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.