3 more species

[Arnie Oakley]

After getting a chance to go elk hunting for the first time this fall, the only 3 species that I have any interest in hunting are black bear and mule deer with my bow, and antelope with either bow or rifle, preferably bow. Where would you guys recommend going for each of these three species?

Thanks,
Gary

[citori]

I personally like western Montana for pronghorn and deer but the Dakotas are also pretty reasonable for antelope and I have friends that really like Wyoming though my luck there has not been all that good. These are the only states I've hunted prairie goats and I don't know off hand if I personally know of anyone who has hunted elsewhere for antelope. I've shot mulies in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, both Dakotas, and Saskatchewan and know people who have shot them pretty much wherever they are found and it seems all states have some pretty good areas as well as some rather poor ones. I would probably pick a state based on license price, timing (can't interfere with other hunts I have planned and it would be nice to slide from one into the other if traveling), and amount of land open to the public.
For bear with a bow, that is a toss up. I am most familiar with areas where baiting is allowed and I would suspect that would be the the best odds with a bow. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine, and the Canadian provinces from Ontario westward would be good choices. Minnesota and Wisconsin would probably be the least expensive and the Canadian ones the most with the value of the dollar and the requirement of a guide for alien non-residents being major factors.
There are a number of states, mainly western ones, where "spot and stalk" is the main method of bear hunting but I would imagine that to be kind of difficult to do with a bow. After all, if you can see well enough to spot a bear, the bear may just as easily spot you. the few shows I've seen hunting in these areas have more often been demonstrations of the use of a predator call to bring the bear close rather than actually stalking the bear. I can tell you calling is exciting though a very difficult and low percentage method. I've seen some films of black bears being spotted along a creek or lake shore and then be ambushed as they wandered by later on. Jim Shockey seems to hunt a lot in this manner. For the greatest odds of bagging a bear, over bait would be my suggestion as well as probably the cheapest if done in the States.

[jcat]

Depending on the caliber of Black Bear that you are wanting I would consider Ontario or Manitoba for both size and numbers; and British Columbia for more quality. Any of these providences will however be beary good.

For deer I would look into Utah, Montana or Arizona for true Dream Trophy Mule deer hunts, but any of the western states can provide some great muley hunting. Our boys out west I am sure will have much greater insight on some great deer hunting for mule deer.

Antelope, I cant wait to hear as this is one animal that I also would love to pursue.

Now that I have half of the North American Continent Covered, maybe someone can narrow it down.

J

[Arnie Oakley]

I should have mentioned that I prefer to hunt in the states, other than my home state of Wisconsin, and Canada would probably be last on my list.

[chiefjefe]

Arnie:

I would recommend Colo. for mulies, you can find them on public land diy if that is your style. Maybe not the hugest but a lot of them around. Below is the Colo. wildlife link regarding seasons, tags. Good luck.

http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/

[dino82520]

Not much of a trophy hunter but if you want to PM me Gary, I can give you some ideas and tell you where I'll be hunting for antelope, mulies and deer in Wyo.

Dean

[Curlewdogbanger]

Arnie,
Washington State has the largest black bear population in the lower 48 from what I've read. ( I don't believe everything I read ) I live in North Central Washington and we have a ton of them here. Same with Cougars and Bobcats. It's really gotten out of hand since the greenies voted to ban baiting and hound hunting.............

[Arnie Oakley]

Arnie:

I would recommend Colo. for mulies, you can find them on public land diy if that is your style. Maybe not the hugest but a lot of them around. Below is the Colo. wildlife link regarding seasons, tags. Good luck.

http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/

Thanks Chief. Colorado is high on the list. I have one preference point and put in for another this year. I'm not a trophy hunter, so they don't have to be huge. I love venison, and mulies are the best!

[Arnie Oakley]

AO- personaly I am fond of Wyoming for goats-lots of them and plenty of public land I have also Mule Deer hunted there several years and found it very chalenging on public land but have had a great time non the less, the application deadline for deer and antelope in WY was March 15 but if you watch the WY game and fish web site around mid to late July they will have left over tags -just an idea. The non resident tags in WY or priced well compaired to other western states although they raised them about 20% this year ,as far as bear I do not know what trophy caliber you are looking for but you may want to look to my home state and your neigbor the UP of Michigan I cant say for sure if they offer non-resident tags but am pretty sure they do and I have freinds who have done well up there also the close factor is nice with the price of gas these days and time constrants factored in. Good luck and be careful with the Antelope they are very addictive (they are for me anyway)

Thanks Oakie. i've been to Wyoming many times hunting mule deer, and was always amazed at the number of antelope I saw. It's an awesome state and nice place to hunt.

[chiefjefe]

Thanks Chief. Colorado is high on the list. I have one preference point and put in for another this year. I'm not a trophy hunter, so they don't have to be huge. I love venison, and mulies are the best!

Hope you don't mind a picture of mine from last season, on public land diy but it was in 3rd rifle season unit 65. He tasted good too.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/chiefjefe/muley.jpg

[.358 MAN]

After getting a chance to go elk hunting for the first time this fall, the only 3 species that I have any interest in hunting are black bear and mule deer with my bow, and antelope with either bow or rifle, preferably bow. Where would you guys recommend going for each of these three species?

Thanks,
Gary
There are some dandy black bear in northern MN. Montana is my state for Mule deer.