ANTELOPE
1. How is the easiest way to hunt?
Most hunters hunt from blinds or stands set up alongside water holes. There are some permanent blinds on some sites. You can set up others when you get here but sometimes it takes a few days for the antelope to get used to them being there. You can also put blinds in walk ways and coulees. Some use the sneak and/or decoys. When the decoys work it is very exciting. Have seen a buck come within 10 yards of you at 30 mph and stop. You could literally smell him.
2. What is a permanent blind?
They are blinds that are put up and left there. A person who loves to hunt puts up blinds on about 18,000 acres in 4 different areas. To view pictures of these blinds visit our antelope photo gallery. Or for more information you can email Boots Kope at animalsrus@wb.midrivers.com and he will enjoy visiting with you about them.
3. How many hunters do you take per year?
We take 40 - 60 hunters per year between the archery and rifle seasons depending on the antelope numbers. We have over 25 different areas to hunt with anywhere from 1800 acres to 25,000 acres per area. We can handle up to 6 people in an area without them ever seeing each other. We never hunt an area with back to back bookings. We always give the area a minimum of 4 to 5 days rest between hunters.
4. When is the best time to book for a hunt?
Any time during the season is great. In August the heat can be a help in bringing the antelope to the water holes. September is when they go into the rut so will be better for using your decoys. The only bad time is if we get wet weather, and of course we never know when that can happen.
5. How big are the horns on average?
You can go to the photos and testimonials for more info here. 30% are 12" and smaller, they are the younger animals. 42% are 14" to 15.5", 21% are 15.5" to 16", and 7% are larger than 16.5". Each year maybe a little different especially as far as width and curl. We always have a few freak horns. If you have the position you will almost always get good shots at nice bucks.
6. What is the terrain like?
We have a range from rolling hills to very flat land where you can see for miles. There are coulees and draws where you can sneak but if it is wet it can be very miserable as we have alot of gumbo or clay type soil.
PRAIRIE DOGS
1. How many Prairie Dog towns are there and how big are the towns?
There are between 30 and 40 dog towns and the range from 30 to 500 acres in size.
2. Did the plague hit there?
Yes it went through here in 2007. It killed out some dog towns completely. There are others that were not hit at all and some that were partially hit. The prairie dogs are coming back impressively fast.
3.How many hunters do you take per year?
We take 50 to 60 hunters per year. we only take 1 group at a time and try very hard not to hunt an area but once every 2-3 weeks. We work hard with hunters to schedule hunts so that each hunter has the best experience we can give you.
4. When is the best time to come hunt?
Our season is from May 1 through the last of October. In May and June the weather is usually cooler but can be rainy. July and August bring the best hunting in the mornings because of the hotter weather. September and October are a little shorter days but still very good hunting.
5. How long of shots do you get?
Anywhere from 25 yards to 300 yards. Some towns have places where you can take shots at up to 800 plus yards.
6. Do you allow ATV's?
Yes we allow you to use the ATVs to get to the dog towns. If you abuse the land and dog towns using the ATVs we will then say no.
7. If we have rain or problems do we refund the deposit or full payment?
No we do not refund your money but we will reschedule another date with you. There will be refunds in case of disaster.
8. Do you need any licenses?
No but we do recommend that you get a State Lands use permit. We do have some state land in our areas and they may be where you will be hunting or crossing. The permits are $10 and give you the right to hunt on or cross state lands. You can not hunt prairie dogs on state lands until after June 1st. These can be purchased from any place that sells hunting licenses or through the Montana Fish, Wild Life, and Parks Department.