Montana Antelope, Pictures

It’s an exciting experience to see herds of pronghorn antelope grazing in the meadows in and around Yellowstone National Park, alive and happy in their natural environment.

Overview

A pronghorn antelope is a unique creature with tan or brown body with a white belly and chest. They are the fastest mammals in North America, reaching speeds of more than 60 miles per hour. Although they used to number in the tens of thousands, there are fewer than 1,000 that migrate through the Yellowstone region currently.

Interesting Facts

Antelope have vision that equals a powerful telescope. They can spot danger at long distances. Therefore, antelope don’t mind feeding out in the open and don’t have to use heavy brush for cover. They don’t even need to seek shelter when blizzards rage, because they are tough and their hair is excellent insulation.

Pronghorn rarely jump fences but go under the bottom wire or find a place where the fence is broken where they can get through.

Fawns can stand up and run within a few minutes of being born. At four days of age, they can keep up with their herd.

Best Places for Viewing Antelope

Pronghorn antelope can be found in good-sized herds throughout the western states, excluding Washington. You can always find them within Yellowstone National Park. They frequent the areas between Gardiner, Montana and Mammoth Hot Springs in the park. Another grazing area where you can see them is the Lamar Valley.

Outside of the park, if you drive north or south of Dillon, Montana on I-15, you will find them in the countryside, sampling the grasses.

Respecting Wildlife

Some simple rules to follow to show your respect to wildlife:

• Keep a safe distance from all wildlife.
• View them from a distance using binoculars or telephoto lenses so as not to disturb them. (Within Yellowstone if you approach wildlife so as to disturb them, you can get ticketed and fined.)
• Keep to the trails.
• Dispose of waste properly.
• Don’t feed wildlife inside or outside the park.