Pronghorn Antelope
The Best Pronghorn Hunts in Texas
Starting at $4,500
OVERVIEW
Pronghorn antelopes are one of the great iconic game animals of the American West. I’ve got 96 sections (that’s 61,440 acres!) between Marfa and Valentine with some of the best Pronghorn hunting in Texas. My ranch is in the heart of the Marfa Plateau in West Texas, and we often see more than one hundred Pronghorns on that ranch in a day.
I limit the number of pronghorn we’ll harvest in a year, and therefore there’s also a limit on the number of hunters I'll take out. This keeps the trophy quality very high and the hunting pressure very low.
My West Texas Pronghorns typically score in the mid to high 70s, and my success rate is 100%. — that is, all of my hunters have gone home with trophies. In 2018, one lucky hunter harvested a pronghorn that scored 85-3/8”, making it the second-largest West Texas Pronghorn harvested for the year, and the seventh-largest Pronghorn harvested in the state of Texas for the year!
My pronghorn hunts are the only ones for which I use a guide, rather than me personally guiding the hunts. I am, however, on the ranch and available to help you in anyway that I can.
Everything you need to know
WHO, HOW, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE
WHO ARE THESE HUNTS FOR?
My Texas Pronghorn hunts are a a great choice for novice hunters.
We hunt on a working cattle ranch, so the Pronghorns are accustomed to vehicles — they are not as spooked by them as many other animals are. That means we can get in pretty close shooting range (usually within 200 to 250 yards).
My Pronghorn hunts are done out of a vehicle, on ranch roads that are usually kept in decent condition. Because so much of the hunt is done from the vehicle and we can get in pretty close range, this is a great hunt for beginners, and also for experienced folks who may not be as agile as they once were. It’s really a terrific hunt for anyone.
HOW WE HUNT PRONGHORN
Because these hunts are on a 96-section working cattle ranch, all of them are done out of a vehicle. It would be almost impossible to do the hunt otherwise in such big country. And, these Pronghorns are much more accustomed to seeing vehicles than they are people, so most of the shots are right from the vehicle, or in very close proximity to the vehicle.
Since Pronghorn are light, thin-skinned animals, and because we’re typically not shooting more than 250 yards, one well placed round from a 6.5 or bigger caliber usually puts them down.
A typical hunting day starts before daylight with a quick breakfast, and then we’re off to start the hunt. Late morning we’ll break for brunch/lunch, after which we’ll hunt until late afternoon or early evening. After getting back to camp for the night, we’ll have a hearty, hot-off-the grill dinner and a relaxing evening before heading to bed.
ABOUT PRONGHORNS
Pronghorn Antelopes are found exclusively in North America and are the only horned ungulate to shed their horn sheath every year. Although technically not an antelope -- which are found in Africa and Eurasia -- they are commonly called 'Pronghorn Antelope' or 'speed goat'.
A Pronghorn’s best defense is its eyes, so they are typically found on the wide-open plains and prairies where their speed makes it easy for them to evade predators. It is the fastest land mammal in the Western Hemisphere, known to run up to 55 miles per hour.
West Texas Pronghorn Antelope typically weigh 110-140 pounds. Any Pronghorn in West Texas with 13+ inch horns would be considered a nice trophy. We typically harvest Pronghorn with 14-16 inch horns with nice prongs.
WHEN AND WHERE WE HUNT PRONGHORNS
The Pronghorn hunting season is the first week in October, with a weekend on each end. It’s a short window, so make arrangements as soon as you can to line up a spot.
The ranch where I do most of my West Texas Pronghorn hunts is located between Marfa and Valentine. Occasionally, I will get permits on neighboring ranches in the same area. If you are traveling by air, fly into El Paso or Midland / Odessa and rent a car to drive to the ranch.
PACKING LIST
To prepare for your hunt, take a look at my packing lists. Some of the links on those lists are affiliate links — that means that I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Note, however, that I only recommend products that I use myself. In addition, take a look at my recommendations for hunting gear.
The weather in Texas can be unpredictable, and change quickly and abruptly. Make sure to check the weather forecast and pack appropriately.
Generally, summers are very hot, winters can get quite raw (especially in West Texas), and summer and fall days often have huge temperature swings with cold evenings, nights and mornings, and warm or hot afternoons.
For most hunts, prepare to dress in layers so you can add or take off clothing as temperatures shift throughout the day. For warm weather hunts, pack clothes that breathe, are well ventilated, and keep the sun off of you. For mountain hunts, avoid cotton — wool or synthetic works best.
For hunts in the late spring, summer and early fall, Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent is invaluable. We do a lot of walking through tall grass, and chiggers and ticks can be a problem. With Sawyer Permethrin you don’t have to worry about them. It's sprayed on your clothing and once it dries it’s odorless and colorless. I LOVE this product, and literally never leave home without it!
And one last - but very important - note: Do NOT wear new boots! Make sure your boots are well broken in!
Comfortable boots/shoes
Jeans/Pants/Insulated Overalls (Lighter weight pants for the Spring/Summer and heavier weight for the Fall/Winter)
Camo shirts: Long Sleeve Shirts & Insulated Long Sleeve Shirts
Uninsulated & Insulated underwear
Darn tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion socks are my favorite. They last close to forever!
Comfortable camp clothes
Backpack – a water bladder in your pack is helpful
Rifle & Ammo or Bow & Arrows
Personal Toiletries & Medicines
Valid Texas hunting license
PACKING DETAILS
PRICING FOR TEXAS PRONGHORN HUNTS
3 days / 2 nights
Days
$4,500 per hunter
Flat Fee
Pronghorn Hunts
$2,250 per hunter
Deposit
3 days/2 nights
1 Pronghorn/hunter
Guide
Meals
Lodging
Transportation around the ranch
Field care of your trophy
Valid Texas Hunting License (General Non-Resident Hunting – Type 105 – $315 or Resident Hunting – Type 101 – $25)
Gratuities
Transportation to/from ranch
Skinning, caping, quartering of your trophy
Drinks other than coffee and water
Non-hunting guests – flat rate of $600
Skinning & quartering of your trophy – $100/animal
Caping & freezing hide for transport home – $50/animal
