Some of the best proof of how antelope actually behave doesn’t come from a hunt at all — it comes from just watching them.
One fall during the rut, two territorial bucks faced off along a stretch of barbwire fence splitting their ranges — separated by a two-lane highway. Antelopes aren’t stopped by a standard four-strand barbwire fence; they’ll duck under it or jump it without much trouble. So, when one buck crossed the road, pushed through the borrow pit, and squared up at the fence line against his neighbor, it wasn’t the fence keeping them apart. It was pure territorial instinct.
For the next ten minutes, the two bucks worked the fence line — walking up and down, stopping every few feet, squaring off, and firing snort chuckles at each other, spraying spit with every call. Back and forth, over and over, an actual vocal standoff between two rival bucks who each believed the other had crossed a line.
It ended, oddly enough, with a car horn. A vehicle passing on the highway startled them both, and the challenger broke off, jumped back across the fence, and retreated to his own territory.
This is exactly the kind of real, unscripted behavior the snort chuckle call is built to imitate. When a buck hears that sound — especially paired with a decoy — his instinct isn’t caution, it’s confrontation. He believes a rival has entered his ground, and more often than not, he comes to do something about it.
It’s a powerful reminder that calling antelope isn’t about making noise — it’s about speaking a language they already understand.
Want to put an authentic snort chuckle to work on your next hunt? The Dominator Call® reproduces this exact vocalization. Visit Hancockoutdoors.com to get yours before opening day.