bigtex
Well-Known Member
Justin and I spent some quality time this week in Wyoming. We've been planning this trip for two years, and it was definitely worth the wait.
The ranch we hunted is not known for large Antelope but what it lacks in size is made up in sheer numbers.
We arrived at the Ranch the day before the opener to do a little scouting, the weather was not very cooperative due to a steady rain which continued throughout the next day. But the Pronghorn didn't seem to mind as they were out and about.
Opening morning found us cruising the back road looking for our first "candidate". We were seeing a lot of animals but they were all small even for this Ranch. We finally spotted what looked like a good one a thousand yards or so away in a deep depression. The stalk was on! We closed the distance by a couple of hundred yards but one of his harem spotted us and the gig was up. We circled around trying to cut them off but they again saw us and the chase was over. We made our way back to the truck and before long spotted another one down in a deep draw. This stalk was also a bust as we ran out of cover and were busted once again. Not to be outdone we circled around and spotted the one Justin eventually killed. He was with several does and within a couple of hundred yards of the Ranch road. We slowly drove past them and went over a small hill. I stopped the truck and we got out and quietly closed the truck doors. The Antelope were out of sight and I was hoping they were still close to where we last saw them. As we slowly got to the top of the hill we peeked over, they were still there and facing the opposite direction. Perfect!! I ranged them at 176 yds. Justin crept a few yards closer, got settled behind the bipod and before I could raise my binocs squeezed off the shot. The Goat dropped at the shot, the little .243 Remmy with Granddads handloads had done the job. Not a large Pronghorn by any means but a very good representative for this area and a darn nice first one for any hunter. To say I was proud of him would be an understatement, I was beaming with pride!!
The ranch we hunted is not known for large Antelope but what it lacks in size is made up in sheer numbers.
We arrived at the Ranch the day before the opener to do a little scouting, the weather was not very cooperative due to a steady rain which continued throughout the next day. But the Pronghorn didn't seem to mind as they were out and about.
Opening morning found us cruising the back road looking for our first "candidate". We were seeing a lot of animals but they were all small even for this Ranch. We finally spotted what looked like a good one a thousand yards or so away in a deep depression. The stalk was on! We closed the distance by a couple of hundred yards but one of his harem spotted us and the gig was up. We circled around trying to cut them off but they again saw us and the chase was over. We made our way back to the truck and before long spotted another one down in a deep draw. This stalk was also a bust as we ran out of cover and were busted once again. Not to be outdone we circled around and spotted the one Justin eventually killed. He was with several does and within a couple of hundred yards of the Ranch road. We slowly drove past them and went over a small hill. I stopped the truck and we got out and quietly closed the truck doors. The Antelope were out of sight and I was hoping they were still close to where we last saw them. As we slowly got to the top of the hill we peeked over, they were still there and facing the opposite direction. Perfect!! I ranged them at 176 yds. Justin crept a few yards closer, got settled behind the bipod and before I could raise my binocs squeezed off the shot. The Goat dropped at the shot, the little .243 Remmy with Granddads handloads had done the job. Not a large Pronghorn by any means but a very good representative for this area and a darn nice first one for any hunter. To say I was proud of him would be an understatement, I was beaming with pride!!