Hunting
Guided pronghorn hunts on the Canadian prairies
Pronghorn live on the open short-grass prairie, see a long way and run faster than any other animal on the continent. Hunting them is a game of patience, terrain and precise shooting, and a guide makes the most of a hard-won tag.
Where and how pronghorn are hunted
In Canada, pronghorn are found mainly in the dry grasslands of southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan. The country is wide open, with rolling hills, coulees and sage flats, and the animals rely on their eyesight and speed rather than cover.
Most hunts are spot and stalk. The guide glasses from a vehicle or a rise, picks out a buck, then uses every fold in the land to approach, often crawling the last stretch. Some outfitters also hunt from blinds near water or along fence lines where pronghorn travel. Either way, expect to spend more time watching than walking.
Draws, landowners and why a guide helps
Pronghorn licences are limited, and in the provinces where they are hunted they are often allocated by draw. Rules for residents and non-residents differ, and non-residents are often required to hunt big game with a licensed guide-outfitter. Check the official regulations before you plan the trip.
Much of pronghorn range is private ranch land or grazing leases, so permission matters. Outfitters usually have long-standing relationships with ranchers, which gives you access to good ground and avoids wasting precious days knocking on doors.
What a pronghorn package usually includes
Pronghorn hunts are often short, and some outfitters combine them with mule deer or upland birds. Typical inclusions are:
- Lodging and meals near the hunting area
- Access to private ranch land arranged by the outfitter
- Guiding and transport by truck across the prairie
- Field care of the animal, which needs to be cooled quickly in warm weather
- Help with caping and arranging a taxidermist if you want a mount
Preparing for the prairie
Shots on pronghorn can be longer than most hunters are used to, and wind is a constant factor on the prairie. Practise from prone and from shooting sticks at realistic distances, and know exactly where your rifle hits. A guide would rather you pass on a shot than wound an animal.
Pack sunscreen, a hat, water, knee pads or gloves for crawling, and clothing that blends with dry grass. Ask the outfitter about likely weather, cell coverage and how far the lodge is from the hunting area.
Finding a pronghorn guide with GuideHunter
In GuideHunter, filter for hunting and choose pronghorn to see outfitters offering it, with the region, what is included and a price per person from, or on request. Reach out early, since the timing of draws often decides when you can book.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I hunt pronghorn in Canada?
Pronghorn hunting in Canada happens mainly in the prairie grasslands of southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan. Licences are limited and areas are defined in each province's regulations, so check the current official rules before planning a hunt.
Is pronghorn hunting by draw only?
In the provinces where pronghorn are hunted, licences are often allocated by draw, with different rules for residents and non-residents. The system can change from year to year, so read the official regulations and ask the outfitter how they handle licences for their clients.
Is a pronghorn the same as an antelope?
Pronghorn are often called antelope, but they are not true antelopes. They are the only surviving member of their own family, native to the grasslands of North America. Their horns have a sheath that is shed each year, which is unusual among horned animals.