ROAD HUNTER had the decoy knocked out of their hands. It’s one of hunting’s greatest moments, and takes antelope hunting to a whole new level. The key to using a decoy is getting it into position where the buck will see it, without first busting you. To achieve this, use the terrain to hide your approach, then place the decoy on a rise, so the live buck can see it. The objective is to create the illusion that a challenging buck suddenly appeared, enticing the live buck to rush over to investigate, or fight. If he chooses the latter, hang on. SPOT & STALK In recent years, spot-and-stalk hunting, both with bow and rifle, has become a favorite way to pursue pronghorns. On a recent hunt with my father, wife and our oldest son, we all took nice pronghorns via spot and stalk. Each hunt was uniquely different, and that’s what makes this
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American Shooting Journal // September 2018
approach so fun. For rifle hunters, being able to comfortably shoot out to 300 yards, even 400, will greatly increase the odds of tagging a big buck. Big bucks are smart, bedding and carrying out their daily routines in the most open of terrain. Having adjustable shooting sticks is another important tool for rifle hunters, as holding steady on that long shot is essential for accurate shot placement. If you like having a bipod mounted on your rifle, get the one that extends the highest, for oftentimes you have to shoot over tall grass and sagebrush. There’s nothing more frustrating than making a great stalk on a pronghorn, only to not be able to shoot due to an insufficient rest. Pronghorn hunting is addicting, one of those things that when you try it, and do it the right way, hooks you for life. My son, when he was 6 years
old, took his first pronghorn buck in Texas. My dad, nearing 80 years of age, still can’t get enough antelope hunting, no matter where in the west we may be hunting together. With so many ways to hunt them, and so many animals to observe, pronghorns offer one of the country’s most enjoyable adventures. From guided, private land hunts, to do-it-yourself public land excursions, there’s no shortage of pronghorn hunting opportunities for all to enjoy. Editor’s note: To learn how to skin and cape pronghorns, and other big game, check out Scott Haugen’s popular Field Dressing, Skinning and Caping Big Game DVD. Order at scotthaugen. com, or send a check for $20.00 to Haugen Enterprise, P.O Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489. Follow Scott and his adventures on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.