Bear spray/sidearm will be much better. In the heat of the moment a scoped bolt action rifle seems like a problem. Get some good super penetrates from underwood for your sidearm and leave the hollow points at home.
I took my wife, my son, and oldest daughter hunting for the first time doing Wyoming antelope. They all tagged out the first day. And where we hunt in Wyoming has limited public land and isn’t known for being an antelope unit. Don’t over think it. We love antelope hunting.
Living in Wyoming, moved here from Arizona a few years ago. Love hunting elk deer and pronghorn. Wife and son both hunt with me quite a bit so it’s a good family activity.