape but PLEASE go back and remove all of that fluorescent tape when you are done. Use TP which just disappears in the first rain but if working in say snow, use the orange tape.

Sit down and take a break and have a snack or just relax. You need to calm down some and not push the animal by taking off after him immediately. If someone is with you, have him do the tracking as he is probably calmer and less likely to be in a hurry as you are.

Animals dump their bowels when they get weak so look for scat. They also will start circling like a dog when they lay down to die.

Animals that aren't hit real bad will double back a lot to shake you off their trail. While tracking watch for the animal's double back trail so you don't miss it or wipe it out. Bears love to do this along with deer.

Learn how to grid search. When all seems lost, look in creek bottoms and ravines. I've found many animals that dropped into them and just couldn't get out and they died there.

Keep an eye out for buzzards and crows, many times they will give up a kill.

Use a dog if legal, they are way more efficient at tracking. Deer Search has tracking dogs available if you don't have access in many states.

Have some hydrogen peroxide in squirt bottles handy when you get down to small blood drops or specks, it makes the blood bubble on contact. Put some bright green food coloring in you hydrogen peroxide to make the bubbles show up better.

Starlight Bloodhound, used in squirt bottles like hydrogen peroxide, is spendy but shows up faint blood trail really well, even in water.

Learn how to track by reading tracking books and practicing, it's great fun for the kids too.

Learn how to tell where you hit the animal by the hair the broadhead or bullet cut when it was first hit. You can do this by keeping the hair and matching it up too a hide. The impact site can tell you a whole bunch, like if you should wait (gut shot), or if you have a fatally hit animal. If you're an archer, try to find your arrow, it will tell you exactly where you hit your game at.

Scoring Pronghorns

Scoring Horns
Scoring pronghorn antelope horns is one of the toughest chores in hunting and is done by looking at the length and mass of the horns. Some horns have round circumferences while others are oblong and wide. It takes a bit of practice judging antelope to be consistent. Mass is one of the toughest measurements to judge and actually is a large percentage of the total score. You really need to view each buck at different angles and views to get a good estimate. To complicate things even more, prongs come off the horns at different heights and some horns have more curl at the tips than others. Spend time before the season watching herds and looking for trophy bucks to become familiar with scoring horns. Look at antelope heads from several angles to get a good perspective of the horns. Get the best optics you can afford to help with learning to judge pronghorns and get as close as possible. You can also visit local taxidermists shops in your hunt area to get an idea of the horn characteristics and measure some of the mounts to get an idea what to look for.

Consider the following for a 14-inch buck, a minimum trophy size:

1)The height of the horn should be at least twice the length of the ear (which is 5 to 6 inches long).
2)The horn should be about as long as the animal's head.
3)Look for the distance between the fork (prong) and the main horn - bigger bucks have larger, noticeable, prongs and greater distance between the prong and the horn.
4)Larger, more mature, bucks have darker faces (compared to does and younger bucks)
5)A pronghorn's eye is approximately 2 inches across. If the bases look to be about that size the buck will have average to below average mass. If the bases are wider across then the eye then he'll have average to above average mass (averages are of course very dependant on where you're hunting).

Deer and elk antlers grow the points last. Why? Because they are covered in velvet. The minerals in the blood that feed this velvet are what grows the antlers. Kind of like the cambium layer of a tree. The growth is added to the outer layer. On a pronghorn, the growth is just the opposite. It is from within. The bony core is covered in a fleshy layer which produces the modified hair we call horn. In a developed horn, the core rises only about as far as the top of the prong. Hair develops basally (ie. up and out of the core) and once the prong has developed at the height of the core's point it will not grow further beyond the prong.

Click for Boone and Crockett online pronghorn scoring form and info on how to measure the horns

Antelope Meat Care

Durwood Hollis has a book called "Complete Game Care Guide". Try B&B Sportsman Supply - 11321 N. 215 E. - Demotte, IN. 46310. Call 1-800-401-9090 or 219-345-4840.

You can also get these game care pamphlets from the University of Wyoming, Bulletin Room, Box 3313, Laramie, WY. 82071.

Field, R.A., 1973. Aging Big Game, Ag Extension Bulletin B-513R.

Field, R.A., 1973. The Mule Deer Carcass, Ag Extension Bulletin B-589.

Field, R.A., 1973. Skinning and Boning Big Game, Ag Extension Bulletin B-884R.

Pocket Guide to Field Dressing Game. Steve Gilbert - $12.95, plastic, spiral-bound, 3 5/8 x 4 1/2 x 1/4, 26 pages, fully illustrated, ISBN 1-886127-19-0, Item #P144.

MEAT CARE TIPS

Cheap meat bags. You can get cheap cloth mattress covers at military surplus stores that have a draw string on one end and they'll cover a whole antelope.

Antelope Hunting Gear Checklist

You'll need Acrobat Reader to read and print this .pdf file gear checklist, you can get Acrobat at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Please click the link below for a gear checklist you can print out.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/hunting-gear-list.pdf

Trespass Permission Slips For Private Land Use & Emergency Alert Sheets

You'll need Acrobat Reader to read and print this .pdf file gear checklist, you can get Acrobat at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Click the link below to get the trespass permission slip you can print.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/permission-slip-1.pdf

Click the link below for an Emergency Alert sheet you can print out and leave on your vehicle, with your family or friends.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/emergency-alert-notice.pdf