Antelope trip booked to nw Nebraska

Heading to nw Nebraska on a archery antelope hunt. I couldn’t be more excited. Thanks to my buddy’s at scentblocker who lined it up and got us a great deal at the outfitter. Has anyone ever been on a archery antelope hunt? We are going oct 13-17. Outfitter said we will be hunting over a decoy and they will come charging in he said it can get very exciting. I’m pumped. Any advice would be much appreciated.
This hunting season is lining up to be great. Bear hunt booked for sept 1 and now antelope.
Thanks for the advice in advance
Matt.

If the rut is in full swing the decoys are an absolute blast. All I have to say is when the first one comes racing across the wide open towards you at 50+ mph hold your ground because I guarantee you that your gonna want to bail out from behind the decoy cause you are gonna get run over LOL. My biggest advice would be to practice lots of shooting from various kneeling positions(one knee down, two knees down), and from sitting. Also practice your speed at getting drawn, sighted and the shot off. Get good at range estimating cause your not going to have a time to range, draw, and shoot(not to mention all the moving to do so).
Like I said if the rut is going it is going to be fun. If the rut is not going strong it could be tough and don’t be surprised if the decoy you are behind is a cow cause it does work. Good Luck and enjoy

Thanks for the advice I will consider all those options. And I think you have just gotten me more excited than I already was. Lol

We’ve usually timed our rut/decoy hunt around Sept 20. Mid October may be getting too late but they are always a curious animal and may still come in to investigate. I don’t know if you’ll get the crazy eyed/flared nostril charge like you sometimes get during the rut.

Take advantage of their poor low light vision. Our experience has been, unlike deer, they don’t move at night. Drive around close to dark and find one you can put a stalk on, come back in the morning before light and you can usually get within 150 yards or so. Wait for it to start getting light and negotiate the rest of your stalk at low light.

They are a beautiful creature, enjoy the trip!!

Thanks Pete.
I love all the info guys keep it coming.

That is the second favorite meat in our house…only next to elk.

They can be absolute masters of navigating coulees and over-all the landscape. Had many walking up to us, so i thought. Only to see them 2 miles away and still going.

I’ve mostly been central Wyoming and in Oct. Lots of bucks still with a doe at that time. Be ready for the cool mornings – HOT afternoons, and the quick cool down.

Good luck

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Thanks randy I was hoping you would chime in. I figured you have experienced a good antelope hunt.
Thanks Matt.

Matt, just wanted to say congrats on the antelope hunt. That will be terrific fun and pretty dang exciting as well.

Grouse

Thanks grouse. Ya I’m pretty excited to say the least. I can’t wait to eat one I heard they are excellent when cared for properly.

mattgroff wrote:

Thanks grouse. Ya I’m pretty excited to say the least. I can’t wait to eat one I heard they are excellent when cared for properly.

ALL the range goats that we have taken that dropped dead in their tracks tasted AWESOME. But the couple that had much less than desirable bullet placement that ran and we recovered later, tasted awful. Theory is the adrenalin, but that is just guessing. Most guys I hunt with have all experienced the same.

Interesting take randy. I’ll try and make the best shot possible with the Matthews and after recovery get a couple hero pics lol and get the hide off of it and cool the meat down. What are a few good recipes anyone has.

What are a few good recipes anyone has

Naturally, everything cooked in bacon is nearly perfect.
backstrap –

Trim & season with a mild cajun rub and then some Montreal steak seasoning.
Basket weave thick sliced bacon
Wrap up in bacon so no meat is exposed

Grill – 50/50 with charcoal and Cherry wood. Allow coals and wood to be glowing hot.
Place the barbaric slab in the center and place lid. less than 1/3 openings top & bottom. Allow to smoke for about 10 minutes, turn over and allow heat to rise again. When it starts to flame, cover for about 10 more minutes. Rotate every 5 minutes there after until center is 148degree. Remove

Slice 1/4″ thick and serve. Don’t make too little

Steaks
Meat is extremely lean. If you over cook, your chewing a brick.
I marinate my steaks with olive oil, seasoning, and a little honey. Though instead of soaking, I vacuum them in a canister (ARY Vac Master 350 – 27# in a 2-1/2 quart vac canister) for 6 to 8 hours before cooking. I also cut my steaks thicker than most people. I grill them with the same 50/50 wood/charcoal mix. Cover as needed to keep the heat down. Don’t over cook!

Stroganoff
Stew meat – trim, dice up and slow cook in beer and chopped onion mix all day. Add 1/2 stick butter, flour, sour scream to make sauce. Serve over egg noodles

But the best off all is to grill the inner loins while your butchering!!!!

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Randy when you cook with wood do u soak your wood before you place it with the coals?
Thanks for the great tips and recipes

Not the blocks of wood. Only if I’m adding chips for more smoke

Awesome I’m going to buy some wood today and grill something tonight. It sounds delicious.