Hunting the "Speed Goat": A Guide to Colorado Pronghorn

For many hunters, the word "Colorado" conjures images of towering peaks, dense pine forests, and big, bugling elk. But for those in the know, the state's vast eastern plains and high desert landscapes offer a different kind of hunting adventure—the pursuit of the American pronghorn, often called the "speed goat." With their incredible speed and eyesight, these animals are a thrilling challenge, and a successful Colorado pronghorn hunt is a rewarding experience.

The Challenge of the Plains

Pronghorn aren't your typical forest-dwelling big game. They live in wide-open country, where they can use their phenomenal speed and 320-degree vision to their advantage. Spotting a hunter from miles away, they are a master of evasion. This makes a successful hunt a true test of a hunter's skill, patience, and ability to use the landscape for cover. The primary hunting method for pronghorn is often "spot-and-stalk." This involves using binoculars or a spotting scope to locate a buck from a distance, then carefully planning a route to get within shooting range, using every available dip, draw, or rise in the terrain to stay out of sight.

Getting a Tag: The Colorado Draw System

Securing a pronghorn license in Colorado often requires navigating the state's preference point system. Many of the most sought-after units with high public land access and trophy potential are limited, meaning you'll need to apply in the annual draw. For rifle seasons, it can take several preference points to draw a buck tag in some of the more popular areas. However, there are over-the-counter (OTC) options for some archery and private land hunts, which can be a great option for hunters who don't want to wait. You can also look into landowner vouchers, which are a way to get a tag without going through the draw, though they often come with a fee.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Colorado

While pronghorn are widely distributed across Colorado, the most well-known hunting grounds are in the eastern plains. Areas like the Comanche National Grasslands and Pawnee National Grasslands offer significant tracts of public land. However, it's crucial to understand that even in these areas, public land can be intermingled with private property. A good GPS or mapping app is an essential tool for staying on legal hunting ground. Northwest Colorado is also known for its pronghorn populations, with some units offering the potential for very large bucks, though they can require a significant number of preference points to draw.

Essential Gear and Tips for Success

Your hunting gear for pronghorn should be tailored to the open country. A quality rifle with a flat-shooting caliber is a must, as shots can often be long. The .243, .270, and 6.5 Creedmoor are all excellent choices. A good rangefinder and a high-quality set of binoculars or a spotting scope are non-negotiable for spotting and judging animals from a distance.

Key Hunting Tips:

• Glass, Glass, Glass: Your binos are your most important tool. Spend more time glassing from a high point than you do walking. Let your optics do the work of finding the animals.

• Use the Terrain: Even in seemingly flat country, there are subtle dips and draws. Learn to "read" the landscape and use these features to your advantage to get close.

• Be Prepared for the Heat: Pronghorn season often takes place in warm weather. Get your harvested animal gutted and skinned as quickly as possible and get the meat on ice to prevent spoilage. A large cooler with plenty of ice is a must-have.

• Stay Hydrated: The Colorado plains can be dry and hot. Carry plenty of water and know your limits.

Rifle Hunting for Pronghorn: The Long Game

Rifle hunting is the most common and effective method for pursuing pronghorn in Colorado. The open, vast terrain of the plains lends itself to long-range shooting opportunities. While some hunters are able to get within a hundred yards by using terrain features for cover, it's more realistic to expect a shot somewhere in the 200- to 400-yard range. Being comfortable and proficient with your rifle at these distances is absolutely critical.

Recommended Calibers for Pronghorn

Pronghorn are not large, heavy-boned animals. This means you don't need a heavy-hitting magnum caliber that you'd use for elk or moose. Instead, the ideal rifle for pronghorn is a "flat-shooting" one—a caliber with a high muzzle velocity and a relatively flat trajectory, which helps to minimize the effects of bullet drop over long distances.

Here are a few popular and effective rifle calibers for pronghorn hunting:

• 243 Winchester: A classic for a reason. The .243 is a fast, accurate cartridge with minimal recoil, making it easy to shoot well. It's more than sufficient to ethically take a pronghorn and is a great all-around hunting round.

• 6.5 Creedmoor: This round has gained immense popularity for its exceptional accuracy and ability to buck the wind, a major factor on the plains. It's a fantastic long-range option that offers mild recoil.

• 25-06 Remington: A favorite among old-school pronghorn hunters, the .25-06 is known for its incredibly flat trajectory. It's a pure joy to shoot and is perfectly suited for the open country of a pronghorn hunt.

• 270 Winchester: A versatile workhorse that has put down countless big game animals across the West. The .270 is a great choice if you want a single rifle that can be used for both pronghorn and larger game like deer and elk.

No matter your caliber choice, practice is key. Get to the shooting range and practice shooting from a prone position with a bipod or a rest, as this will likely be your shooting platform in the field. Mastering your rifle and knowing its ballistics will give you the confidence to make the shot count when the moment comes.

Archery Hunting Pronghorn: A Test of Patience and Guile

Archery hunting for pronghorn is an entirely different beast from rifle hunting. It's an up-close and personal challenge that pits your stealth and patience against the pronghorn's legendary eyesight and speed. A successful archery hunt often comes down to one of three primary tactics: ground blinds, spot-and-stalk, or decoys.

1. Hunting from a Ground Blind

This is often the most consistent and highest-percentage way to get a shot at a pronghorn with a bow. Pronghorns are creatures of habit, and in the arid Colorado climate, they need water.

• Location, Location, Location: Your success depends entirely on setting up your blind over a water source that pronghorn are actively using. Look for tracks and droppings around stock tanks, windmills, and small prairie ponds. The less water in the area, the more likely the pronghorn will be concentrated on one or two sources.

• Set Up Early: Pronghorn are wary of new objects in their open landscape. Set your blind up well in advance of the season—at least a week, if possible—to allow the animals to get used to it.

• Concealment is Key: Make sure your blind is properly brushed in with natural vegetation from the area. The more it looks like a part of the landscape, the better. Inside, wear dark clothing to prevent your silhouette from being visible through the windows.

• Be Patient: Be prepared to sit for a long time. Pronghorn may come to water at any time of day, but they often approach cautiously. A long wait can turn into a quick and fleeting shot opportunity.

• Shot Range: A good shot opportunity is typically 20 to 40 yards. Keep your shots under 50 yards to ensure a clean kill.

2. Spot-and-Stalk

This is the most physically and mentally demanding method of archery hunting pronghorn. It requires extreme stealth and an intimate knowledge of the terrain.

• Use Every Feature: The plains may look flat, but they are full of subtle depressions, draws, and rises. Learn to use every piece of available cover, no matter how small, to stay out of sight. A low crawl on your belly can be the only way to get within bow range.

• Manage the Wind: Wind direction is even more critical than with a rifle. Pronghorn have an excellent sense of smell, and the wide-open country makes it easy for your scent to be carried for a long distance. Always keep the wind in your favor.

• Slow is Fast: Move slowly and deliberately. Fast or jerky movements will be instantly picked up by a pronghorn's eyes. Even the slightest flash of a lens from your binoculars can send them running.

• Expect a Long Stalk: A successful spot-and-stalk can take hours and may require you to stalk an animal for over a mile. Don't get discouraged if you get busted—just move on to the next animal.

3. Decoying

Decoying is a thrilling and aggressive tactic, especially during the rut (mid-September). During this time, bucks are territorial and will often charge a decoy, believing it to be a rival.

• Timing is Everything: This tactic works best when bucks are actively chasing and herding does.

• Be a Partner: This tactic is best done with two people. One hunter holds the decoy and a second hunter gets into a shooting position behind the decoy.

• The Decoy: Use a quality, lightweight decoy, often a 2-D silhouette of a buck or doe. You can get bow-mounted decoys that you hold in front of you as you stalk. The decoy allows you to move across the open landscape without being immediately spooked.

• The Approach: The decoy holder moves to intercept a buck or gets within a few hundred yards. The decoy is then raised to get the attention of the target buck. If the buck is in the right mood, it will often come in on a dead run to confront the "intruder."

• Ready for the Shot: Be ready to draw your bow as the buck approaches. They will often stop abruptly and quarter to the decoy, giving you a perfect shot opportunity.

Pronghorn hunting in Colorado is a unique and exciting experience that offers a break from the state's more traditional mountain hunts. With a little planning, the right gear, and a healthy dose of patience, you can have a successful hunt and a freezer full of delicious, lean meat.