Who;

I lived in Wyoming most of my life, but I'd need to either see a map or have more data on the whereabouts of the areas before I could comment much.  However, Wyoming has the highest pronghorn population of any state in the U.S., finding a goat isn't real hard.

However, getting close enough to stick an arrow in one is another proposition. 

900F

Welcome Wholaverj,

Understanding that you are a PA deer hunter, you should know that antelope in the west, especially Wyoming are like trees in Clearfield.

Archery hunt antelope in Wyoming, usually south of Gillette, lots of 'goats there.  While I've not hunted in SD and ND for antelope, I do hunt prairie dogs there and see antelope walking around the edge of dog towns that are very shootable.

I'll try to dig out my WY antelope map.  Generally the flat areas of WY are better than the mountains.  So unless you are hunting private land avoid the NW section, ie  #84.  this is just south of the Big Horn NF and I’ve seen lots of deer there and some antelope (they are really most places in WY) but not like you will find in the eastern section of WY.  I’ve not hunted #8 but have hunted PDs close by, it seems ‘to me’ better than 84.

If you are planning for 2007 (the drawings for ’06 are gone now), you have lots of time to decide.  Either way the key to the success will be land availability.  Are you hunting private lands?  Do you have/want an outfitter/guide?  If you plan on hunting public lands I’d suggest that you get BLM maps for the area you are considering.  These maps show ownership (private/federal/state).  I always call and then stop into the local BLM and forest Offices.  These people have been very good on “putting X s” on my BLM maps or good places to hunt.

Antelope are very easy to ’hunt’; not like whitetails in Pennsylvania.  I think of it as antelope ‘shooting’.  But they are keen sighted and run like the wind.  Expect any antelope with decent horns to be at least 400+ yards away from any structure or road after opening day.  You can approach them easily, until you get in their ‘discomfort’ zone (500 yards).

Because of all the shooting and the ‘lopes being pushed onto private lands or low hunting areas.  I prefer to hunt them during the archery season.  More challenging but more ‘hunting’ involved.  Water is a key to antelope hunting.  They like dry sage areas but need water every day.  So a water hole can be the best place to see/shoot an antelope.  Archer season is also during the first part of the rut.  So a cut-out of a small 5 inch buck can be you hiding place as you stalk.  The resident buck will usually walk up to you and challenge the younger animal.

Lots of fun.

If I can be of any assistance, let me know.

BEAR

hi, and welcome to the BaitShop!

while i don't have any current information regarding wyoming specifically, http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=141&PN=1 - click here to view some material that was compiled on general antelope hunting strategies, which might be helpful.

CB and bear should ahve a wealth of information for you, as well as a few others who will stop in and take a look over the enxt couple of days!

any more questions, just ask!

i hunt butte county in s.d. for goats. lots of 'em there, plenty of public land.

i just moved to wyoming, so haven't had a chance to hunt here yet. if you hurry, you can still get tags in for s.d. this year.

 Those areas will be mostly public land, but August is terribly hot time of the year to try and take care of dead antelope.

 51 percent of the land here is owned by 1 gubbernut agency or another so finding a place to hunt isn't to big much of a big problem, plus there's always the spit on your neighbor program, more commonly known as the walkin areas that cover about anothe 300000 acres give or take a few.

 You can always pickup a leftover tag after the drawing for several areas.

 My suggestion before you bowhunt a goat, would be to make a trip out and hunt them with a rifle once, and get a wee bit on knowledge on them. It don't always workout like they show it on the Outdoor Channel.

Wholaverj,

Don't be discouraged.  Pronghorn are dumber than whitetail, and don't use there nose for alert as a PA buck does.  they are vision oriented.

I sat on an old hay rake in a small hay field, mule deer and prong horns walked right by me never caring.  I think they know farm equipment and if you are attached to it you are not feared.

Western style camo blinds at water holes are good, but you need to get them out  a few weeks before the season, so the 'lope will accept them as part of the surrounding.  Make sure any blind you use has tight cloth, any flapping and a goat will stare at you from 120 yds away; and not come closer.

IMO any antelope arrowed is a trophy.  I missed a monster and took a smaller buck 3 days later.  It is mounted on my wall now.

BEAR