Antelope opening weekend?

schoolhousegrizz · Aug 2, 2018

So my hunt opens on September 10th for the rifle, which is a Monday. That makes the opening weekend the 15th. I know a lot of the deer hunts open then. My question is with the hunt being open for 5 days and the deer hunts going on the weekend of the 15th, do you think it would be overly crowded? Many people have told me to avoid the opener. I've never hunted attelope, what do you guys think?

HiMtnHntr · Aug 3, 2018

It really just depends on the area. If you are hunting an area that is popular with deer/elk hunters or along a major access road, you'll probably see a bunch of people at least traveling through. My experience is that usually there is quite a bit of geographical separation from those hunts.

DW · Aug 3, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Aug-03-18 AT 08:13AM (MST)[p]#

schoolhousegrizz · Aug 3, 2018

Yes I know there is a difference. I am wondering if a lot of the antelope hunters will be hunting deer instead. Which will cause less crowding.

HiMtnHntr · Aug 3, 2018

Many residents will switch to deer/elk.

schoolhousegrizz · Aug 3, 2018

Thanks himtnhntr

nripepi · Aug 3, 2018

What unit? Probably less than normal with the Monday start date....might even want to hunt Monday if you can.

264mag · Aug 3, 2018

Unit 57 Opens September 20. Bucks should be chasing does ?

schoolhousegrizz · Aug 3, 2018

Thanks for all the advice guys. I drew unit 94

TOPGUN · Aug 3, 2018

My guess is that on a Monday opener a lot of NRs will use the weekend to get there and hunt the first five days of the season and then use the opening weekend to go back home.

nontypical · Aug 3, 2018

Unless you have a specific buck scouted out before the opener, you may be better off waiting. Though less bucks will be available a week after the opener, hunt quality will be way better due to less hunters in the field. Most local folks don't view the antelope hunt as much more than a fun one or two day "first hunt of the year" type of deal. That can lead to a lot of folks being out on the first weekend, leading to overcrowding and spooky goats.

Definitely hunting during the week is a much better situation.

264mag; they will be rutting Sept 20. Many times the older bucks will cut a doe out of a herd that belongs to a less dominant buck; breed her; then continue his search for another. Not always will the herd buck be the most dominant in the area. At least that's been my experience. Look at ALL of them. Your eyes will be sore at the end of the day!