Hunting Resources & Links

Hunting Outfitters (some antelope, some not)

Backwoods Outfitters - Backwoods Outfitters offers high quality, low pressure whitetail deer hunting in Illinois. The 2009 season was a great success and Matt just recently acquired some more prime deer hunting leases. Backwoods Outfitters will also be offering Spring turkey hunts in Illinois. Please take a quick look at their operation.

Double K Guide Service - Double K has been offering South Dakota hunts for nearly 30 years. Dave offers whitetail and mule deer hunts, Merriam's turkey, prairie dog, antelope, and wild pheasant hunting in South Dakota.

Hunt West Kentucky Outfitters - You won't find better deer hunting in Kentucky than Mark Smith's operation. They specialize in archery deer hunts, but also offer rifle and muzzleloader hunts. Their lodge is modern and comfortable and hunts include meals, lodging, and guides. Mark also offers Eastern turkey hunts using bow and shotgun.

Eagle Valley Outfitters - A new outfitter offering whitetail deer hunts in Pike County, Illinois. Their setup offers what might be the best deer hunting in the country. Eagle Valley's rates are very reasonable for this caliber of trophy whitetail hunting in Pike County.

Antelope Hunting Decoys

Montana Decoy - Offers a good selection of big game decoys. The graphics on Montana decoys are amazing. I have a couple sets of buck & doe decoys and we get some very good results with them. They work very well during the rut. Montana decoys are very mobile since they fold easily.

Carry-Lite Decoys - Antelope decoys by Carry-Lite are full-sized and 3-dimensional. I have never tried these but they look very realistic and will no doubt get the job done. Would work great for open areas or near watering holes to make other pronghorn feel safe.

Challenger Decoys - These are inflatable decoys, so they lack the graphics, but make for easy packing and setup in the field. I have never tried these decoys so I cannot vouch for them. However, if you're hunting antelope during the rut, the bucks get pretty aggressive...and dumb.

Flambeau Outdoors Decoys - I have not tried the Flambeau antelope decoys but I think I will soon. If you've hunted speed goats before, you know that the wind can be a factor. Flambeau's are collapsible and look to be fairly sturdy.

Camouflage Patterns/Brands for Antelope Hunting

The bottom-line is that you are not going to find a camo pattern that can beat an antelope's amazing vision. However, you will need every advantage you can get out in the open prairies of the West. If you are hunting out of a ground blind, there is only one type of camo that I guarantee will get the best results...BLACK. Here are a few brands that I have either used or look adequate for chasing pronghorns.

Prairie Ghost Ultimate & Snow Ghost - I do use Prairie Ghost and it blends in well with the Western terrain. Has the all-important sage coloring in it, which is a must. I have not used the Snow Ghost, but it looks very effective when there is snow cover. The Prairie Ghost is very light colored, so if you foresee hunting out of a ground blind, take a darker top for when you are in the blind. Ghost camo is a product of Montana Camo.

Mossy Oak Brush - Never tried this camo in the field but it has the right look. Mossy Oak is a leader in the field of camouflage, and this pattern will no doubt match that quality.

Realtree Max-1 - An incredibly sharp pattern. Looks very realistic and has good a good sage pattern to it. I have had a lot of hunters use this camo and really does fit the terrain.

King's Desert Shadow & Snow Shadow - I like both of these patterns but I really like the Snow Shadow. The Snow Shadow has a very effective pattern for snow-covered Western prairies. I hunt in Northwestern South Dakota and I don't think the Desert Shadow would be ideal for that area. It has a little too much sharp browns in it for that area. Ask your outfitter though. It might be better suited for their terrain.