Saddle Mountain Guides and Outfitters >> Antelope



     Arizona offers some of the best antelope hunting in the western United States. More than 50% of the Pronghorn records in Boone & Crockett come from Arizona. They are fascinating animals to hunt and can be found anywhere from the south Sonorran desert areas all the way to the North Kaibab. We typically hunt antelope in the Northeast and Central units of the state as we feel this is where the best genetics are for trophy quality animals.

     Hunting antelope and being successful at harvesting a trophy class animal requires not only a great deal of skill and patience, it also requires having the right equipment and knowing how to use it. Because antelope generally live in very open range type of country, long distance spotting, stalking and shooting will very likely come in to play. Antelope have two very distinctive strengths that give them an extreme advantage in the field. They have tremendous eyesight and can detect the slightest movements at distances of a mile or more and have the ability to run at speeds in excess of 40 mph in full stride for very long stretches. To be successful at harvesting one of these trophy bucks, you will need to be able to glass at very long distances, plan and skillfully stalk within reasonable shooting range (again in very open country with little to no cover) and finally set up and take a shot. One slight mistake during any of this and you will see strength number two kick in while you watch the dust trail as the buck disappears across the prairie. One other thing to mention, antelope hunts occur when it is still very warm, so you will be doing all of this in temperatures well in excess of 80-85 degrees! It takes a lot of skill, experience and patience to put all of this together successfully.

     Probably one of the most important things to mention in trophy antelope hunting, is the ability to be able to score animals accurately. Without a doubt antelope are the toughest animal to score while in the field. Un-like elk and deer which have antler length and width measurements and are normally glassed at distances under 500 yards, antelope have horns which have fewer measurable items and are much tougher to score at distances typically over a mile. The last thing you want to happen is to spot a buck antelope, put on a stalk that will normally be hours long, carefully set up to take a shot, only to find out that the animal is not trophy class and it is not what you had intended to harvest. Being able to score the animal properly in the initial glassing period is extremely important and can save a lot of wasted time during the hunt.

     We have been hunting antelope for over a decade and our guides are professional, experienced and have all the right equipment and skills to help you harvest a truly trophy class buck. Hopefully you will give us the opportunity and book your next hunt with us. We can assure you that it will be the hunt of a lifetime, one that you will re-live in your mind and memories for a long time to come.

     If you need help deciding on which units to apply for in the draw process, please contact us and we will be happy to give you our recommendations and inputs. 

     Good Luck & Happy Hunting!
     Saddle Mountain Guides & Outfitters