I’m down from Oregon hunting SW Desert Pronghorn on a tag I drew through the Hunt Expo.
I did as much e-scouting as I could, but resisted posting on here because I know posts like this are not always well-received.
I’ve spent two days driving around the unit, which is unusual for me, as I tend to put more hunting miles on my boots than my tires.
I spent day one west of Milford (where I am staying) off 21 and Pine Valley Rd. In the evening I went North from 21 past Crystal Peak and to the NW corner of the unit around Snake Valley. In the morning I saw a group of about ten on Pine Valley Rd, but they did not appear to have a buck with them. In the evening the only antelope I saw were in private fields around Snake Valley. I decided not to torture myself with whether there were any bucks there and moved along to public property.
Day two I went all the way to the North end of Hamlin Valley, by way of Modena. I saw one group probably 1500 yards off, that moved off not in a huge hurry but quick enough I couldn’t get the big glass on them. I saw my first buck, inside of rifle range. But he was on the move when I spotted him. He stopped for a few, but moved off while I scrambled to find my range finder (which I discovered fell out of my pack at “camp”).
I have to say I was lured into over confidence by the success rates of the hunt and a bit of online chatter that suggested it shouldn’t be much more difficult than a drive down this or that road. I’m new to antelope hunting, and with how jumpy they are, I’m having a hard time imagining how this will all come together driving around.
I feel like my odds of getting situated for a shot would be much better on foot, but with the pronghorn being few and far between, covering lots of ground to find them seems like a necessity. End of day 2 I spent glassing from a spot I could see a couple miles in a few directions (in proximity to where I saw the other critters up Hamlin Valley) hoping I could see them from afar and then figure out a stalk on them- but no dice.
It was definitely a drive to get here and it will end a fun adventure here either way- but I’m hoping maybe someone has some additional advice or suggestions.
I have seen two big bulls- one for sure 325+ and both on public land, and I’d be happy to swap notes with an elk hunter with the tag for the unit.
Any help is greatly appreciated. I’d repay it with a couple days of salmon fishing in the PNW!
Cheers,
D2D
I did as much e-scouting as I could, but resisted posting on here because I know posts like this are not always well-received.
I’ve spent two days driving around the unit, which is unusual for me, as I tend to put more hunting miles on my boots than my tires.
I spent day one west of Milford (where I am staying) off 21 and Pine Valley Rd. In the evening I went North from 21 past Crystal Peak and to the NW corner of the unit around Snake Valley. In the morning I saw a group of about ten on Pine Valley Rd, but they did not appear to have a buck with them. In the evening the only antelope I saw were in private fields around Snake Valley. I decided not to torture myself with whether there were any bucks there and moved along to public property.
Day two I went all the way to the North end of Hamlin Valley, by way of Modena. I saw one group probably 1500 yards off, that moved off not in a huge hurry but quick enough I couldn’t get the big glass on them. I saw my first buck, inside of rifle range. But he was on the move when I spotted him. He stopped for a few, but moved off while I scrambled to find my range finder (which I discovered fell out of my pack at “camp”).
I have to say I was lured into over confidence by the success rates of the hunt and a bit of online chatter that suggested it shouldn’t be much more difficult than a drive down this or that road. I’m new to antelope hunting, and with how jumpy they are, I’m having a hard time imagining how this will all come together driving around.
I feel like my odds of getting situated for a shot would be much better on foot, but with the pronghorn being few and far between, covering lots of ground to find them seems like a necessity. End of day 2 I spent glassing from a spot I could see a couple miles in a few directions (in proximity to where I saw the other critters up Hamlin Valley) hoping I could see them from afar and then figure out a stalk on them- but no dice.
It was definitely a drive to get here and it will end a fun adventure here either way- but I’m hoping maybe someone has some additional advice or suggestions.
I have seen two big bulls- one for sure 325+ and both on public land, and I’d be happy to swap notes with an elk hunter with the tag for the unit.
Any help is greatly appreciated. I’d repay it with a couple days of salmon fishing in the PNW!
Cheers,
D2D
I spend a lot of time on the unit and had this tag last year which I mentor’d to my daughter. Fun hunt and would have loved to help you out! That’s to rugar for stepping up! Congrats on your goat!
