I think it would be fun to take a bunch of guys out, who have never Antelpe hunted, especially with a handgun, and get one.

So this is my offer for next year (too late for this year, the drawing was in March). I'm no pro , but I've harvested at least one Antelope every year, in the last 8 yrs living in Wyoming, with a handgun. I would setup the hunt, area, etc..for next year if anyone is interested. No cost to you except your license and expense of getting out here.

**** This is not a guided hunt!!! ****

I have to say that because it is illegal to guide without a license in Wyoming. But we would hunt together. We could also make this an annual hunt if we got enough interest.

This would be a great opportunity, especially for our handgunning brothers back east. I know that Xphunter and SSCoyote probably could come up and help if they got bored...

What does everyone else think?

Hey,
Sounds great , let me know what's the cost and when >>>

with this much time in advanced ide all so be very interested myself
thanks

That is a great idea. I put in for a antelope hunt this year in Wyoming as a matte of fact. My buddy in Oklahoma and our friend in Laramie put me in. I told them I'm bringing my handguns and they just laughed. I will be doing some range time before the hunt in Sept. I have a XP R in .260 with a 2x7 BPlex Burris and a new 6.5 Rem Mag Encore with a Burris 3x9 AO and target turrets on it. Hope to have them ready for SHOTS and that way I will be way ahead. Count me in and I hope to have stories after our hunt this year.

Mike

If you have room, I would defintely be interested!!

me too!!!!
nmhunter

Count me in. Let me know the details. Might be nice to have a combo hunt someday also.

Oh yeah, I am in. I hunted Wyoming last year for Mulies and have saw alot of antelope. I have had an itch to get one ever since. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help make this happen. Thanks, Shawn

Would be a possibility for me. Have to consider vacation. It would be fun. Haven't shot a prarie goat in several years, guess it's time
Steve and I have had a lot of fun & even good success with antelope hunting. Of course we wouldn't guide, but friends always help other friends (we will be hunting too).
With the type & amount of shooting we are doing at SHOTS this year anyone would be prepared for goat hunting--Sorry couldn't resist
Keep me updated.

I'm already committed for a CO elk hunt in the fall of 2006 but maybe I could swing 2007 for antelope if things work out right.

I'm a possibility because my trip west next year is take my son on a wilderness combo trout fishing/archery hunt for ahigh school graduation present. That's for 1 1/2 weeks in September. I would love to try and do this one. I'll need dates of the hunt. If there is a camping area near, I have a really nice set-up we use in Colorado, and I'll offer it for some hunters. and maybe some Pa boys will want to come to share the expense of driving out. I will have to practice though-I have never shot any of my handguns at ranges longer than 50 yards. Is it possible to hit an antelope out past 50 yards or so? Bullelk Hunter

It will be easy to hit/kill an antelope beyond 50 yards once you can put into practice some good shooting techniques and employ one of several good field rests (depending on the circumstances of terrain, etc.). Add to that laser rangefinders and Ballistic Plex Reticles to take away the guess work that most have in open terrain. Most antelope have been in the 175-250 yard range, but have taken several quite a bit futher than that.

I'm in. I'm heading to WY this hear on HHI hunt in Wright, WY. We normally are allowed 3 Antelope (buck and 2 doe) and up to 2 doe deer. This is my third trip. I'd love to hunt a different area.

Thanks!
Bill in OR

Another thought of this hunt, Think about a BBQ (or as they say in the Carolina's a PIG PICKIN) would there be a place we could get everyone together to cook and socialize a bit? Maybe even bring some door prizes to be given away. I would donate to this as well how about everyone else. This type of hunt would be fun!!!
nmhunter

SS308,
This is exciting! Before we go to far, I'm curious to know how many hunters you and the area you are thinking of can handle.
What are your thoughts on this?

Oh boy, I don't know. Hunting skank-goats with a handgun might be quite a challenge. I'm sort of one of those 'show me guys'. I'm not real sure something that has a kill zone the size of a 1-gallon milk jug can be be hit out past 100 yards.

FWIW Specialty Handguns put together correctly are capable of amazing accuracy. Last summer I set up a target @ 600 yards (shooting from a bench) and shot a 4-shot group. that group measures just a tad over 1.5 inches (6.5-284 XP-100). We have more fun with half gallons jugs @ 600 yards as gallon jugs can get boring after awhile. My first 3-shot group At Alliance, NE during the Bower LR Seminar about 3 years ago was in the 1.5 inch range @ 500 meters with a good number of witnesses. There is a difference between bench shooting and field shooting. My point is most Contenders set-up right can handle out to 250 yards on goats and Encores even further from field positions 1-shot kills on antelope. If you have never done it or seen it before I don't doubt that you are a skeptic.
Come out this way and I promise you I can put you under a couple of SP's with a little time that gallon jugs filled with water at 200 yards from the prone position with a Harris Bi-Pod will become easy, normal and boring. I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true.

Here is the pic of the 500 meter ram. Notice one shot to the right. After I put it on steel Marc told me to move several clicks left, then I shot 3-shots for group--they are fairly close together. this was with my XP in 284 Winchester with my hunting load and bullet.

Hey XP-I'm just yanking your chain. I am a devoted long-range handgunner, but here out East it's tough to get much past 300 yards very frequently. Check out the post from Dan's SW PA Jamboree. We all did quite well!! We used all sorts of TC and XP and it was a hoot. We even emptied a few 8oz bottles at 300! I put the XP 22-250 away early because the 400 jugs were a little boring. I am hoping everything works out this year so I can do goats next fall. A handgun goat would make a nice addition to my wall of fame! Bullelk Hunter.

I forgot to mention we did a lot of blasting at 500yds, but the hit ratio was a little off compared to 400. We did scare a whole bunch of water jugs though, and everyone was all around them all day. There were few shots that missed by a lot and there was even a lot of jugs that had holes in them and drained the water . They just didin't explode like the closer ones. A telling tale of impact velocity! Bullelk Hunter.

I don't mind it all.
Truth be known there are folks who don't post that much that actually feel like you were writing.
Glad you were able to have fun at short and long ranges.

Gary got a hold of me and berated, humiliated, and beat me (over the phone)...ha ha...not really. But he did bring up a good point. He stated that we would have to rename it so he would not be liable. So I thought we could call it something like "The Gang from HHM".

I will post the cost and more info after this weekend. The price is not going up next year, so it will be current. I just have to round up some out-of-state regs. There will be areas to camp for either free or near nothing. There is also a Bar/restaurant next to the camping ground. You will ba able to walk to it. Hunting is anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour away, depending on where we hunt. I will get some maps this year and post them. Most of the areas are private (which is no problem, everyone allows you to hunt), and there is quite a bit of public land also.

I liked to give it a try.

Just how many you plan on allowing on this hunt? I'd love to join if you had the room. We are talking Oct. 06 right? I've never killed an Antelope with a handgun. I'd like to try out my XP100 on one.

Glenn

sounds interesting, I figure I have another 3or4 years at least before I hit the draw here in oregon again.

count me in !!!!! keep us imformed of the details.SEMPER FI

Here is the location for prices on Antelope in Wyoming.

http://gf.state.wy.us/fiscal/license/index.asp

This will not change next year. I don't know the areas yet and probably won't until I do more scouting this fall. Some areas that I'm looking at are 47, 48, and 49. These areas are pretty good but, the norm you will get is 14" to 15". Although, a friend of mine did get a 17 1/2" from this area last year. The success rate is 100%. For those that are interested, I will send you the apps (or you can call Game and Fish and they will send you one) and I would coordinate it for you. They must be in on or before March 31st.

What it would essentially be is to get your feet wet for your first Antelope hunt and then you can venture out on your own for your next one.

The reason I'm planning this now is that everyone can plan ahead and practice. As I mentioned before, you will need a Harris Bipot, Shooting Sticks, Range Finder (800 yds recommended), binoculars, spotting scope (with a window mount, which makes it real easy to glass from your vehicle) and of course, practicing with the above. Flat shooting cartridge is necessary. I've taken them from 125 to 375 yds. Some calibers I have used successfully are the 7mm IMSHA (numerous), 308 (5), and the 300 WSM (3). I'm sure there are other calibers that will work equally well. Of course the 6.5 x 284 comes to mine, right along with the 7mm-08, 284, 250 and 300 Savage, and a host of others.

You can talk with Xphunter and SSCoyote and some others that have taken Antelope with a handgun on additional ideas and or calibers.

I don't pretend to be an expert, I just know what has worked for me in the past. But, I'm always looking for ideas.

Hope this info helps.

I forgot to mention. The season usually starts the 3rd week of September and goes for a month. For example, this year it starts on September 25th. That's another reason I like these areas. Other areas start October 1st. That's the same time Mule Deer season starts for me. I use Antelope season as a warm-up for Mule Deer and Elk.

OK XP, 7 Br and/or .260 going to make it? Thinking 250 yds max.

I would chose the 260 first (from a cartridge standpoint)-easy 250 round and the 7BR should be fine @ 250 too.

thanks!

I'm IN!!! This sound's GREAT!!!

I've no idea which handgun(s) I'll use (like most people here I have several that would fit the bill) but I'm gonna make this hunt for sure. I was planning a speed goat hunt next fall anyway so doing it with other handgun hunters is just icing.

Great idea SS308!!!

$bob$

Hey SS-- let me know where and when, i'll be there to help anyway i can.