Zone 1-6 Antelope

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Tyler25246

Member
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Hey guys! I’m looking to gather as much info as I can on antelope in CA.

I happened to get the fundraising tag for one buck!

I’m leaning towards the lassen unit, anyone have any info they would be willing to share on areas and what to expect? I know the pool of knowledge might be small given the number of tags give each year.

Or maybe any of the other zones?
Trying to find the best time to go as well.
Plan to scout a few times in July and early august.

Thank you!
 
I've hunted antelope twice in California but not since 1992. Surprise Valley used to be the "hot" unit but it's all different now. Likely Tables is a tough hunt now, I heard. Good luck!
 
eelgrass said:
I've hunted antelope twice in California but not since 1992. Surprise Valley used to be the "hot" unit but it's all different now. Likely Tables is a tough hunt now, I heard. Good luck!
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I have been putting in for the tables archery but these last few years changed to lassen. Based off what I’ve been readingb thanks for the info!
 
I killed an 86 inch pronghorn in the Lassen zone years ago.
Not sure how it is now but I can tell you when you see a mid 80s buck there’s going to be a whole lot of black on top of his head.
Much more so than the average ones you will be looking at.
 
buckhorn said:
I killed an 86 inch pronghorn in the Lassen zone years ago.
Not sure how it is now but I can tell you when you see a mid 80s buck there’s going to be a whole lot of black on top of his head.
Much more so than the average ones you will be looking at.
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That’s good to hear! Hoping to get some scouting in maybe if I can find something and get pictures I can post em up see what you guys think
 
Hunted likely tables last year and from what I saw the population and quality is way down. Talked to a biologist for the unit and he stated that they have been recommending a reduction in tags for years. I guess the system is behind as always and unfortunately the herd takes the hit. With that info and what I was seeing, I took the first legal buck I could get to.

20230903_183359.jpg
 
huckleberryhi said:
Hunted likely tables last year and from what I saw the population and quality is way down. Talked to a biologist for the unit and he stated that they have been recommending a reduction in tags for years. I guess the system is behind as always and unfortunately the herd takes the hit. With that info and what I was seeing, I took the first legal buck I could get to.

View attachment 148345
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I see thanks for the info! I’ll probably stay away from there then!
 
chrisamx said:
The last year for fundraiser draws was 2019. They are all auction tags given away to groups like CDA.
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I was going to say the fundraiser tags are a thing of the past but I did read they are trying to bring back the sheep one atleast.


Tyler25246 said:
Hey guys! I’m looking to gather as much info as I can on antelope in CA.

I happened to get the fundraising tag for one buck!

I’m leaning towards the lassen unit, anyone have any info they would be willing to share on areas and what to expect? I know the pool of knowledge might be small given the number of tags give each year.

Or maybe any of the other zones?
Trying to find the best time to go as well.
Plan to scout a few times in July and early august.

Thank you!
Click to expand...
How much did the auction antelope tag go for that you bought?
 
BradA said:
I was going to say the fundraiser tags are a thing of the past but I did read they are trying to bring back the sheep one atleast.



How much did the auction antelope tag go for that you bought?
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It was at a CDA banquet, it’s a fundraising tag. Yes it was auctioned I don’t know how much goes to the state and how much went to CDA.
 
Tyler25246 said:
It was at a CDA banquet, it’s a fundraising tag. Yes it was auctioned I don’t know how much goes to the state and how much went to CDA.
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Yeah I was more so curious what the final bid amount was ? Like what you bid on the tag for how much since you were the winning bidder. I only ask because maybe I would be interested in the future.
 
Lassen is a fun hunt… seen a lot of antelope on the deer hunts. I missed 2 years of applying so I’ll never actually get to hunt them.

Post pics!
 
Haven't drawn an antelope tag in California in 40 years have max points don't know what it's going to take to get to hunt one in this state...... it sucks
 
DeerHunter53 said:
Haven't drawn an antelope tag in California in 40 years have max points don't know what it's going to take to get to hunt one in this state...... it sucks
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What unit do you usually put in for??? I would think if you have had max points for a few years you should be catching up to a guaranteed tag!

2023 stats
Lassen period 1 had 27 pref point tags
97 1st choice at max of 21 based off that the max point pool that are chasing creep should get their tags within the next 3.5 years(if the 260 max point holders that put in for just a point not a hunt don’t change their ways. Hard to account for those 260 guys)
 
Tyler25246 said:
What unit do you usually put in for??? I would think if you have had max points for a few years you should be catching up to a guaranteed tag!

2023 stats
Lassen period 1 had 27 pref point tags
97 1st choice at max of 21 based off that the max point pool that are chasing creep should get their tags within the next 3.5 years(if the 260 max point holders that put in for just a point not a hunt don’t change their ways. Hard to account for those 260 guys)
Click to expand...
Lassen had a 1 in 3 chance to draw and still didn't draw
 
DeerHunter53 said:
Lassen had a 1 in 3 chance to draw and still didn't draw
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Yep, I'm sitting on max antelope points too and applied for Lassen. First time I've actually applied for a hunt instead of points only in several years. It should happen in the next few years. 🤞
 
PCPython said:
Yep, I'm sitting on max antelope points too and applied for Lassen. First time I've actually applied for a hunt instead of points only in several years. It should happen in the next few years. 🤞
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But I have been putting in for this hunt since before points started over 40 years
 
#3 looks decent, #2 looks like good mass, but maybe not a lot of height/length? Know he curls good,..but I'm no expert... Good luck!...
Mike
 
mod700 said:
#3 looks decent, #2 looks like good mass, but maybe not a lot of height/length? Know he curls good,..but I'm no expert... Good luck!...
Mike
Click to expand...
I like #2 a lot just his looks
wish he was taller don’t think he will break the magical 80” but idk if I care we’ll see😬
I think #3 was the biggest he was also the farthest and never really gave me any other looks than side profile and a flash from the front and back but could get it on film.

BE3208B6-42EF-45A4-8B1D-AAEE5A19D655.jpeg
 
Tyler25246 said:
I like #2 a lot just his looks
wish he was taller don’t think he will break the magical 80” but idk if I care we’ll see😬
I think #3 was the biggest he was also the farthest and never really gave me any other looks than side profile and a flash from the front and back but could get it on film.

View attachment 151888
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He could be a monster if he makes it a couple more years.
 
jester said:
Lassen is a slam dunk. Early!
Jester
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Jester, you obviously don’t know the current conditions on the Lassen unit.

I have a first season tag, I know the unit very well from one end to the other and I will tell you there is a reason the tags have been cut to 35 this year from about 80 tags just a few years ago. It’s because there are damned few antelope on Lassen these days. I’ve spent 2 1/2 days scouting so far, in areas that typically hold good numbers of antelope, and I’ve seen fewer than 30 antelope total so far. The Lassen unit is nothing like it was 5 or more years ago. Last weekend I focused on a part of the unit where I’d normally expect to see 50-75 antelope and I saw exactly 3 very spooky antelope. Whether by predators or poachers, they’ve been pressured badly.

I have 5 more scouting days planned before the opener and by opening day I’ll have covered most of the unit, but I know it’s going to be very tough to find the caliber of buck I’m looking for.

Lassen is not what it used to be.
 
This is the first I've heard the Lassen is way down. I have been hearing Likely Tables is way down.

Tag numbers reflect the drop in population. My question is. What's happening? Why the drop in population?
 
DESKPOP said:
Misty likely a combination of drought and predation.
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I think you’re spot on, especially about predation. I spent some time talking with a 4th generation rancher who told me antelope numbers are way down and he’s seeing more coyotes than ever. If you think about this, it makes sense as the sheep grazers are no longer on the unit like they used to be and when there was a lot of sheep grazing, Animal Damage Control flew the country shooting coyotes. That no longer happens.

That same rancher told me they also now have a couple predators they never had till the last few years, bears and wolves. He told me his neighbor lost 3 calves to bears and now they see bears around despite never seeing them years ago. He also told me he now gets calls from Fish & Wildlife to advise him when collared wolves are near his ranch and that’s happened several times this year.

Another factor has to be all the pot growers on the Madeline Plains. You think those Hmong's growing pot don’t shoot antelope?

Lassen will always have some big bucks. It’s just that now, there are far fewer antelope, a lot fewer tags and a guy has to work harder to find a big buck. I’m planning to hunt the entire season.
 
huntindad4 said:
This is the first I've heard the Lassen is way down. I have been hearing Likely Tables is way down.

Tag numbers reflect the drop in population. My question is. What's happening? Why the drop in population?
Click to expand...
It’s only anecdotal, but I’ve heard Likely Tables is down worse than Lassen. And that came from a hardcore hunter who happens to work for Fish & Game. He’s pretty disappointed with the state of deer and antelope in both of those units.
 

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