Spot & Stalk

Pronghorn Antelope hunting has always been a spot and stalk proposition.

Contrary to many preconceptions, the prairie is far from flat and the many undulations, rolling hills, swales and coulees often provide ample cover for the hunter that takes time to plan his stalk.

Pronghorn Antelope can see! That good eyesight works against the pronghorn antelope with the latest bow hunting technique of using a decoy. The archery season coincides with the rut (September) and bow hunters are having phenomenal sport and good success using decoys.

On an average day a hunter will look at well over 100 pronghorn antelope. Most of those will be in herds from half a dozen to twenty or more, however the really wise old males are sometimes spotted all alone, laying out there on a prairie vantage point keeping a vigilant eye on the vast landscape.

Alberta’s pronghorn antelope are characterized by the mass of their horns, which, when coupled with good average length, results in the right combination for high Boone and Crockett scores. The table below shows that hunting for trophy pronghorns in Alberta has never been better. In fact, the Provincial record which stood since 1913 was bettered twice with a third nipping at its heels in the last few years.

Alberta’s pronghorn antelope season is often warm and breezy, however this is the north, and snowstorms can occur. The hunter should dress for the wind rather then the temperature:

• A wind stopper jacket under your camouflage jacket and a light pair of long underwear under your hunting pants.
• A good pair of light boots and leather gloves to protect your hands during the stalk. But throw in the heavy jacket and long johns just in case.

Most pronghorn antelope appear further away than they are. A range finder is a nice extra when the distance to a trophy of a lifetime is under question and a bi-pod is invaluable, especially on windy days.