Info and ?'s for Owhyee pronghorn

[huntinwithlabs]

I finally drew the tag, now I am figuring out the who what where's (the when is pretty much defined)

Does anyone know who the biologist is for that area, which office to call? I called BLM and they are sending me out the maps for that area. I would love to say that I am going to make a half a dozen scouting trips this summer, but not at $4.25 a gallon for gas! So I will probably be down to 2 weekend trips over there. Is there a good time to go over? Do Pronhorn patterns change from the summer to hunting season (august)?

Thanks for any help
RJ

[Idahoan]

I don't know a lot about the area. However, I have done some chukar hunting over there. I have seen antelope south east of Sucker Creek. Good luck, I am just starting my pursuit to draw the coveted pronghorn tag, probably will be the Owhyee unit.

[Old Guys Rule]

Try north of Jordan valley, south of Spring Mountain between the Mahoganys and coffee crater lots of small herds, undulating ground makes for reasonable stalking. Make sure you know where private land boundaries are, don't be afraid to knock on doors to ask permission but be prepared to be rejected a lot. Lots of BLM land so permission not a requirement for a decent hunt but with a little persistence and politeness you might hit the jackpot. Good luck.

[Thehunter]

Take a scounting trip over there.

[huntinwithlabs]

Originally Posted by Thehunter

Take a scounting trip over there.

Oh, I plan too. I just wont be able to make as many trips as I would like and was looking for a couple of areas to start looking. Its a pretty big unit, and I'm a pronghorn newbie

[Thehunter]

I was there like 7 years ago. I was around the twin springs area. I saw a few but nothing great. Like i said i wasn't looking for them so don't go by what i say. By a few i mean like 50 or so.

[huntinwithlabs]

I love it, a few = 50.
Last year chasing blacktails a few = 1

[Thehunter]

Ya, 50 or a few.....Good luck..When you do make a trip let me know how the chuckar popluation is.

[CombinationLicense]

Hey RJ, congratulations on the tag

I would start by calling Don Whitaker over at ODFW HQ. He's in charge of the Bear/Cougar/Pronghorn/Bighorn Sheep/Furbearer/Trapping game programs and is also in the process of working on a Pronghorn telemetry study. He should be able to point you in the right direction or refer you to someone that can.

Don.Whittaker@state.or.us
(503) 947-6325

Good Luck!

"CL"

OHA grants $33,500 for Owyhee Pronghorn Research



The Oregon Hunters Association has awarded $33,500 to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to help fund a study to track the movements and behavior of pronghorn in the Owyhee area in southeastern Oregon. The grant includes $30,00 from the state organization, $1,000 from the Klamath OHA Chapter, $1,000 from the Josephine County Chapter and $1,500 from the Lake County Chapter. The funds are being used to purchase 10 Global Positioning System units and towards the cost of capturing the antelope. The study is slated to begin in December and will involve capturing 65 pronghorn in the Owyhee Wildlife Management Unit and fitting them with radio collars so the ODFW researchers can track their movements. The study will be conducted over a two and a half year period. Pronghorn, also called pronghorn antelope, are unique to North America and roam the grasslands and other open areas of the western U.S., Mexico and Canada. Capable of speeds up to 40 miles per hour, they are the fastest land animals in North America. Oregon’s pronghorn population is estimated at 25,000 to 27,000. According to Don Whittaker, who manages ODFW’s pronghorn program, pronghorn are among Oregon’s most desirable big game animals. However, because they travel large distances in remote parts of the state, not a great deal is known about their movements and population dynamics, which make managing the herds more difficult.

[C-lice]

I've never hunted your area, but I have hunted Wyoming for antelope quite a bit. In Wyoming, the hunt is in early October, and that might make a difference. I've never hunted in late August.

One of the most significant factors I've found in locating a big buck is in locating a big (numbers-wise) herd. Dominant bucks tend to hold onto more does than smaller bucks do, especially before the season gets too far along. Once the big boys get shot out, a small buck can hold onto a few does for a while, but not too long. I guess the thing that I'd say is almost always true is that you don't see a big buck with a small harem, but occasionally late in the season we'll see a small buck with a larger harem.

I would just advise a person to take a long look at a big group of does even if there is no big buck in evidence. Odds are the big buck is around, he's just running off a little guy or off making fawns. Considering the amount of ground they can cover, he could be a half a mile away yet still monitoring his girls.

Also (donning flame-resistant clothes), be prepared to make a long shot. You can do a lot of target practicing for the same cost as a few gallons of fuel, and it will likely make just as much difference in your success. I believe that it is perhaps more ethical to try long shots on antelope than on deer of elk in most conditions. This is because a wounded antelope will almost certainly be easier to find and is easier to kill than a deer or elk is. If an antelope runs half a mile before dying, you'll probably get to see him run 'til he falls down out in the open and you can walk right to him. If a deer or an elk is hit and runs half a mile, it'll be downhill into the thick stuff and you probably will not see him fall.

Finally, don't underestimate antelopes' sense of smell. Their eyes are certainly option 1, but their noses are option 1a. You don't want to approach from upwind, even if you're not visible.

[Wheels]

Good Advice C Lice..............thanks for sharing. Wheels.

[Big Unit]

I've drawn twice there. The more west of the unit, the less pressure.

I'll send a PM.

BU

[loper]

Originally Posted by Big Unit

I've drawn twice there. The more west of the unit, the less pressure.

I'll send a PM.

BU

I really like the coloration on the one on the right

Nice job

[ErnestE]

I drew one too. I know a couple of local guys with family in that unit. I'll be talking to them soon and will share their suggestions.

[water and sky]

Hunted mulies there last year. Lots of lopes. Make sure of your location with GPS and BLM map or you could get a chance to meet one of the local guides and his friend the sheriff. happened to my partner in that area 2 years ago.

[huntinwithlabs]

I went out and picked up the National Geographic map software that will load onto my GPS, plus I just received the BLM maps. Right now I am kinda doing the cyber scouting thing. Checking maps vs google earth vs notes others have given me. I called the biologist that "CL" recomended and am awaiting a call back. I figure he has probably received about 76 calls asking the same thing.