The special antelope drawing used to take place in April. Both residents and non-residents who applied in the special draw were then not allowed to apply for firearms (prairie) antelope in the initial or secondary drawing later in the summer. Now, both drawings are combined and will occur at the same time. Before, preference points accumulated for special antelope or firearms antelope seasons were interchangeable between seasons the following year. Now they will be combined, allowing individuals to select a second choice if they chose the special antelope hunting unit—meaning they could apply for both special and firearms antelope. Since antelope surveys take place in May each year, the later drawing date will allow for more accurate quota changes and allow the state to manage better year to year.

The majority of the antelope are found in the western portion of the state along the Montana and Wyoming borders. While this western rangeland holds the highest densities of antelope, herds can also be found in most counties located to the west of the Missouri River as well as some counties located directly east along the river. The state does not produce many Boone and Crockett antelope, but the state record is 90” and ninety-three bucks have been listed in the record book. In the recent past, the state has typically entered one B&C buck into the record book each year.

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