CA Pronghorn Hunting Guide

Also known as: Pronghorn antelope, American antelope

The pronghorn is a species of artiodactyl mammal indigenous to interior western and central North America. Though not an antelope, it is known colloquially in North America as the American antelope, prong buck, pronghorn antelope, and prairie antelope, because it closely resembles the antelopes of the Old World and fills a similar ecological niche due to parallel evolution. It is the only surviving member of the family Antilocapridae.

Life History

A. a. americanaA. a. mexicanaA. a. oregonaA. a. peninsularisA. a. sonoriensis Thepronghorn(UK:/ˈprɒŋ.hɔːrn/,US:/ˈprɔːŋ.-/)4 is a species ofartiodactyl(even-toed, hoofed)mammalindigenous to interior western and central North America. Though not anantelope, it is known colloquially in North America as theAmerican antelope,prong buck,pronghorn antelope, andprairie antelope,[5]because it closely resembles the antelopes of theOld Worldand fills a similarecological nichedue toparallel evolution.[6]It is the only surviving member of thefamilyAntilocapridae.[7] During thePleistoceneepoch, about 11 other antilocaprid species existed in North America, many with long or spectacularly twisted horns.[8]Three other genera (Capromeryx,[9][10]Stockoceros[11][12]andTetrameryx[13]) existed when humans entered North America, but are nowextinct. The pronghorn's closest living relatives are thegiraffeandokapi.[14]The antilocaprids are part of the infraorderPecora, making them distant relatives ofdeer,bovids, andmoschids. The pronghorn is the fastest land mammal in the Americas, with running speeds up to 55 mph (88.5 km/h). It is the symbol of theAmerican Society of Mammalogists.[15] Pronghorns have distinct white fur on theirrumps, sides, bellies, breasts, and across their throats. Adult males are 4.3–4.9 ft (1.3–1.5 m) long from nose to tail, stand 2.7–3.4 ft (82–104 cm) high at the shoulder, and weigh 88–143 lb (40–65 kg). The females are the same height as males, but weigh 75–106 lb (34–48 kg). The feet have twohooves, with nodewclaws. Their body temperature is 100 °F (38 °C).[8][20][16][21]

Hunting Season

Limited draw only. General (buck): Aug 23-31 (most zones). Archery: Aug 9-17 (buck). Apprentice (either-sex): Aug 23-31. Dates vary slightly by zone. Total statewide quota: 137 tags.

References

• California — Pronghorn