megalomaniac
Well-Known Member
When Ethan turned 11, I started buying points for him in Wyoming for antelope (the earliest age you can buy points). He had 6 for this years draw, and opening day coincided with his new 2 week fall break.from high school. I asked him if he wanted to cash in on a unit with a high population density or keep building points... he was all about going this year, AND since he was 17 at the time of application, we were able to apply for a discounted youth tag even though he turned 18 2 days ago.
He drew the tag (NOT a guarantee in regular draw with 6 points for this unit) and the homework really started. I must have spent 20 hours pouring over satellite imagery, public land blocks, no hunting blocks, road accesses, BLM roads, etc...
Came up with a strategy to camp on a piece of public south of a series of draws that appeared to contain water that ran east to west until they hit a large block closed to hunting. The only other access to this spot would be from the east, which if hunted by others would just push the antelope right to us as they retreated to safety (at least that was my plan in my head). I picked out another dozen spots to check that weren't visible from roads for later in the week.
We touched down in Denver yesterday, picked up the rental, and hit the local Walmart for basic camping supplies to last is through Wednesday. Got to my camping spot, and there were at least 100 antelope visible 360 deg around from camp. Mostly does and small bucks, but we did see one bedded shortly before dark at 650y that warranted a closer look.
We heated up some soup, and tucked in sleeping bags under the stars at 9p.
I woke up at 3a ready to go but cold (33 last night, and the $20 Walmart sleeping bag wasn't quite enough). I made coffee and watched a movie until 5a. Just as the movie ended, another vehicle started to pull in off the main road toward us, but thank goodness left us alone and headed down the road another mile before pulling in. I woke Ethan up at 545 and we got dressed and ate breakfast. Just as we were about to head into our ravines, a small buck crossed 30y in front of our camp. Good omen? Certainly cool to be camped right in the middle of all these antelope!
He drew the tag (NOT a guarantee in regular draw with 6 points for this unit) and the homework really started. I must have spent 20 hours pouring over satellite imagery, public land blocks, no hunting blocks, road accesses, BLM roads, etc...
Came up with a strategy to camp on a piece of public south of a series of draws that appeared to contain water that ran east to west until they hit a large block closed to hunting. The only other access to this spot would be from the east, which if hunted by others would just push the antelope right to us as they retreated to safety (at least that was my plan in my head). I picked out another dozen spots to check that weren't visible from roads for later in the week.
We touched down in Denver yesterday, picked up the rental, and hit the local Walmart for basic camping supplies to last is through Wednesday. Got to my camping spot, and there were at least 100 antelope visible 360 deg around from camp. Mostly does and small bucks, but we did see one bedded shortly before dark at 650y that warranted a closer look.
We heated up some soup, and tucked in sleeping bags under the stars at 9p.
I woke up at 3a ready to go but cold (33 last night, and the $20 Walmart sleeping bag wasn't quite enough). I made coffee and watched a movie until 5a. Just as the movie ended, another vehicle started to pull in off the main road toward us, but thank goodness left us alone and headed down the road another mile before pulling in. I woke Ethan up at 545 and we got dressed and ate breakfast. Just as we were about to head into our ravines, a small buck crossed 30y in front of our camp. Good omen? Certainly cool to be camped right in the middle of all these antelope!
