Antelope hunters throughout most reaches of the West are bound to like what they see in terms of improved habitat conditions and higher game populations.

"It's amazing what can happen when you get decent precipitation and habitat conditions finally start improving," says Arizona's Brian Wakeling. "It's also amazing how quickly things can deteriorate again if drought conditions return."

Precipitation during the past two winters throughout all but certain southeast units has promoted excellent forb production in high grassland areas, and the state's pronghorns also appear to be benefiting from habitat improvements--such as prescribed fire in game management units 5A, 5B and 21--and coyote control measures that have been enacted during fawning. Sixty-eight more permits will be allocated for the fall season. Best chance for success is in strip units or around the Prescott Valley.

Grazing conditions continue to improve in Nevada, and transplanting efforts have expanded pronghorn distribution in the state, which is home to an all-time high of 20,000 animals. Spokesman Chris Healey says that while recommendations had not been officially adopted at press time, there should be increases in resident, nonresident and archery permits.

Hunters last year achieved success rates of about 80 percent on rifle hunts and 26 percent on archery hunts, and the overall harvest of 1,323 neared a state record. Units 041 and 042 near Lovelock and 011-015 in the northwest corner of the state are expected to provide exciting moments for hunters again this year.

New Mexico pronghorns have responded to increased moisture there, but the state's Julie Cummings says she's not yet sure whether that would translate into more permits, but it's probably a safe bet--at least in a few areas.

Though his state could definitely use some more moisture--particularly throughout northeastern units--Wyoming's Al Langston says people who draw antelope licenses are going to have a great hunt.

"Permit allocations won't be increased until more precipitation arrives," he says, "but pursuing pronghorns in Wyoming remains a high-quality hunt."

Public land tags in the Cowboy State are tough to come by, but private land licenses are not. They require hunters to secure landowner permission, after which they'll probably have to pay a trespass fee. The areas around Douglas, Kaycee, Gillette, Newcastle and Lusk offer good success rates on private land. Public land units 57, 59, 60, 61, 64, 92, 95 have trophy potential.

Mild winters in Montana have boosted the likelihood that hunters will find plenty of pronghorns there "We should have a pretty good season," says Don Childress, "but a lot depends on the weather."

Eastern and northcentral units have been producing especially well in recent years, and populations in southcentral districts have risen by as much as 30 percent in some areas. As a result, hunters have been able to take advantage of liberalized seasons.

Antelope populations are stable to slightly increasing throughout Idaho, says the state's Jim Unsworth. "Quality has held up well. We reduced permit levels a few years ago, but the guys drawing permits are doing well," he says.

Pronghorns are still recovering from drought in Colorado, forcing the state to cut back on the number of tags it issues. "In some areas, antelope are doing well, but throughout the state, it's still tough to draw a tag," says the state's Tyler Baskfield. What used to take three preference points in some areas now takes five."

Baskfield notes that antelope in higher-elevation areas such as South Park seem to be in pretty good shape because of higher precipitation levels. Trophy potential exists on the eastern plains, south of I-70.

Oregon's pronghorn herds have been in excellent shape the past four or five seasons, and hunters this fall should score at about the same clip they have in the past. Southeast units hold most of the state's antelope, but there's plenty of game in central and northeast areas as well.

Oregon's Tom Thornton says the state has proposed a 2,800-tag allotment, 100 more than last year.

Antelope hunting is enjoyed by the few in California, but the state's Craig Stowers says Region 1's herd came through winter surprisingly well. "Nothing like it was 10 to 12 years ago when we lost the herd," he says. That promising development has allowed a handful more tags to be allocated this year.