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How to Prepare for an Archery Antelope Hunt

Nebraska antelope hunting
Antelope are very intuitive animals. Anything can spark their interest and they will come and check it out. Antelope are also very territorial, probably one of the most territorial animals I know of. Antelope can see very well at long distances. Their eyes are like binoculars, but I believe they can not see that well at close up ranges, kinda like looking at an object up close without adjusting your binoculars everything is fuzzy. I have had guys do all types of moving around situating themselves for a shot and not get busted, but if we were whitetail hunting we would have been busted instantly.

Antelope hunting guides and outfittersAntelope can hear very well and respond to many different calls. They have challenge calls, grunts, chuckles, and distress calls. Your guides will all have antelope calls and use these calls in different situations, one of the best ways using a call will make an antelope stop right in his tracks for a nice standstill shot. I do recommend doing everything you can to prevent scent just like whitetail hunting. Antelope bow hunting can be very boring and very exciting. You may sit in a blind for hours seeing nothing and then all of the sudden a herd will run in at 30 yards away from you. This is much different than hunting whitetail deer as you usually see a deer coming and have time to prepare and anticipate the shot before he arrives. With Antelope, you may never see them, then all the sudden they are there. This can be very nerve racking and adrenaline pumping. Try to put yourself through a few crash courses handling adrenaline, by visualizing the hunting situation as if it were happening right in front of you as you are target practicing. I find this one of the best ways to overcome the rush as you will have practiced this situation over and over in your head so when you see it in the field you will be ready for it.

For shooting distances most shots take place anywhere from 30 to 40 yards, some being shorter and some being longer. The further you can shoot comfortably will increase the odds you will have at taking bigger trophy bucks. I have no problem with letting hunters take a 50 to 60 yard shot if they are comfortable and capable of taking that kind of shot. I recommend also practicing kneeling shots as most of your shots will take place kneeling if you are hunting from a ground blind or in a spot and stalk situation.

Things to Bring on an Archery Antelope Hunt:

  1. Bow
  2. Layers of Cloths as morning hunts will be cool then hot during the day, cooling off again at night
  3. I recommend always having a black shirt with you while hunting as most of the hunting will take place inside a ground blind, bring camo clothing as well as we may do some spot and stalks depending on the hunting situations. Any cam works, but I recommend Cabelas Open Country or Mossy Oak Brush camo.
  4. Black or Camo Face paint, face mask will also work.
  5. Uninsulated hunting boots.
  6. Hunting Permit(s)
  7. I.D.
  8. Binoculars, Range Finder, Arrows, Backpack, Camera, bow release, anything personal you would like to bring.
  9. Small flashlight or type of light source.
  10. Scent Eliminator or Scent Protector Spray.
  11. Magazines, Books, anything to keep you entertained while waiting for the big buck to come your way.