Alright the 20th is coming up fast and I'll be on my first pronghorn hunt with a bow. Nebraska's website says this is supposed to be a 25 year high for herd count, and being a bad drought year I'm guessing that finding water is going to be the key to success. Is there another tactic I'll want to have in my head for a plan B?
Is there anyone around the Nebraska/Wyoming/South Dakota area able to give a first hand update on what they are seeing?
Thom
What part of NE are you hunting? Public land or private?
Box Butte West on private land. I will be catching up with the rancher soon, but I was wondering what hunters were seeing across the area.
Thom
Not worthy of it's own thread, but I'd like to throw this out there for input:
One of the bows I'm thinking about taking is a osage selfbow, I got my arrows tuned and I did a round of testing on them today. Here are the results:
650 total grains
264 total grains up front (based on Grizzly 160gr)
19.9% FOC
11.0 gpp
136-139 fps
It all sounds great to me, except that arrow is going so slow. It hits where I aim, but I wonder if an antelope would still be around by the time it got there? Even though it's dead silent, I'm worried about the critter having time to see it coming and react.
Anyone shoot low speed arrows at pronghorns? If this is a recipe for disaster I could take this one off my packing list. Thanks.
Thom
Water sounds like a good plan A. Plan B could be a wheat field, alfalfa field or something like that depending on how much agriculture is in your specific area because where I live at least the antelope seem to love those fields. You also said it was a ranch, if he has cattle and the antelope are accustomed to them a moo cow might be worth a try.
Hey Thom you engineers get way to techinical with your equipment and all those fancy statistics. Here is the bottom line, can you hit a coffee can lid at 40 yards :D
I know, I know, but it's what I do :banghead:
I'm just worried about an arrow that slow heading for a critter that can move that fast. Wondering if anyone else has done it. Probably a few hundred years of Sioux steak dinners by arrows going about this fast, probably should have put it in perspective first.
Bryce, I appreciate your thoughts. There are some alfalfa fields and cows are free ranging on parts of it too. I've heard pronghorns can travel corridors along the edges of these fields and they frequently use the same crossing points over and over. Good plan B stuff like I was asking for. Thank you!
Thom
QuoteOriginally posted by sticksnstones:
I know, I know, but it's what I do :banghead:
I'm just worried about an arrow that slow heading for a critter that can move that fast. Wondering if anyone else has done it. Probably a few hundred years of Sioux steak dinners by arrows going about this fast, probably should have put it in perspective first.
Bryce, I appreciate your thoughts. There are some alfalfa fields and cows are free ranging on parts of it too. I've heard pronghorns can travel corridors along the edges of these fields and they frequently use the same crossing points over and over. Good plan B stuff like I was asking for. Thank you!
Thom
Thom, if you are THAT woried about it, I have a bow I would be happy to loan you for your hunt. Sends an 850 grain arrow at around 180fps. :goldtooth:
Seriously, I wish you all the best on your trip and hope you have fantastic time with lots of goats to choose from. Be sure to take lots of pics for those of us that can't tag along!!!
Your HH Crocodile at 73# is about as much as I feel comfortable bringing to anchor without eating a extra bowl of Wheaties first!
I'll have my Contour and will plan on mostly shooting video, but I'm sure I'll snap a few pictures along the way too.
Thom
QuoteOriginally posted by sticksnstones:
Your HH Crocodile at 73# is about as much as I feel comfortable bringing to anchor without eating a extra bowl of Wheaties first!
I'll have my Contour and will plan on mostly shooting video, but I'm sure I'll snap a few pictures along the way too.
Thom
Awesome Thom, can't wait to see the pics and video. I'll give you a shout perhaps over the weekend.
Thom, might give a shout out to Mike Yancey from Pine Hollow Longbows. He's taken antelope with self bows. Enjoy your hunt and take lots of pictures. We're rootin' for ya buddy! :thumbsup:
im anxious to see pics from this trip! i 2nd the alfalfa if he has it, antelope love that stuff, and i love to eat antelope that have been eating that stuff!
Steve, I'm off to a weekend of camping and shooting but will be unpacking Sunday afternoon/evening if that works for you.
Rick, I appreciate the tip and will check in with him. I was thinking about you the other day, I'm guessing you gotta be down to counting hours at this point! What's the last day again? 2013 Hog Heaven dates (http://www.biggamehuntingblades.com/hogheaven.htm) are posted, hint hint.
huntinmuleys, I'll be in your back yard! I'm guessing you'll know what the country will look like, but I'm really looking forward to posting them anyway!
I made a few tweaks with my gear, and those arrows are flying much flatter now. Will shoot my candidate bow/arrows this weekend at Elm Hall and see how it does. My hunting partner dropped in tonight and we worked on his arrow setup a little bit too.
Next step is to start sharpening these Grizzlys, wish me luck! :help:
Thom
I'm bettin that bow is quiet as can be. The extra noise of being faster may be a wash!
Bro and I are thinkin on goin to NE , will see how he feels by then, he's having a little heart surgery to keep it in time proper.
If we go, will be up in NW corner of state to start out.
Good luck and hope to see a pic with you and a lope from ya!
That rattler backed, moose horn tipped, snaky bow sure is a looker Thom. As quiet as you have it pushin' arras now I don't think you have anything to worry about. Just don't drop the string when the goat's lookin' your way and you'll be fine. I hope my widow puts the sting on one of them lopes. One of God's most beautiful critters. Huntin' trips like these remind me of bein' 8 years old and waitin' for Christmas morn! Great stuff and a great life; kill or no!!
Hi Kenny, I wish him the best of luck with the ticker, got lots of friends and relations that have been through that and came out great. I wish the same for him! If you guys stumble into camp we'll put on a pot of coffee for ya. :bigsmyl: Maybe I'll post another video here once I get the string and arrow finalized for this bow.
Speaking of strings, I hope you are running my string on that widow when you get your shot Gary! I'm thinking it's good and quiet as is with D97 and cat whiskers, but I'll make you a B50 for it if you want to try one out.
They are amazingly beautiful creatures indeed, the bucks and the does. To be completely honest, I'd be perfectly happy to be bow close to them even if I can't take a shot. We are preparing to embark on a great adventure!
Thom
I wish I could be of more help to ya but I live in the complete opposite corner of the state, what I can tell ya is not to over look the center of the state from valentine southeast to Halsey and west of there along the HWY 2 corridor more and more goats showin up in those areas and there's a fair amount of public land that hold decent numbers. goodluck and keep us posted!
Steve
Thanks for the info Steve, every bit of it is being tucked away!
I talked to the rancher today, he was out scouting around over the weekend and had some info.
Sounds like the overall numbers are very good, but the herds are broken into lots of little groups out ranging everywhere for forage. Makes sense with the drought.
Also even more of the water holes have dried up so these buggers are having a tough time. He's marked out some key crossing points as backup locations to the few water holes left out there. If a ton of rain comes in the next two weeks, we'll have some corridors to hunt.
How are you shooting Gary? Ready to do this? :archer2:
Thom
them goats are over numerous 'round here (30 miles w. of valentine) ranchers want em thinned out, game comission is so stingy with the permits they think they are endangered or something, truble right now is its so dry a guy doesnt dare drive to much in the pastures. Me and my son are gonna try to score a couple goats hopefully this year. Findin the time and ambition in this heat is also an issue. Scott
Shootin' pretty good Thom. Need to fletch up some more shafts, sharpen some broadheads and get my camping stuff down from the rafters in the garage. Been many years since that stuff has been used. Conditions out there sound promising and I'm ready to go!
Thom, I have hunted pronghorns using every possible strategy in Colorado and Wyoming. I have been outfoxed and just plain beaten more times than I would like to admit. A waterhole setup works much better than any other strategy; your plan B, and plan C sould be other water holes. I hunt a place on public land in Wyoming with two available water holes. I camp and leave my vehicle parked on one and walk to the other (about 2 miles) to hunt. That strategy ups my odds.
Now, water hole blinds. Ideally, you want to have as little sticking above the ground as possible, and build it a few days before you hunt. The best setup is a pit, let's say 18"-24" deep-deep enough to fashion a dirt seat either on the rim or slightly below ground level. Erect a dome roof from weldwire over it and thatch it with local material. Leave big enough window(s) to shoot through. Make it big enough to move around and cant your bow. The most important part of this design is the roof over your head, which puts you are in the dark where you can't easliy be seen when you move, and it's cooler on those hot days! Wind is as important as with deer and elk-I have had Pronghorns come into a waterhole setup from directly down wind. But don't get seen, hence the purpose for reducing your profile, using a roof, and staying in the dark.
Man that is some great stuff! The rancher offered to put out blinds but they would be too small for me to shoot out of. I'm thinking it would be good for the pronghorns to be accustomed to seeing a blind, then I could swap it for my blind in the dark before hunting that day. Seem like a good plan?
Gary, want to do a phone call tonight and go over the gear? I've been camping the last 3 weekends and I know where all my stuff is. I checked my tent and it's 10x10 with plenty of room for two cots.
Still sharpening broadheads over here too....
Thom
Thom, I'll give you a call tonight if we're not salmon fishing. A friend wants to fish tonight as long as the lake isn't too rough. If we fish I'll call you tomorrow night. My tent is in good shape and I ordered a cot and our fans yesterday. I e-mailed Dick to ask what we can bring for camp but haven't heard back yet. He may not check his mail regularly. Maybe I'll call him today.
Talk soon
Gary
Go with the switch a blind strategy. Having the blind in place for the goats to get use to is always a good thing. They'll never tell the difference.
Thanks for chiming in Charlie, those few words give me a great deal of comfort that I'm on the right track!
Gary, God love ya for ordering those fans, I pray they are as quiet as they are supposed to be!!! I'm thinking that week will be more like a sauna endurance competition than my normal hunting trip, hopefully this will help!
Oh I found one Adidas "running" shirt. It's black fine mesh and the wind blows right through it, but it's long sleeved. I'm going to see if I can find a few more online as my new "blind camo" :)
Thom
One week closer! I did rework my arrows for my selfbow as well as my sideplate and now I get a pretty good clank when the shaft hits the riser. I was too stiff but the suede and long feathers were hiding it.
No time left to mess with arrows and bows, I grabbed my NM Classic and set a new personal best on a round tonight. Broadheads all hit exactly 1.5" left of the center of the bullseye on 3 practice shots. Honestly the broadheads are flying a little better than my field tips.
Talked with Flingblade, and it sounds like the two of us are ready to do this! 4 days til we leave Michigan and 6 mornings from now I hope to be watching a sunrise over a water hole :bigsmyl:
Thom
what will be your main setup?
3 days and a wake up Thom! Getting everything packed today. Shot two arrows last night. 35 yards sitting on stool and 25 yards with broadhead. Both in kill zone. Stopped there; don't want to mess with my confidence at this point. I think I'm gonna hunt the alfalfa first day and see what happens but plans may change once we're there and have a look. I wonder if they are getting any of this rain out there in NW Nebraska?
Good luck guys! Hunting pronghorns is fun.
Check out the Hope and Faith thread for several pics that will get you even more excited. Starting on page 6 I believe. :archer2:
Don't forget... take lots of pics. We expect a full report when you return.
Good Luck to you fellas'!! I hope you both get a nice Pronghorn. Looking forward to pics and stories! yur'buddy, rat' :campfire:
Matthew,
I planned to take my osage selfbow as my primary but my arrow setup got kinda loud. I'll sort that out before whitetail season. In the meantime I'm blessed to have two bow/arrow setups that I'm 1000% confident with.
(http://thomjorgensen.com/bows/goatgear.jpg)
Left is my NM Classic 68" drawing 57#. Arrow with that is a 250 Heritage 4 fletched with a 160 grizzly up front. with inserts and everything it totals up at 650 grains with 260 worth up front.
Right setup is my Bigfoot Sasquatch 60" pulling 63#. Arrow is a four fletch xx78 super slam with a 170 grain delta up front. Total grains is also 650. It may be less of an arrow, but it's just creepy how I can pick that thing up cold and drive nails with it.
Shedrock, I'll check out that thread!
The rest of you yahoos, you're gonna be sick of these campfire stories after a year or two :biglaugh:
Gary, 90% packed and will be ready to roll! I gotta ask, did you get about 50 pictures like this from Nebraska today?
(http://thomjorgensen.com/bows/goat.jpg)
Thom
WOW those are two gorgeous bows! good luck!
Thanks Matthew! I've got no blood on either of them yet, but that will make them even prettier to me :thumbsup:
I sent Gary the other 49 pictures to go with that dude up above, it sounds like seeing them may have given him insomnia. Of course that will mean he can do all the driving out there :laughing:
Thom
Cool, my test post from the iPad of pictures using the cellular network worked! I might be able to update this thread from the road!
Thom
That does it, no more shooting my NM inside the house! I hit the nock on an arrow hard enough to drive it through my target and into the wall behind... Dang. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVChcpapKZY)
Now I need to find a pronghorn at 12 yards, and a house with a longer hallway. :knothead:
Thom
When you asked me to test shoot in your hallway and I declined it was just cause I didn't want to be the first to punch a hole in the wall but now that you own that; what the heck, let's shoot at Thom's! Hope I can sleep tonight; just gotta keep tellin' myself I can't hunt tomorrow. See ya at 7.
In Iowa and its cloudy and raining, wonder how much they are gettIng in Nebraska. Saw a coyote in Michigan, hope it's good medicine.
Thom
Thom,please keep us posted on antelope numbers and your success story! :coffee:
We are planning on leaving MO on the 5th and hunting til the 14th.. :jumper:
QuoteOriginally posted by huntnmuleys:
im anxious to see pics from this trip! i 2nd the alfalfa if he has it, antelope love that stuff, and i love to eat antelope that have been eating that stuff!
Thats the truth for sure.
Wish I was going with you!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Crossing from Iowa into Nebraska we got to see some nice storms raining on the dead corn.
(http://thomjorgensen.com/bows/Neb2012/NotDry.PNG)
Gary and I got out of the rain in Omaha and picked up a few last minute items at some foremost outfitting store then headed on to Lincoln to meet up with our third hunting partner. Looked at some P&Y mounts he's collected from this ranch over the years and did a camp checklist.
Intel from the ranch says no water over on that side and water will be the key. Leaving at 5am so we can have camp up by 2pm and start scouting around. Will have a few double bulls and my penthouse to replace some of those little pop ups with.
All in all looks really promising, too bad it will be several days before I will get close enough to a cell tower to post any more updates.
Thom
What coincidence, I'm living in Box Butte county. Its a good week to hunt, while its dry the temps aren't 100+ like its been almost everyday for the last month. Good luck and hope you two have success flinging arrows at those prairie rats!
Well no goats on ice, but good stories for the campfire. 18 hours to home...
Thom
Did you guys see any? Any almost got one senarios Thom? :dunno: rat'
Hey Thom, we're good for May 2-5 at HH. Sent Ray a deposit check to cover you and I and Doug. Can't wait to here your stories!
Rat, saw over a hundred and I had them in as close as... Well I better save that for later :)
Rick, I'm all in on that trip! I'll catch up with you on that deposit when I get to Michigan! You know I love me some warm weather hog huntin!!! All your free time driving you crazy yet?
Thom
I'll spill the whole story as I get time, but here is a picture of our camp.
(http://thomjorgensen.com/bows/Neb2012/camp2012.PNG)
One morning we were all out hunting we had 5 goats move in and bed down a out 150 yards up the hill from the tents. We put a stalk on them while lunch was cooking but didn't get it done.
Here is just an example shot of the kind of country we were in.
(http://thomjorgensen.com/bows/Neb2012/goatcountry.PNG)
I'll be posting more from a real computer when I get back from Michigan along with some stories. But today is a day to drive!
Thom