Trad Gang

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010845.jpg)

I accidently put in for the wrong antelope area this year. I wasn't happy as I have a sweet little spring in the neighboring area I set a blind on. Well, I drew the tag, along with an additional doe/fawn tag, and wondered where I would hunt. I had hunted this area in the past, but this year was tough. Our bad winter pushed all the antelope to the west, and very few returned to a great area, with a nice spring, that I knew about. I scouted for days, and put on many miles searching for the right spot. Most waterholes were overfull, some 100 yards across, from all the snow we had, and rain this spring. Too far for a stickbow shooter to be hunting. Plus the lack of antelope. I was frustrated, to say the least.   :banghead:  

The other day I checked out a "small", 10,000 acre piece of private land that had a bunch of antelope in it. I work as a coyote hunter, so I'm out and about everywhere. Anyway, I knew with all these antelope here, there HAD to be water somewhere. I got permission from the landowner to hunt, and asked him about water. He says, "none". No cattle in area, so no water in the tanks. I checked everywhere for a hidden little spring or something, then found this little spot hammered with antelope tracks. I set my blind up yesterday so the antelope will be acustomed to it by the 15th, opening day of season.

I am excited again about antelope season!

Tracy, I think that will work!

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010846-1.jpg)

From the blind to the fartherest end of the waterhole is 16 yards. Look at all the tracks around it. I think I can make that shot.

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010844.jpg)

To be continued right after Aug 15th, I hope.....  :campfire:

Looks good Tracy.

That looks like a prime spot for sure.  Good luck

Looks great. Good luck.

Looks like a great spot, but I have one question, what time of day was it when the picture was taken, late afternoon? Are you likely to have the sun in your eyes when in the blind?

Looks like the hot set up..  :thumbsup:  Good luck.

My kind of range for a shot.  Good luck Tracy.  I'm headed to MT on a semi-guided hunt that usually draws 96% (I've never applied until this year but my dad/brother have for a couple years), so figured I'd go with them.  Well, they DIDN'T draw and I did.  But I'm looking forward to it and hopefully can find a spot just like what you've found.

Looks good Tracy. I hope to hunt vicariously through a few of you guys here. Good luck!

Good job Tracy,you have found the good one!

After putting off my antelope hunt until next year I am really looking forward to following yours and others hunts. Best of luck to you!

Good luck to you. Can't wait to see how this pans out!

chris <><

Shame on those goats now. Good luck brother.

I pray we don't get a bunch of rain between now and the 15th.  :pray:

That's not fair....that's a death trap!!!

Do share when the  plan comes together...no doubt its going to.

  :campfire:

Now that's a blind I'd love to share with you!

There isn't a single doubt in my mind that we will be looking at some speed goat photos not long after 9/15.

  :archer:

Looks like a blast - good luck!

Gonna use your new Pronghorn?

Thats as good a hole as it gets. I have a tag for 55 south and west of Rawlands if there is as much water as you say it will be tough this year for goats. I'm heading out for goats on the 19th. Good luck and use that new pretty green pronghorn to take your pronghorn.

OH YEAH........Looking good.

Good Luck and shoot straight.RC

That looks like a great place Tracy. I wish I could have come and hunted with you this fall.

Yes guys, using the new green Pronghorn, cedar shafts, and Woodsman Elites.

Randy, I told you to get a tag! You are always welcome to hunt with me. Next year bud!

Chip shot at 16 yards, you will do well.  Went the past two years but this year it will be a bear hunt for me in September. Best of luck!

Nice set-up! I reckon it won't be long now til you blood that new Pronghorn bow. Good luck!

You dog!  Shoot straight and post pics

Hoping to find mine this weekend, after I get done working.


Good luck Tracy, hope you have another great season   :thumbsup:

Oh my goodness that place looks excellent.  I believe i could sit there for days and soak up what nature brings.  

Good luck.  I am looking forward to hearing what happens.

Yep, there will probably be quite a show in front of that blind...might be worth leaving it up for the start of deer season.  Looking forward to more pictures.  

We are out of antelope breakfast sausage.  If I had not drawn a bear tag, I was thinking hard about buying a couple of WY doe tags.

This thread is helping me get more excited about my upcoming WY antelope hunt...like I needed help getting excited  :)

That's an awesome set-up and I hope the rain clouds stay away!

Good Luck Tracy.  Looks like a great spot.  But a tougher decision will be which Pronghorn to carry:)

I think you ought to give those poor ol' goats a fighting chance and move that blind back aways....haha  That is a honey hole if I've ever seen one. I am envious. No rain dances now! Send all the rain to Texas where it's needed.

Wow.  Cool.  I can imagine you might have thought you were seeing only a mirage uppon first laying eyes on that liquid jewel.  It takes a dedicated guy to still get out looking after your landowner report was negetive on the water.

I'm jealous!! Look forward to some more on this hunt later. Best of luck.

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Yesterday was opener for antelope. I was in the blind before sunrise with high hopes.

Here is the view out of the two shooting holes.

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010882.jpg)

First visitors of the day, right at sunrise. This area is loaded with these small bucks this year. There are better around, so I will pass on these two young ones. (http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010884.jpg)

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010888.jpg) (http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010889.jpg)

I had more does and fawns come in right away. I have a doe tag also, but want a dry doe, and also want to shoot a buck first.

good luck, like you need it.

Keep the story coming

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010890.jpg)

This buck came in moments later after the last does and fawns left. He drank forever but never offered a good shot. I'll wait and see what shows up later.

Looks like you might get spoiled with that spot.

Thanks Tracy. It's good to get out after goats through your pics!

Like it. Keep 'em coming.

A very exciting post.  Keep 'em coming and thank you.

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010893.jpg)

I went to grab the latest PBS magazine to read right after the last buck left, when a whole herd comes in. So much for any reading time.

I grabbed my latest foam core Pronghorn, and nocked a Woodsman Elite tipped cedar. I could see a decent buck in this bunch, and was hoping to get a shot at him. It can get tough to get the shot when you have 12-15 antelope constantly moving around, and pushing each other around.

Finally this guy offers me a 12-13 yard, broadside shot. I took it, and he dropped in his tracks. He must have spun at the shot. I hit him forward of his shoulder blade into the neck. I finished him with anther shot up through his front legs.

The other antelope wanted to come back for water. I have a doe tag as well, so I drug the buck up behind the blind. Them other antelope were back in around 15 minutes. Then a nice, dry doe gave me the same shot as the buck did, same spot even, broadside, 12-13 yards. I shoot, and...

the suspense is killing me and, and what!!

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010894.jpg)

the doe takes off running a half circle over the dike behind the blind. I rushed out of the blind to watch her as the arrow placement looked poor. I don't see her. It's wide open in the direction she headed, but I dont see her. I went back to the blind, grabbed my binos, glased the sage, and found her not 40 yards from the blind.

That arrow hit her very poorly. I know she spun at the shot. These pronghorns are as quick as a "ducking whitetail". Anyway, the arrow went through her stomach, and completetly busted and exciting the rear leg bone.

I am honestly not a bad shot, I really believe these "speed goats" were spinning on me. Sorry for the poor pics, just a couple more to come.

(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010898.jpg) (http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n486/Shedrock1/P1010899.jpg)

Thanks for looking, I had a great little, quick hunt.

Great story, hunt, & pix.

What's max height in your stand? What was your bow/arrow setup if you haven't already posted? You have some huge posts. Thanks for sharing.

Congratulations on a great hunt!  That photo with the buck on the ground is fantastic.

Congrats Shedrock, a two-fer

I missed this one when it first came up and was able to read it from start to finish.  When I saw the picture of the buck down I wasn't quiet expected it yet. I said out loud "Ya buddy"!

Thanks for making my day.  Always great when the fall seasons open up and tradgang changes from the cyber world to the real world.  I guess I'm getting to the point of "a less talk and a lot more action"  Thanks for giving us some of the first antelope action! Great job!

Chris

:bigsmyl:    :thumbsup:

Congrats on your successful opener and filling both of those tags in short order.  Nice scouting and setup work!

:archer:

Congrats!

Very nice!

That was awesome! Way to go   :thumbsup:

:clapper:

Congrats!!!!!

Great Job....and what an opening day....    :campfire:

Thanks for the cyber hunt!  Well done...

~CB

Congrats nice buck and 2 good shots!

Congrats!!!

Lots of goat meat there. Didn't take long to fill your tags. Nice job!

Way to go sir!  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Congratulations Tracy!!! That is a very cool picture with the buck laying there with an arrow protruding and the rest of the herd in the background.

An outstanding effort, congratulations!

Congrats! Thanks for sharring.

Congrats man! Great pics! I will be in the Laramie peaks area in 2 weeks hunting cow elk and mulies. This is getting me fired up   :thumbsup:

Great story!!

What a day.Nice going.I have had opportunities to double but only when I didn't have the extra tag.Sometimes I feel lucky to get a crack at one.Great pictures too.Thanks.

Thanks.....thanks alot!!

Since I leave Mo on Friday for Wyoming, my week is now going to go on forever!!!!!


LOL, congrats on your hunt!!!!!

I like!!!

WOW!! you did an awesome job! love the pic of the buck laying by the water and the rest of the herd off in the distance..congrats!!

You were right.  It is a honey hole.  Nice job.  Thanks for the story.

Congrats Tracy!!  :thumbsup:

QuoteOriginally posted by Shedrock:
I had a great little, quick hunt.

That's an understatement! Congratulations   :clapper:

What a hunt!!!

Most excellent! 3 Pronghorns in one pic, thats amazing! ( Bow and buck and doe)  ha!  You made it look waaay too easy! Most guys hunt a long time with a longbow before they tag a speed goat...good job scouting, and persevering...the shooting werent bad neither....Nice buck by the way , looks like a good 75" er anyway!

Man, i have been thinking about you and that honey hole.  

What a great opening day.  It all came together really well.

Congrats !

Congratulations Tracy!  You always get it done!  I love that Wyoming landscape.  Hard work and persistence put you in a great honey hole.  Thanks for sharing your pictures and story!

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

Congrats   :thumbsup:    :campfire:  Antelope is on my short list I hope.Kip

That must be a record! Two for Two.    :thumbsup:

Congrats!

Gotta love it when a plan comes together  :clapper:  way to go.

Congrats.   :clapper:

Awesome!! Congratulations on a great hunt!
Glenn

Nice hunt, congratulations!  Looks like a great set up!

That's fantastic, Congratulations!!   :clapper:  

Nathan

that's one to remember.

doug77

Congrats ...yes those goats can make interesting targets, kinda like a Solana whitetail   :clapper:

Awesome Tracy. The goats are fast. I drove through there monday morning too.

Just read up on this thread, it's pure awesome  :thumbsup:

Congrats  :)

Thanks for sharing, that was really nice to see.

Congrats and thanks for sharing!!

Way to go Shedrock!!!!

Very well done   :thumbsup:

Way to go, I thought you might do well but I had not expected so well.  I have some good water in my areas but not too much time yet so we will see.  Thank you for the images, now the long wait for september ?

Great job Tracey! After seein your other critters, you don't need to tell me you're not a bad shot!

Congrats!  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:  

What now? Prairie dogs til sumpin else opens?  :D

Nice thread. Thanks for posting! Congrats!

DANG!  That is an *awesome* successful opener Shed!

WAY TO GO!

   :saywhat:  

Shoot straight, Shinken

   :archer2:

Outstanding. I hope my opening day is Half that good....but I will shoot a doe first.lol.RC

Awesome Tracy!  Congrats bro!    :notworthy:    

Thanx for sharing    :clapper:

:clapper:  Congratulations on a successful hunt. I was in Wyoming last year and I am constantly thinking of my hunt and/or going back again!!!

Tracy, very well done.  I had a good and short hunt in MT and will try to post something similar yet tonight on a different thread.  Great job!

Great Job,    :thumbsup:    :campfire:    :clapper:    :clapper:  

Great story

Looks like all your hard work and scouting paid off

Great pic's. Congrats!

What an opener!!!

Great pictures!!!

Thanks for sharing
Cheers
J-F

Well Done X2!!!!

 :clapper:    :clapper:

Nice double!

WONDERFUL !

Congrats great hunt, Wow, Buck and Doe on your first day. Good eating, enjoy.

Wow, what a great day, congrats on the fine meals to come.

Thanks for taking us along  :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:

Nice work Tracy!

chris <><

Great hunt.

Randy  :clapper:

They are fast for sure. Should have named them alert/nervous because they always are. Congrats X10  :archer:

Great Job Tracy
 :clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:

Congrats Tracy, thanks for sharing your story and pics.  :thumbsup:    :clapper:

That Honeyhole really payed off,congrats.

I'll be hunting the speedgoats next week - this thread has really fanned the flames for me!
Congratulations on two fine looking animals!

:notworthy:    :notworthy:    :notworthy:
Looks like you did everything right, (I'll have to try that sometime)


After this I think you've earned the title of........
 
Shedrock...The Speedy Speed Goat Slayer...Congrats.
:clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:

Awesome!!  Thanks for sharing!

Congrats!!  Nice job!

Well done!!  Awesome story!

Great story and pics.  Makes the adreneline flow.

I love speed goat hunting! ConGrats!!

Great hunt!  I am in the process of purchasing a wyoming preference point myself.  I've wanted to take an antelope for quite some time now.

Congrats   :thumbsup:

:thumbsup:  
cool beans

:thumbsup:     :clapper:

I had a feeling that spot would payoff when you first posted this.  Great job!

Congratulations!

congrats

Nice work.
I like how you were disappointed in your draw area, but hung tough and had a "pretty good" result on that "small" 10,000 acres. Your hunt threads always inspire me to keep at it.
Thanks for sharing.

Nice work Shedrock....  I missed this thread first time around.   I second the fast whirling goat phenomenon.  I've shot at goats out to 30 yards and had them a full body length away by the time the arrow got to them.  I now set up on puddles just like the one in your picture.  Max shot 18 yards just like whitetails.  Just too much jump in that little body.   :)   Congrats again.

Re-read for the umpteeth time...got antelope on the brain. I hope there are some leftover tags as I wasn't sure if I'd get to go to WY. Great hunt!