Hello...Hello, Again (opener to an old song from The Cars).
Been a while since I've posted much here. Anytime I get the "lost cookies" or "lost password" message, you can count on my technologically-challenged self to be so frustrated as to just give up for a couple weeks or so. Life is busy, and I hate dinking around with technical issues. Throw in a tough deer season due to EHD wiping out over half the deer in 'My Neck of the Woods,' finishing up my second book (due from printer in next week or two), and real life being a parent of young daughters...and I've been absent for a while.
Wanted to bribe my way back into your good graces with a little recount of my 2012 Montana antelope hunt. So here goes.
While not the species on the menu, you've got to like a sunrise with this view.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/ca4a3f7a-741e-4cda-9898-6f1c3c868b99_zps1853ae3c.jpg)
Typical view of southeast Montana; this being my second year hunting antelope in Powder River Co.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/add31cf3-6396-4c7c-858a-84b5f2f90510_zpse10a27a7.jpg)
As temps rose, animals often sought shade. This doe is about ready to relocate as her shade has "moved."
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/a2bcc46c-aece-44e1-b763-291c39826a0c_zpsf119c036.jpg)
Saw lots of prairie grouse on this trip.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/659c2f18-0282-4261-b08b-506b426335a1_zpsf1d773c8.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/f2c949a2-99aa-4ae9-a923-edc353a86629_zpsb2ef7950.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/14125393-1878-4913-84b9-d788a55ac5f3_zps63903dbe.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/703e75d1-a34f-4b6c-9b30-8085e66629a4_zpsdb0c577d.jpg)
This included not only sharptails but also their bigger cousins, sage grouse.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/d6de9802-ee69-45d0-96c0-c4bd8cc11167_zpseff5a249.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/3a87be76-7658-4a77-9d9e-48a27fe46fce_zps24a75bd9.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/de166bcd-b87d-4ad1-9cfe-07e98532a245_zpsc3fd493b.jpg)
And beware: when sage grouse attack.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/ebdff504-861a-456d-b2e0-a94c38d5dabd_zpsdc53ccd2.jpg)
Gonna quick go shoot some arrows before it's dark. I'll finish the rest when I get back in.
You are a good man Bryce :thumbsup:
Looking forward to the story AND the new book.
:campfire:
Also some pheasants. Made me wish I was hunting after bird seasons were open as I'd love to be trying for some of these upland birds with my bow.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/c5e490e9-197c-40e0-8a93-e34d332108e9_zps2f2f6844.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/7a7b3f45-dbc1-4a18-a5dd-efb6a8e27297_zps024cafa7.jpg)
Birds looked for shade too, wherever they could find it.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/01781652-3ed5-459e-9aec-8c9776db9ade_zps8a53da43.jpg)
Really enjoyed my time with the landowner, a very knowledgeable cowboy who had a fine collection of Indian artifacts, as well as fossils topped by this unbelievable (but confirmed by experts) find: a petrified horn from a triceratops. What a thrill to be able to touch such an item. Talk about the ultimate "shed" antler!
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/7f279240-c91d-4dc7-b3ea-9b787bc48c2f_zps832a54e2.jpg)
Alright, I was there to hunt antelope. This fellow swung by on the morning of Day Three, and I quick took a few pictures before he made his final approach.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/c1f997e7-63e7-4020-b0c9-ac5df68ef534_zpsfd064077.jpg)
I had hoped for a closer shot at the tank, but overnight there had been some overflow, and he stopped short and began going from cattle track to cattle track, literally sucking each one dry. I'd have to lean heavily into my right-hand side of the blind to shoot out a slot as I didn't trust my shooting through the netting at 20 yards. I had the window in the roof unzipped so I could pull off just such a shot without canting the bow. Here's my set-up.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/20bb3622-60c1-4be0-9c04-b090d3760a51_zps3c73f3cc.jpg)
The shot was wide, but certainly conclusive and I had him in view as he died. Meanwhile, I had a second very nice buck come in and water in the same manner.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/94b825db-01b2-4647-b8b5-22cf49a655f6_zps8d6357a3.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/ca990a37-ea42-4071-9abc-c1e428ca3cbe_zps772de42c.jpg)
And here I am with my buck. Very thrilled to take such a fine animal. Used my 'Green Machine' Pronghorn longbow, recently skinned with rattlers received from Tracy Villwok here on TG. Wensel Woodsmans on the business end of 2018's.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o94/WaryBuck/27f9523a-5bb2-4328-9dbb-ce8fb7b777b2_zps4a7d1135.jpg)
Love this early season opportunity and hope to give it another go this year.
Nice 'lope!
Good to see you back around!
chris <><
Wow fantastic goat and picts. Thanks!
Great pics, Bryce, and congrats again!
Great story and pics! Thanks for taking the time to post it, I was in dire need of a hunting story.
Congrats on a beautiful antelope.
Cool story and neat pictures. And nice antelope.
Thanks Bryce...
Congrats on the speed goat!
Bisch
Great story Bryce and a great goat! I look forward to reading the new book :thumbsup:
Congrats and can't wait for the next book! :thumbsup:
great story and hunt, congrats
Nice, some good pictures and a handsome critter!
Marvelous! Great story and pics!
Nice job Bryce :thumbsup: Very cool pics!
Steve
Great pictures and story! Congratulations on a fine antelope! Thanks for jumping back in and sharing your story! :thumbsup:
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Great stuff! Thanks
Eric
Glad to have you back, Bryce. Always enjoy your stories and pics. Congratulations!
Well done Bryce. You and that green bow have come far.
Bryce, I was afraid some technical BS kept you away. Always enjoy your posts. BILL
Nice and nice to get a hunting story this time of year.
Thanks for taking us along on your Hunt.
Good stuff Bryce, thanks for sharing. :thumbsup:
Great story and buck!
Nice Buck....Thanks for the pics and story.
that is a great goat sir!! well done Bryce!
Awesome animal! Thanks for posting up your hunt!
Nice buck Bryce. I am looking forward to reading your new book.
That's a great antelope, congrats! Thanks for sharing the pictures and stories!
I love the western US landscape.
Real nice animal. Cool looking area and pictures.
That is awesome Bryce. Congrats. I am looking forward to meeting you next month.
Great story, as usual. Looking forward to picking up your next book in a couple weeks!
Great story and picts. Thanks for sharing a congrats on your success!
Congrats , thanks for sharing , love the pics :thumbsup:
NICE! Great pics, hero shot w/old wagon is awesome.
Great Goat Bryce, welcome back.
Nice, Bryce! Dandy buck man..
Thanks for sharing, great pics! Congrats on a nice buck!
Love the story and the pictures are GREAT! Thanks for sharing it all with us!
Great story and pics LOVE IT!!
good stuff Bryce-----always enjoy your stuff ! chuck
Very Nice story and pics, your other hobby must be photography... must be heavy carrying that DSLR with long range lens around when you are hunting ;)
Very nice Bryce, thanks for sharing. Next time scare a few of those Sharpies my way. ;)
You got to love antelope hunting!!! Can't wait to get back again myself, 2014 I hope!! Looking forward to your next book!! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Thanks for all the kind words. I think what I really like most about antelope hunting is the opportunity to take good photographs in daylight instead of at dawn or dusk, and being able to just sit and relax for a spell. I know the main reason I'm out there is presumably the get an antelope, right? But I really do love to see this fascinating western high plains country, as well as the variety of activity at the waterhole. Having a nice buck pay me a visit was truly icing on the cake.
The new book, Platte River Driftwood, should literally be arriving within a week, and I've talked to Terry and will join as a sponsor soon as I get caught up here. Parent-teachers conferences at my school last night, kids' music performance this weekend, 70th bday party for mom this weekend, other girl's artist recognition this weekend, PT conference for my own kids in next few days, gotta get passport applications in for my daughter's trip this summer, gotta get website up and going, track season starts in 2.5 weeks, track preseason conditioning tonight... When does life ever slow down??? I'm hoping some of you veterans will tell me it eventually does but all the older guys I know seem just as busy as always. :dunno:
Great story and nice pics. I wouldn't mind living in a game rich area like that!
Nice job! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Great story and pic's Bryce!
Congrats :thumbsup:
Congrats!! Those are some beautiful pics thanks for sharing them. Joe