Dukats Journal of Hunting

Antelope Hunting Gear List

Written by Dave Dukat

Antelope have great eyesight and live in the wide open plains. Here is a list of items you'll need to chase those prairie speedsters.

It's been said that an antelope's eyesight is similar to looking through 10x binoculars. I'm not sure if this is true, but I do know they pick up movement better than any other animal in North America. They tend to live in wide open plains and sagebrush flats where they can see anything sneaking toward their direction. The gear required to hunt them is not as technical as some other hunts, but still requires a few specialties. Following is a list of items I pack when headed out on an antelope hunt.

Tripod
Spotting Scope
10x50 Binoculars
Rangefinder
Binocular to Tripod Adaptor
Car Window Mount
Antelope Decoy
Wind Check Powder
Knee Pads
Leather Gloves
Shooting Sticks
Fanny Pack with Water Bottles
Flashlight
Video Camera
Rifle
White Pillow Case
Camouflage netting

First and foremost you need good optics and a rangefinder. When you first spot an antelope, they will many times be a long ways off and without good optics it's tough to tell a trophy from an average antelope. Often your shots will be long and in the wind, so it's essential to know the range of your target. Shooting sticks assure you will have a steady rest and if a stalk it required, you will often be crawling on your hands and knees and you will be glad you packed the leather gloves and knee pads. I have come home numerous times from antelope hunts with bloody knees from long stalks. The decoy, camouflage netting and white pillow case may be what you need to get close to that wary antelope. Often you can get two people behind camouflage netting and walk directly toward the antelope and they will be curious, but will not spook.