Pronghorns are a type of antelope that live in the western part of North America. Hunters can either opt for a shoot with a private company or obtain a license when necessary allowing them to hunt on public land, or on private land with the landowner’s permission. As pronghorns prefer open, prairie-like landscapes, the hunter may need a vehicle to find antelope before a stalk.
Laws that regulate pronghorn hunting vary with each state or province in Canada or the U.S., although a hunter typically does requires a license. Sometimes he or she may have to enter a draw for a license, especially on publicly owned habitat. Private hunt companies may include fees and licensing in the package price offered to hunters.
Only certain areas of North America have pronghorn populations. These include Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada, and Wyoming in the United States. Typically, pronghorn hunting season begins in September, but this varies by region.
The animals live in flat land, which helps them see predators from afar, but also helps human hunters spot the antelopes from vehicles. Four wheel drive vehicles can be useful in pronghorn hunting, as hunters do not need to walk for miles to find appropriate animals to shoot. This advantage can mean that hunters need not be in top physical condition to pursue an antelope. The stalking portion of the hunt, however, does involve some walking.
Hunters do not need to get into stalking position in the dawn hours, as the antelope are visible and moving around during the day. A hunter may bag an antelope in one day. Overnight camping trips are not essential but hunt companies may offer trips that last several days, but where the accommodation and evening meals may not be included in the price. Pronghorn hunting also does not necessitate large caliber rifles, as the animals are relatively small. The small size also makes shot antelope uncomplicated to dress and carry to the vehicle.
In the field, pronghorn antelope meat can spoil more quickly than some other game meats, as the season tends to start during warm weather and the digestive system of the animal can affect the quality of the meat. Coolboxes on the vehicle can help prevent spoilage. Hunting companies may not include the cost of field dressing or butchering the animal, so a hunter on one of these trips may have to perform this himself or herself.