Go Shoot Your Rifle: Lessons From an Oregon Pronghorn Hunt

Jaden finally filled his Oregon Premium Pronghorn tag, but it definitely didn't happen the way he expected. On the drive back to the airport, Jaden sits down with his brother Tyler to recap the hunt, including how different this low-density Oregon pronghorn hunt was from chasing antelope in Wyoming or Montana, why local knowledge mattered so much, and how timing completely changed where the antelope were living. Then they get into the part that every rifle hunter should hear before season. Jaden borrowed Tyler's rifle, got an opportunity at a good buck, and proceeded to shoot over him multiple times before finally getting the job done at much closer range. That leads into a conversation about knowing your rifle, getting an accurate range, understanding your rangefinder, practicing with the actual system you'll hunt with, and knowing when you need to move fast versus when you absolutely need to slow down. They also talk about why a "premium" tag doesn't necessarily mean a premium hunt, how expectations can make or break an experience, and why this particular hunt ended up being valuable for reasons that had very little to do with antelope score. If you've got a rifle deer or elk hunt coming this fall, consider this your reminder: Go shoot your rifle. Show links: Reserve 2027 Complete Hunt Plans >> Hunt West Application Webinars >> Get the Hunt West Digest Sunday Email Learn About the Hunt West Argentina Red Stag Trip Need help with a last-minute hunting problem? Email Jaden at jaden@huntwest.net Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro music for the show.