Hunting & Fishing First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

[Rivr_runnr]

I am having a mini reunion of sorts with my uncle's male side of the family to celebrate the return of my cousin from his second tour in Aphganistan.
Not only have I never hunted antelope, but I have never been to South Dakota. We will be hunting in the general area of Belle Fourche.
Any advice you have on camo patterns would be welcome. I am already a bowhunter and set up for deer here in MO and elk in CO. I am wondering if ACU (which I have) would be sufficient?
Don't know if I will get to go back, want to go back so dropping a little cash is ok, not looking to make a huge investment.
Thanks!

 

[ARP]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

best camo for bowhunting antelope is solid black and hunt from inside a blind ....

 

[blksno]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

While I personally am not a fan of hunting from a blind...ARPredatorHunter is probably right. Scout the area, (or have someone that lives there do it for you) Find the water and set up a blind. That'll be the easiest.

ACU is not the best choice by any means..but I won't say that it won't work. When I rifle hunt, I usually ghillie up and get to a spot close to water and glass. They always come 2-3 times a day if the weather is right.
When I archery hunt, I have done it two ways. I've set up a 2'x4' ground blind that you just sit behind and drape my ghillie jacked over it. You don't have to be very concerned with smell with antelope...they are way more in touch with vision then scent.
The other way is to just spot and stalk...but that's WAY CRAZY HARD no matter what you're wearing. Especially if there are more than a few eyes on patrol.

Here is a video that will give you an idea of some of the area you will see. The ghillie was actually moot since we saw it and it saw us well before the shot was taken, but I don't think it picked up on "human figure".
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oTl1Hp5pa7I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Rivr_runnr]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

Thanks for the tip on the blind, I had already accounted for that, but am concerned by the amount of rainfall SD has had and whether the animals will be concentrated around the water holes? Is this a legitimate concern or not?

 

[blksno]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

It's dried up a LOT lately, and there will still be water that they will be coming to often. It's been 100+ this last week and August is usually hotter on average. By the time the season starts...it could be bone dry or lush green. It's a crap shoot out here.

 

[GUNNER75]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

When in doubt, Nat Gear or Brush. Better than the rest of eye candy camo out there.

 

[kurt]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

Come during the rut and get a decoy and buckle up. I know a couple people who have been run over by a horny goat fighting for his ladies. I have tied a white rag on a fence post and they are such curious animals they will come in and investigate what it is. Old timer told me that thought it was bullshit till i tried it my self. I have been on about 10 hunts with the decoys during the rut and it is intense while watching the buck come charging in snorting ready to kick your ass

 

[mclevela]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

The water holes will be more plentiful this year so multiple blinds over different water holes would be most efficient.
If you can get a friend or relative to erect the blinds a month before season is also a big help.

Butte County is always drier than the surrounding area and you have stated this is a wet year but the only water holes will be the established they will just be higher than usual.

I was thru there a week ago and what concerned me was I did not see a single antelope. I did not however venture west of Belle.

I have never used a decoy but have heard great things and don't forget Antelope usually bed in the afternoon for a short siesta especially if it is warm out.

 

[metal2meat]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

Kurt's got the right idea. It may sound crazy, but if you could make yourself a cow decoy that two guys can hide behind. One guy can carry it and the other can be ready with his bow behind him. Take it nice and slow and you'd be amazed how close you can get. I've seen this work!

 

[ARP]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

Blinds rule when water is even slightly scarce, but chasing them around while hiding behind a cow decoy might be a hoot

 

[kurt]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

Get the decoy that looks like a small goat buck and you dont even have to stalk to come running to you looking for a fight. A guy from sd makes them named mel dutton i dont know if spelling is right but his decoys work

 

[CoCaDoRi]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

You don't need a blind if you are able to use decoys in SD. Simply sneak with the decoys in front of you. Check the regs.

The best camo for the dry prairie is a grass/cattail type camo the duck/goose hunters use. Almost the exact colors needed.

But Kurt is on the money with his suggestions.

 

[kurt]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

decoys good to go here just not during rifle season. You would be a crazy mf to walk around with one of those during that time

 

[Bobcape]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'">
Decoying is the way to go. Lots of fun. I started out with a homemade folding plywood decoy. I nearly got run over the second time I tried it. Now I use Montana Decoys. They're easy to carry and setup. The pictures below will show what the country looks like. The grass will be taller though.

North and East of Belle Fourche is very good for antelope. I hunt that area every year. There is a lot of walk-in and BLM land near Belle. You can download the entire state hunting atlas that shows hunting units and public, walk-in and private land boundaries for free. Works on most newer GPS units. Definitely get it. It's on the GF&P website.

Don't know what time of the season you are coming but the rut is best. It could run through September or be done by the end of August. The weather makes a difference. Speaking of weather, it's been in the 100's lately but the mornings are much cooler. In the afternoons you may see some antelope, but you're going to burn waiting for them to come in. It's a lot of fun and pretty country. Good luck.

Bob

PS - I have good luck setting up within 10 feet of a fence line. The bucks will sometimes try to get around you but won't cross the fence usually. They'll follow the fence line right to you.

</span>

 

[Hideabow]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

If you want to pick and choose the size of buck to shoot with any camo you should try a new product called Hide-A-Bow,blind and decoy all in one.Bucks leave there does and charge right into you to chase off his compution, bingo!! You got a shot Hideabow.com It will make for a short hunt!!

 

[mt Al]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

+1 on decoy.

Setting it up and sneak away behind a sage brush is a nice way to go.

As for camo, IM Not Humble Opinion, it doesn't matter that much as long as its not fashion/duck camo with lots of black.

 

[Dakota_Mike]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

Generally any type of tan based camo will work just fine. Not sure how the numbers are in that area but the last couple winters haven't been too kind to the goats.

 

[mavrick10_2000]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

Gotta love "Cow Boarding". Works well for lots of critters.

 

[Rivr_runnr]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

Well, the week has come and gone and a lot of the camo I took to try in SD stayed in the tote.
For the area I was hunting, Multicam was the best match.
I got to watch a lot of stalks from elevated positions done by my cousins. Predator, natgear, realtree and ACU all were really dark compared to the "cover" we had to work with.
DCU was almost as good as multicam, but when you were backdropped agains cattails, or grass, it did not provide as much contrast as multicam.
We went 1 for 4 with several stalks to within 70 yards. Blinds did not work and there was too much water so it was all spot and stalk.
It was a great family reunion and I appreciate everyone's help here on the forum.

 

[Dakota_Mike]

Re: First time bow hunting Antelope in SD...what camo?

I think that's the case with most camo, it looks good to us but doesn't necessarily work in the field. I have had pretty good luck with the ASAT camo but haven't tried it on a antelope stalk. Better luck next time.