If you’re wondering which are the best states for antelope hunting, statistics show you’re more likely to harvest large pronghorns in certain areas. As with any other big game animal, there are those who are only interested in chasing the biggest pronghorn antelope that can be found. Let’s start by looking at what antelope are. Pronghorn antelope are a species of mammal indigenous to North America, found primarily in the interior West and central portions of the U.S., the only surviving member of about 12 antilocapid species that used to roam North America. Surprisingly, their closest living relatives are actually giraffes. Their scientific name is Antilocapra Americana.
What makes a trophy pronghorn antelope
Now I remember a time when a pronghorn with horns 15 inches long was considered a trophy. Then I heard the cries of “80” saying that a pronghorn with a gross score of 80 was the new definition of a trophy. Time went on and then it happened, the call for a pronghorn scoring 90 began to ring out. Let’s look at the facts and figure out the best states for antelope hunting.
Only 78 antelope have been entered into the books that scored 90″ or more……EVER! There have been 97, 230″ or better non typical mule deer taken in the last 10 years. There have also been 131 elk scoring 380″ or better entered in the last 10 years. That means that you’re 3 times more likely to kill a 230″+ mule deer and 4 times more likely to shoot a 380″ bull elk than you are a 90″ pronghorn.
The best states for antelope hunting
- In total, there have been 3,859 entries into the all time records book, 33% of those coming from Wyoming, 18% from New Mexico, 10% from Arizona and 8% from Nevada.
- Over 26% of those entries have occurred in the last 10 years.
- Of the 100 best pronghorns taken in the last 10 years, 20% came from Arizona, 15% from Nevada, 26% from New Mexico and 23% from Wyoming. That’s a whopping 84% from just four states!
Top Three States for Trophy Pronghorn Antelope
Let’s look at the positives though. 42% of all pronghorns scoring 90 or better have been taken in the last 10 years. 77% of those 78 animals were taken in three states. If you’re looking for the best states for antelope hunting, your best chances are in Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming.
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