Want to give Western hunting a try? While you may have stars in your eyes for elk, mule deer, and moose, the best big-game animal for first-time Western hunters is the pronghorn. A uniquely American species, the pronghorn is plentiful on public land and challenging and fun to hunt in open country. The tags are easy to come by, and pronghorn hunting is much more affordable than most other big game western hunts.

Pronghorns can be found from southern Canada to Texas and from California into parts of the Midwest. They are also the fastest land animal in North America, with the ability to run at speeds close to 60 miles an hour. Although they are often referred to as antelope, pronghorn are not antelope, and in fact are more closely related to giraffes. 

Perfect for First-Timers

A pronghorn has huge eyes that give it an almost 300-degree view without moving its head, and it can spot movement up to 4 miles away. That incredible eyesight and speed make it a fun and challenging animal to pursue for rifle hunters of all ages and skill levels. They are generally abundant in numbers during rifle season, which means if you miss one, you’ll probably get another shot at another animal. And unlike most other big game animals, pronghorns are active all day, so you don’t have to head out super early to hunt them, which late sleepers will appreciate. 

Wyoming hunting guide Matt DeWitt says pronghorns are at once the least-hunted Western species and the most plentiful. Plus, the tags are easy to draw. Although you may have to apply for tags months in advance, units in many states, including Montana and Wyoming, are undersubscribed, so tags are practically guaranteed.

In the Southwest, tags may be a bit harder to draw, but if you’re persistent, you’ll most likely get a tag within the first few years. Non-resident tags are widely available, though not as abundant as resident tags. 

“In Wyoming, where I guide, you can get two antelope doe tags for cheap, which means you can have a really good hunt and go home with 150 pounds of meat,” DeWitt says. “People typically think of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado when it comes to pronghorn hunting, but pronghorn are prevalent throughout the West. South Dakota and Nebraska are under hunted for pronghorn, which means you’ll have good access to them.”

Good Gear to Go

For pronghorn hunting, make sure you’re prepared with appropriate, high-quality gear that can withstand the demands of a spot-and-stalk hunt in unpredictable weather and rugged terrain. 

“The vast majority of hunters that I guide show up with an adequate rifle,” DeWitt says. “They bring everything from a .243 to .375, and they all work fine. But, the three biggest mistakes people make with their rifles is not having a good enough scope, bringing poor-quality ammo, and having an ill-fitting or uncomfortable sling.” 

DeWitt says in his opinion, no scope that costs less than $500 is worthy. 

“For example, the Leopold VX-3 is a great scope and money well spent,” he says. “In fact, the higher-grade scopes are all fantastic. One of the greatest mistakes people make is bringing a scope with too much magnification, such as a 25X scope. You don’t need more than a 10X scope, but you do want good-quality glass, rings, and bases. You need a rock-solid scope on a quality rifle that shoots well. If you have that, then you have what you need.”

He says premium, well-constructed ammo is a must, too, and that you can’t go wrong with bullets such as the Nosler Partition and Accubond, or the Swift A-frame or Scirocco. You also want to make sure you’ve shot the bullets out of your gun before you go on your hunt.

Next, a high-quality, comfortable sling is more important than many pronghorn hunters may realize. A spot-and-stalk pronghorn hunt often requires that you cover a lot of ground, and if your rifle sling is ill-fitting or uncomfortable, it can make for a miserable hunt. 

“I use an all-leather Montana Rifle sling on all of my personal guns,” DeWitt says. “It fits well and is easily adjustable. Those big, plastic, wide-web slings with the nylon strap may look comfortable, but they’ll wear on you when toting a 10-pound gun for 15 miles. When you have to take the rifle off and switch from shoulder to shoulder, it becomes a nuisance. You want a sling that is so comfortable that you don’t even have to think about your rifle during your trek.”

When it comes to clothing, layers are the answer, especially in Western states like Wyoming, where mornings can be frigid, but afternoons can get up into the 90s during pronghorn season.

Wearing three or four thin layers that you can remove or add throughout the day will help keep you comfortable no matter the temperature. 

And when it comes to your boots, DeWitt says the best pair of boots are the ones that you’ve already worn on past hunts and are well broken in. Nothing can ruin a hunt more quickly than painful feet, so don’t make the mistake of wearing new boots on your hunt. 

Stalking Tips

DeWitt says first-time Western hunters may get discouraged when they first gaze upon the landscape and see the wide-open terrain and the sage brush prairie.  

“They may think they’ll have no chance at moving in close enough to get a shot, but they just need to sit down and study the landscape, look at where the antelope are, and look at where they’re going,” he says. “Look at the impression in the topography and the available cover. Humans are smarter than antelope. If you make a plan and execute that plan, you’ll have a good shot at success.”

And while there is plenty of public land to hunt, DeWitt recommends asking for permission to hunt private land, because landowners will often grant hunters permission to hunt pronghorn when they wouldn’t grant permission to hunt deer or elk. It also provides the hunter with an opportunity to build a relationship with that landowner so he or she may get permission to hunt deer or elk on the property down the road. 

“A lot of hunters undervalue the importance of simply meeting people. Doors can be opened through the connections you make,” he says. 

Once you’ve selected a location, get there a couple of days before the opener to do some scouting. 

“Talk to local biologists and residents. Look at maps and put together a plan. With technology now, such as onX maps, you can do some scouting before you even leave home. Then, get to your spot at first shooting light. You’ll most likely sit there for 1 to 1 ½ hours before you see anything because pronghorn don’t move early like deer. They start moving later in the morning.” 

Once you’ve selected your animal, then you’ll need to move to within a good range and make your shot count. Be patient and use the terrain to your advantage. 

“Most of the hunters I guide kill their antelope within 200 yards,” DeWitt says. “You can even do it within 100 yards. A lot of folks shoot at out to 500 or 600 yards, but I think that’s unethical. And just know, if you bust a stalk, they’re gone. You’ve lost your shot at that particular animal. You can chase him all day and you won’t catch up. You’re hunting a smart animal with good eyesight and a good sense of smell in open country. You must be on top of your game.”

If you experience success, you’ll get to enjoy some of the tastiest wild-game meat there is, if it is cleaned and prepped correctly.

“Antelope is no different than other western big game animals,” DeWitt says. “If you take a B&C buck, it’s going to be gamey, old, and tough. But a younger animal can be tasty if you take care of the meat. Pronghorn are small, warm animals, which means the meat spoils easily. Once you shoot it, get to your animal as quickly as you can and spend time properly dressing it. Then, get it back to your truck and put it on ice, which should already be in your cooler. Throw some ice in the body cavity to cool it down, or the hams, loins, and tenderloins will spoil.”

Pronghorn hunting can provide a fun and challenging hunt for both new and experienced Western hunters. Just make sure you plan every aspect of the hunt – from scouting to harvest to meat prep – and then enjoy pursuing this smart and agile creature through some of the most beautiful landscapes you’ll ever see.