Pronghorn - Alberta
When antelope hunters gather to sing
the praises of their favorite haunts, Alberta comes up when the topic
turns to bucks with wide-based horns. Alberta is producing some real hog
antelope - famous for heavy, thick horns. The short grass prairie that is
home to North America’s antelope extends into southeastern Alberta,
which is the northern fringe of antelope range. It seems the fringe ranges
always produce some big heads. Certainly this applies to Alberta’s
whitetail and mule deer; antelope fall into this category as well!
Alberta’s antelope
occur in the southeastern portion of the province from Montana north
to the parkland fringe, which is some 40,000 square miles of pronghorn
habitat. In spite of the fact that antelope were hit hard by a severe
winter in 1996/1997, that set numbers back and reduced recruitment for the
next couple of years, there were at least six antelope that were killed
this past fall that scored over 80 (Boone and Crockett). Even more
interesting is the fact that some of these giants were taken by bow
hunters.
Antelope hunting has
always been a spot and stalk proposition. There are few things in
hunting more stimulating than trying to sneak up on antelope. The prairie
is far from flat and the rolling hills and dry coulees provide cover for
the hunter that takes time to plan his stalk; often a hunter can stalk to
100 yards or less. However a lot of first time antelope hunters fail to
understand how good an antelope’s eyes are. They let an antelope glimpse
their head as they take a peek. That will get the antelope nervous and
once they start moving a successful shot becomes difficult. That said a
successful stalk often means crawling on one’s stomach with your belt
buckle acting as a plow and your ears collecting dirt, and you may even
collect a cactus thorn or two. The idea of approaching antelope on your
hands and knees usually results in nothing but exercise.
BC OUTFITTERS WORKS WITH AN EXCELLENT
OUTFITTER THAT OFFERS A TROPHY PRONGHORN HUNT.
Contact
BC Outfitters for more information. |