Pronghorn are the fastest land animal in the Western Hemisphere, clocking speeds over 55 mph. They live in wide-open country with almost no cover, and they have nearly 320-degree vision. If you think that sounds difficult to hunt, you’re right. Here’s how to chase speed goats in Colorado.
The Pronghorn Challenge
Pronghorn have evolved to detect and outrun predators on the open plains. Their eyes are proportionally the largest of any ungulate in North America, and their 320-degree field of vision means they can see movement behind them without turning their head. Combine that with the ability to sprint at 55+ mph and sustain 30 mph for miles, and you have an animal that is nearly impossible to approach on flat ground.
Stalking pronghorn is an exercise in humility. They’ll spot you from a mile away, watch you for exactly long enough to confirm you’re a threat, and then disappear over the horizon at a speed that makes you question whether they were ever there.
Draw and Preference Points
Colorado pronghorn hunting requires a draw for most units. The state uses a weighted preference point system, meaning each point you accumulate increases your odds but doesn’t guarantee a tag. Some premium units take 3-5+ points to draw consistently, while others can be drawn with zero or one point.
Start applying early, even if you don’t plan to hunt immediately. Points are your currency in the Colorado draw system, and banking them now pays off later.
Where to Find Them
Pronghorn favor open grasslands, sagebrush flats, and agricultural margins. In Colorado, the best pronghorn hunting is generally found on the Eastern Plains and in the northwestern corner of the state. Look for areas with a mix of short grass prairie, sage, and agricultural fields — especially alfalfa and winter wheat, which pronghorn feed on heavily.
Water sources are critical in late summer and early fall. Pronghorn need to drink regularly, and setting up near stock tanks, windmills, or natural water holes can produce consistent sightings.
Essential Gear
- Optics: Good glass is more important for pronghorn than almost any other hunt. You’ll spend most of your time behind binoculars and a spotting scope, picking apart the landscape at distance.
- Rangefinder: Pronghorn country is deceptive. What looks like 300 yards is often 450. A quality rangefinder is essential.
- Shooting rest: Bipod, tripod, or shooting sticks. You’ll be shooting from prone or sitting positions in open terrain with wind. A stable rest is non-negotiable.
- Sun protection: There’s no shade on the plains. Hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
Rifle Hunting (200-400 Yards)
Most rifle pronghorn are taken between 200 and 400 yards. You need a flat-shooting caliber with good wind-bucking ability. The .25-06, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Winchester, and .308 Winchester are all excellent choices. Accuracy matters more than power — pronghorn are lightly built, and a well-placed shot from a .243 will anchor them.
Practice shooting from field positions at 300+ yards before your hunt. Bench accuracy doesn’t translate to prone-in-the-grass accuracy with your heart rate elevated and wind gusting across the prairie.
Archery Hunting
Archery pronghorn is one of the most challenging bowhunts in North America. You have three primary approaches:
Ground Blinds (Water Holes)
The most popular method. Set a pop-up blind within 30 yards of an active water source during August and September when temperatures push pronghorn to water daily. The key is patience — you may sit for 8-10 hours before a buck comes in. But when they commit to water, they’re focused and approachable.
Spot and Stalk
Incredibly difficult due to the open terrain and the pronghorn’s vision. Successful spot-and-stalk archery hunters use terrain features — washes, creek beds, rises — to break line of sight and close to within bow range. It takes athleticism, patience, and a fair amount of luck.
Decoying
Pronghorn bucks are territorial during the rut and will often charge a decoy placed in their territory. A pronghorn buck decoy set at 30-40 yards while you hide behind a sage bush can produce heart-pounding, in-your-face encounters. The buck may approach cautiously or sprint in at full speed — both scenarios are electric.
The Bottom Line
Pronghorn hunting is a unique Western experience. It’s chess on the prairie — reading the terrain, predicting animal movement, managing wind, and executing a shot in wide-open conditions. Whether you carry a rifle or a bow, chasing speed goats will test your skills and reward your patience.
