All the above information is good. Keep in mind that the fact the tag is hard to draw does not equate to trophy quality. In CO it typically equates more to there being public hunting access. Since 2010 CO has averaged about 5 B&C entries each year above 82". There have been 6 from Moffat County in that time, and 4 were killed in 2014 or 2016. Point being, you're unlikely to kill a B&C buck, so listen to your guide and shoot one that you like the looks of. Pronghorn hunting is fun, and it's easy to get hung up on scores and make it less fun.
Hard to Get NW CO Tag - What to Look for in a Pronghorn?
- Thread starter SPDSpappy
- Start date
SPDSpappy
Active member
Great points, thank you! Only 1 day of the 7 days of hunting is geared towards pronghorns and I'm told they're very abundant. It'll be my first pronghorn and I'm not going for a B&C, but wouldn't complain if it ends up being one if you know what I mean!
The Hedgehog
Well-known member
Mass. That's it. If you look at a bunch of different bucks and you like one the best, that's the best one. If you want the biggest one, shoot the one that looks the heaviest.
Greenhorn is right, mass makes up most of a good scoring buck. A heavy horned buck may look short but the mass measurements will add up.
Part of not shooting a running pronghorn are pretty true. They will build up some lactic acid in the muscles after a run so try to take a relaxed animal.
Never had an issue with the glands as we just avoid handling that area. The black cheek patch will be the most smelly part.
Part of not shooting a running pronghorn are pretty true. They will build up some lactic acid in the muscles after a run so try to take a relaxed animal.
Never had an issue with the glands as we just avoid handling that area. The black cheek patch will be the most smelly part.
This may seem obvious but make sure both prongs are present. More than one guy has shot a nice buck only to find that one of the cutters was broken off.
I saw one last year in NW Colorado that was a beauty until he showed his right side- his prong was completely broke off
SPDSpappy
Active member
Thanks for everyone's assistance! Here's what I ended up with.
Bigjay73
Well-known member
Nice looking pronghorn. How did your other tags turn out?
SPDSpappy
Active member
Thanks!! Here's the overview post I just wrote in another thread https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/educating-adult-onset-hunter.298227/post-3096171
Bottom line is 2 out of 3 tags filled, but came really close on the elk tag.
2ski
Well-known member
So what does it measure and score?
SPDSpappy
Active member
No idea. I just know he was really wide and HEAVY. I’m not sure if my taxidermist knows how to score him, but I can ask...
SPDSpappy
Active member
Thanks!! I’m pretty happy with him. He was 410 yards when I shot him. I had another chance at a B&C buck, but the turret on my scope was jacked up and I shot over his back.
