Blinds and Scent

[bowsniper]

I've been running up to 19A all Summer to scout out my archery antelop tag that opens next week. This will be my first Antelope hunt. I have been told that:

 

1) Antelope are not bothered by a hunting blind that pops up over night, and

2) Antelope don't care about scents from a hunter.

 

I am struggling to believe this. Does anyone care to share their experiences about this stuff?

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

[AZHUNTER05]

I have never hunted antelope before but from what i have heard from people who have i've heard most people will put there blinds up 1 to 2 weeks before the season starts so the antelope will get use to it. Also if you watch hunting video's most of them always state they have had there blinds up prior to there hunt. Good luck i hope you smoke a good one!

[billrquimby]

I've taken maybe 16-17 antelope in Arizona and Wyoming since my first buck in the late 1950s, and it's been my experience that they depend upon their incredible eyesight to avoid danger more than their sense of smell. That doesn't mean they won't run off if you are upwind. It's just that they almost always will see you long before they get your scent.

 

Don't know anything about using blinds for antelope. I was/am mostly a rifle hunter and have always tried my best to avoid having to sit and wait for something to come to me. When I bowhunted deer, elk and javelina (before a truck fell on my arm), I would spot and stalk, mostly unsuccessfully.

 

Hunting from a blind to me is like fishing. I don't have the patience to dunk bait. If it can't be caught on a lure, I'll stay home.

 

Bill Quimby

[kennyazman]

I had the second archery hunt in 19A last year. I tagged out but it wasnt over water. I did however sit water and if i didnt miss I would have gotten one on the first day. I think you will be probably be ok to put up a blind the same day. Its pretty hot up there at this time of year and they have to come to water. I sat water most of the opening day and they were coming in at all times of the day. If you have any quistions about the area pm me. I spent most of the hunt up there last year before i finally tagged out and I hunted all over the unit.

[AHUNTER]

I also have that first 19A archery hunt and was thinking of sitting water in my blind if a couldnt get it done by spot and stalk first. I was planning on taking it down after each day of sitting it because there are alot of cattle in this unit and cattle could damage it, just something to consider I also dont think i could sit in blind more then a day at a time. Good luck on your hunt. oh and as far as scent go's I was up there friday sitting on hill glassing and had a couple antelope walk in down wind about 300yrd from me and walked within 60yrd from me, they could see me but they just came straight at me???? hope they do that during the hunt.

[elkhutnaz]

Had a tag in 21 2 years ago and popped up a blind and killed a buck off the tank by 8am..did have 8 doe come in but didnt like it and didn't come to water, the buck ran right by them and came to drink..

[yotebuster]

They can smell better then a whitetail in my opinion. I also think it would help to get your blind up ahead of time. I had your tag a couple years ago. I had 3 bucks running together and on opening morning the two small ones came in to 20 yards and watered, but the big one stayed at 83 yards the whole time, bedded down at that distance for 3 hours, then got up and walked over the hill out of my life forever. I would've shot but I thought for sure when he got up he'd water as it was hot as HECK! (you'll see!). He ended up getting killed by a muzzy hunter and scored 87". It rained 3.5" the next morning, so I was stuck with spot and stalk the rest of the hunt, ended up with a 79 6/8" buck (in my avatar). Fun hunt, but they will wind you, and they can be scared of blinds, if you have no choice, then get after em.

[bowsniper]

Thanks for your comments! I will keep you posted.

 

Mark

[bowsniper]

I had some success this weekend. I will post a picture as soon as I get caught up. Thanks again for all of your comments!

 

Mark

[bhuntin]

I just got back from 19a hunt. Our blinds were behind barbwire enclosures and were destroyed by cattle.It gets expensive.I set my new one up in clear view of the buck I killed the next day.The lopers in this unit have seen everything. I would set up the day you hunt..in the dark, between 4 and 5 AM. Good luck to you,should be a little cooler.

[bhuntin]

Duh! I posted after the fact.

[hoghntr]

pics! pics! pics!