Author Dan Lamoreux filled his 2004 Wyoming antelope tag with this quality buck despite hunting in drought conditions. Photo courtesy of Daniel D. Lamoreux

From Arizona to Wyoming the single greatest factor in pronghorn declines has been a lack of sufficient moisture. Wildlife biologists across the West continue to pray for substantial rain and snow but most have been at least thankful for our recent break in drought conditions.

Mother Nature has opened the spigot ever so slowly, and pronghorn antelope herds are responding in kind. Gradually growing herds, robust fawns and more substantial trophy headgear have been the results and this season holds significant hope that the trend will continue.

Here's our intermountain pronghorn forecast for this fall season.

ARIZONA
Brian Wakeling, big-game supervisor for Arizona Game and Fish, had some encouraging news for pronghorn hunters this year.

"We've started to see some rainfall and that is somewhat of an uncommon sight," he said. "Antelope herds have been at the low end of management objectives for a while now, but we are cautiously optimistic. We had a good late fall and early winter. This (trend) needs to continue."

While overall pronghorn populations are holding relatively stable, Wakeling indicated that things are improving in some areas.

"Some areas in the northern part of the state are still a little low," Wakeling explained. "But the northern herds are doing better than those in the south." Ongoing efforts to improve habitat conditions on the Mesa are also proving to be beneficial.

"Making improvements to the landscape takes a lot of time," he said. "But once it starts, a lot of good things begin happening." The future bodes well for this collaborative effort. Antelope recruitment is improving and overall herd health is on the upswing in that region.

Because of the conservative management approach in the Grand Canyon State, those who are fortunate enough to come out on top of the long odds for drawing a tag can be assured of a good hunt.

"Hunters who draw tags in Arizona usually take some pretty dandy antelope," Wakeling said. "And we are going to have some good quality animals again this year."

Those units considered prime, in Wakeling's estimation, include the Strip, Prescott Valley and just north, and any units along Interstate 40.

The Web site for Arizona Game and Fish can be accessed at www.gf.state.az.us/ and contains regulations, applications, draw results, hunting unit reports and other information valuable for planning a hunt. You may also call the main AGFD office at (602) 942-3000.

COLORADO
"We're still struggling due to the drought along with some other factors we don't understand," explained Tyler Baskfield, public information specialist with the Division of Wildlife. "There will be more cuts in the number of licenses issued this year."

Because of concern over the low levels of fawn recruitment, the Colorado Wildlife Commission decided that a further reduction of licenses would be appropriate to help alleviate pressure on the herds.

"We did better last year and things look more positive than in the past," Baskfield explained. "But it is going to take a few years for the pronghorn populations to recover."

In addition to more conservative tag issues, the division is also engaged in a number of studies to gauge those factors that may be contributing to pronghorn difficulties. Baskfield indicated that consideration is also being given to potential transplants in the future to help some of the populations get a boost.

"The big thing is to get some decent moisture," he said.

During the interim, Baskfield recommends hunting the higher parks where the habitat is more resilient to drought. Despite the negative connotations, he also indicated that tags are issued on a conservative basis so those who draw can still anticipate a good hunt.

"The drought has impacted horn quality," he explained. "But the diminishing number of tags has also left some good animals out there."