Record amounts of snowfall and brutally cold temperatures in recent winters have significantly impacted the Red Desert’s pronghorn herds, but many great bucks are still around. (Shutterstock photo)
August 25, 2025
By Matt Church
Austere, forlorn, unembellished. All are descriptive of Wyoming’s Red Desert, in which the state’s most iconic big game species—the pronghorn antelope—resides. It takes a unique character to embrace the wind-blown and dusty desert, even more so to pursue its keystone species.
Drawing a coveted speed goat tag in a Red Desert unit feels like getting away with a stagecoach robbery. At least that’s how I felt guiding my wife, who held her first antelope tag in nine years. True to both the nature of the desert and the pursuit of pronghorns, cursed spirits mounted following several blown stalks and diminishing weather. Then, just as quick, I caught a glimpse of a white-and-tawny silhouette meandering toward us on an elevated sagebrush flat at 225 yards. Hidden among the seafoam-colored abyss, we dialed in on our quarry. My wife confidently embraced the elements, delivering a 200-yard vital hit, nosediving the dusty old buck into the silvery sage. As the sun set, we felt as if old Blackthorn himself had given us his blessing. We were fortunate to have outlasted, outwitted and harvested a quality antelope buck in an unequaled land.
NO LAYUP One allure of hunting pronghorns in the Red Desert is the season length. Archery season throughout the desert begins August 15, with rifle season generally starting approximately 30 days later in mid-September, depending on the unit, and running until October 31. The irony is that you may need to use all of that generous season length to find your buck, as pronghorn populations have declined in recent years. Moreover, both residents and non-residents will need some luck to draw a coveted buck tag, as there are no over-the-counter or general tag options. The best resident draw odds are roughly 35 percent, and nonresidents need at least 9 points, depending on the unit. Good bucks can still be found if you are willing, so here are some pointers on where to start and what to expect during a Wyoming Red Desert antelope hunt.
The Red Desert isn’t always red. Snow and rainfall help promote the growth of vegetation that nurtures the area’s antelope. (Matt Church photo) GOAT GEAR The desert can be inhospitable. There is little protection from the sun, it is arid and the wind is nearly constant. However, it could rain or snow in any given month. Therefore, I always carry lightweight, sun-protective apparel, including a wide-brimmed hat, polarized sunglasses, a lightweight neck gaiter and light, long-sleeved, merino wool shirts. I also throw in a breathable, waterproof jacket. Even if it doesn’t rain, it’s helpful for cutting the wind. Moreover, temperatures can range from sweltering to frigid in a matter of hours, even in August. I carry a puffy jacket and wool cap for when the sun goes down. I carry a sleeping bag and extra clothes in the truck in case of emergency.
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Thorns and prickly pear are plentiful, so a high-quality pair of uninsulated leather boots with reliable ankle support and stiff outsoles, paired with scree gaiters to keep rocks and cacti out of boot laces and shins, are a must for hunting in this terrain. I wear lightweight Mechanix or leather gloves in the desert because I often inadvertently place my hand down on a cactus or sharp rock, plus they protect from wind chafe. I also carry a Leatherman for when I inevitably sit down on a cactus and need to remove barbs from my rear end.
As if all that wasn’t daunting enough, the Red Desert is extremely desolate. Towns and amenities in this area of the state are few and far between, with the potential for more than 100 miles between services. Baggs and Lander are the southern- and northernmost points, respectively, while Rawlins and Rock Springs are the eastern- and westernmost points, respectively. Due to the remoteness, it is advisable to carry extra gas, water and emergency supplies. You’ll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle with high clearance and offroad-capable tires. Four-ply passenger tires on a pavement princess will not hold up to the rigors of desert driving. Cell service is also pretty much nonexistent throughout the area, so download maps on onX or bring topo maps as well as a reliable satellite communication tool.
The author guided his wife to this great Red Desert buck, which she dispatched with a single 200-yard shot. (Matt Church photo) Good glass—binocular, spotting scope, rangefinder and rifle scope—paired with an accurate, long-distance gun is paramount for spot-and-stalk and run-and-gun pronghorn hunting tactics. Rifle shots can easily exceed 400 yards, as pronghorns are as wily as they are elusive. I like my Maven S.1A spotter and my B1.2 10x42 binocular for these situations. I use a SigSauer Kilo3K rangefinder to help me with distances and the Vortex Viper Long Range Hunter is my choice of scope on my custom 6.5 Creedmoor. Shooting the 129-grain Hornady ELD-X, it is deadly even with the wind at extended ranges.
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PROVEN TACTICS The first key to successful pronghorn hunting is time spent behind glass, whether that’s a spotter, bino or windshield. Drive roads and two-tracks to see as much territory as possible. Glass from high points and study the topography to plan approaches on potential targets.
For as flat as the desert can be, it also has many rock formations, steep and rolling hills, coulees and washes. I have observed lone pronghorn bucks resting at the shoulder of a hill or fold, where they can monitor the wind from behind and see a long distance ahead of them. Consequently, I have had success approaching a hill or rock outcrop in the truck, then cresting it on foot, staying low in the sagebrush and setting up a glassing vantage point on the leeward side where I can catch them off-guard from a distance (or up close if lucky).
Just as paramount as time behind glass, staying out of an antelope’s line of sight is just as important. Pronghorns have a wide field of view and eyesight comparable to a 10-power binocular. They also run as fast as the desert wind, so if they see you creeping don’t plan on catching them, even with a bullet.
The challenges of hunting the Red Desert are many, but for those who persevere, the reward is often a buck of a lifetime and memories that last just as long. (Shutterstock photo) Whether archery or rifle hunting, keying on springs and small water holes can pay dividends. The desert, mostly devoid of water, has several springs, some of which have been developed with holding tanks and troughs for livestock and wildlife. Most of the springs are depicted on topo maps, so studying maps and ground-truthing will help you focus on the right areas, but finding or building cover nearby is often necessary.
It is illegal to dig pit blinds on public land, so finding taller sagebrush and utilizing topography and camouflage ground blinds can lead to success. Most of the washes in the desert are dry, but water may be close to the surface at the heads of them. I like to approach using those bottoms to stay hidden and rest while watching the water holes in the shade offered by the vegetation, where available.
The Cowboy State’s Red Desert is a daunting landscape that will test any person’s mettle. Taking on the challenging ecosystem and successfully harvesting the iconic pronghorn antelope is the stuff of hunting legend. If you have what it takes and can draw the tag, channel your inner Western outlaw and put yourself to the test in a veritable Red Desert dustup.
TRIP PLANNER Things to know before you set off on a Red Desert adventure. The Red Desert is primarily BLM-administered land, so dispersed camping is widely available. The northern Red Desert is chock-full of interesting geological features, such as the Killpecker Sand Dunes and the Boar’s Tusk, as well as Oregon and Honeycomb buttes. The sand dunes offer camping spots with vault toilets and fire rings. If nearby, stop at the Atlantic City Mercantile for a history lesson and a home-cooked meal, or hit the Farson Mercantile for a sandwich and locally made ice cream. Rock Springs and Lander offer more amenities within reasonable driving distance. The Lander Bar and Cowfish are excellent options for food and libations.
The southern Red Desert is more remote, but Adobe Town is a paleontological and geological site that’s worth seeing. Rawlins and Rock Springs are the closest towns offering amenities, but Baggs has the Cowboy Inn, which offers lodging (including an RV park), food and drinks. If staying in Rawlins, two diamond-in-the-rough food options are Anong’s and the Su Casa Café in Sinclair.
The Red Desert offers interesting historical sites, as well. Petroglyphs can be found throughout the area, and wagon ruts from the Oregon, Mormon and Overland Trails can still be viewed.
This article was featured in the August 2025 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe .
