Like New Mexico, the Division of Wildlife has recently implemented an aggressive trap-and-transfer program to bolster populations where good habitat exists. The jury is still out, but most sources seem to agree that the outlook is promising.

Wyoming
In 2006, 47,642 hunters killed 45,615 antelope, about 60 percent of which were bucks. The Cowboy State is far and away No. 1 in the West. It has most licenses sold, the most hunter participation, highest harvest and some of the highest success rates.

When comes to antelope hunting, Wyoming wins. Believe it or not, non-residents racked up a 100 percent hunter success rate. No other state comes close.

Rifle hunters accounted for about 95 percent, followed by bowhunters at 4 percent and muzzleloaders at 1 percent.

Obviously, good hunting exists pretty much anywhere tags are issued, but the following places offer perhaps the best hunting: Area 23 (Pumpkin Buttes), Area 17 (Gillette), Area 15 (Clearmont), Area 20 (Upper Powder River), Area 21 (Middle Fork), Area 22 (Crazy Woman), Area 24 (Thunder Basin), Area 25 (Ormsby), Area 26 (Bear Creek), Area 29 (Shawnee), Area 30 (Leprele), Area 32 (Bates Creek), Area 42 (Laramie Plains), Area 45 (West Laramie), Area 47 (Shirley Basin), Area 48 (Leo-Hanna), Area 53 (Baggs) and Area 93 (West Green River).

The downside to hunting antelope here is the large percentage of private land. And unlike Montana, for example, there's not a lot of free access. Many ranchers will let you on for a fee. Your alternatives to that are to hire an outfitter or be sure to draw a tag in a public area where antelope roam.

My advice would be to find a suitable situation first, then draw the tag.

Find more about Rocky Mountain fishing and hunting at RMgameandfish.com