Decoy and the Antelope

 

Earlier this season, I tried decoying antelope with almost zero success. The bucks weren't in rut yet and the goats were skittish, to say the least. The closest I got to a group of young bucks was about 120 yards, so my decoy turned into yard art...

While driving out to one of my elk hunting spots last week, I spotted a young antelope buck with a doe out on the edge of a sage flat. I thought that maybe I could sneak up to them and get a shot. I was able to get to about 70 yards before they bolted but they didn't go far. In fact, they turned back and looked at me with the curiosity these animals often display when they can't really figure out what you are. 

As an experiment, I turned my camo buff inside out so that the lighter color was showing and waved. The goats started walking towards me until again, they were about 80 yards and hung up. That got me thinking that maybe I should try the decoy again. 

I did go out there the next day with the decoy. This time there were about eight does with a more mature buck. I hid behind the decoy and walked straight towards the antelope and they didn't spook. In fact, I was able to get set up and the walked towards me to about 65 yards. I did get a shot but missed low by a couple inches. I'd say that was a success to get that close. 

I noticed the antelope were talking quite a bit so I went back to the house and did a little research on calls. I watched a couple videos and mimicked what the guy was doing in the video and went back to the well. (Back to the sage flat.) Those antelope wanted absolutely nothing to do with the call. I tried again on another group with the same result. 

Here's my conclusion. The right antelope will come to a decoy at the right time of the year when the bucks are trying to herd the does up. A young buck is much easier to decoy in than a mature one. Go figure...But still, getting close enough to get a shot with a bow is about a 10% proposition and if the animals you are going after have had any pressure, forget it.

As for the call...I'll try it again but I've had zero success with it and zero confidence. 

And the bottom line? I think decoys would work exceptionally well to get into rifle range as I've been able to get within 120 yards of numerous groups but here's the deal; there are a lot of people chasing these goats around during the rifle season and I'm not sure it's the safest thing to be hiding behind a decoy when shot are being fired. 

Keep 'em where they live and just put on the damn mask!